Essential Terms Every Homeowner Should Know

Shopping for furniture in Singapore can be overwhelming, especially when you encounter unfamiliar terms. Whether you are furnishing a new BTO flat or upgrading your home, understanding common furniture terminology helps you make smarter purchasing decisions. X'Clusive Home has put together this comprehensive furniture glossary to help you shop with confidence.

A

Accent Chair — A decorative chair designed to complement the main seating in a room. Accent chairs add visual interest and extra seating without dominating the space.

Armrest — The side support on a sofa or chair where you rest your arms. Armrests can be padded, wooden, or adjustable depending on the furniture design.

B

Bed Frame — The structural base that supports your mattress and box spring. Bed frames come in various styles including platform, divan, and storage bed frames.

Bonded Leather — A material made from a blend of real leather fibres and synthetic materials. Bonded leather is more affordable than full-grain leather but less durable over time.

Box Spring — A supportive base placed beneath a mattress to absorb shock and provide additional height. Not all bed frames require a box spring — platform beds have built-in slat support.

C

Chaise Lounge — An elongated chair or sofa extension designed for reclining. Often found as part of an L-shaped sofa configuration, chaise lounges are popular in Singapore living rooms.

Coffee Table — A low table placed in front of a sofa, used for placing drinks, books, and decorative items. Coffee tables come in various materials including wood, glass, marble, and sintered stone.

Console Table — A narrow, long table typically placed against a wall or behind a sofa. TV consoles are a popular variation designed to hold televisions and media equipment.

Credenza — A long, low storage cabinet often used in dining rooms or living areas for storing tableware, linens, or media equipment.

D

Divan Bed — A bed base consisting of a sturdy wooden frame wrapped in fabric, often with built-in storage drawers. Divan beds are space-efficient and popular in Singapore HDB bedrooms.

Dining Set — A matching combination of a dining table and chairs sold together as a package. X'Clusive Home offers complete dining sets in various sizes to fit Singapore homes.

Dowel Joint — A woodworking joint where wooden pins (dowels) connect two pieces of wood. Dowel joints are commonly found in quality furniture construction.

E

Ergonomic — Designed to provide optimal comfort and support for the human body. Ergonomic furniture reduces strain and promotes good posture.

Extendable Table — A dining table with a built-in extension mechanism that allows you to increase the table length when needed. Perfect for small Singapore homes that occasionally host larger gatherings.

F

Fabric Sofa — A sofa upholstered in textile material such as cotton, linen, polyester, or microfibre. Fabric sofas offer a wide range of colours and textures.

Full-Grain Leather — The highest quality leather that retains the entire grain surface. Full-grain leather is extremely durable and develops a beautiful patina over time.

G

German Mattress — Premium mattresses engineered in Germany, renowned for superior craftsmanship, advanced sleep technology, and exceptional durability. X'Clusive Home carries a curated selection of German mattresses for the ultimate sleep experience.

Glass Top — A furniture surface made of glass, commonly used for coffee tables, dining tables, and TV consoles. Tempered glass is the preferred choice for safety and durability.

H

Hardwood — Wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak, walnut, teak, and mahogany. Hardwoods are denser and more durable than softwoods, making them ideal for quality furniture.

High-Density Foam — A firm, durable foam used in sofa cushions and mattresses. Higher density foam provides better support and retains its shape longer.

K

Kiln-Dried Wood — Wood dried in a controlled environment to remove moisture. Kiln-dried wood is more stable and less prone to warping or cracking.

L

L-Shaped Sofa — A sofa configuration forming an L shape, typically consisting of a regular sofa section and a chaise lounge extension. Extremely popular in Singapore living rooms.

Laminate — A synthetic material made by pressing layers of paper and resin together under high heat. Laminate surfaces are scratch-resistant and easy to clean.

M

Mattress — A padded sleeping surface placed on a bed frame. Common types include spring, memory foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses. X'Clusive Home specialises in premium German mattresses for superior sleep quality.

MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) — An engineered wood product made from wood fibres bonded with resin. Commonly used in furniture for smooth, paintable surfaces.

Microfibre — A synthetic fabric made from extremely fine fibres. Microfibre upholstery is soft, stain-resistant, and easy to clean.

P

Patina — The natural ageing process that gives leather and wood a richer appearance over time. A well-developed patina is a desirable feature of quality furniture.

Platform Bed — A bed frame with a solid or slatted base that supports a mattress without requiring a box spring. Offers a modern, minimalist look.

Plywood — An engineered wood made from thin layers of wood veneer glued together. Stronger than MDF and commonly used in quality furniture construction.

R

Recliner — A chair or sofa with a mechanism that allows the backrest to recline and a footrest to extend. Available in manual and motorised versions.

S

Sintered Stone — A man-made material created by compressing natural stone particles under extreme heat and pressure. Highly durable, scratch-resistant, and heat-resistant — popular for dining tables. X'Clusive Home offers a stunning range of sintered stone dining tables.

Solid Wood — Furniture made entirely from natural timber. Highly durable, can be refinished multiple times, and is considered a premium material.

T

Tempered Glass — Glass heat-treated to increase its strength. Up to five times stronger than regular glass and safer if broken.

Top Grain Leather — The second-highest quality of leather, with a lightly sanded surface for a softer, more uniform finish.

TV Console — A furniture piece designed to hold a television and store media equipment. Available in wall-mounted and floor-standing designs.

U

Upholstery — The fabric, leather, or other material used to cover furniture such as sofas, chairs, and bed frames.

V

Veneer — A thin layer of real wood applied over a less expensive base material. Gives furniture the appearance of solid wood at a lower cost.

W

Wardrobe — A tall storage cabinet for hanging and storing clothes. X'Clusive Home offers a premium range of wardrobes with sliding doors, hinged doors, and smart internal organisers to maximise storage in Singapore homes.

Webbing — Interwoven elastic or jute strips used in sofa and chair construction to support seat cushions.

Shop Quality Furniture at X'Clusive Home

Now that you understand these essential furniture terms, you are better equipped to make informed purchasing decisions. Visit X'Clusive Home to explore our extensive collection of sofas, dining tables, German mattresses, wardrobes, and more. Our knowledgeable team is always ready to help you find the perfect furniture for your Singapore home.