Furniture Manufacturers Key Terms

Learn furniture manufacturing terminology

Whether you need to purchase furniture for your space or find a furniture manufacturer to produce products, an understanding of furniture manufacturers' key terms is essential. With so many choices among styles, materials and manufacturers, understanding the terminology can help one make the right choice. The right furniture not only looks good, it can make a space more usable and comfortable.

 

Commercial furniture

While residential commercial can be used in an office or commercial space, commercial furniture is often the best way to go. Commercial designs are meant to provide comfort and ergonomics while adding to a productive environment. Manufacturers may specialize in a specific sector -- such as offices, retail spaces, banks and hospitals.
Try: Examples of modern commercial designs can be found at local furniture sellers and office specialty stores, as well as online. To get ideas about current styles and trends, look at the products offered by Modern Furniture Classics and Commercial Furniture Group.

Furniture associations

There are dozens of furniture associations in the United States. They can be a valuable resource for manufacturers, sellers and buyers of furniture. Furniture associations provide education and training opportunities, links to furniture providers, industry news and other resources.
Try: Furniture Manufacturers provides a comprehensive list of United States furniture associations. It also offers lists of international organizations.

Furniture styles

Furniture styles have been changing and evolving for centuries, and there are countless styles that are still used in design today. Choosing a style for your residential or office space sets the tone and design foundation for the space.
Try: Connected Lines offers descriptions and links for furniture styles from Jacobean and Early American to the Scandinavian Contemporary designs of the 1950s. Furniture First provides a directory of current design styles, including casual, country and modern.

Furniture materials

Furniture is made from a wide range of materials. Wood is the traditional material used in furniture construction, but fibers and metals are also common.
Try: Real Good Furniture lists the various types of wood used in furniture construction. Rattan Land Furniture lists types of natural materials used in rattan furniture. All Modern Furniture offers a glossary of types of woods, metals and upholstery as well as mouldings and other accents.

Handcrafted furniture

Handcrafted furniture, just as the name suggests, is furniture made by hand. It can be purchased from artisans locally or internationally. One popular type of handcrafted furniture is Amish furniture, made completely with simple machines at Amish communities.
Try: Examples of Amish furniture can be viewed at Amish Furniture Home. For other types of handcrafted furniture, browse the listings at Wood Artists Gallery.

Woodworking and cabinet making

Two important terms in furniture design are cabinet making and wood crafting. Cabinet makers design custom pieces for residential and commercial spaces, using measurements and design elements. Woodworking is the way that off-the-shelf and custom pieces are created, either by hand or machine.
Try: Cabinetmaking is a detailed resource for cabinet making, including books, training, hardware and other resources. Woodworking offers tools, products, plans and a forum.

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