Upholstery Terms Glossary
Whether you're restoring a vintage chair or designing custom furniture, understanding upholstery terminology helps you communicate clearly and make informed decisions. This glossary includes the essential terms you’ll encounter in furniture and fabric projects.
Batting
A soft layer placed between the upholstery fabric and the frame or cushion core. Batting adds cushioning and smooths out the final shape. It can be made from cotton, polyester, wool, or blends.
Spring System
The internal support mechanism in upholstered seating. Common types include sinuous springs (S-shaped) and eight-way hand-tied springs (a traditional high-end method). Springs affect firmness, durability, and comfort.
Tufting
A technique that secures fabric and stuffing using stitches or buttons to create decorative indentations. Common styles include diamond tufting, biscuit tufting, and blind tufting. Tufting adds visual interest and classic elegance.
Channel Tufting
Tufting style that forms continuous, vertical or horizontal channels of padding. Popular in mid-century and Art Deco design, often used on headboards, banquettes, and benches.
Reupholstery
The process of removing old fabric, padding, and often springs from a piece of furniture and replacing them with new materials. Ideal for updating heirloom pieces or customizing existing furniture.
Welt Cord (Piping)
A rounded cord sewn into seams to define edges and create a tailored look. It can be made in a matching or contrasting fabric. Often seen along cushions, arms, and base edges.
Decking
The area of fabric beneath removable seat cushions. Usually made from a less expensive or durable material since it’s not visible but still contributes to support and structure.
Slipcover
A removable fabric cover tailored to fit over furniture. Slipcovers protect upholstery from wear or provide a seasonal update. They're popular in casual or coastal design styles.
Double Rubs
A measurement of fabric durability from abrasion testing. One back-and-forth pass counts as one double rub. 15,000+ is suitable for residential use; 30,000+ for commercial use.
Down Fill
Stuffing made from goose or duck down (fine feathers) used in cushions or pillows for a soft, luxurious feel. Often blended with feathers for better shape retention and support.
Webbing
Strong bands woven across seat or back frames as a support system. Can be made from jute, rubber, or synthetic fibers. Often used in traditional or modern Scandinavian furniture construction.
Explore fabrics online and Request Free Samples and start designing with confidence.