You’ve probably heard someone say couch when they mean sofa, or call any window covering curtains, even when they’re technically not. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. The interior design world comes with plenty of jargon, and some of it’s easy to mix up (or just quicker to say wrong).
Using the right interior design terms isn’t about looking or sounding smart. It helps you shop smarter, plan better, and speak confidently when you’re decorating your home.
Why using the right interior design terms matters
Even if you’re not a professional designer, using accurate design vocabulary can save you time, money, and misunderstandings. Say you’re browsing online and the listing calls for a “sofa,” but your search for “couch” misses it. Then, you’ve missed the piece that could have been exactly what you were looking for.
Or imagine you want blackout drapes but end up with thin curtains because you didn’t clarify. These small mix-ups can have a ripple effect, especially when you’re working with designers, suppliers, or contractors. Plus, it just feels good to know what you’re talking about when planning your own space, even for beginners who want clarity and confidence.
Couch vs. sofa
At first glance, couch and sofa seem the same, and in everyday conversation, they often are. But historically, a couch (from the French coucher, meaning “to lie down”) was more casual, sometimes with no arms and lower backs, great for lounging in dens or family rooms.
A sofa, on the other hand, evolved from the Arabic ṣuffa, typically framed, longer, and designed for structured seating in formal spaces. Today, designers often make the distinction: sofas are styled and polished, couches feel cozy and informal. So when you’re shopping or talking design with intention, noting the difference can help you choose the right vibe for your space.
At Gal at Home, we regularly use the term “sofa” (and you’ll notice a lot of designers and decorators do too).
Curtains vs. drapes
Curtains and drapes are often used interchangeably, but their differences go beyond just terminology.
Curtains are usually made of lighter-weight fabric and cut to fit just below or above the window, offering a casual, airy feel. In contrast, drapes are crafted from heavier materials, often lined or blackout, designed to block light and insulate the room, making them ideal for bedrooms and formal spaces.
Drapes also tend to puddle or graze the floor, giving a more polished and styled look. If you’re aiming for function and formality, drapes are your best bet; curtains are perfect for everyday, low-maintenance style.
Pendant light vs. chandelier
Pendant lights (or drop lights) are single-bulb fixtures suspended from the ceiling, often used in groups over islands or counters. They’re minimalist, versatile, and perfect for task lighting in modern interiors.
Chandeliers, on the other hand, are multi-arm fixtures with several light sources, serving as decorative focal points in dining spaces or entryways. They tend to be ornate, often pricey, and make a bold design statement, whereas pendants are cleaner, simpler, and more approachable in scale.
Blinds vs. shades
Both are popular window treatments, but they operate differently. Blinds consist of horizontal slats (wood, faux wood, or metal) that tilt for precise light control and airflow.
Shades are made from a single piece or layers of fabric that roll, fold, or pull up and down, providing a sleek, fabric-soft look. Blinds are durable, easy to clean, and give you granular control (even slat-tilting), while shades offer better insulation (especially cellular styles) and a quieter visual profile.
Armchair vs. accent chair
It’s easy to lump these together, but there’s a meaningful difference. An armchair is a substantial, upholstered chair with arms, built for comfort and usually paired with sofas for functional seating. However, you can also call any chair with arms an armchair; for example dining armchairs found in the photo above.
An accent chair is more of a decorative statement (can be smaller or lighter, or bold in color or shape) and is used to add flair and personality. Accent chairs can have arms, but their main job is to visually enhance a room.
Carpet vs. rug
This is a common mix-up that matters more than you think. A carpet is installed wall-to-wall and fastened or glued, designed to cover the entire floor. A rug is much smaller, sits loosely on top of flooring, and can be moved and layered as needed.
Rugs are great for defining spaces, adding texture, or adding warmth without committing to full-room coverage.
Throw pillow vs. cushion
Though often used interchangeably, there’s nuance here. Throw pillows (or toss pillows) are decorative soft furnishings: small, varied in shape, used to style and accessorize sofas, beds, or accent chairs.
Cushions, on the other hand, are functional. They’re designed for comfort and support, like the padded seat of a dining chair or the long bench pad at the foot of your bed. They tend to stay put, while throw pillows are moved and rearranged for visual impact.
This distinction can save you time and frustration when shopping, since stores usually categorize them differently: cushion inserts and covers are sized to fit specific seats or benches, while throw pillows come in ready-to-style shapes and colors. Knowing the difference also helps when ordering custom covers or replacing worn-out pieces, so you can describe exactly what you need.
Furniture vs. furnitures
This one’s just grammar, but I’ll admit, it’s a bit of a personal pet peeve for this writer/editor/former English teacher lol.
Furniture is what’s called a mass noun (like water, sand, or rice), which means it already refers to one or more pieces as a collective whole. You don’t say “furnitures,” even if you mean several sofas, chairs, and tables. The correct way to say it is, “We bought new furniture,” or if you want to emphasize quantity, you can say, “several pieces of furniture.”
I don’t mean to sound nitpicky. And honestly, when clients or homeowners slip and say “furnitures,” it doesn’t bother me much at all. Not everyone lives and breathes these little technicalities, and that’s completely understandable.
But I do find myself wincing a little when I hear it from people in the industry: designers, decorators, furniture makers, suppliers, contractors, and the like. Companies have been named with this as their official trade names (I die, I cry.) I know nobody means harm, and it’s not the end of the world, but it does stand out when someone who works with furniture every day still calls it “furnitures.” Maybe it’s just me (insert sweating-grinning emoji here) but getting small things like this right makes us all sound a little more confident and credible.
So just a gentle reminder to keep it simple: furniture. No s. Always.
Master bedroom vs. master’s bedroom
You’ll often hear “master’s bedroom” in Filipino English. You’ll be surprised to know that that usage comes from colonial times and isn’t standard.
In global interior design and real estate, the correct term used to be “master bedroom,” but that term has been questioned for its ties to hierarchy, sexism, and slavery. Critics point out that “master” once implied a person in control—an owner—over others. Organizations like the Houston Association of Realtors have removed the term since 2020, and publications like House Beautiful and Architectural Digest now favor terms like “primary bedroom” or “main bedroom.”
In Gal at Home projects, we’ve moved from “MBR (master bedroom)” to using “MBR (main bedroom)” to reflect inclusivity and respect.
Interior design tip: Don’t sweat the small stuff
At the end of the day, we’re not knowing the “right” interior design terms just so we could sound fancy or impress others. Even seasoned professionals still slip up sometimes, or encounter catalogs and suppliers who use these words interchangeably. And that’s okay. What really matters is that you feel more confident and more intentional when making choices for your space.
So don’t feel pressured to memorize every term or get everything perfect the first time. Just keep this guide handy as a quick reference, and remember: The goal is to make your home feel like yours, not like a vocabulary quiz.
If you ever feel like you need more guidance or someone to walk you through your options, we’d be happy to help.
All photos from the Gal at Home Design Studio Library, unless otherwise indicated. In writing this article, we used AI assistance for clarity, accuracy, and to align with our editorial guidelines and our commitment to providing valuable home design insights. You can view our full AI Use disclosure here.