A

Acoustical Panel – A systems furniture panel with acoustical properties that absorbs sound and provides higher STC (Sound Transmission Class) ratings for the whole workplace

Arch Handle – A handle on drawers that curves outward from the surface

Asynchronous Control – A multi-faceted tilt control system for seats that allows the back to pivot independently, and locks the back in any position to give users the choice of various postures

Adjustable Arms – The adjustability (height, width) of chair armrest; some can rotate, have a sliding arm pad or utilize all adjustable arms, which can move in every direction

Adjustable Glides – This helps level furniture on uneven flooring when placed underneath (also called “levelers”)

Adjustable Lumbar Support – A movable lower back support on chairs that users can move where extra pressure is needed to achieve proper sitting posture

Anti-Rebound – This feature ensures that a drawer does not open or recoil when closed with normal force

B

Back Pitch – Refers to the angle of a chair’s back in relation to the seat

Bridge – The part of a work surface that connects a desk and credenza to form a U-shape area around the user

Bullet Top – A work surface, when viewed from above, that has a round circular shape at the end, which is typically supported by a post or leg

Back Height Adjustment – The settings for the back of a task chair to position the lumbar support in the most comfortable location

Bariatric Lounge – A reinforced metal frame that increases the strength of a lounge chair (up to 450 lbs.)

Boat Shaped Table Top – A rectangular shaped table top design with 2 short sides and 2 long sides that extend outward in a convex shape (suited for individual visibility around a long conference table)

Box Drawer – A 6” high drawer in a pedestal

Bow Front Worksurface – A work surface with a curved front side that gives visitors and collaborators a little extra work space

C

C-Leg – A work surface leg formation that allows more leg room for the user underneath

Casegoods – Refers to freestanding office furniture

Cable Trough – This neatly organizes electrical and data cords throughout a workstation environment

Café Height – Typically between 40” and 42” high and is meant for standing situations in a work environment

Cantilever Table – With a C-shaped base, this table shape can slide under a side or lounge chair to save space

Carpet Gripper – Feet for office furniture to provide a firm placement on a carpeted surface

Caster – Wheels attached to the bottom of chairs, tables, and pedestals for better mobility

Center Tilt – This chair mechanism allows users to comfortably recline, using the center of the seat as the pivot point

Clamp Mount – A device that grips the edge of the work surface, and allows a user to install an accessory such as a monitor arm

Club Chair – A comfortable armchair meant for a single user, and often placed in lounge settings

Contract Furniture – Furniture obtained by contract through dealers or manufacturers and generally developed for commercial use

Coffee Table – A low-set table designed for casual settings and to hold small items such as literature and beverages

Corner Table – A low-set table designed to fit at a 90-degree angle between casual seating arrangements

Counterweight – Small weights in the base of a file cabinet to prevent from tipping over when a loaded drawer is open

Credenza – A work surface/storage unit that can be located behind the user or underneath a larger workstation

Cube Table – A table with a square top enclosed on all sides and a height equal to each side

Cylinder Table – A table with a round top enclosed on all sides and a height equal to the diameter of the top

D

Desk Divider – Solid panels above the desk that help define and divide personal space, usually attached to groups of work surfaces in open areas

Desk Shell – A desk with support legs and a work surface, but no storage drawers

Desktop Paper Shelf – A shelf meant for organizing paperwork

Desktop Storage Terrace – A layered shelf with various tray sizes for greater organization of paperwork

Defeat Mechanism – The mechanism that helps prevent a file cabinet from accidentally tipping over

Double Pedestal Desk – A desk setup with left and right pedestal files and center knee space for the user

Drawer Configuration -The layout of drawers within a pedestal

Drum Base – A large cylindrical base used to support a table or work surface

E

Empire Handle – A flat, rectangular handle on drawers that runs horizontally

End Table – A low table designed to complement a series of guest chairs in lounge seating

End Panel – A panel that runs the along the side of a freestanding work surface and does not allow for knee room for the user

End Trim – The finished vertical end cap on a system furniture panel

Ergonomic – Furniture designed to provide support and comfort in order to avoid stress or injury

Executive Chair – A full-featured mid-back or high-back desk chair with premium comfort and adjustable controls

Extron Plate – A port area that allows for various configurations such as VGA, HDMI, USB, audio and more

F

F/F Pedestal – Stands for file/file pedestal. These are typically 15” wide and located under a work surface top

Flipper Door – A hinged door on an overhead storage unit in a workstation

Freestanding – Furniture not supported by panel systems

Furniture Plan – A plan that locates and identifies new and existing furniture in a proposed floor plan

File Center – A combination of various storage elements in one unit.

Fixed Chair Arms – Arms on a chair that do not move or adjust in any way.

Fixed Chair Base – A chair base with no casters that is meant to stay in position.

Flip-Top Base – A table base designed to turn the work surface 90-degrees to better organize with other tables set in a vertical position

Foot Ring – A fixed or adjustable bar on the bottom of a stool that provides leg support

Freestanding Privacy Screen – A vertical screen designed to provide visual privacy and divide space in open areas

G

Glides – Small, adjustable feet on large furniture pieces to help make it level and move smoothly over hard surfaces

Grommet – A hole in a work surface or panel to allow for wires

Ganging Bracket – A bracket placed on guest seating and tables used to connect them together to form rows and keep chairs in place

Guest Chair– A small, single-seat chair meant for short-term use

H

High-Pressure Laminate – A laminate made of six to eight layers of building material bonded and topped with a melamine plastic facing; high-pressure laminates are used in office furniture to add durability to furniture without sacrificing appearance.

Hanging Paper Shelf – An open shelf that attaches underneath a cabinet or work surface to organize paperwork

Hardboard – A stiff board made of compressed and treated wood pulp, typically used on cabinet backs and other furniture elements

High-Density Stacker – A lightweight guest chair made of high-density materials that allow it to be easily stacked and rearranged

Hip Chair – A stool with fixed arms and a foot ring

Hospitality Shelf – A sliding shelf that can be added to the bottom of a storage cabinet to allow for better accessibility for trash

Hutch – A storage cabinet added onto work surfaces to add storage without sacrificing floor space

I

Interlock – A device that locks two or more drawers together and allows only one drawer to be open at a time to prevent tipping

Independent Back Angle – A feature of task chairs for moving back of the seat separately to reduce lumbar pressure

K

Keyboard Tray – A unit that attaches underneath a work surface to hold a keyboard

Knockouts – The hole provided for an electrical or data outlet, in the base of a systems furniture panel

L

Laminate – A coating made of up various building materials meant to provide durability to office furniture

Lateral File – A wide filing cabinet that allows for side to side or front-to-back paper filing

Laminate Credenza Shelf – A shelf with storage space and a durable laminate exterior

Load Bar – A mounted bar near a workstation that holds accessories and other items

Loop Handle – A rounded handle style on drawers that gently curves outward from the surface

L-Post – Also referred to as a Two-Way Connector, this is used when two panels meet at a 90-degree angle

Love Seat – A lounge seat made for two users

Lumbar Support – A feature in the lower part of the chair back that delivers extra pressure to the user’s lower back, to help maintain the natural curve of the spine and reduce back pain

M

Melamine – A plastic resin used to coat direct pressure laminate and used between the layers of high-density laminate

Mesh Back – A breathable material on a chair that stretches, gives instant support and comfort, and keeps a user cool

Mobile Markerboard – A two-sided whiteboard on four casters that can be easily moved around

Mobile Pedestal – A storage pedestal with casters and drawers that can be easily moved around a workspace

Modesty Panel – A panel attached to the bottom of a desk to provide extra privacy below the work surface

Modular Chair – A chair designed to work both standalone, and as a part of a larger set of similar chairs

Monitor Arm – A metal arm that replaces the standard base of monitors and allows the monitor to be easily adjustable when affixed to the desk

Multi-Task Control – A control for an office chair that allows users to adjust the reclining angles of the seat and back independently, and allows the user to lock the back in virtually any position

N

Nesting Chair – A side or guest chair with a seat that flips up vertically, which allows it to be pushed closely against other chairs in that collection to save space, similar to a line of grocery carts

O

Off Modular – The ability for systems furniture components to join into a perpendicular panel, rather than just the ends of the panel

Open Plan – An office plan for an open working environment, which typically does not have a door or a ceiling

Ottoman – A cushion-topped lounge element where you can place your feet or use as a short-term seating solution

Overhead Legs – Post legs or O-legs designed to support overhead storage

Overhead Storage – Storage cabinets that sit on top of workstations and add storage space without taking up any additional real estate

P

Panel Mount – The ability to mount and hang storage units, work surfaces and accessories to a systems furniture panel

Particle Board – A heavy-duty composite material that gives work surfaces strength and durability

Pedestal – A storage cabinet with drawers that also acts as a support for an office desk or credenza, usually with file or supply drawers

Peninsula Top – A work surface designed with one rounded end on a single post leg, and one rectangular end that connects to a panel support

Pivot Arms – Adjustable chair arms that each turn at up to 30-degree angles

Plan View – An aerial view of a space, room or piece of furniture

Pneumatic Height Adjustment – On a task chair, this allows users of different sizes to adjust the seat height

Posture Control – Allows the backrest to tilt independently of the seat

Power Infeed – The electrical connection used to provide systems furniture with the building’s power source

Power Pole – A floor to ceiling pole that provides the connections to the systems furniture

Power Whip – Power source connecting the building’s electricity to the systems furniture

Pop-up Port – Electrical and/or data outlet that can open and close when pushed on a work surface

Post Leg Base – Individual vertical legs that can be used to support a variety of work surfaces

Posture Control – Any mechanism on an office chair that allows the user to customize the seat and comfort settings to their preference

Posture Mechanism/Lock – A feature in office chairs that allows the user to prevent the chair from reclining whenever the user prefers firmer back support and an upright position

Presentation Cart – A mobile cart that typically holds a flat screen display, whiteboard or other presentation tools

Q

Quadruplex Outlet – An electrical outlet with 4 receptacles (also known as a “quad”)

R

Raceway – The pathway which runs electrical and data cabling to the outlets, provided within a systems furniture panel

Radius Styling – The rounded edge on the top of desks and credenzas

Reception Station – A large workstation that wraps around a receptionist, which holds a variety of storage options and includes a standing-height work surface for visitors

Recessed Task Light – A lighting unit that can be mounted on the underside of a hutch or wall-mount storage cabinet

Remanufactured Furniture – The reuse of core components in office furniture that can be returned to a new condition

Return – An L-shaped workstation comprised of one finished side, a pedestal file and a modesty panel that attaches to a single pedestal desk or credenza

Rounded Square Handle – A rounded, rectangular handle on drawers that runs horizontally

S

Skins – The editable sections of a systems furniture panel that allow for different kinds of surfaces to be applied

Sliding Seat Pan – An option for task chairs that allows the seat to move from front to back to accommodate varying leg lengths

Space Plan – A preliminary graphic layout of the potential relationships for various elements of systems furniture and equipment

Spine – The common center panel of a workstation pod where all perpendicular panels connect

Seat Depth Adjustment – An adjustment on office chairs to move the chair forward or backward to create a deeper or shallower seat cushion

Seat Glide Mechanism – An adjustment on office chairs to move the entire seat cushion forward or backward

Sled Base – A chair base with U-shaped legs on the sides

Soft Wedge Table Top – A table top with a 45-degree shape that allows for weaving arrangements around architectural elements

Stadium – A tiered platform added to a work surface to increase open shelf capacity for filing

Storage Cabinet Pedestal – A mobile or modular storage unit that can be added to a workstation to increase the number of drawers

Storage Tower – A vertical storage unit with a full-height door for storing coats, smaller drawers, and open cabinets for paperwork, office supplies, and personal items

Straight Arms – Fixed arms on an office chair that do not bend or curve in any way

Support Column – A single straight leg that supports peninsula desks or other work surfaces

Systems Furniture – a term for bundles of panels, work surfaces, shelves, and other items sold by a single manufacturer as a package for furnishing offices

Swivel – A feature on a chair that allows a user to turn 360-degrees for total freedom of movement

T

T-Leg Base – A table base with an upside down T-shape that provides a solid foundation

Tablet Arm – A small work surface that attaches to an arm of a chair to provide a place for a laptop or for note-taking

Tack Board – A fabric covered tackable surface that is generally mounted to a vertical space (like a wall or panel)

Tapered Leg – A hardwood or metal leg typically found on lounge furniture (can be round or square)

Task Chair – An office chair that offers comfort, and may include features such as a 360-degree swivel, adjustable seat height, and other elements that allow for adjustability and support.

Task Light – An additional light source for a desk or workstation

Tension Control -A mechanical feature usually adjusted by a knob located under the seat of a chair that controls the degree of resistance the chair provides when leaning back

Tilt Lock – A feature in office chairs that allows the user to stop the chair from reclining

Tilt Tension – A feature in office chairs that allows the user to adjust the amount of pressure it takes to push the back of the chair when reclining

Top Cap – The finished piece of the top of a workstation post or panel

Transaction Top – A work surface typically mounted at 42” high and meant for standing users such as at a reception station

U

“U” Shaped Workstation – A furniture set comprising of a desk space connected on one side by a flat top and modesty panel

Upholstered Back – An office chair back that is covered with fabric wrapped over a padded cushion

Upholstered Seat – An office chair seat that is covered with fabric wrapped over a padded cushion

V

Veneer – A thin strip of real wood glued on to a substrate of plywood or particle board

Vertical File – A filing cabinet that is deeper than it is wide, in which records can only be stored front to back

Vertical Raceway Panel – A panel with an interior vertical space that brings power and data above work surface height

Vertical Paper Manager – An add-on to open cabinets that contains various open shelves for sorting and organizing paperwork

W

Wall Mount – Refers to the installation of systems furniture pieces that are mounted on drywall areas instead of hung from panels

Wardrobe Cabinet – A personal storage unit meant to hold a coat, jacket, or other hanging items

Wire Management – A series of trays and troughs that organize the cables and cords for workstations

Work Wall – A freestanding wall that adds privacy and supports one end of a work surface

Workstation – A table or desk with a three-sided partition around it, usually made for individual work