Furniture Guide
Fabrics and Materials
FAQs
Glossary
Fabrics
Velvet
Velvet is a soft, plush fabric that is usually made from cotton or synthetic fibers. The sheen of velvet makes it a beautiful fabric for upholstery. Velvet may crush and wear over time with regular use. Due to the pile of velvet, never use water when cleaning a spill. Spot clean only with a water-free dry cleaning solvent and blot spills immediately to avoid saturation.
Performance Fabric
Performance fabrics are manufactured to withstand water spills, mold, and mildew. Spaces that are high traffic, such as living rooms, are great places to use performance fabric. Wash with a mild solution of soap and water; rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly.
Sherpa
Sherpa typically refers to the hide of a sheep but most of the sherpa fabrics that we sell are faux sherpa made from synthetic fibers. Sherpa is luxe and soft. We love it on an accent chair or ottoman for a cozy touch. Spot clean by blotting with a light-colored, damp cloth. For larger stains, we recommend contacting a professional upholstery cleaner.
Bouclé
Bouclé comes from the french word meaning “curled” or “ringed” referring to the way the pile is constructed. This fabric is very textural and quite soft. We love it on all upholstery. Pilling or crushing may occur with wear. Spot clean by blotting with a light-colored, damp cloth. For larger stains, we recommend contacting a professional upholstery cleaner.
Linen
Linen is a durable fabric usually made from flax or synthetic fibers. It is light, breathable, and easy to clean. With wear, it may soften. On furniture, linen may pill and we like to use a sweater shaver to clean that up. Spot clean by blotting with a light-colored, damp cloth. For larger stains, we recommend contacting a professional upholstery cleaner.
Leather
Leather is the product of a prepared hide or skin of an animal (usually a cow) unless noted as vegan or faux. Leather is durable and over time it will patina naturally with wear. Clean with a damp cloth.
Materials
Wood
Wood is a natural material made of trees that can be finished in a variety of ways to create durable furniture that will wear well over time. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and avoid use of harsh chemicals. Protect your furniture from moisture and scratches by using coasters. The most common types of wood you may find in our products are oak, acacia, ash, mango, and teak. We also carry products that contain FSC wood meaning that they are more sustainably produced.
Metal
You may find metal accents on our furniture pieces. Some feature solid metal while others feature hollow metal. Meta is durable and easy to clean, simply wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
Cane
Commonly used as the seat of a dining chair or on cabinet doors, cane is a woven material made from bamboo, sugar cane, or the the stem of a slender palm such as rattan. or a faux alternative. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and avoid use of harsh chemicals.
Burl Wood
A burl or burr is a tree growth in which the grain has grown in a deformed manner. It is commonly found in the form of a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch that is filled with small knots from dormant buds. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and avoid use of harsh chemicals. Protect your furniture from moisture and scratches by using coasters.
Stone
Marble and travertine are common examples of stone used in furniture. These pieces are very heavy and durable but need to be properly cared for to prevent stains. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and avoid use of harsh chemicals. Marble is porous so wipe spills immediately to avoid staining.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is a durable, long lasting material that can be used indoors or outdoors. These pieces can be quite heavy due to their construction. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and avoid use of harsh chemicals. The material is porous so wipe spills immediately to avoid staining. Hairline cracks may appear but it will not affect the structural integrity of the item.
Rattan
Made from woven wicker or a faux alternative, rattan is a woven construction that creates durable furniture. Wipe clean with a soft, dry cloth and avoid use of harsh chemicals.
Measuring and Placement
There’s a lot to cover when it comes to how to measure and place furniture. Read our full guide for living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms.
To keep your upholstered furniture looking as new as possible, here are some of our care tips. All fabrics have different care instructions so be sure to read below for more each type. For all fabrics keep, avoid placing upholstery in direct sunlight to minimize fading and vacuum regularly with an upholstery attachment.
Delivery
Double check the furniture that you are ordering and make sure you confirm the dimensions. Below are the ones to always consider.
Know Your Dimensions
Next, make sure that the piece you are ordering can physically fit through your doorways to make it into your home. Consider architectural details like staircases, tight corners in the hallways, elevators, etc.
Measure Your Space for Delivery
What is the difference between White Glove Delivery and Oversized/Threshold Delivery?
Oversized/Threshold Delivery involves delivering the item to the first available dry space, such as a porch, front door, or lobby, without the delivery team entering the property or assisting with assembly. An appointment and signature may be required for Oversized Delivery, and the delivery service will contact you to schedule a delivery window.
On the other hand, White Glove Delivery is a more comprehensive service, where the delivery is scheduled directly through the delivery service. The item is then placed in the customer's preferred room, and the delivery team assembles the product and disposes of the packaging materials. However, they are not responsible for disassembling or removing.
Is it possible to change my delivery method to an upgrade or downgrade?
Unfortunately, we are unable to make any adjustments to the delivery methods as each piece may require special handling and care. However, if you are a Trade Member and require assistance with your delivery, please contact our dedicated Trade team HERE.
Is your furniture sustainability sourced?
We work to find sustainable ways to bring beauty home—you can find information on our sustainability HERE.
What is the difference between a platform bed style and a traditional bed?
A platform bed is designed to be used without any additional foundation support, such as a box spring. Instead, the bed frame comes with slats that provide support directly to the mattress. While a bunkie board can be used for extra support or height, it is not required.
Beds that are not labeled as platform beds typically require a box spring. Most of our beds can accommodate a standard box spring, which is typically 8-10 inches in height, as well as adjustable bed frames unless otherwise specified in the product description. If you are still unsure, please confirm with our team.
How do I order swatches?
You can order items with available swatches directly from the product page. Swatches are currently offered in select fabrics and wallpapers. Unfortunately, items without a swatch link are not currently available.
Artisan Handmade products are created by skilled local artisans applying traditional and time-honored techniques.
A product on Back Order is temporarily out of stock with the supplier. These orders will be fulfilled when they are back in stock—the timeline will vary by product.
Boucle is a textural yarn or fabric made from looped fibers—typically of wool but can also be cotton or synthetic. The word boucle comes from the French for curled or ringed, the distinctive property that gives this material its cozy look and feel.
Burl Wood is marked by a variation, or knot, in the grain resulting in a beautiful and distinctive pattern. Burl wood is cut and polished often for veneer or inlays.
Cane is the slim outer skin of a rattan plant that has been split and trimmed for weaving. Cane is typically left untreated and used for binding or accent pieces on furniture—as with the cane paneling on a cabinet door or dining chair.
A Chaise, or chaise lounge, is a chair with an extended seat made for reclining. Outdoor chaises often come with adjustable backs and removable cushions.
A Credenza is a long low cabinet like a buffet or sideboard used for storage and surface space. Credenzas typically have a flat top and no legs underneath.
A Curio Cabinet, or curio, is an enclosed cabinet with glass panels or doors used to store and display dinnerware, glassware, or other collectibles.
An Enamel Finish is a durable paint coating that can be brushed or rubbed to a high gloss. Not to be confused with enamelware dishes—enamel paint air-dries to a hard finish and offers durability for outdoor spaces and other hard-use applications.
Engineered wood is any wood composite manufactured from particles or sheets of other wood for cost, durability, or other specifications. Examples include plywood, particleboard, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
Faux describes a material or finishes designed to mimic another material or finish—as with artificial or synthetic goods. From the French for "fake," this term has taken on a more positive meaning as materials like faux leather become more popular.
Fluting is a series of decorative grooves on the surface of anything from a vase to a table base for added visual interest. If the grooves curve out instead of in, it is referred to as reeding.
A Foot Rail is a crosspiece at the foot end of a bed used for support and sometimes decoration.
The Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) provides global standards for all forest management via timber certification. FSC®-Certified products ensure the wood is harvested from responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable forests. Look for our FSC®-certified products."
Handcrafted products feature handcraft, labor-intensive practices in their production.
Hand-Turned wood has been turned on a lathe and carved by hand to shape—often for ornamentation on table or chair legs.
Indoor/Outdoor products are designed and constructed to style seamlessly from patio to sunroom. These products often feature robust materials like teak, concrete, or synthetic fibers and special features like removable cushions. Outdoor furniture should be covered or stored indoors during inclement weather or when not in use.
Inlay is a technique where a contrasting material is fitted and inserted into a larger piece for decoration. Found everywhere from tabletops to framed mirrors—the designs can range from simple accents to intricate mosaic patterns.
Jacquard is a textural fabric in which the pattern is incorporated into the weave rather than printed, dyed, or embroidered on top. The term Jacquard does not refer to any specific pattern or material but rather the technique and loom used.
Joinery refers to any number of woodworking techniques used to join two pieces of wood together. Stronger joints in a design can create sturdier, longer-lasting furniture.
Lacquer is a durable coating applied to decorative objects and furniture. This finish enriches and protects hard surfaces and can be clear or pigmented, ranging in sheen from matte to high gloss.
A table leaf is a board or panel that extends your tabletop. Leaves can attach to a table in various ways—from hinged designs that fold up to separate pieces that can be inserted into the center of the table—making your dining space more dynamic.
Made to Order products allow you to customize specifications such as fabric color or type at the time of purchase. These products are built or finished once the order is placed, allowing you to tailor them to your home design.
Modular furniture is made up of multiple pieces that you can configure to your layout. Sectional sofas and home office furniture often feature modular designs.
A Mortise and Tenon Joint is a method of joining two pieces of wood in which a protruding tenon on one piece fits snuggly into a precisely cut opening, or mortise, on the other. Mortise and tenon joints typically connect pieces at a right angle, but a similar tongue and groove joint can join them side-by-side.
A Platform Bed is a type of bed frame where slats or a platform support your mattress directly without the need for a box spring between. The platform is often recessed to help hold the mattress in place.
Rattan is a vine-like palm plant commonly used in wicker. Rattan is lightweight and strong, making it ideal for everything from baskets and lampshades to larger pieces of furniture.
Responsibly Sourced Materials are grown, collected, and manufactured according to fundamental environmental, social, and ethical accountability benchmarks.
Seat Depth is measured from the front of the seat or cushion to the back. Generally, a deeper seat is more conducive to lounging, whereas a more shallow depth is better for sitting upright—as in a dining room, workspace, or formal lounge.
Seat Height is measured from the floor to the top of the seat. This measurement is important to note when pairing a seat with another element, such as scaling a sofa to a coffee table.
Seat Width, or interior seat width, is the distance between armrests on a seat—or simply the chair's overall width if there are no armrests. Depending on the seating style, an adult typically needs between 16" - 24" to sit comfortably.
A Slipcover is a removable cover designed to fit over furniture to protect upholstery or serve in place of upholstery. Slipcovers are convenient for homes with pets or small children as they are easier to update or clean.
Trillium fill is a polyester alternative to down for blankets, pillows, and cushions. It offers the same relaxed comfort of down fill but is hypoallergenic and easy-care with no loose feathers to worry about.
Patina is a desirable appearance or finish that develops from time or use. Patina can refer specifically to the polish or coloring of an antique material or to a more general character and charm.
A Plinth is a solid base or platform used to elevate an object—historically, a column or statue. Plinth bases are becoming a more common feature on furniture such as beds, sofas, and coffee tables as it offers a clean, modern look.
Vinyl is a thick, synthetic material with versatile use. Vinyl is durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean, making it a go-to choice for many applications around the home.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are airborne chemicals that are released during the manufacturing of furniture. Non-Toxic and low VOC furniture is scientifically proven to meet some of the most rigorous third-party chemical emissions standards, typically GREENGUARD Certification. These products help reduce indoor air pollution and the risk of chemical exposure while aiding in creating healthier indoor environments.
White Glove Delivery is a comprehensive service for oversized or fragile items. The delivery is scheduled directly through the delivery service, the shipment is placed in your preferred room, and the delivery team assembles the product and disposes of any packaging materials.
Whitewash is a paint-like finish made from slaked lime or chalk. Whitewashing offers a bright finish without concealing the natural character of the wood or stone beneath—popular in farmhouse and cottage designs.
Wicker is made from thin strips of a pliable material like rattan, bamboo, or water hyacinth woven into a durable design such as a basket or large furniture item. All-weather wicker is made from synthetic materials for added durability and resilience outdoors.
Step 1 - Doorways and Hallways
Begin by measuring the height and width of all the doors and hallways in your home.
Step 3 - Delivery Path
Identify the optimal path from outside your home to the desired location for the furniture piece.
Take note of any blocks, considering fixtures, decorative moldings, interior walls, stairwells, and elevators that might obstruct the delivery process or placement of the furniture.
Step 4 - Will it Fit?
The overall width of the doorways and hallways that your furniture will have to go through needs to exceed the item depth or height. If the clearance is less than the item width, it will need to be brought in vertically. In this instance, the entryway height must exceed its width and the item width cannot exceed the entry height.
Step 2 - Corner Clearance
For narrow hallways and entries, measure the clearance from the outside wall to the interior wall.
QUICK LINKS
FABRICS + MATERIALS
HOW TO MEASURE
FAQ
DELIVERY
GLOSSARY
At Lulu and Georgia, our mission is to bring beauty to your home—and a beautiful home also means a functional one, where life can happen. Choosing the right furniture that suits the way you live while incorporating your personal style can be overwhelming. We want to help guide you through the process with tips that we use when designing spaces.
The Furniture Guide
