What Do These Furniture and Design Acronyms Mean?

If you’ve spent any time reading spec sheets, talking with designers, or reviewing quotes from manufacturers, you’ve probably noticed that the furniture world has its own shorthand. And to be honest, these furniture and design acronyms can feel like a different language until you get comfortable with them. But once you do, something clicks, and suddenly the details in a finish schedule or an upholstery spec start to make a lot more sense.

We see this constantly with clients. The moment someone understands the difference between COM and COL, or why FF&E gets separated in a proposal, their confidence shifts. Decisions get easier. Conversations move faster. And the entire design process becomes much smoother. So think of this as your quick, friendly guide to all the acronyms you’ll run into while choosing furniture, planning a renovation, or collaborating with architects and builders.

Why Industry Acronyms Matter in Furniture & Design

These acronyms aren’t just industry shorthand. They’re genuinely useful when you’re working in a space where architects, designers, GCs, fabricators, and clients are all making decisions at the same time. We see it constantly across projects - the more people involved, the easier it is for details to slip through the cracks. Clear language helps keep everyone aligned.

• They help conversations move faster. Saying “FF&E” or “COM” is quicker than spelling out an entire description every time someone asks a question.
  
  

• They cut down on avoidable mistakes. A well-placed acronym on a spec sheet can save you from ordering the wrong finish or approving the wrong fabric (trust us, we’ve made that mistake).
  
  

• They signal that you understand the design process. Using the correct terminology tends to shift how people respond to you; it shows you’re comfortable with the workflow and the way furniture is documented.

Project & Construction Terms

GC - General Contractor

The person (or firm) responsible for the construction process from start to finish. GCs coordinate subcontractors, pull permits, and make sure everything gets built to spec. You’ll see this acronym in most commercial bids and renovation proposals.

AEC - Architecture, Engineering & Construction

A collective term for the teams that design and build physical spaces. It's often used to describe software (like AEC software platforms) or workflow collaboration across different disciplines.

RFQ - Request for Quote

When someone sends an RFQ, they’re asking for pricing on a proposed scope. You’ll see this in procurement, especially on large commercial furniture jobs.

SOW - Scope of Work

A detailed outline of what’s included in the job, and what’s not. It defines the tasks, materials, and deliverables agreed upon in a project. Good SOWs prevent misunderstandings later.

CO - Change Order

Changes made after a project is underway. They often involve new costs, which is why this acronym tends to raise eyebrows. You’ll typically see a CO when specs are revised or client decisions shift midstream.

Design & Specification Tools

CAD - Computer-Aided Design

The digital drawing files that define how a product will be built or installed. CAD files are used by fabricators and contractors to translate vision into reality, often down to the millimeter.

Submittals

Not technically an acronym, but a crucial industry term. Submittals include things like shop drawings, as-built drawings, and O&M manuals (operations & maintenance). They’re submitted for approval before fabrication or construction begins.

PMS - Pantone Matching System

A standardized color system used across design industries. When you see a PMS number (like PMS 427C), it ensures that everyone, from textile mills to printers, is using the same hue.

ANSI/BIFMA

Stands for the American National Standards Institute and the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association. Together, these organizations set the durability and safety benchmarks for commercial furniture.

For example, the X5.1 standard applies to office chairs, and X5.5 is for desk performance.

CAL TB117-2013

A flammability regulation for upholstered furniture in California. It tests how quickly a fabric ignites and self-extinguishes when exposed to open flame. Many manufacturers build to this spec as a standard across the U.S.

Furniture Construction & Materials

FF&E - Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment

A term widely used in commercial interiors to refer to everything movable in a space, from chairs and barstools to lighting and storage. If it’s not nailed down, it’s probably FF&E.

MDF / HDF - Medium-Density / High-Density Fiberboard

Engineered wood products are used in cabinetry and case goods. MDF is smoother and more stable than particleboard, and HDF is even denser, making it ideal for areas that require strength without the cost of solid wood.
Not all MDF is created equal; look for moisture-resistant versions in kitchens or bathrooms.

UV - Ultraviolet-Cured Coating

A finish cured under UV light for faster production and increased durability. It’s common on wood surfaces and contract-grade case goods. And yes, it really is worth the hype. We’ve tested UV finishes on high-traffic tables and seen impressive wear resistance.

FSC / PEFC / SFI

Three major certifications for sustainably sourced wood:

• FSC: Forest Stewardship Council
  
  

• PEFC: Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
  
  

• SFI: Sustainable Forestry Initiative
  
  

These labels trace wood from forest to furniture, ensuring responsible harvesting. More clients (especially in hospitality and commercial spaces) are asking for this.

 

Upholstery & Finish Terms

COM / COL - Customer’s Own Material / Leather

Used when the buyer supplies their own fabric or leather to upholster a piece. Designers love this for creative control, but it comes with a lead time caveat - production doesn’t start until the material arrives.

FR / NFR - Flame Retardant / Non-Flame Retardant

These labels indicate whether a fabric or foam complies with fire safety standards. In commercial settings, FR is often required by law. For residential, it’s a personal call — but always worth knowing what you’re sitting on.

MART - Martindale Cycles

A measure of fabric durability, used to test abrasion resistance. The higher the cycle count, the tougher the textile:

• 15,000–30,000: Light-duty (residential use)
  
  

• 40,000–60,000: Medium to heavy-duty
  
  

• 100,000+: Contract-grade, commercial seating
  
  

We recommend aiming for 50,000+ cycles in family rooms or high-traffic zones (you’ll thank yourself later).

Measurements & Style Terms

SH / AH / BH - Seat Height / Arm Height / Back Height

You’ll see these specs on nearly every seating product page. These dimensions affect comfort, accessibility, and how a chair or stool fits into your space.

→ Browse our Height Adjustable Stools to see how SH measurements change with each base style.

MCM - Mid-Century Modern

A style acronym that needs no introduction. Think clean lines, low profiles, and warm woods - still going strong decades after its heyday.

QS - Quick Ship

Products that ship faster than made-to-order - often in 2–4 weeks, sometimes less. Limited customization but ideal for tight timelines.

CG - Contract Grade

Designed to meet commercial-use standards, contract-grade furniture is more durable, tested for safety, and usually heavier. And to be clear: not all “modern” furniture is CG. If you’re sourcing a restaurant table and chairs, for example, check the specs.

RTA - Ready-To-Assemble

Flat-packed furniture that requires assembly upon delivery. While convenient for shipping, we wouldn’t recommend it if you have kids or if the space demands serious durability.

 

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