The Elements of
Upholstered Furniture
Whether it's a sofa, chair, sectional, or chaise, there's nothing quite like the comfort of beautifully upholstered furniture.
These are the pieces where we unwind at the end of the day and occasionally steal a cozy midday moment.
But what goes into crafting upholstered furniture, and what sets truly high-quality pieces apart?
The Elements of
Upholstered Furniture
Whether it's a sofa, chair, sectional, or chaise,
there's nothing quite like the comfort of
beautifully upholstered furniture. But what
goes into crafting upholstered furniture, and
what sets truly high-quality pieces apart?
Anatomy of a Sofa
Parts of a Chair
The diagram above shows the common elements of any upholstered piece. Most are self-explanatory, but we'll walk you through a few of these terms. The frame is often made of wood and forms the interior shape of the furniture. Think of the frame as the skeleton; it's what provides strength and structure for all that goes on top of it. The decking is the platform that supports the seat cushion, providing comfort and durability. The apron is the layer of separation between the base and the seat cushion. The arm gives upholstered furniture shape and personality.
What's Inside
The construction methods, pitch (the angle of the seat back in relation to the seat), and fill materials determine the level of durability and comfort of any given seat. The interior of any upholstered furniture will often feature a wood frame, at least one layer of padding (typically polyester fiber, polyurethane foam, and/or batting), and a suspension system. We'll dive into this more below.
Strong Frames,
Made for Real Life
The way a frame is made determines how a piece holds up under real life (years of sitting, shifting, and the occasional kid jumping on the cushions).
Our frames are built with exceptional care to provide support for decades.
Premium Materials: Kiln-dried hardwoods and engineered hardwoods
Sustainability: Most of the hardwoods we use are FSC® Certified, formaldehyde-free, and sourced from U.S. forests
Durable Joinery: Mortise-and-tenon joints, double-dowel joints, and corner blocks hold everything in place
Sofa Frame
Mortise-and-Tenon Joint
Double-Dowel Joint
Corner Blocks
Sofa Frame
Mortise-and-Tenon Joint
Double-Dowel Joint
Corner Blocks
Furniture That Holds You
The suspension system is a layer of support beneath the cushions that supports the weight placed on the seat.
Furniture That
Holds You
The suspension system is a layer of support
beneath the cushions that supports the weight
placed on the seat.
8-Way Hand-Tied
How it works: Individual coil springs are hand-knotted with twine at eight points on each spring and attached across the seat's frame.
Why you'll love it: Considered the gold standard in suspension methods, this method is beloved for its high quality and longevity, creating heirloom-quality pieces built to last decades.
Sinuous Springs
How it works: Tight S springs made from heavy-gauge steel are attached at even intervals across the frame.
Why you'll love it: Less labor-intensive (and less costly) than eight-way hand-tied, this method provides consistent comfort and lasting durability.
Webbing
How it works: Polypropylene bands are attached across the frame in a crisscrossed pattern.
Why you'll love it: A more affordable suspension method that still offers plenty of durability (and no squeaking, ever). Perfect for smaller pieces like ottomans or modular sectionals.
Built to Be Loved for Generations
Explore best-in-class furniture, crafted with premium eight-way hand-tied suspension.
Built to Be Loved
for Generations
Explore best-in-class furniture, crafted with
premium eight-way hand-tied suspension.
A Cushion for Every Preference
Our cushions are filled with high-quality materials, so the comfort you feel on day one is still there years later.
These are a few of our most popular cushion types:
A Cushion for
Every Preference
Our cushions are filled with high-quality
materials, so the comfort you feel on day one
is still there years later. These are a few of
our most popular cushion types:
Ultra Luxe Down
- High-resiliency foam core
- 90% feather and 10% duck down
- Channeled down-proof ticking
Why you'll love it: This cushion fill offers the luxurious, sink-in comfort we love.
It's the seat you'll look forward to returning to day in and day out—trust us.
Plush Down Blend
- High-resiliency foam core
- 50% polyester fiber, 5% down, and 45% feather
- Channeled down-proof ticking
Why you'll love it: This cushion fill provides our classic plush yet supportive sit.
It's cozy, very comfortable, and requires less fluffing maintenance than cushions with only down and feather.
Soft Down Alternative
- High-resiliency foam core
- Hypoallergenic polyester fiber
Why you'll love it: This cushion fill creates a wonderfully soft and supportive sit.
It offers all the plush comfort of down and none of the fluffing maintenance.
Simply settle in and enjoy.
Firm Down Alternative
- High-resiliency foam core
- Medium-density foam
- Super-soft foam layer
Why you'll love it: This cushion offers a sit that's firm yet comfortable and very
supportive. It provides a tailored look that's never sloppy and needs zero
maintenance to continue looking fresh.
Ultra Luxe Down
- High-resiliency foam core
- 90% feather and 10% duck down
- Channeled down-proof ticking
Why you'll love it: This cushion fill offers the luxurious, sink-in comfort we love.
It's the seat you'll look forward to returning to day in and day out—trust us.
Plush Down Blend
- High-resiliency foam core
- 50% polyester fiber, 5% down, and 45% feather
- Channeled down-proof ticking
Why you'll love it: This cushion fill provides our classic plush yet supportive sit.
It's cozy, very comfortable, and requires less fluffing maintenance than cushions with only down and feather.
Soft Down Alternative
- High-resiliency foam core
- Hypoallergenic polyester fiber
Why you'll love it: This cushion fill creates a wonderfully soft and supportive sit.
It offers all the plush comfort of down and none of the fluffing maintenance.
Simply settle in and enjoy.
Firm Down Alternative
- High-resiliency foam core
- Medium-density foam
- Super-soft foam layer
Why you'll love it: This cushion offers a sit that's firm yet comfortable and very
supportive. It provides a tailored look that's never sloppy and needs zero
maintenance to continue looking fresh.
The Kind of Quality You Can Feel
A sofa's construction defines its comfort, lifespan, and cost. Experience the difference
of handcrafted furniture that speaks for itself the moment you sit down.
The Kind of Quality
You Can Feel
A sofa's construction defines its comfort,
lifespan, and cost. Experience the difference
of handcrafted furniture that speaks for itself
the moment you sit down.
Design Details
We believe the magic is in the details. While thoughtful interior construction forms the foundation of every beautiful piece, it's the exterior design
elements that truly capture the heart. These finishing touches transform upholstered furniture into elegant, statement-making pieces we adore.
Here are some of the most beloved visual details you'll find throughout our upholstered collections.
It's the exterior design touches that make
each upholstered piece truly unforgettable.
These beloved finishing elements bring
elegance, personality, and polish to
our collections.
Design Tip: Piping sharpens seams and defines the silhouette's edges. A scalloped base or fringed hem is perfect for rooms with a romantic or traditional
sensibility. Flange edges have a soft, casual appearance and work well in rooms that are meant to be laid-back and comfortable.
Design Tip: Rolled or pleated arms lend a sense of heritage and tradition to a space, adding warmth and classic appeal. A track arm offers a clean, streamlined
look and is often preferred for its simplicity and practicality. The flat surface makes an easy resting place for a book, drink, or remote. A slope arm introduces a
touch of softness and comfort, bringing a more relaxed, inviting feel to the room.
Design Tip: Legs quietly communicate a piece's design era and aesthetic. Cabriole and turned wood legs echo a European antique sensibility, lending warmth
and history to a room, while tapered and block legs give a more transitional look. Floating legs, recessed back from sightlines, create the illusion that the sofa
is hovering and offer a clean, modern feel.
Design Tip: Bench cushions offer a sophisticated appearance and uninterrupted comfort, with a bit more fluffing required. A tight seat is an elegant,
maintenance-free option that delivers a clean, streamlined look—often lending a more modern, tailored feel to your space. Split cushions are exceptionally
comfortable and bring a relaxed, inviting quality, with a slightly more casual, lived-in look. Layered back cushions add dimension and softness, creating a plush,
lounge-worthy feel that invites you to settle in and stay awhile.
Design Tip: Slipcovered pieces are effortlessly relaxed and easy to clean, a perfect pairing for linen, performance, or classic weave fabrics. Fully upholstered
silhouettes deliver a more structured look and expand into additional fabric options like premium leathers and velvets.
Design Tip: Tufting adds depth and visual interest to backs and seats. Button tufting is a forever classic look well-suited to traditional interiors, while blind
tufting offers a similar appearance with a cleaner, more understated finish.
