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Armoire
Definition
An armoire is a tall piece of furniture often used to store clothing. There’s usually a larger or taller compartment inside on top or running down one side, and sometimes drawers on the side or bottom. It’s traditionally enclosed with doors or cabinet fronts.
AKAs
- Wardrobe;
- Chiffarobe.
Rooms used
Although armoires can be big and heavy, they’re room-flexible for all kinds of storage needs:
- Mudroom, to store coats and gear;
- Kitchen or pantry, to store nonperishables, dishes or cooking gear;
- Living room, to corral games, books and other small items;
- Bedroom, for clothing or bedding needs.
Related furnishing
Clothing valet to hang suits, shirts, pants, etc. These usually have no enclosures, and can run from the basic to the finely crafted. Some include a built-in chair. They’re great for small bedrooms.
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Bed
Definition
Usually a rectangular, flat piece of furniture consisting of a frame, mattress and sometimes a headboard and/or footboard. Meant for sleeping or rest.
AKAs
Beds are beds, but they’re also known by type: four-poster; canopy; bunk (one on top of another); trundle (a mattress slides underneath the main bed to save space and rolls out as a guest bed); platforms (lower to the ground than a traditional bed frame with mattress and coil springs); daybeds (which look more like a sofa); futons; and Murphy beds, which fold up into a wall when not in use.
Rooms used
Typically, just bedrooms, although some can be found in an office or spare room for guests. Daybeds and futons can be used elsewhere in the house as seating with the right throw pillows and accents.
