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When it comes to interior design, there are plenty of product choices on the market, and keeping each one straight can be incredibly confusing for the average homeowner. Some commonly misused terms are closely related in meaning while others have nothing to do with one another (from vintage versus antique to chevron versus herringbone). Here are the most common design terms people mix up, and how to set them apart once and for all.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
Decorating
9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)
March 3, 2018
When it comes to interior design, there are plenty of product choices on the market, and keeping each one straight can be incredibly confusing for the average homeowner. Some commonly misused terms are closely related in meaning while others have nothing to do with one another (from vintage versus antique to chevron versus herringbone). Here are the most common design terms people mix up, and how to set them apart once and for all.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
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Modern vs Contemporary
1/9Modern vs Contemporary
1/9Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo
Modern refers to a specific design style, Mid Century Modern, which came about in the middle of the 20th century (1920s to 1950s). Contemporary design doesn't refer to a set time period – it's a more general term that's always changing and refers to what is current and popular right now. <br><br> Looking for inspiration? <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/modern-living-rooms-1911160/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">These modern living rooms are spilling with style</a>.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Modern vs Contemporary
PHOTO 1 of 9READ LESS -Modern refers to a specific design style, Mid Century Modern, which came about in the middle of the 20th century (1920s to 1950s). Contemporary design doesn't refer to a set time period – it's a more general term that's always changing and refers to what is current and popular right now. <br><br> Looking for inspiration? <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/modern-living-rooms-1911160/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">These modern living rooms are spilling with style</a>.Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo
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Chevron vs Herringbone
2/9Chevron vs Herringbone
2/9Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo
The difference between these two "zigzag" patterns comes down to how the tile or flooring is laid. Chevron has a 45-degree angled end, where the zigzag pattern creates a continuous “V” shape. Herringbone (pictured on the backsplash here) features a square end, creating more of a broken zigzag look.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Chevron vs Herringbone
PHOTO 2 of 9READ LESS -The difference between these two "zigzag" patterns comes down to how the tile or flooring is laid. Chevron has a 45-degree angled end, where the zigzag pattern creates a continuous “V” shape. Herringbone (pictured on the backsplash here) features a square end, creating more of a broken zigzag look.Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo
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Vintage vs Antique
3/9Vintage vs Antique
3/9Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
These terms are often used interchangeably, but vintage describes an item that is at least 20 years old, whereas an antique has to be 100 years or older. <br><br> Step inside <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/step-inside-a-character-filled-home-brimming-with-antique-treasures-1906299/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this character-filled home brimming with antique treasures</a> for design inspiration.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Vintage vs Antique
PHOTO 3 of 9READ LESS -These terms are often used interchangeably, but vintage describes an item that is at least 20 years old, whereas an antique has to be 100 years or older. <br><br> Step inside <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/home-tours/photos/step-inside-a-character-filled-home-brimming-with-antique-treasures-1906299/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this character-filled home brimming with antique treasures</a> for design inspiration.Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
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Melamine vs Laminate
4/9Melamine vs Laminate
4/9Photo Credit: unsplash.com
Melamine refers to a type of plastic coating that’s always applied to a substrate, such as particle board, MDF or plywood. Laminate is also a plastic material but is thicker and requires more effort to manufacture, making it more durable. It can be sold on substrate or on its own as thin layers, whether used as a countertop or flooring material. Melamine on the other hand is strictly a finish and is not used as a standalone material.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Melamine vs Laminate
PHOTO 4 of 9READ LESS -Melamine refers to a type of plastic coating that’s always applied to a substrate, such as particle board, MDF or plywood. Laminate is also a plastic material but is thicker and requires more effort to manufacture, making it more durable. It can be sold on substrate or on its own as thin layers, whether used as a countertop or flooring material. Melamine on the other hand is strictly a finish and is not used as a standalone material.Photo Credit: unsplash.com
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Carrara vs Calacatta
5/9Carrara vs Calacatta
5/9Photo Credit: Getty Images
These two marble materials are quite similar, but Calacatta (pictured) is whiter in colour with thick grey veining, whereas Carrara takes on a greyer hue and features softer veining. Carrara is the more common of the two materials.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Carrara vs Calacatta
PHOTO 5 of 9READ LESS -These two marble materials are quite similar, but Calacatta (pictured) is whiter in colour with thick grey veining, whereas Carrara takes on a greyer hue and features softer veining. Carrara is the more common of the two materials.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Engineered Hardwood vs Solid Hardwood
6/9Engineered Hardwood vs Solid Hardwood
6/9Photo Credit: unsplash.com
Engineered wood refers to real wood that has been manufactured in layers. It is usually thinner than solid hardwood and is considered a more stable product in terms of expansion and contraction (less movement). Solid hardwood is a full piece of wood milled from a tree and can be refinished many more times than engineered.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Engineered Hardwood vs Solid Hardwood
PHOTO 6 of 9READ LESS -Engineered wood refers to real wood that has been manufactured in layers. It is usually thinner than solid hardwood and is considered a more stable product in terms of expansion and contraction (less movement). Solid hardwood is a full piece of wood milled from a tree and can be refinished many more times than engineered.Photo Credit: unsplash.com
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Particle Board vs MDF
7/9Particle Board vs MDF
7/9Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Both materials are made from wood and resin. However, particle board is crafted from larger wood particles and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is made from wood dust. MDF is denser, making it the more durable material. Often, kitchen cabinet boxes are made from particle board while the cabinet doors are made using MDF.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Particle Board vs MDF
PHOTO 7 of 9READ LESS -Both materials are made from wood and resin. However, particle board is crafted from larger wood particles and MDF (medium-density fibreboard) is made from wood dust. MDF is denser, making it the more durable material. Often, kitchen cabinet boxes are made from particle board while the cabinet doors are made using MDF.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Quartz vs Granite
8/9Quartz vs Granite
8/9Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Quartz is a man-made engineered stone consisting of approximately 93 percent crushed stone and seven percent resin. The material is fully sealed and requires no maintenance. Granite is a natural stone cut from the earth in large sheets. It’s more porous than quartz, requiring more maintenance and is less durable. For the practical folk, quartz is the better choice.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Quartz vs Granite
PHOTO 8 of 9READ LESS -Quartz is a man-made engineered stone consisting of approximately 93 percent crushed stone and seven percent resin. The material is fully sealed and requires no maintenance. Granite is a natural stone cut from the earth in large sheets. It’s more porous than quartz, requiring more maintenance and is less durable. For the practical folk, quartz is the better choice.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Porcelain vs Ceramic
9/9Porcelain vs Ceramic
9/9Photo Credit: unsplash.com
These materials are very similar, but porcelain is made from a more refined and denser clay. For this reason, it’s less porous and therefore more durable than ceramic.Decorating9 Common Design Terms You're Misusing (Here's What They Really Mean!)Porcelain vs Ceramic
PHOTO 9 of 9READ LESS -These materials are very similar, but porcelain is made from a more refined and denser clay. For this reason, it’s less porous and therefore more durable than ceramic.Photo Credit: unsplash.com
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