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Do You Speak Workplace? Office Furniture Jargon Explained

You're on a call with a salesperson, designer, or project manager, and suddenly you're lost. They mention “installing workstations, HAT, and soft seating in the collaboration area,” and you find yourself nodding along while mentally scrambling to decode what any of that actually means. If this sounds familiar, you’re definitely not alone.

The workplace and office furniture industry is full of jargon, acronyms, and insider shorthand. While these terms help professionals communicate efficiently, they often leave clients confused and trying to catch up. And that confusion can create real problems—miscommunication, project delays, incorrect orders, and even unexpected costs.

That’s exactly why we created this guide: to break down the most common office design and office furniture terms you’ll hear during a project. These definitions come straight from real conversations our sales and project teams have with clients every day.

Understanding this language isn’t just about sounding knowledgeable. It helps you communicate clearly, make confident decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and get more value from your workplace design or office furniture budget.

(Feel free to bookmark this for easy reference—and thank us later 😉.)

 

Why Learning Workplace Jargon Saves Time and Money

Understanding the terminology used in office design and workplace projects helps you:

 

Approve Plans Faster 

No more back-and-forth just to clarify layout terms or spec sheets. 

 Order With Accuracy

 Avoid costly rework by understanding key differences (e.g., workstation vs. touchdown station). 

 

 Reduce Project Delays

 Shared language = aligned teams, from designers to installers. 

Prevent Miscommunication

For example, misunderstanding “D&I” may lead you to think only delivery is included — but installation is part of the service too. 

Streamline Moves & Relocations

Knowing terms like Relo, Dispo, and Decom helps avoid confusion and last-minute surprises. 

Maximize Your Project Budget

Clear definitions allow you to make faster, smarter decisions that prevent unnecessary expenses.  

 

Workplace Jargon: The Terms Clients Hear Most (and What They Mean)

Below is a client-friendly workplace glossary curated directly from the insights of our sales team, designers, and project managers. While we can't cover every term in the industry, we've focused on the ones you're most likely to hear during your project.

Office Furniture Terms

IndustryTerm What Clients Usually Say  What It Means and Why it Matters
Workstation 
 Cubicle 
  • An open office desk with privacy panels
  • Affects space planning, electrical and data layout
Touchdown Workstation 
 Hot desk, hoteling desk 
  • A small, temporary-use workspace for hybrid/part-time staff  
  • Helps optimize space and reduce furniture cost
Pedestal/Ped  File cabinet, under-desk drawers 
  • Mobile storage under or beside a desk   
  • Important if the workstation has no built-in drawers
Credenza  Cabinet, sideboard, storage behind the desk 
  • A low storage unit often placed behind an executive desk or in meeting rooms  
  • Provides extra storage and helps complete the look of private offices
Task Chair  Office Chair 
  • Primary ergonomic chair employees use daily
  • Impacts comfort, posture productivity and employee health
Guest chair  Visitor Chair 
  • Seating for visitors in private offices or meeting rooms   
  • Provide comfortable seating for visitors and supports good space flow in private offices
Soft Seating  Sofa, Couch, Lounge chair 
  • Upholstered seating for collaboration zone or reception area 
  • Creates comfortable, relaxed space and improves the overall workplace experience
HAT (Height-adjustable table)  Standing desk 
  • A worksurface that moves from sitting to standing height
  • Supports ergonomics, wellness, and flexible work habits

 

Style & Design Terms (Often Confusing!)

IndustryTerm What Clients Usually Say  What It Means and Why it Matters
Curvilinear, Rectilinear 
 Useful in describing space, concept, furniture design 
  • Descriptive design terms
  • Impacts aesthetics, flow and visual comfort
Resimercial 
 Residential look, commercial quality  
  • Refers to furniture
  • Makes workplaces feel welcoming without sacrificing performance
Craft Handmade, original details, natural materials, artisanal 
  • Refers to furniture, style – is a trend 
  • Adds warmth and character to a space

Biophilic Design


 Integration of natural elements into indoor public spaces.
  • Light, plants, organic materials   
  • Supports wellness, reduces stress and enhances focus 
Cohesion, Transition, Contrast, Texture  Used in describing design concept, palette 
  • Descriptive design terms 
  • Helps create a unified and intentional workplace look
Smart Design  Both software and principals 
  • Design Software and how we program spaces for users/public
  • Ensures accuracy, reduces errors, and optimizes flow
Soft Architecture  Using flexible, adaptable products to create space divisions and privacy 
  • Can be hi-back privacy booths, even planters, modern post and beam like OFS' Obeya, Arcadia's LineUp   
  • Great for agility and cost savings
Resident vs. Free  Occupied or open stations/offices 
  • Term used in space planning, programming
  • Impacts furniture planning, storage needs and collaboration

 

 

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Soft architecture solutions featuring OFS's Obeya and Arcadia's LineUp.

Collaboration and Meeting Spaces Terms

IndustryTerm What Clients Usually Say  What It Means and Why it Matters
Huddle room  Small meeting room 
  • A 2-4 person room for quick discussion or video call
  • Helps reduce noise in open offices 
Common Area  Space to hang out, chat 
  • Large area, multiple seating options
  • Encourages movement, social interaction, and informal collaboration 
Collaboration Area  Casual area for small meetings w/ 4 – 8 people 
  • Can be in open-plan; bar height table or soft seating area  
  • Supports brainstorming, quick alignments, and flexible work styles
Break Away Area    Place to get away from desk to make a call or check messages 
  • High back booths, phone pods, soft seating or tables/chairs situated away from stations
  • Helps employees focus, take calls, or recharge without leaving the floor
Cafe/Employee Lounge  Enhanced break room 
  • Variety of seating options, TV
  • Boosts culture and improves employee experience

 

Logistics, Moving & Installation Terms

IndustryTerm What Clients Usually Say  What It Means and Why it Matters
D&I Delivery & Installation 
  • Delivery plus installation of all furniture and equipment   
  • Ensures correct setup, reduces errors and speeds up project completion
Relo (Relocation) Moving 
  • Moving employees, equipment, and furniture from one location to another
  • Helps minimize downtime and ensures smooth transitions
 
Dispo (Disposition) 
 Removal and Recycle 
  • Removal of furniture and transport to a qualified recycling facility   
  • Supports sustainability and clears unused items efficiently 

Decom (Decommission)


 Removing everything out the office/suite  
  • Full removal of furniture, tech electrical, signage, and more to meet lease surrender requirements
  • Prevents lease penalties and ensures proper turnover

Speed Pack 

 Large box without a top 
  • Speed packs are used to contain/hold a lot of smaller boxes or loose items and can be moved all at the same time
  • Helps save time with packing and moving
E-Crate  Mid-sized plastic box, built to stack 4-high on top of wheels 
  • Environmentally sustainable and people-friendly packing solution
  • Crates can be secured with a zip tie for moving confidential information

Quick Guide on How to Get Familiar in Workplace Terms

  • Ask for visuals in proposal: most terms become clear when paired with images
  • Request labeled floorplans
  • Use vendors who explain terms clearly and transparently
  • Encourage your team to ask early questions

Before You Go

While you won’t remember everything in one sitting—and you’ll surely encounter terms not listed here (feel free to drop them in the comments, and we’ll let you know what they mean)—learning these basics will make you more informed, improve communication, speed up turnaround times, support better decisions, and help you achieve stronger results.

So whether you’re reconfiguring your space, planning a move, or simply trying to learn the terminology, speaking the same language helps you, your team, and our team work better together.

Need help navigating your next office project or clarifying a jargon term? Our experts are here to guide you. Get in touch >

 

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