Glossary of Home Decor Terms
Whether you're new to home decorating or simply want to understand common framing and decor terminology better, this glossary provides clear, plain-English definitions to help you shop and style with confidence.
From picture frame components and matting materials to wall art styles and hanging hardware, it covers the key terms you're likely to encounter when browsing Americanflat's product range.
Definitions also extend to home textile categories, including shower curtains, throw blankets, and accent pillows.
In this glossary, you'll learn:
- How framing materials, mat boards, and frame sizes work together
- The differences between popular decor styles such as Boho, watercolor, and abstract
- How to identify the right hanging hardware for your wall display
Accent Pillow
A decorative throw pillow used to add color, texture, or pattern to sofas, beds, or chairs without replacing primary furniture.
Art Print
A reproduced image, often featuring abstract, botanical, or illustrative designs, printed on paper or canvas and sold ready for framing or display.
Boho (Bohemian) Style
A relaxed, eclectic decorating aesthetic that blends natural textures, earthy tones, and globally inspired patterns, commonly seen in shower curtains, textiles, and wall art.
Custom Framing
A framing solution tailored to a specific artwork size, mat preference, or design need, offering a more personalized alternative to standard off-the-shelf frames.
Display Cases
An enclosed frame designed to protect and showcase three-dimensional memorabilia, such as sports jerseys, championship rings, or equipment. These sturdy display cases typically feature a hinged or removable front panel for easy access.
Photo from Americanflat
DIY Decorating
A self-directed approach to home styling in which homeowners select, arrange, and install decor items, such as gallery walls or framed art, without hiring a professional designer.
Fabric Shower Curtain
A shower curtain made from textile materials such as polyester or cotton, available in decorative styles including floral, abstract, watercolor, and Boho designs. We have categorized our most popular designs by their visual profile and best use cases below.
| Product Design Theme | Pattern Scale | Best Suited |
| Boho / Watercolor Mandalas | Large, center-focused | Relaxed, artistic, or eclectic spaces |
| Abstract | Medium, repeating | Modern, retro, or high-energy guest baths |
| Botanical | Over-sized, organic | Spa-like, biophilic, or bright, windowed rooms |
| Watercolor Wash | Seamless, fluid | Traditional, nautical, or crisp white-tiled baths |
| Fine Line / Monochrome Geometric | Small to Medium | Ultra-modern, industrial, or masculine spaces |
Frame Mat (Matting)
A border that surrounds an image to provide a transition between the artwork and the frame. While traditional mats are separate pieces of cardboard, many modern black matted frames use an integrated border or slim inlay to achieve the same look.
Frame Molding
The shaped, decorative border material, typically wood, metal, or composite, is used to construct the outer structure of a picture frame.
Frame Set
A curated collection of two or more coordinating picture frames designed to create a cohesive and professional aesthetic. These versatile frame sets allow for the organized display of multiple artworks or photographs.
Photo from Americanflat
Gallery Wall
A curated arrangement of multiple framed artworks, photographs, or prints grouped on a single wall to create a cohesive decorative focal point.
Mat Board
The rigid backing material used to create a picture frame mat is available in various colors and thicknesses to complement different artwork styles.
The following table categorizes frame collections by molding profile and material composition to assist in selecting a compatible housing for a specific mat board.
| Collection Name | Molding Profile | Primary Material |
| Streamline | Ultra-Slim & Modern | Lightweight PVC / Composite |
| Signature | Classic / Traditional | Engineered Wood |
| Epic | Gallery Poster Frame | Engineered Wood (MDF) |
| Hampton | Distressed / Rustic | Engineered Wood |
| Soho | Gallery-Style / Deep Molding | Engineered Wood-Plastic Composite |
| Fusion | Innovative Slide-in Molding | Durable ABS Plastic |
Picture Frame
A decorative border used to display, protect, and present photographs, artwork, or prints on walls or surfaces, available in standard and specialty sizes.
Picture Frame Wire
A thin, flexible hanging wire attached to the back of a frame that loops around two D-ring hooks, allowing the frame to be hung level on a wall nail or hook.
Pre-Attached Hardware
Ready-to-use hanging components, such as sawtooth hooks, D-rings, or wire, that come factory-installed on the back of a frame for immediate, tool-minimal installation.
Ready-to-Hang Frame
A picture frame sold with all necessary hanging hardware already attached, allowing customers to display artwork directly out of the box without additional preparation.
Shadow Box Frame
A deep frame for showcasing 3D items such as medals or memorabilia. These elegant shadow box frames feature a pin-ready linen backing and a versatile design for tabletop or wall display, providing the depth needed to preserve keepsakes that standard frames cannot.
Photo from Americanflat
Specialty Frame Size
A non-standard picture frame dimension, such as 20x20, 11x14, or 12x18, designed to accommodate unique artwork, prints, or photos that fall outside common sizing.
Sports Display Case
A framed or enclosed case specifically designed to showcase jerseys, memorabilia, trading cards, or other sports collectibles in a wall-mounted or tabletop format.
Standard Frame Size
A widely available picture frame dimension, such as 4x6, 5x7, or 8x10, that corresponds to common photo print sizes and requires no custom cutting.
Throw Blanket
A decorative, lightweight blanket intended for casual use on sofas, beds, or chairs, typically featuring printed or woven patterns that complement a room's color scheme.
UV-Protective Glass
Framing glass treated to filter ultraviolet light, helping to prevent artwork, photographs, and prints from fading due to sun or artificial light exposure.
Vintage Frames
A framing style defined by aged textures, ornate patterns, or historical designs. While some are authentic antiques, many elegant vintage frames are modern recreations featuring distressed wood or metallic patinas to achieve a classic, timeless look.
Photo from Americanflat
Wall Art
Any decorative visual piece, including prints, paintings, photographs, or canvases, intended to be displayed on a wall as part of a room's design scheme.
Watercolor Art
A style of artwork characterized by translucent, fluid washes of color, often used in floral, abstract, or nature-inspired prints and popular for framed home decor.
Wholesale Framing
The purchase of picture frames or framing supplies in bulk quantities, typically at reduced pricing, for retail resale or large-scale decorating projects.