Kalustesana

Kalustesana is a term used in design discourse to denote the specialized vocabulary surrounding furniture making. It functions as a label for the jargon that professionals—furniture designers, woodworkers, carpenters, and educators—use to describe components, construction methods, materials, finishes, and design concepts related to furniture.

The word is a portmanteau of kaluste, meaning furniture in Finnish, and sana, meaning word. It reflects roots in Finnish language and design culture. It is not an official linguistic category, but a descriptive label that appears in some articles, glossaries, and discussions about craft language.

Kalustesana covers terms across several categories. These include joinery and connection terms for different joints and assemblies, material vocabulary covering woods, composites, and surface treatments, finish terms such as lacquer, oil, wax, and stain, hardware items like hinges and slides, and broader design language addressing modularity, ergonomics, proportion, and aesthetics. The concept also encompasses shorthand and nicknames used within studios and workshops.

In practice, referring to kalustesana helps improve clarity in communication, supports standardization of descriptions, and facilitates collaboration across disciplines and borders. Some educators and practitioners publish glossaries to map the terms used in different countries or languages, aiding students and professionals in understanding craft-specific language.

See also: design terminology, architectural terminology, craft glossaries.