Polster

Polster is a term with several related uses in German and English. In German, polster (noun) refers to a cushion or padding and the material used to upholster furniture or interiors. The padding layer that gives shape and comfort is called the Polster, and related terms include Polsterung (upholstery or padding) and Polstermöbel (upholstered furniture). The verb polstern means to upholster or pad.

In English, polster is relatively rare and usually encountered in historical or technical discussions of upholstery, padding, or furniture construction. More common terms are cushion, padding, or upholster.

As a surname, Polster exists as a German-origin family name. It is borne by individuals in various countries, reflecting migration and diaspora patterns. As with many Germanic surnames, its precise origin may be occupational, toponymic, or descriptive, and lineage varies among families.

Related terms include Polsterei (the craft or workshop of upholstery in German) and the verb polstern in contexts of furniture making. Polster can thus refer either to the physical cushioning in furniture or to people who carry the surname.