- bay track
- A curtain track that bends to follow a bay window's angles, allowing curtains to sit close to the glass and draw around corners. Can be flexible for curved bays or rigid with angled joints for box bays. Choosing curtains for bay windows
- blackout lining
- A curtain lining treated or woven to block light completely, used in bedrooms and media rooms. More effective when curtains fit closely to the window frame. Choosing curtains for bay windows
- cavity fixing
- A fastener designed for hollow walls such as plasterboard, with wings or toggles that open out behind the surface to distribute weight over a larger area than a simple screw. Picture hanging: height, spacing and the tools you need
- cutting-in brush
- An angled paintbrush designed for painting precise edges and tight lines, such as the top edge of a skirting board where it meets the wall. The angled tip gives greater control than a square-ended brush. Painting skirting boards and door frames: the clean-edge guide
- eggshell
- A paint finish with a very slight sheen, sitting between matt and satin. It is more washable than matt emulsion but far less reflective than silk, making it a practical compromise for walls that need some durability but are not perfectly smooth. Colour and finish choices for painting uneven walls
- fill power
- A measure of down quality, showing how much space one ounce of down occupies when fully expanded. Higher fill power means better insulation and lighter weight for the same warmth. Duvet or comforter: the difference in plain terms
- floating floor
- A floor that sits on top of the subfloor without being glued or nailed down. The planks click together and the whole surface can expand and contract slightly with temperature changes. Laminate versus vinyl flooring: construction, comfort and durability
- fullness
- The ratio of fabric width to window width, usually expressed as a multiple. Standard fullness is twice the track length, giving soft pleats without excessive bulk. Choosing curtains for bay windows
- gallery wall
- A collection of frames in different sizes arranged together on one wall, often mixing prints, photographs and objects in an informal or asymmetrical layout. Picture hanging: height, spacing and the tools you need
- interlining
- A soft layer sewn between the face fabric and lining, adding weight, insulation and a luxurious drape. Increases bulk and cost, so suits larger bays with solid fixings. Choosing curtains for bay windows
- mist coat
- A first coat of emulsion thinned with water, applied to bare plaster or freshly filled areas so the surface absorbs it evenly. It gives the topcoat a uniform base to grip and prevents patchy absorption. Colour and finish choices for painting uneven walls
- negative space
- The empty areas between objects in an arrangement. On a console table, negative space allows each piece to be seen clearly and prevents the display from feeling crowded or unbalanced. Styling a console table: three principles for narrow surfaces
- pencil pleat
- A heading style with narrow gathered pleats formed by pulling cords in a tape sewn to the curtain's top. Adaptable to most fabrics and works on both tracks and poles. Choosing curtains for bay windows
- satinwood
- A paint finish that sits between a flat emulsion and a high-gloss, giving a soft, low-sheen surface on woodwork. It is durable, wipes clean and does not pick up every fingerprint the way high-gloss does. Painting skirting boards and door frames: the clean-edge guide
- saturation
- The intensity or purity of a colour. Highly saturated colours are vivid and bold; low-saturation colours are muted or greyed. Colours that go together: four principles that remove the guesswork
- stack-back
- The space curtains occupy when fully drawn open. Gathered fabric needs room to stack without blocking the window or light. Choosing curtains for bay windows
- tog rating
- A measure of how much warmth a duvet provides. Higher numbers mean warmer duvets; the scale typically runs from three for summer to fifteen for deep winter. Duvet or comforter: the difference in plain terms
- undertone
- The subtle colour bias within a neutral or pale paint. A beige with a pink undertone feels warm; a beige with a grey undertone feels cool. Colour choices for north-facing rooms: five ways to add warmth
- wear layer
- The transparent protective coating on top of laminate or vinyl flooring that takes the daily wear from shoes and furniture. Thicker wear layers last longer before scratches or dullness show through. Laminate versus vinyl flooring: construction, comfort and durability
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