Interior Design Glossary: K

K

K: Marking for king-size bedding. Approximate dimensions for Comforter or Duvet Cover are 104"x96", Bedspread is 116"x118", Coverlet is 108"x98", and Blanket is 108"x100". King shams typically measure 20"x36".

Kas: An early American cabinet of Dutch origin, made from painted or paneled wood.

KD: (See Knocked Down).

Keeled: A sharp edge, often seen on the corner of cabriole legs, named "keeled" because it resembles the keel of a boat.

Kelim: A flat-woven, non-tufted tapestry rug.

Kick Pleat: An inverted pleat commonly found at the corners of flat or box-pleated skirts on upholstered furniture.

Kidney Desk: A desk or table with a curved front and a top shaped like a kidney bean.

Kiln Dried: Wood that has been dried using controlled heat and humidity in kilns or ovens to reach a specific moisture content.

King Mattress: A standard king-size mattress measuring 78"x80", also known as an Eastern King.

Kitchen Cart (or Kitchen Island): A kitchen cart is a mobile piece of furniture, often on casters, used for extra storage or surface space. "Kitchen island" typically refers to a built-in cabinetry piece.

Klismos: An ancient Greek chair style characterized by saber-shaped legs that splay outward, with the back legs extending to support a curved, shoulder-height backrest.

Kneehole Desk: A desk with a recessed central area or cupboard.

Knife Edged: Cushion treatment featuring a single horizontal seam or welt along the cushion's front edge.

Knit: A type of upholstery fabric made from polyester or nylon. It is softer and stretchier than woven fabrics due to its knitted construction.

Knob Turning: A woodworking term referring to a design resembling a series of knobs or rounded protrusions.

Knocked Down (or KD): Furniture that is sold either unassembled or partially assembled.

Knot: In wood, the visible area where a branch or limb intersects with the tree’s face or edge, often seen in knotty pine furniture.