British vs American English – What Every Furniture Shopper Should Know

When you’re scrolling through furniture listings, you’ll notice two styles of English popping up. One spells “colour” and the other “color”. One calls a “sofa” a “couch”. Knowing the basics saves time, especially if you’re buying online from a UK store like Bamboo Tiger.

First up, spelling. The UK sticks to the original forms: “favourite”, “theatre”, “centre”. The US drops the extra letters: “favorite”, “theater”, “center”. If a description uses the UK version, you’re likely looking at a product shipped from Britain or aimed at British customers.

Common Word Swaps

Beyond spelling, a few everyday words differ. In the UK a “shelf” sits in a “wardrobe”, while in the US you’ll see a “closet”. “Lawn mower” stays the same, but a “biscuit” in the UK is a “cookie” in the US. When you read a sofa description, “fabric” stays the same, but you might see “fabric upholstery” versus “upholstery fabric”. Knowing these swaps helps you compare specs without getting confused.

Pronunciation and Measurement

Measurements can bite you. The UK uses metric (centimetres, litres) while the US still loves inches and feet. A “4‑piece dining set” in the UK could be listed in centimetres; in the US it’s likely inches. Check the units before you click “add to cart”. Also, the UK calls the space behind a sofa a “recess”, the US just says “nook”. Small differences, but they matter when planning a room.

Why does this matter for you? Bamboo Tiger writes all product copy in British English because we’re based in the UK. That means you’ll see “colour options”, “fabric finish”, and “delivery charges”. If you’re used to US spelling, don’t think it’s a typo – it’s the right style for our market. It also means the legal terms follow UK consumer law, which often offers stronger protection than US guarantees.

Quick cheat‑sheet:

• UK: colour, favourite, centre – US: color, favorite, center
• UK: sofa, armchair – US: couch, recliner (but both use sofa for formal pieces)
• UK: metres, litres – US: feet, gallons

When you read a review, watch for the writer’s location. A UK reviewer might talk about “delivery slots” and “rain covers”, while a US reviewer mentions “white‑glove service”. Both are useful, just framed in different word choices.

Bottom line: the meaning stays the same, only the words change. Spot the spelling, watch the units, and you’ll navigate any furniture site with confidence, whether it’s a British boutique or an American mega‑store.

Got a specific term you’re not sure about? Just ask the customer service team – we love clarifying language quirks while helping you pick the perfect piece.