> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.accentuate.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.accentuate.io/use-case-guides/home-and-living/material.md).

# Material

 OVERVIEW  

The Material field captures the physical materials a Home & Living product is made from. Unlike a free-text description, structured material data enables filtering ('show me all walnut furniture'), supports care guidance, informs sustainability claims, and feeds AI recommendation systems that match materials to room aesthetics and customer preferences.

This field lists materials factually — what the product is physically made from — not how those materials make it look or feel. Aesthetic character belongs in Style. Sustainability credentials belong in a dedicated field. Material here means: what substance is this thing constructed from?

  

BUSINESS VALUE  

Why this field matters

* Material is a top filter for home furniture and decor shoppers — 'solid wood', 'marble', and 'rattan' are high-intent search terms
* Structured material data prevents post-purchase disappointment and returns from customers who expected different construction
* Material values power care instruction logic — a linen product has different washing guidance than a marble one
* Allergen-sensitive customers (nickel allergy, natural rubber allergy) rely on material data to make safe choices
* AI styling tools use material combinations to make interior design recommendations
* Wholesale and trade buyers require accurate material data for sourcing, compliance, and specification sheets

  

ACF SETUP  

How to configure this field in Accentuate Custom Fields

| Where       | ACF dashboard → Templates tab → Product scope → Add new field |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Label       | Material                                                      |
| Name / Key  | material                                                      |
| Namespace   | accentuate (default)                                          |
| Field type  | Shopify >> Single-line text (List)                            |
| Multi-value | Yes — most products are made from more than one material      |

| Note: List separate materials as individual entries. A dining table with a walnut top and steel legs needs both 'Solid wood (walnut)' and 'Metal (steel)' as separate values. This enables filtering for each material independently. |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

  

STEP-BY-STEP IN ACF  

* Open ACF, go to Templates tab and select the Product scope
* Click 'Add new field'
* Label: 'Material' — Key auto-fills as 'material'
* Namespace: leave as 'accentuate'
* Field type: Shopify >> Single-line text (List)
* Enable 'Allow multiple selections' — multi-material products are the norm in home & living
* Click Done, then Save
* Populate by listing each distinct material the product is constructed from

 

 REFERENCE VALUES  

Example values — include wood species and metal types where known

| Value                     | When to use                                                                      |
| ------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Solid wood (oak)          | Structural timber — specify species when known; oak, walnut, pine, ash           |
| Solid wood (walnut)       | Premium hardwood; darker grain; specify where relevant to positioning            |
| Engineered wood           | MDF, plywood, LVL — manufactured wood products with consistent properties        |
| MDF                       | Medium-density fibreboard; smooth finish; used in painted or laminate furniture  |
| Metal (steel)             | Structural or decorative steel; specify finish (powder-coated, brushed, raw)     |
| Metal (aluminium)         | Lightweight metal; common in outdoor furniture and minimalist frames             |
| Glass (tempered)          | Safety glass; for tabletops, shelves, cabinet inserts                            |
| Marble                    | Natural stone; for tabletops, decorative objects, bathroom accessories           |
| Fabric upholstery (linen) | Natural linen weave; specify fabric type for care and allergy guidance           |
| Leather                   | Genuine leather; specify full-grain, top-grain, or corrected-grain               |
| Faux leather              | PU or PVC synthetic leather alternative; note for vegan customers                |
| Rattan / wicker           | Natural or synthetic woven plant material; common in Bohemian and Coastal styles |

 

BEST PRACTICES  

* Be specific: 'Solid wood (walnut)' is more useful than 'Wood'
* List all structural and finish materials — don't omit secondary materials like legs, frames, or edging
* Use consistent naming conventions across the catalogue — 'Solid wood (oak)' not 'Oak wood', 'Oak', and 'Solid oak' interchangeably
* Update material values immediately when a supplier makes a material change — outdated data creates legal exposure
* For upholstered products, always list both the frame material and the upholstery material

  COMMON MISTAKES  

* Listing 'Wood' instead of specifying the species — 'Solid wood (oak)' and 'Engineered wood' have completely different properties and prices
* Omitting secondary materials — a glass-top table with a steel frame needs both listed
* Confusing material with finish: 'Powder-coated steel' — the material is 'Metal (steel)', the finish is 'Powder-coated'
* Using marketing language: 'Premium leather-look fabric' should be 'Faux leather (PU)'
* Copying material data from manufacturer catalogues without verifying against physical samples or test reports

  IN CONTEXT  

| Industrial Bookshelf — 5 Tier | <p><br></p>                                                    |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Room                          | Living room, Home office                                       |
| Style                         | Industrial, Rustic                                             |
| Material                      | Solid wood (pine), Metal (steel), Metal (powder-coated finish) |
| Assembly required             | Full assembly required (tools included)                        |

&#x20;&#x20;

DEVELOPER IMPLEMENTATION &#x20;

| Liquid note: Shopify >> List — use .value for the array. Render material values as a spec list or tag strip near the product description — this is purchase-decision-critical information. |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |

Liquid — Storefront Rendering

\| <p>{% comment %}</p><p>Material — Shopify >> Single-line text (List)</p><p>Namespace: accentuate | Key: material</p><p>Display in product specifications section</p><p>{% endcomment %}</p><p>{% assign materials = product.metafields.accentuate.material.value %}</p><p>{% if materials != blank %}</p><p>  \<div class="product-materials"></p><p>    \<span class="spec-label">Materials\</span></p><p>    \<ul class="material-list"></p><p>      {% for mat in materials %}</p><p>        \<li>{{ mat }}\</li></p><p>      {% endfor %}</p><p>    \</ul></p><p>  \</div></p><p>{% endif %}</p> |
\| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |

&#x20;&#x20;

<br>

SEE ALSO &#x20;

* Material Safety — what the materials do NOT contain (relevant for children's and food-contact products)
* Style — the aesthetic character expressed through the materials
* Assembly required — often determined by material type and construction method

| Full ACF documentation: help.accentuate.io \| Metafield Definitions → Fields → Field data type → Shopify field types |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

<br>


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