Saturday, February 25, 2017

How to Pick a Sofa for Your Living Room



Finding the right sofa can become quite a challenge. Given the wide variety of styles, colors, materials and sizes of sofas it definitely pays off to do some research before you visit your local furniture store or shop online. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Size
Sofas come in different sizes, from loveseats to sectionals. Therefore, it is important to measure the area where you want to put the sofa. Make sure there is still enough space to walk around. If you consider buying a reclining sofa or sofa bed make sure that the sofa still fits into the room when it is fully reclined or unfolded.
To find the right size think about what the sofa will be used for. Is it mostly used to entertain guests or watch a big game with a bunch of friends? Or will it be used to host overnight guests or spend time with your family?
Style
The style of the sofa should fit to the existing décor of your home. If the existing furniture has a more traditional look a modern sofa might not be the best choice. In general, it is advisable to pick a sofa before you buy the rest of the living room furniture. This way you can make sure that the sofa becomes the centerpiece of your room that determines the style and look.
Color
As with the style make sure that the color of the sofa matches the color of the existing furniture. However, the right color also depends on your living situation. If you have kids or pets you should consider buying a sofa with a darker color, on which stains are not that visible.
Since a sofa is a big investment you also want to make sure to pick a color that does not leave you boxed in. White for example is timeless and can be combined easily with almost every other color. Make sure, however, to choose a material that is somewhat stain-resistant and easy to clean. Cream, biscuit or brown are also great choices that look warm, classic and are always in style. Gray is also very popular and easy to combine with other colors.
Material
The material of a sofa determines its characteristics, like strength, durability, stain resistance, and cost. Sofas are available in natural and synthetic materials. Natural materials are leather, cotton, linen, wool or sink. Synthetic materials are microfiber, faux leather and chenille. The right material depends on your personal preferences, budget and living situation. If you suffer from allergies, for example, you should consider microfiber since it does not attract dust and is lint free. Leather gives your room an elegant touch and is easy to clean and maintain, though more expensive than other fabrics.
Price
Probably one of the most important things to think about before you buy a sofa is how much you are willing to spend. Prices for sofas range from a few hundred dollars to 5,000 dollars and more. So set a budget upfront and stick to it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9491204

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Filling Your Home With Furniture



When you are looking to furnish a new home, there are some things that you need to know so that you choose the right furnishings that will last for many years. You need to ask both yourself and your dealer several things before it is paid for and delivered, so that you are not disappointed.
An important thing that you need to know is how much space in which to place your new furniture. This helps you know what you can buy and how large or small it can be. You need to determine if it will have multiple uses and if you should concentrate on a certain color so that a smaller space appears more spacious. What you put in a larger room needs to fit in the available space as well.
Another thing to consider is who uses the space the most and what its uses are. If the space is only used by you, there will be more material options available, but if it is used by others, such as children, you need to consider them as well. If you do have children, you will need a durable material. How you live determines the home furnishings that you purchase. If you are furnishing a living or family room, you need something very comfortable, relaxing, and livable, but if you are furnishing a home office, you want something that is professional and allows for a good work environment.
Colors are also important when choosing your home furnishings. You need to make sure that it matches the colors that are all ready in the room or that you need to paint the room to match the new furniture. Just make sure that you choose the colors that you love and make you happy, not ones that you are not as fond of. Having it match any decor that is all ready in the room is also helpful for the home's total environment.
If you have moved a long distance or have had a devastating loss to your home, you may be starting over. This can be both overwhelming and exciting. You can determine what you want by searching different online sources or through home furnishings and decorating magazines. This is especially helpful if you are not sure what your style is.
How much you spend on it depends on how long you plan on keeping it because every time you are purchasing something new, staying within your budget is very important. If you have an unlimited budget, furniture is easy to find, but if your budget is more limited, you can shop around and research the different furniture companies to make sure that you are getting a good deal.
You can find out exactly what fits into your budget.
Whether you are looking to completely re-furnish your home or just want to change it out for something different, it is important to get furniture that will last for years to come. It may be more expensive, but it will not need to be replaced as quickly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7909814

Sunday, February 19, 2017

10 Tips To Make Your Leather Furniture Look Beautiful


Most of the time you'll find that it is quite easy to clean and maintain leather furniture. With some cleaning experience, you can also master the art of cleaning your leather furniture. Remember, regular cleaning will ensure that your furniture stays in a perfect condition for long. Usually leather furniture is expensive, but with just a little everyday care you can ensure that it can last a lifetime, and your investment pays off.

Proper care will increase the life of leather and keep it looking attractive. When compared to any other upholstery, leather lasts much longer and with time its look improves if maintained properly. A little care can have wonderful effects on the looks of your leather furniture.

Here are top tips which will help you to keep your furniture in top-notch condition.

1. Leather can also fade just like wood and because it can dry up, it stiffens and cracks when placed near the sources of heat. Therefore, try not to place it close to fireplaces or in a room where direct sunlight is present for most of the day.

2. Use a white, clean cloth or vacuum to remove dust after every couple of weeks to ensure that it stays clean.

3. Wipe the surface by using a slightly damp, soft cloth to clean accumulated dirt. To make sure the leather doesn't absorbs it when you're doing it for the first time, test in an inconspicuous spot. If it looks like that the leather absorb the water, use only a dry cloth.

4. If there's a spill, then quickly use a dry cloth to blot and allow it air-dry. Blotting instead of wiping is important as it removes all the moisture out before it can spread in it.

5. Every 6-12 months, use a good leather conditioner for your DIY upholstery cleaning.

6. Avoid placing printed materials on it as it can absorb dyes easily. The ink from the printed materials can transfer and leave stains on the furniture.

7. Try your best to stay away from scratches as leather can easily get scratched. Never use any sharp tool while cleaning your leather furniture.

8. To clean stains, never use ammonia, detergents, harsh soap, or cleaning solvents.

9. Avoid soaking the stain heavily with water because it can prove to be more damaging than the stain itself.

10. Using a clean, dry cloth blot excessively for grease stains. After a short period of time, the spot would gradually disappear into the leather. Ask a professional leather specialist for help, if the stain persists.

However, it's better to call professional upholstery cleaners if you really want to keep your leather furniture safe and clean.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mike_Aurtho/2158547

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9422260

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Furniture Arranging for Small Living Rooms



Make your small living room better with these furniture tips. We'll show you how to arrange the space right, plus what furniture pieces to use and what to skip.

Monday, February 13, 2017

3 Tips for First Time Furniture Shoppers


First time furniture shopping can be a ton of fun, as well as a little overwhelming. Don't let yourself walk away from a store with the wrong thing! Here are three first time furniture shopping tips.

1. What you want is not the same as what you need.

First time furniture shoppers often get a little over zealous with their planning. It's easy to do and understandably so. This is the first time you get to pick out your furniture for yourself-no hand me downs from mom and dad, so leftovers from roommates of days past-this is your change to furnish your apartment the way you want. Of course you want a sleeper sofa and a wet bar and three bookcases and a modern coffee table and a huge entertainment center and so forth-but do you really need it? A better question to ask is will it fit? Before you jump off the deep end of furniture buying make sure you actually buy the pieces you need (like a bed and desk) before you invest in the things you want (like funky free standing shelves or retro light fixtures). You'd be surprised at how little furniture it takes to fill up a room, and you don't want move-in and realize you have no space for all your new things.

2. Don't underestimate how quickly the costs will add up.

No matter how cheaply you try to make your first furniture shopping trip end up, it's always going to cost more than you thought. Even low-quality furniture can come with a hefty price tag. It's also important to consider how many times you're going to have to replace that item. A $75 coffee table might sound cheap now, but when it breaks in 6 months and you have to replace it was it really worth the savings? Sometimes spending a little bit more now can actually save you money on furniture in the long run.

If you can't afford to outfit your entire apartment in brand new furniture right now, there is nothing wrong with doing it bit by bit. Start with a great new bed or couch and build outwards. This will be less pain on your wallet but you'll still get a whole new set of great furniture with time.

3. Check it out in person.

Furniture shopping is one of those things that should be be done in person. While looking online is a great way to get a good idea of what is out there and get some inspiration, you want to actually go see your furniture options in person BEFORE you buy. Make sure that chair is comfortable, that your desk will actually fit in the space you have, that the color of the wood matches your expectations from the image online. It's better to know what you are getting ahead of time so you can make sure it's exactly what you want.

One final thing all first time furniture shoppers should consider is where/who they buy their furniture from. Make sure it's a reputable furniture manufacturer that is known for creating quality products, offers home delivery services and some kind of warranty on their products. This will help keep buyer's remorse at bay!


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Aristidis_Zaharopoulos/1070472

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7151457

Friday, February 10, 2017

Trends with Joanna & Chip Gaines


Decorating trends come and go. Learn which ones Joanna and Chip Gaines believe are here to stay -- and those that need retiring.

Saturday, February 4, 2017

How to Make a Small Bedroom Look Bigger


Tara shows how to make a small bedroom look bigger by using multiple mirrors to reflect the light in the room. She also uses a neutral gray and white color scheme, a low-profile bed, a narrow desk, and a see-through lamp-base. She mounts the TV and hangs the curtains up high.

Paint is Benjamin Moore Sidewalk Gray.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Interior Design — Top 10 Trends Of 2017


Editor-in-chief Beth Hitchcock and interiors director Meg Crossley reveal what’s hot in furniture, flooring, tile, art and color. From mirrored coffee tables to moody murals and brand new looks, find out which trends have staying power and which ones we think are fun for now. You’ll discover the top 2017 interior design trends in this must-watch guide to decorating now and for years to come.