Creating a Comfy Home Office

Creating a Comfy Home Office

If you have a job that enables you to work from home some portion of the week, you’re undoubtedly reveling in the joys of not having lengthy commutes on those days. And beyond the hours saved from traveling, one of the great benefits of telecommuting is being able to work in the comfort of your own home – but how do you establish an environment and routine that’s conducive to getting work done?

There are so many wonderful choices today in home office furniture. Plus, technology is helping people connect quicker and easier than ever before, so furnishings are evolving to support that speed and comfort, as well.

First, figure out what kind of look you want. Do you want it to match the rest of your décor? Or would you like something that is totally different – thereby representing more of an “office environment” that doesn’t feel as comfortable as to dissuade you from being productive.

Pick up a home decorating magazine and tear out some pictures of offices that you like and take it with you to your local furniture store – they will guide you through the selection process and make sure that you have what you need to do the job right.

The end goal will be to have a comfortable chair, plenty of working space, and an effective environment that lets you focus on what’s most important – getting the job done well.

Tips for Furniture Shopping

Quick Tips for Furniture Shopping

Before you head into a furniture store, be prepared to know what you’re looking for!

·         Identify your personal style. Is it casual, contemporary, country, traditional or eclectic? (Check out some of the products under each style category on this site if you need some help).

·         Examine your preferences. Make a list of your favorite colors, textures and patterns. Do you prefer bold colors or pastels? Solids, stripes or plaids? Soft, light fabric covers or rich tapestries?

·         Consider your lifestyle. Do you plan to have a family or already have children? Pets? Are you planning to move soon?

·         Prioritize your purchases. Decide which items of furniture you want or need most, and buy those first. Then build around them.

·         Determine your budget. No matter how much or how little you want to spend, you can find good values that suit your style in any price category.

·         Budget your time to suit your shopping style. Do you enjoy doing lots of research and browsing, or are you an on-the-spot buyer? Shopping for furniture can be as easy or involved as you want it to be.

·         Explore available resources. Look to home programs, books, magazines, catalogs, websites and furniture showrooms to provide inspiration.

·         Keep a scrapbook of furniture styles you like.

·         Take advantage of free services. Many furniture stores offer such benefits as interior design consulting, room planning guides and product brochures.

·         Trust your own judgment. Buy what you like, and don't be afraid to be bold or different.

Have fun and enjoy the process. Furnishing your home to express your personal style can be one of life's greatest and most enduring pleasures.

Tips for Fresh Decorating

Quick Tips for Fresh Decorating

If you want to keep your house looking stylish and fresh, but you can't afford to redecorate every year, don’t fret!

There are so many inexpensive – but expensive looking – home furnishings and accessories that can make a bit difference in keeping your decorations up-to-date.

·         Accessories, like picture frames, vases, decorative boxes, and lamps, are a wonderful way to update without having to completely start over.

·         Buy one new piece of furniture at a time. Over 1-2 years, your home will look closer to your ideal (without the heavy price tag all-at-once).

·         Choose large staple items – like rugs, used artwork, or plants – that can anchor the look of a room without a big price tag.

·         Pick up a gallon (or 2) of a bold color, then pick a wall (or 2) and start painting!

Whether you’re just looking for a quick update or a more long-term solution, start small – over time, you’ll find that your space is looking more comfortable than ever.

Love Leather Be Bold

If you like the look and feel of leather, but are afraid you can't afford it, then you haven’t seen the wide variety of leather products available to consumers today.

There are furniture manufacturers, who make less expensive leather upholstery, as well as manufacturers who make synthetic leather – at a fraction of the cost – that looks and feels like the real thing.

After all, decorating with leather can be done at virtually any price point – and it’s a pragmatic material. It is easy to care for, cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and is friendly to kids and pets – crumbs and dog hair are simple to remove.

Start by visiting a local furniture store and asking to feel variable leather products in their showroom. You will be able to touch the various leather options available to determine which feels the best to you.

Then decide what – and how much – you want to decorate with this fantastic, practical material. Like most things, the more you want of it, the more it’ll cost. But maybe you don’t need the full sectional sofa and ottoman in real leather if a side chair is the perfect complement (at a much more affordable cost).

Ideas for Extra Spaces

Have your kids moved out of the house? Have you upgraded to a bigger pad recently? Maybe you've got some extra space that you don't know what to do with it?

Here are some ideas to breathe new vibrancy into those extra rooms:

·         Create a library complete with big leather reading chairs

·         Create a yoga room for relaxing and meditating

·         Create a reading room specifically with oversized sofas and soft blankets

·         Create a hobby studio for all your crafting, sewing, or scrapbooking projects

·         Create a guest room -- of course!

·         Create a music room, and maybe invest in a grand piano you can rent for use by local independent teachers

·         Create a home office with a daybed serving as a guest bed and couch

·         Create a home theater with theatre-style seating for two

Let us know what YOU did!

Tips for Sofa Shopping

Quick Tips for Sofa Shopping

To help ensure you're on the right track in searching for your dream sofa, we teamed up with the Spandan Enterprise to offer you these shopping tips:

·         Color will be the first element you respond to, so look for colors that express your personal style.

·         When you find a style that appeal to you, try it out for comfort.

·         Bounce up and down on the cushions. Make sure it feels right to you.

·         Wiggle the arms. Do they hold firm, indicating good workmanship?

·         Lift the frame. Does it feel heavy and sturdy?

·         Examine the fabric. Are the seams straight? Does the fabric line up properly? Does it feel pleasing to the touch?

·         Check the price. Quality sofas are available in all price ranges.

·         Measure it. You don't want the sofa to overwhelm your room, but you also don't want it to be dwarfed by other pieces.

After you've done all your checks, the most important thing is to follow your heart. If you love it, then it's right for you. 

Tips to Maximize Furniture Safety

Quick Tips to Maximize Furniture Safety

General Guidelines

Furniture surfaces should be smooth and free of splinters or rough edges. Nails, screws and other joiners should be tight and unexposed. Be wary of older pieces of furniture that may contain lead paint.

Bunk Beds

Bunk beds are not recommended for children under six years of age. The top bunk should have guardrails on each side, with no more than 15 inches open at each end. Rails should be secure and sturdy, and they should extend at least 5 inches above the top surface of the mattress. The mattress should be the proper size, as stated by the manufacturer. Always use a sturdy ladder to access the top bunk, and only one person should be on the top bunk at a time.

Cribs

Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and none should be loose or missing. Check to make sure all screws, brackets and other hardware on the crib is properly installed and intact. The mattress should fit snugly, with no more than two-finger width between the edge of the mattress and the crib. Dressers and Chests of

Drawers

Drawers should slide in and out easily. When purchasing children's furniture, check for automatic drawer stops that prevent the drawer from falling out on unsuspecting children. Open only one drawer at a time. And never allow children to stand in open drawers because of the danger of the piece tipping over.

Bookcases

Be careful not to overload the shelves. In some cases, it may be a good idea to secure the top portion of the unit to the wall to prevent it from tipping over, especially if children are present in the home. In some pieces, especially in youth groups, a shelf unit attaches to a desk or chest. Always be sure those units are attached properly and securely.

Entertainment Centers and TV Stands

It's important to use the correct size furniture to house your television. Because of their weight, especially the popular larger models, TVs can fall forward if they are not properly supported. Furniture manufacturers offer a wealth of entertainment centers designed to accommodate today's electronics, so there's sure to be a piece to suit your needs.

Storage and Toy Chests

Lids should feature safety latches that prevent the top from falling freely or slamming shut on fingers or a child's head. Lids also should not lock automatically. If you have an older chest without safety latches, it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer for a replacement latch or remove the lid.

Reclining Chairs

Voluntary industry guidelines have made today's reclining chairs safer, but children should never be allowed to play on the chairs, particularly when the chair is in a reclined position.

Tips to Care for Indoor Furniture

Quick Tips to Care for Indoor Furniture

Furniture plays an important part in our lives and in our homes. That is why it is essential to care for our furniture to ensure its longevity and cleanliness. By using a little common sense, a little patience and some elbow grease, our home furnishings will last several lifetimes.

Here are a few basic tips to keep our home furnishings looking their best:

Cleaning

·         Because dust can be abrasive, always dust with a soft lint-free cloth that is moistened with polish.

·         Never use soap and water on wood furniture.

·         Use the same type of furniture polish consistently, as furniture can appear streaky if oil- and wax-based polishes are mixed.

·         Wipe in a circular motion to loosen old polish, and buff until it's dry for a perfect finish.

·         A natural bristle paintbrush can be used to dust intricate designs in wood.

·         Vacuum upholstery (and rotate cushions) once weekly to avoid fabric problems. You also can use the round brush attachment to clean wood furniture.

·         Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Keep them handy for future reference.

Longevity

·         Avoid exposing wood furniture and upholstery to continuous direct sunlight to avoid fading and other damage.

·         Protect your wood furniture from humidity by using an air conditioner in the summer and a humidifier in winter.

·         Place furniture at least 12 inches away from temperature extremes such as heaters and air conditioners.

·         Use coasters, pads and other protection against spills and other stains.

·         Gently lift, open and close doors, lids and drawers.

·         Do not allow cats and dogs on furniture, as they can be extremely abrasive to furnishings.

Everyday Use

·         Sit only on structures designed for that purpose.

·         Do not place hot items on a finish that will melt away or stain.

·         Beware of water from spills and condensation on drink glasses that can cause damage to coatings.

·         When moving a piece of furniture, do not drag it, move it from its strongest part.