Top tips for furnishing your property

Published on Tuesday 22 May 2012 17:41

You are buying a new home and to celebrate you have decided to refurnish throughout. It’s an expensive exercise of course so you may not be able to get everything at once and will therefore have to prioritise, make choices.

The advantage however is, you can start from the floor and work up, co-ordinating everything, installing chosen items more or less at leisure. Not for you the chaotic pile of furniture and crates needing to be unpacked, sorted and distributed. You can plan each room carefully, indulging your impeccable taste, satisfying your artistic flair so the home will eventually be a showcase, an exhibition of the essential you.

We must assume naturally that the decor will have been chosen and executed, walls, ceilings, woodwork, lighting and floors dressed, ready and waiting for the things that will turn this shell of a house into the home you have always dreamed of.

First consider the floors. Do you want carpets, tiles or polished wood? Wander round your local showrooms and pick up their ideas. If there is a home style exhibition on anywhere accessible to you, go and visit. Take notes and see if any of the ideas can be translated into your new space. Choose carefully, mistakes can be expensive. If you choose carpets, make sure they are suitable for the area they are destined for. The store salespeople will be happy to advise. If you choose tiles, make sure their glaze will be unaffected by grit trodden in from outside. If wood is your choice, ask yourself about maintenance. Will you have to polish every day? Will you have time?

When floors are settled upon, look to the window dressings, they can match, complement or contrast with floorings. Again you have choices, net curtains, heavily lined drapes complete with quilted linings, will you choose simple yet attractive blinds or a combination of the lot? Curtains may be bought ‘off the peg’, made-to-measure or as fabric lengths for making up at home. If you are short on time, get them made up, you can’t beat a really professional job.

With carpets and curtains in place, you are free to start choosing the ‘hard stuff’. Naturally you will want somewhere to sleep so perhaps a bed should be your first choice. Beds these days are high tech items. Whether they are water beds, electrically operated beds or traditional divans with interior sprung mattresses, they come in a huge selection of sizes, degrees of softness and colours. The only way to choose is to try them out in the showroom where you must put aside those feelings of embarrassment as you lie down, toss and turn and roll gently about. That bed will determine your state of mental and physical health, so get bouncing right away. A bed is too expensive an item to be bought blind!

With floorings, window dressings and the bed bought, the basics are in hand so time to start on the rest. Somewhere to eat means table and chairs. If funds are short, a table and stool set are a good bet to begin with. They will stack neatly away when the home is fully furnished but will provide that vital necessity to begin with. This will allow time and funds to be spent on somewhere comfortable to sit and relax. A lounge suite of some sort is a must. Be it a traditional three-piece suite or a combination of chairs and sofas of various sizes, it will provide the comfort essential for the end of the day relaxation because new home or not, life and work still go on and you will need somewhere at the end of a hard day, to sit and relax in front of the telly - high definition of course.

So you have the essentials, time enough to purchase the rest of the furniture you will require to make your home a place to be proud of. Whatever you do, remember to go for quality. You never get more than you pay for. Today’s best furniture purchases are really the antiques of tomorrow, so go for the very best you can afford. Mind you, the odd antique added to enhance the look of your modern pieces can be very effective but be careful what and where you buy. There is undoubtedly a lot of rubbish around.

With the furniture bought and in place you can add those final finishing touches such as the lamps, the shades, the cushions, that quilted bed spread you have always wanted, not to mention the odd picture (original if possible), lovely piece of porcelain, books for those shelves and bold items of brass in the fireplace.
Furnishing a new house is exciting, satisfying and fun. In fact as a life’s experience it is only rivalled buy the purchase of the house itself..

Copyright:  http://www.selbytimes.co.uk/community/property-news/top-tips-for-furnishing-your-property-1-4572907  

Home Decor Tips: Furniture Transformations

Many pieces of furniture can serve several functions. With a little imagination, you can transform your furniture and use it in a completely different way to serve a different purpose. When you are done reading this column, it is my hope that you will re-examine any furniture that you are not currently using and give it new life!

Home Decor Tips: Furniture Transformations 

From Baby to Books
When we prepare for our first child, our first impulse often is to purchase an entire baby layette. One particular piece in the layette that has a very short life span is the baby’s changing table. Once the changing table is no longer being used we wonder, “What am I going to do with this piece of furniture now?” Take heart — you did not waste your money! Changing tables can stay in the nursery and serve as terrific toy or book shelf units that are easily accessible to your curious toddler.

Another alternative is to remove the table from the nursery and bring it into the family room or guest bedroom. Changing tables can be painted to coordinate with your room’s color scheme, or you may choose to apply stencils directly onto the table to match the room’s theme. You can fill the table with interesting potted plants and turn it into an adorable plant shelf.

Armed with Entertainment
Armoires are bold and interesting pieces that offer a variety of uses and provide a great deal of storage space. A completely different option for an armoire (instead of the traditional clothing storage) is to use it as an entertainment center for your television/VCR and stereo components. When used in this capacity, the doors may be closed when you aren’t viewing the television, thus helping to prevent accumulation of dust. Also, the armoire becomes the focal point in your room, instead of the television!


Desk Alternatives
Have you ever thought about using that extra sofa table in your living room as a small desk for your first grader who is beginning to get homework on a regular basis? You may need to boost up the chair a tad, but sofa tables can serve as great student desks.
Have you priced full-sized desks lately? The price tags will make you cringe! Large, roomy desks with more than ample space for a computer and all of the components can cost a small fortune. Instead of buying a brand new desk for your home office, consider using a rectangular or oblong dining table. Dining tables are usually quite sturdy and large. They can function perfectly as an executive desk.

Trunk to Table
When I left for college one year, my mother tried to give me an old black trunk that she used to store my clothes. I remember saying to myself, “Why would I ever want that thing?” Trunks have a tremendous number of uses. My personal favorite is to add a large piece of glass to the top to instantly create a unique coffee table.


Rack ‘Em Up
Bakers’ racks are available in wicker, metal, iron, and other fabrications. The most common use for these racks is in the kitchen, to accommodate cookbooks, utensils, and other gadgets. However, they also fit perfectly in the family room where they can showcase treasured family photographs or even pottery. Outside on the patio, they can serve exclusively as decorative plant shelving units.

“Sleeper” Sofa
For newlyweds or young families: instead of purchasing a brand new sofa, consider pushing a twin bed against a long, corner wall. Add several oversized pillows or sofa cushions. This can serve as a temporary “makeshift” sofa until you can afford to spend the money for a brand new sofa.


Divide & Conquer
For families with two or three children but only one large bedroom, consider the use of a decorative folding screen to function as a room divider. Often you can paint the screen, or decorate it to coordinate with the children’s choice of colors, or movie characters. In this way, each child can have his own personal “living” space.

Double Duty
If you don’t own any furniture that you feel can be “transformed” for another use, there is another money-saving option. Several furniture manufacturers are constructing furniture to serve dual purposes. One of my favorites is the extra wide club chair that easily folds out into a twin size bed. This is perfect for a loft or guest room. When your guests depart, just fold the bed back into the comfortable, oversized chair. Remember, if you choose this option, to expect to pay a significantly higher price for the item, because the piece serves dual purposes.

Remember to think creatively before you decide that you have no use for a particular piece of furniture!

Copyright:  http://newsolio.com/home-decor-tips-furniture-transformations,5779

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How to Arrange Living Room Furniture

Important Tips for Furniture Size and Placement

By Lauren Flanagan,

Living rooms serve different purposes for different people. In some homes they serve as the main gathering area for family, while in others they're more of a show room, used only when company comes over. Either way, there are certain issues that always come up when trying to arrange living room furniture. Check out these tips for placing furniture in your living room.

Living Room Basics

There are a few important things to remember when arranging living room furniture.

• Establish the focal point of the room and arrange furniture around it. In some rooms the focal point will be an existing feature such as a fireplace or window, and in some it will be something you bring in to the room such as a television.

• Use the furniture to create conversation areas. People should be able to comfortably talk to each other without straining their necks or shouting. If the room is particularly large you might want to create a few different conversation areas.

• Don't forget about traffic flow. Leave enough room for people to walk around furniture so they can easily get from one side of the room to another.

• Pull furniture away from the walls. Having all the furniture backs touching the walls is one of the biggest mistakes people make in the living room. If the pieces are closer together it will create a more intimate setting. As long as the backs of the pieces are finished, there's no reason not to show them off.

Furniture Sizes and Placement

When it comes to living room furniture, size matters.

Sofa and Chairs - These are often the big-ticket items so it's important that they suit the space. The most important thing to do is measure the space before buying any of these pieces. You don't want them to be too big or too small, so it's best if you draw up a floor plan ahead of time. Sketch out the room on a piece of graph paper using all the appropriate measurements. Try putting the sofa and chairs in a few different spots and see what works best visually and in terms of leaving space to accommodate traffic flow.

Rug – Using area rugs is a great way to define seating areas, but the number one mistake people make in the living room is using an area rug that's too small. Remember that all of the furniture should be able to comfortably sit on the carpet. If space doesn't allow it, make sure that at least the front legs of any large upholstered pieces are on the rug. (Small pieces like side chairs and tables should always have all four legs on the rug.)

Coffee Table - Coffee tables are practical pieces that are often found in the center of conversation areas. If you choose to use one remember that the height should be slightly lower than the seat height of the sofa and chairs around it. The length of the table should also be roughly one half to two thirds the length of the sofa. If you don't want to use a coffee table you can try using a couple of smaller tables or benches to achieve the same look. Just make sure they're not too small. People sitting around them should be able to lean over to put down or pick up a drink without having to get up from their seat. At the same time be sure to leave enough leg room between seats and tables: 14 to 18 inches should do the trick.

Side Tables - Side tables tend to be an afterthought but they're actually very important. The number you need will depend on how much seating you have. Everyone should be able to comfortably set down a drink without having to get up and walk over to a table. Try to have one on either side of the sofa (unless there isn't enough space – in this case people can use the coffee table), and between pairs of chairs. The key is to have enough surface space without overcrowding the room. The tables should be approximately the same height as the arm of the chair or sofa they're next to.

Living Room Accessories

Once the furniture is in place it's important to think about where to place the accessories. No doubt you will have some window treatments and artwork, and maybe a television and some sconces. Give just as much thought to placing living room accessories as you do the furniture.

If you're unsure about what will work try using an online room planner to create an arrangement. Test out some different looks and see what looks best and what works for your lifestyle. If you're not too computer savvy you can make up a living room floor plan using graph paper. Just make sure to use all the appropriate measurements so you don't face any unwelcome surprises when you actually put the furniture in the room.

Copyright: http://interiordec.about.com/od/decoratingroombyroom/a/ArrangeLivingRoomFurniture.htm

Rugs

Top 10 Tips for Decorating With Rugs

By Abe Abbas

Decorating with rugs can add some extra pizazz to a room. You might say a rug completes a room by tying all the different pieces together visually. Rugs can also add warmth and help layer a room's design.
So how do you make the best use of rugs in a room?

Use a rug to define or separate areas, such as seating or dining areas, and foyers.

If you use more than one rug in a room, make sure they are not the same size. Same sized rugs can cut your room in half visually.

When using more than one rug, it's better when the rugs complement each other in style. If not, you could end up with a jarring or unpleasant effect.

Use a favorite rug as the basis of the color scheme in a room. On the other hand, if you add it after you have your furniture in place, you can use the rug to accent or tie in your existing colors.

Use a rug to visually quieten a room or turn up the volume as needed. If your upholstery or wallpaper have an ornate pattern, choose a rug that is more subtle. When walls and upholstery are fairly subdued, you can try a busier pattern to add more interest to the room. Hand tufted or Hand Knotted?

Use a rug as the focal point of your room, as rugs can make a huge impact. To do that you can create contrast by painting your walls a hue that echoes one of your rug’s accent colors.

Use a rug as a wall hanging as another way to create a focal point. Selecting Rug Fibers

Don't assume that a rug has to be a rectangle. Let the way you group your furniture dictate the shape of your rug. Try figuring out what shape would look best, and then go with a square, round or oval shape if that seems like the better option than a rectangular one.

When you buy a room size rug, subtract 3 feet from the length and width of the room. Leaving the floor bare at the edges makes it look a little larger. Also, when laying a rug under your dining table, leave at least 24" of rug from the edge of the table out on all sides. This enables the back legs of the chairs to stay on the rug, even when pulled out to let someone sit.

Runners should be 4 inches narrower than your hallway and 18 to 24 inches shorter. Make sure they are wide enough to accommodate both feet on the rug when you walk.

Bonus Tip:

Always use a liner to keep your rug from slipping or “creeping.”The rug liner should be appropriate for your floor type.

Copyright: http://furniture.about.com/od/accessoriesguide/a/RugTips.htm

Choosing the Right Recliner

Recliners Are About Comfort...and Looks

By Abe Abbas,

Need help choosing the right recliner? It seems like they have been around forever, but recliners were introduced only in the late 1920s. Once introduced, the recliner's popularity took off at once as people discovered a new level of comfort. Today, with so many different recliners to choose from, you can have all the comfort you need in any look you want.
Recliners are popular for many reasons:

• A recliner is good for relaxing and lounging.
• It doesn’t take much effort to operate a recliner. With the touch of a button or lever, you can recline the back or bring up the foot rest.
• A recliner provide good neck and lumbar support.
• All of the above features also help people with medical conditions who find recliners useful in addition to being comfortable.

The brands La-Z-Boy and Barcalounger have become synonymous with recliners. You constantly hear people referring to their reclining chairs as such even though there are many others who manufacture recliners, such as Lane, Bassett, and Thomasville.
When choosing a recliner, you no longer have to choose from a limited number of styles. Today, you can find a recliner in any style to go with your existing décor. You can also find recliners that are useful if for medical conditions such as limited mobility or back problems.
Recliner can rock, recline, swivel, massage, and lift, or simply look fabulous while also providing the most comfortable seat in the whole house. When it comes to recliners one size does not fit all, but you can easily find one that fits your individual needs.

Rocker Recliners

A rocker recliner does exactly what the name says. It rocks and reclines. It’s handy to have if you’re suffering from insomnia. The rocking motion can help you fall asleep. You would be surprised to know how many people use their recliners to sleep in. A rocker recliner is also a favorite with nursing mothers, as it provides comfort for the mother while the rocking motion relaxes the baby. Most rocker recliners can have the swivel feature added as well for an additional cost.
Rocker recliners start at around $299, but can go much higher depending on fabric. One of the best known recliners in this category is the Athena Easy Glide from Lane.

Wall Hugger Recliners

Wall hugger recliners take up less space, and are a good choice when you have a smaller room. Most recliners are available as both wall huggers and rocker recliners. In wall huggers you tend to sit up straight and that makes it easier to get up from the seat. There is less movement involved. Some wall hugger recliners can be adjusted to sit higher so people with bad knees find it easier to get up from them.
Wall huggers also start in the $299 range. Some examples are Lane’s Sherman recliner and Harbor Town from La-Z-Boy.

Lift Chairs

A lift chair is usually recommended by physicians for people having limited capacity to use their legs. It is especially useful for someone with weak knees. Lift Chairs come in different shapes and sizes, so it is easy to find one to fit every body type.
Lift chairs start around $899. A good example is Raven from La-Z-Boy.

Massage Recliners

Massage recliners sometimes come with a heating function as well. They can massage your back and some also massage the backs of your legs. They can help lift you or recline. Sitting down in one can be comforting at the end of a long day.
Massage recliners start at around $700. Relax-The-Back carries some excellent massage recliners. Human Touch iJoy-300™ - Power Recline is an example.

Classic and Contemporary Collections

In addition to these, there are recliners that don’t even look like recliners. They are available in styles such as wingback chairs. These start around $299 but can go up substantially depending on fabric. Hampton from Lane is one such classic.
If you prefer a more contemporary and modern style, then you might want to look at Spectra from Barcalounger.
This variety of styles is a comparatively recent development as more women started buying recliners. They demanded better aesthetics in addition to the existing features, and manufactures obliged by offering more choices.
There is an impressive array of fabrics to choose from in addition to leather, suede and microfiber with a wide range of colors and textures. Considering all this it is no wonder that recliners continue to be so popular.
Full Disclosure: I work for La-Z-Boy.

Copyright: http://furniture.about.com/od/buyingfurniture/a/Recliners.htm

Buying A Sofa

Before You Buy a Sofa

By Lauren Flanagan,

When you're thinking about a new sofa, you'll want to check our sofa buying tips. While it is important to get a sofa in just the right color, it is just as important to get one that will last. Inexpensive furniture can break, pop springs, and look out of shape within a year of constant use. Quality construction will offer years of enjoyment and has enough good "bones" to allow you to recover it periodically.

Choose the Style of Cushions for Your New Sofa

First decide if you prefer the look of loose back cushions or attached. Loose cushions give you the option of turning the pillows as needed, while attached backs won't need fluffing or rearranging. Be sure to sit in the sofa you are considering. Is it comfortable? Are the arms the right height for taking a nap or reading a book?

How Many Cushions Do You Like on a Sofa?

How many seat cushions would you like? One cushion offers a clean modern look while two or three are traditional. When you sit on the cushions, do they stay in place or do the corners flare up? Are they attached to the frame with a clip to hold them down?

What Style of Sofa Arm Do You Like?

Choose an arm style for your new sofa. You can choose from armless, traditional rolled arm, curved English arm, or a straight Parsons style. The rolled arm has a flat front panel and is often outlined in cording. English style is rounded at the front, with fabric formed into sunburst-type pleats. Straight arm sofas are most often seen in contemporary settings.

A Skirted Sofa or One With Bare Legs?

Do you want a skirted sofa or one with the visible legs? Choose from leg styles that vary from heavy square chunks and wide bun feet to more delicate tapered legs or carved and curved formal versions. Legs are usually available in a number of finishes as well.

Understand Frame Construction for Upholstered Furniture

Ask about the construction of a sofa under consideration. The best are made from kiln-dried hardwoods (oak, maple, poplar, etc.), while inexpensive furniture is made from softer pine lumber. Interior construction is important as well. Cheap furniture is stapled together and has haphazardly constructed corner bracing. Better frames are securely screwed together.

Understand Sofa Seat Construction

Find out how the seat support system is made. Often a furniture store will have a cutaway model of the interior of upholstered pieces. Does it have quality 8-way tied springs or cheaper wire coils?

Choosing the Cushion and Pillow Filling for Your Sofa

The cushion and pillow filling are important to the feel of a sofa. Upholstery foam is inexpensive and comes in several thicknesses and weights, however the best cushions have down fillings. All-down cushions must be fluffed daily, though another option uses down pads wrapped around a core of foam. Understand these options for the sofa you want and which might be best for you. Are the cushions standard or special order, foam or down?

Choose the Fabric for You New Sofa's Final Cover

Choose a fabric for your sofa. Chenille is soft and durable while Leather is long-lasting and attractive. Velvets and other fabrics look lovely but may wear out with heavy use over the years. Finally consider options for trimmings. Dress up a sofa with fringed pillows or double welted seams. While these options add to the cost, they also give your piece a one-of-a-kind look. Many furniture manufacturers also offer the option of custom-made slipcovers to give you a seasonal change.

Copyright: http://interiordec.about.com/cs/beforeyoubuy/bb/byb_sofa.htm