Friday, February 5th, 2010
It is time to select your living room curtains and you are in a panic. You have visited all the stores, viewed all the choices and still don’t know what to choose. As with all design decisions, there is no right or wrong choice. But there are some guidelines that might make selecting your living room curtains a little bit easier.
Style is one of the first things to consider. This will be determined by the style of furniture you have chosen, the size and shape of your windows and even the architecture of your home.
The most common style of curtain is the pinch pleat drape. Fabric is gathered at the top of the drapery and “pinched” together creating a pleat. It is then attached to a curtain rod with a small metal clip at the back of the pleats. This treatment offers a full and luxurious look but can be expensive due to the amount of fabric needed.
A less expensive option is the tab top curtain. In this style a tab of fabric simply loops over the curtain rod allowing the drape to hang to the floor. This look offers a casual and relaxed feel to a room.
A contemporary version of the tab top drape would be the grommet top. Large grommets are placed at the top of fabric and a rod is woven through. A grommet is a hole in the fabric surrounded by a metal ring. Using this style in your room will create a clean and contemporary look.
If you have a beautiful view from your windows and/or privacy is not an issue, hanging stationary panels might be a good choice for you. Panels of fabric are gathered together on a short rod and hung on either side of the window or door. They are not functional but add color and softness to a room.
Rod pocket panels are a very inexpensive window treatment. A pocket of fabric is created at the top of the curtain and a rod is slipped through and attached to the wall. They are generally held open with a tieback of some sort. This can be a matching piece of fabric attached to rings on the wall or something more decorative.
Adding a “topper” to your curtains is something you will want to think about. This can be a simple ruffled valance that covers the rod to a more elaborate swag scarf look. Perhaps a tailored box cornice is more your style. Or maybe you want the beautiful wood or metal rod to show. This decision will be based on the type of curtain you have chosen and the overall design style of your living room.
All of these styles are available off the rack, reducing the cost. But if you are looking to add creativity and uniqueness to your room there is nothing more beautiful than selecting living room curtains that have been custom tailored for your home.
Budget is something we can’t ignore. As with all things, the amount you are able to spend will determine the type of curtain you choose.
A curtain purchased off the rack that is unlined can be very inexpensive. They are ready to hang and offer an immediate solution to any light or privacy issues you may have. However, they are often poorly made and will have to be replaced often. The color and pattern choices are limited.
Conversely, curtains custom made for your windows in a fabric chosen by you and properly lined can be very costly. There can be a long delay in getting these made, leaving you without window treatments for a while. But the end result will be curtains that give your room a unique look and the custom workmanship, including lining, will allow you to enjoy these curtains for a long time.
Lining your curtains is something to consider.
If you live in an area that is prone to lots of cold weather you may want to add a thermal lining to your curtains. While this will add to the cost, it can reduce the amount of energy used in your home as well as add life to the curtains by protecting them from the sun.
If you are fortunate to live in a sunny area, adding a cotton lining to your curtains will protect your fabric from the harsh rays of the sun. It can also help reduce the amount of sunlight entering the room, thereby protecting furniture and carpet from fading.
However, living in a sunny area can make it difficult to sleep during the day. The bright light can create problems if you work nights or have a baby in the house. Often the light coming into the room can make it difficult to watch television. For these reasons, you may want to consider a blackout lining. These opaque linings keep out any unwanted light and while they will add to the cost of your living room curtains, the extra sleep may be worth the extra cost!
Lastly, appearance is something to take into consideration. Lining adds body and weight to curtains, allowing them to hang properly. Your home will have a uniform look from the outside if all your curtains are lined.
Window treatments can be a costly addition to any home but taking time to make the right choices when selecting your living room curtains will save you money in the long run. The end result will be a beautiful living room you can enjoy for years to come.
Tags: Curtains, Living, Room, Selecting
Posted in Living Room | 6 Comments »
Sunday, June 28th, 2009
The furniture you select for your living room is not a decision that should be taken lightly. After all, you will be living with and on these living room furniture pieces for many years to come! Not only does your living room furniture have to blend with your existing décor, it also has to complement your personality and lifestyle. Selecting the right living room furniture is not as difficult as you might think!
From couches and sectional sofas to coffee tables, end tables, chairs, ottomans and more, at ClubFurniture.com we offer a wide array of living room furniture options at affordable everyday values that will flawlessly mesh any new or existing décor with your own personal tastes and style. Before you begin your living room furniture shopping, there are number of things that you will want to make certain you keep in mind.
First, remember not to think of your living room furniture as a grouping of individual pieces, yet as a set of similar pieces that work together to create the tone and feel of your room. Simply arranging a collection of random furniture pieces into your room can often lead to a rather cluttered and disorganized look. Purchasing a set gives you the freedom to work around a grouping of living room furniture that has been designed to go together. All you have to then do is add the appropriate coordinating accessories.
One of the most important things to remember when living room furniture shopping is to buy pieces that will last. Many people often opt for cheaper options, yet these pieces will often need replacing after just a few years. Quality pieces will last significantly longer, so you truly do get what you pay for!
It is also important to keep your future living room furniture purchases in mind. We recommend selecting from a palate of neutral colors that can be matched with your existing décor, as well as easily coordinated with furniture purchases down the road. Most importantly, select colors that you and your family like. This living room furniture is going to be with you for a long time, so you definitely want to make sure that you choose pieces and colors that you will enjoy seeing and living with every day.
By following these few simple suggestions, you can very easily create your very own special living room space that you, your family and your guests will be able to enjoy for many years to come!
For additional information on selecting the perfect living room furniture for your home, or to begin browsing through our immense online furniture inventory, visit ClubFurniture.com today! You can also contact us by phone anytime for more information or to place an order at 888-378-8383.
Tags: Furniture, Living, Pieces, right, Room, Selecting
Posted in Living Room | No Comments »
Sunday, April 5th, 2009
Who doesn’t love lounging on a comfortable sofa the whole day? However, you may have to do a good deal of research and planning before picking up a good sofa set from the stores. This article will help you understand the different features worth looking at in a sofa. Unless you pay attention to these features, you may be stuck with a poorly made sofa that may start looking worn out and unshapely within a year.
Sofas are used as recliners frequently and so look for ones that are comfortable. You can try to sit on it to check if it suits your height and weight. You should also check whether the arms of the sofa are at the correct height for you. Decide upon the style of cushions for the sofa. Loose cushions can be removed and placed as you want them while attached ones will not give you the trouble of rearranging.
Look for the uniformity of pattern throughout the sofa. Many inexpensive ones have difference in pattern between the back of the sofa and the cushions. A well made sofa will have good construction and uniform pattern. Always ask the salesperson about the type of material used for construction of the sofa. Also, look for fabrics that last long. Velvets may look glossy but lose their sheen soon. Leather sofas last much longer and look attractive.
Always try to buy neutral hued sofa sets as eye-popping colors might look good in magazines, but can look outrageous in normal home decor. You could buy interesting cushions and other trimmings for your sofa instead of opting for loud colors. Lovely cushions in attractive shapes are available at reasonable prices in most stores and they help you change the look of your sofa seasonally. Buying slip covers for the sofa is a practical option if you have kids. Accidental spills on a sofa are very common and the sofa may get visibly stained. If you cover the sofa with an easily washable slip, you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
Also, pay attention to the type of arms and legs of the sofa. For modern living room furniture, you could opt for the sofas that have straight arms. There are other options like curved arms, straight styles or you could even think of going armless. Legs too vary greatly and you can choose among heavy square legs, more delicate ones, curved formal ones and or skirted sofas.
Finally, decide upon the type of sofa you like based on the size of the living room. A large sofa might leave little room for walking and cleaning if you have small rooms. Again, a tiny sofa set might look out of place in a large room. Also, consider if you have place for sectional sofas in your house. Most importantly, never compromise the comfort and durability for attractiveness of the sofa. No matter how pretty the design of the fabric or how interesting the make of the sofa, you should never consider buying it if you do not feel comfortable sitting on it.
Tags: Consider, Factors, Selecting, Sofas
Posted in Sofa | No Comments »
Monday, March 9th, 2009
Mattress is a vital accessory of the bedroom furniture. This type of soft accessory makes gives us total relief and comfort while we sleep. The Arabs were the first to design and use mattresses for resting purposes.
It is said historically that at the time of Crusades, this word mattress was adopted by the Europeans as a medium for sleeping on the cushions. Technically, a mattress is situated on the platform like bed or foundation of the metal spring, which is at height from the ground.
The mattresses are filled with several kind of natural material like straw, fluffs or cotton. But that are the historical manufacturing of the mattress. Nowadays, the filling material for the mattress is incorporated with innerspring at center point, air and water. Normally, the mattress is filled with material like latex, latex, viscoelastic, foams of polyurethane material.
In market, various types of companies provide a wide range of varieties of mattresses. Every buyer gives importance to the quality of the mattresses because it gives us peace of mind for a longer period at night. The manufactures of the mattresses provides warranty on the mattresses approximately up to 25 years. So that warranty is more than anybody’s expectations while compromising with the quality of the mattresses.
While selecting the mattress, the comfort level of the body is the prime concern. Some persons prefer soft mattresses on their beds while some prefer hard surface mattress on their bed. The people who are suffering from the neck sprain and back pain disorder prefer mostly hard mattress surface.
As far as the manufacturing of the mattresses is concerned, the mattresses, which are made up of cotton, are wrinkled up after some days and so that require restocking of cotton. However, it looks contented and inexpensive also. In addition, mattresses, which are made up of coir are highly enduring and does not need any kind of maintenance.
While choosing the mattress, the authorized company provides the care tips to the customer about how to handle and use such mattress.
After using the mattress, do not roll or revolve the mattress continuously. Because the inner material of the mattress is designed to support the curve of the body. You can now not only revolve the each end exactly but also revolve the mattress upside down for enhancing the convention of the mattress to the body curve. The texture of the mattress normally should smooth on that particular side which will prevent it from damaging the mattress.
In the house, the mattress should not be brought near open flame or fire. No mattress is fireproof. Also accidentally, if mattress gets burnt, it generates a huge amount of smoke and perilous gases. A person should avoid activities like standing and jumping on the mattress because the mattress cannot bear such kind of sudden pressure or stress. The user should also prevent the mattress from getting wet. It should be kept away from water and other liquids. Also while sleeping on the mattress, try not to smoke.
Tags: About, mattress, Selecting
Posted in mattress | No Comments »
Sunday, March 8th, 2009
A lot of retailers will try to convince you to buy a sofa based on price, on appearance or promises of style, comfort or prestige. The fact is a sofa is a big investment, not so much in terms of cost, but in terms of longevity. A quality sofa is going to be with you a long time.
Other major purchases such as diamond rings, Persian carpets and original works of art have their finer points on display for all the world to see all the time. But with sofas, the quality lies far below the surface, down in the padding, the springs and the frame. The external appearance only tells a small part of the story.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve assembled a few questions to ask, along with some things to think for each one.
Who’s the sofa for?
If you have children, stain resistant fabrics should be top of mind. If you have toddlers, you may want to stay away from loose cushions because they’ll end up in a pile in front of the television or as fodder for a fight between siblings. Teens like to stretch out. So do adults with children as they call asleep watching TV or reading a bedtime story. If you’re a single adult, you want to think about the friends you entertain and how you entertain them. If you have an elderly person in the home, you may want to sacrifice some comfort for ease of egress. Firmer cushions can help an older person get in and out of the sofa without assistance. Defining your needs will not only determine the type of sofa you want, but the size and arrangement. How will it be used?
If you’re going to be watching your favorite shows on the boob tube you want the minimum length to be 5 ½ to 6 feet so you can stretch out. If you don’t have small kids who will take the pillows to the four corners of the world, you may want to consider pillow back sofas. They come in handy when you want to lie down. If you’re doing a lot of entertaining, you want a sofa that has a more tailored, formal look to it. When it comes to choosing the right arms, squares are more contemporary or modern and discourage people from sitting on them at parties, which reduces wear and tear. If you plan on lying on the sofa, you’ll want rounder corners. Even with a pillow, the squared edges can get uncomfortable.
Where is the sofa going?
Living room furnishings tend to be more formal looking than those in a family room or home theater. As such, they have a tighter look to them, the have a more luxurious feel to them and they can have imposing style. They are meant to be the centerpiece of the room. You may even want to consider a sectional for the living room. For the family room or home theater, comfort is more important than style. You can go with something that is more overstuffed and casual. You want the piece in these rooms to be welcoming, since long hours are often spent on them.
When are you using the sofa?
This seems like a strange question. But the time of day helps determine what kind of fabric you want to use. If the sofa is for use during the daytime, consider buying a sofa that has brighter, easy to maintain fabric. If you’re going to be entertaining primarily in the evening, you can go with something a little more exotic, such as mohair velvet, silk or damask. If you have guests who occasionally stay the night, you may want to consider buying a sofa that can accommodate an adult sleeper.
It’s what’s on the inside, really!
1. The frame Think of the frame as being the bones of the sofa. Like your own bones, you want the frame to be strong. Kiln dried hardwood that is free of knots is the sign of mid- to high-end furniture. Lower end sofas. are usually constructed with laminates, metal and plastic. Glued dowels are preferable to nails or screws, which become loose over time.
2. Under the hood on higher quality sofas, upholsterers attach the heavy-duty seat springs individually to the jute webbing using clips. They then hand tie them to one another using an eight-way tie. Lower quality sofas use pre-fab coils, which can still be good. Avoid zigzag springs entirely. They won’t hold up over time.
3. The stuffing down wrapped, high-density foam is the best out there. Make sure you ask for the down-to-foam ratio though before you buy a sofa. The government allows for a 15% margin of error on this, so factor that into your calculations of how much is really foam and how much is down. And 80/20 mix may only be 5% wrapped down.
4. The little things that make a difference Quality cushions are lined. If yours aren’t you may not be getting what you’re paying for. Open a cushion and see if it’s lined. This helps keep the feathers from poking through and reduces stress on the exterior fabric.
5. It’s a match now, the final indicator. Look at the fabric. If it has a pattern on it and is high quality, the patterns will match from one place to another. If they don’t you may be buying a less expensive sofa with a more expensive price tag.
Finally, sit on the sofa, lie on it, relax, lean forward, and sink back. Does it feel comfortable to you? Once you sofa has passed the top five tests and is comfortable to boot, you’re ready to buy your sofa in complete confidence.
Tags: right, Selecting, Sofa
Posted in Sofa | No Comments »
Sunday, February 15th, 2009
Living in a city means that you need to carry yourself well and wear good clothes and also look smart and better than the person next to you. For this, what would we require is a good wardrobe to keep all the clothes in one place and how does one find a good wardrobe! Simple, build one for yourself according to your own requirements! An oak wardrobe is the best solution for all the requirements because the oak furniture is a king if all times and offers the best any wood was to offer. So we shall see how having an oak wardrobe is the best thing to have. A lot of readymade oak wardrobes are available in the market, but they serve little purpose, because a wardrobe is a personal thing and everyone’s needs are different and so a general wardrobe would not be the answer. You should always opt for a custom made oak wardrobe and this decision would be the life maker as because you would never ever have to depend on things that fail or give way at the last moment. Oak is a steady crusader and always up to the mark and will never ever disappoint you. Oak furniture is the best in the business and an oak wardrobe is no exception. ‘The wardrobe is as good as the clothes inside’ is a term of the past, in today’s fast paced world, you need to have the exteriors as well as the interior up to the mark otherwise you can be considered out dated. So the oak wardrobe is the answer – it is stylish, easy to procure and comes in various colors. But these advantages are secondary; the primary advantage is that an oak wardrobe will outlast the clothes inside and can be used by generations. The oak wardrobe, because it is customized, comes in all sizes and shapes. For the executive class, it can be fitted with long vertical spaces to accommodate the suits and the ties and also be fitted with the vanity table on the inside of the wardrobe to make it easier for the women. The best part of an oak wardrobe is that you can fit it with anything and everything you want and the wardrobe will not suffer in the quality, or for the regular and average user, you can have it fitted with some big shelves and some horizontal shelves and also have a separate section for the footwear. But always remember that oak wardrobe will help you only if you allow it to, and unnecessary divisions will make the wardrobe look odd, so plan it out properly if you want the inside to be useful and look decent also. Oak wardrobe has so many more advantages that it is impossible to tell you about them all, it is like you have to experience it yourself to get the hang of it. So go ahead and buy an oak wardrobe and compliment it with more oak furniture and you will never ever complain about anything and love the compliments that would be showered on you.
Tags: perfect, Selecting, Wardrobe
Posted in Wardrobe | No Comments »