How to Buy Furniture A Guide to Buying Furniture
When you buy furniture you have the potential to change how you live. Really. Furniture can impact your health, your comfort, your efficiency. This realization can make buying furniture a bit challenging. After all, you want to buy furniture that fits, supports and enhances the way you live.
To find the right furniture, you should be able to judge furniture for quality. And while judging furniture quality is important, so is being able to find green furniture for a healthy home and healthy planet.
1. 8 Questions to Ask Before Buying Furniture
It makes sense to determine your needs before you buy furniture and there are some important questions you need to ask yourself before buying furniture. Since furniture is essentially a functional commodity and it is meant to solve problems related to how your home functions for you, it is important to figure out what your biggest needs are.
It also helps to know your if you have any constraints when it comes to furnishing. These constraints might relate to your space, budget, or any other special consideration. But when you know both your furniture needs and constraints, you can begin to explore your furnishing possibilities better. Make this the first and most basic step of your buying process.
2. How To Find Your Style
When you know how to find your style, you know how to buy furniture that is truly your own.
When you buy furniture that is in keeping with your own style or complements it successfully, you have the ability to make your space attractive and comfortable. Knowing your style gives you confidence to buy just the right piece.
Knowing your style gives you greater flexibility, too, because when you know how to find your style, you are likely to find it even the unlikeliest pieces of furniture. You have the ability to tie in seemingly disparate pieces of furniture to create truly personal spaces. You also have the ability to find other furnishings that complement your furniture in a way that is all yours.
3. How to Buy Green Furniture
Ethan Allen's American Artisan Collection Dining Table
To protect your own health and that of your home, buying green furniture seems like the thing to do. With the raised awareness about the plight of our planet, buying green furniture seems even more important.
There are so many misconceptions about buying green, that even the most well intentioned buyers can get confused. Sometimes it is the manufacturers who like to confuse through misleading advertising orgreenwashing.
Look at these tips as a starting point in your quest for green furniture.
4. How to Judge a Sofa for Quality
When you buy furniture, quality is one of the attributes you are looking for and as such you should have the ability to judge a sofa for quality.
Sometimes two sofas can almost identical, but you will notice a huge price difference. When you explore further you will almost always find a great difference in quality, and the quality comes from what is inside, and how well it is constructed.
Quality determines how long your sofa will last after you buy it and how long it will be able to retain its looks. Quality also determines the level of comfort you can expect to get from your sofa. Make sure you know what to look for so you can buy the best sofa you can afford. You will not have to replace it in a hurry.
5. How to Check Wood Furniture for Quality
When you know how to buy quality wood furniture you can add warmth, beauty and functionality to any space. It can be in any style you like, but quality matters.
How do you tell that its good quality furniture when there is such a great variety to choose from? Before you buy wood furniture there are certain signs that will help determine the quality of wood furniture. You should check for features such as sturdiness, and whether doors and drawers are properly aligned. Drawers should open and shut smoothly. To check the finish to see if it is good quality try running your hand over it to feel any imperfections or blemishes. It should feel smooth and pleasing to the touch. Even distressed furniture should have texture, but no rough patches.
6. Top 10 Furniture Buying Mistakes
There are so many furniture buying mistakes that can negatively impact the enjoyment that should be yours when you buy furniture. Take a look at some common mistakes people make.
The good news is that these mistakes are entirely preventable. When you start paying attention to your needs before you buy furniture, you are less apt to make them. One of the most common mistakes is forgetting to measure your space as well as your furniture. Another common mistake before buying furniture is not considering who will be using it.
An important aspect in learning how to buy furniture is to look beyond trends and buy furniture based on quality and usefulness.
7. Guide to Upholstery Fibers
When you buy furniture, you are also concerned with how it looks and feels on the outside. Most sofas are selected on how the fabric looks and feels.
So while it is important to know what's inside your sofa, also consider what's on the outside. Choose an upholstery fiber that complements the way you live. You might love how it feels, but also consider how much care your upholstery fiber needs.
For instance, silk looks gorgeous, but will not be able to retain its looks if you place it close to a sunny window as it is not very lightfast. Some fibers are prone to wrinkling and snagging and will not be able to withstand heavy use. Select a fiber that will not only look good, but one that would also wear well in your home setting.
By Abe Abbas, About.com Guide
http://furniture.about.com/od/buyingfurniture/tp/buy2809furn.htm
Our family buyers continue to always search for the best buys and values in the furniture market. We shop during four international shows each year. Making certain to always find products coming from around the world. Today’s fine furniture is built in The United States, Indonesia, South America, Canada, and China.
Furniture Care Basics
1.Keep furniture out of direct sunlight.
2.Avoid placing furniture in front of or under windows.
3.Place furniture away from heating and air conditioning vents.
4.Blot up spills immediately.
5.Use coasters, place mats, and tablecloths to protect furniture during use.
6.Lift and place items instead of sliding across furniture surfaces.
7.Rotate accessories on your furniture periodically.
8.Avoid prolonged use of plastic and rubber items on your furniture.
9.Dust your furniture regularly and polish every 4-6 months.
http://www.furniturecaretips.com/fine-furniture-care.htm
5 Hot Furniture Design Trends for Fall 2012
For fall 2012, furniture seating is all about these five hot design trends:
1. Glamour
The economic slump in the U.S. and Canada has brought us a fresh optimistic glamour with rich materials, sophisticated colours and stunning curves.
2. Metallic Leather
This new glimmering leather treatment puts a shine on classic furniture shapes and accessories.
3. Pleats Please
In upholstery, we see tailored looks and fashion details everywhere.
4. Small Space Solutions
For the condo and apartment dwellers, there’s a whole new niche being carved out of designers specifically manufacturing savvy pieces for small spaces.
5. Green and Gorgeous
Green is finally making it to the trade shows, and suppliers are detailing their new green designs and green manufacturing techniques.
How to Choose Furniture to Go With Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring comes in many colors and finishes. Your furniture should enhance your hardwood flooring, not take away from it. It should fit into the style you're going and pull the rooms of your home together. The furniture that you choose to go with your hardwood floors should not only fit into your home's style, but it should fit into you budget. Additionally, according to Decoratemyrooms.com, because furniture is such an investment, it should be durable so that you don't have to replace it often.
How to Lift Carpet Pile After Moving Furniture
If you have recently moved your furniture, you may have noticed flattened carpet
pile or indentations in the carpet from the furniture’s weight. This is a common problem that occurs when furniture is not moved often. You may find that the carpet pile stays flat even after you fluff it with your fingers. To lift the pile to its former state, moisture and a change in temperature often do the trick. Does this Spark an idea?
pile or indentations in the carpet from the furniture’s weight. This is a common problem that occurs when furniture is not moved often. You may find that the carpet pile stays flat even after you fluff it with your fingers. To lift the pile to its former state, moisture and a change in temperature often do the trick. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Ice Cubes
- 1Place an ice cube on top of the affected spot.
- 2Allow the ice cube to melt. The cold and the moisture reshapes the carpet fiber, returning it to its former appearance.
- 3Blot the wet spot dry with a clean
Steam Iron
- 4Wet a towel
- 5Turn a steam iron on to its lowest steam setting.
- 6Run the steam iron over the towel for 30 seconds. The heat and the moisture makes the pile fluffy again.
- 7Repeat Step 3 if necessary, checking
- 1
Read more: How to Lift Carpet Pile After Moving Furniture | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_12110451_lift-carpet-pile-after-moving-furniture.html#ixzz28MoNgXI3
8 Questions to Ask Before Buying Furniture
How much space do I have?
Space is important because it determines the scale and number of pieces to buy. What would you consider absolutely essential in a small space? Could something serve a dual purpose? Would a certain finish or color make a piece less overwhelming?
A large space might mean that your furniture has to be scaled accordingly, as small pieces tend to look scattered and without anchor in larger spaces. Learn how to use your space effectively.
Who uses that space?
Obviously you have more leeway in choosing a style or fabric if only you are going to use that space. However, if others are sharing it, their needs and preferences have to be addressed as well.
This is important in determining the type of furniture you need, its height, width and even the depth of a seat. It should be a consideration in choosing colors, fabrics, finishes and material. For instance, a delicate color or fabric would not work well in a room where small children play.
What is the space used for?
Your furniture should always serve as the background for your life and as it is meant to enhance and complement it, it should not be a maintenance nightmare.
Is it the room where the family watches TV and unwinds? Then comfortable seating and a coffee table with a hardy finish should be among the pieces you consider. Maybe you need fabric protection if your family likes to snack while watching TV.
If it is a dining room or bedroom will it also serve as a home office? Or will your home office double as a guest room?
Which colors do I find attractive?
Do you find yourself gravitating towards certain colors? It would be smart to consider them, because your favorite colors tend to make you feel comfortable and happy. Are there any colors that you absolutely, positively hate? Avoid them even if they happen to be in fashion at the moment. What about the intensity of the color? Decide on colors that make you feel good and evoke the kind of mood you want in that room.
Is there other furniture or artwork in the room already?
Any furniture, rugs, or artwork that you already have can serve as a good starting point. It's a good idea to take pre-existing pieces into consideration or your room could end up looking hodgepodge and uninviting even if all the pieces are wonderful individually. You should also consider if your new piece is going to be the focal point in the room, or play a secondary role.
How do I start from scratch?
While this can be scary, it can also be very exciting. What can possibly be more exhilarating than furnishing your own space the way you want to?
If it is difficult to get started, go through magazines, catalogs and websites, to collect pictures that appeal to you. It will soon help you determine your own personal style if you don't know it already.
How long do I plan to use it?
How long you plan to use a piece of furniture determines how much you should spend on it, or whether you'd be satisfied making a compromise. If you plan to use something for just a couple of years or like to change your surroundings frequently then it might not be a good idea to buy very expensive furniture. However when you want something to last it makes sense to look for quality.
And finally, but most importantly, what kind of a budget do I have?
Is money no object or do you have a limited budget? Even if it is the latter, you can find a variety of furniture to fit any kind of taste, budget or need. Look around before you buy, do some research on websites, and compare stores for prices. You should end up with something that you absolutely love. Don't rule out used furniture that you can refurbish or re-purpose if your budget is preventing you from buying quality furniture.
Become a Color Connoisseur With Pantone's Pretty Palettes For 2013
The first palette in Pantone's 2013 lineup, Connoisseur, draws from cool neutrals like alyssum white and beechnut green, contrasted with warmer tones of violets and orchids, liquid pink, and deep mahogany, all set against accents of champagne beige and silver. The palette puts a fresh spin on old-world elegance, with decorative pieces that layer texture. It's refined and sophisticated with just the right amount of understated drama.
Keep reading to check out the other eight palettes and the inspiration behind each!
The Glamour palette conjures the polished sexiness of the art deco era. Rio red, Monaco blue, tap shoe black, chinchilla, ethereal gray, moonmist, and jasper teal make up this color board. Moodier tones definitely dominate.
New Old School is similar to Glamour, replacing the softer neutrals of Glamour with more saturated versions. The look reflects colors commonly found in flags, with a slightly preppy bent. Ribbon red, bright white, sodalite blue, nautical blue, breen, and ultramarine green are combined.
Colors pulling from sunset and sea hues dominate this Rugged Individuals palette. These shades beg for accents like polished leather and weathered wood. Baked apple, goat, prairie sand, and chipmunk are just some of the shades included.
Extracts takes its cue from culinary inspirations, combining spicy colors with fresher shades. The effect is comforting but still includes pops of unexpected color to awaken the palette. Spiced coral, brandied melon, apple cinnamon, dusty pink, and baked clay stand out against tart and green banana.
Footprints celebrates vibrant tribal hues. Tangerine tango, peacock blue, fiery pink flambé, solar-powered yellow, and a green called oasis are some of the colors included.
The Sojourn palette highlights the powerful combination of fuchsia and olive tones, softening it with rosy shades like foxglove and more mysterious notes of plum.
Surface Treatments takes brilliant ocean shades and tempers them with cloudy tones like tornado gray. My favorite contrast comes with the warm doses of metallic notes like medal bronze.
Out of the Ordinary features candy-color hues that encourage quirky and whimsical design. Colors like bonnie blue, pureed pumpkin, and chocolate truffle anchor sweeter shades like bright violet and rosebud.
Source
Furniture Trends for 2012-2013
Part
of interior design is looking ahead to the future. You might just start
a room remodel and find that all of your decorating ideas are already
out-of-date before the room is even completed. That's why it's important
to look ahead at furniture trends, especially when redecorating or
remodeling an entire room. Of course, always be sure to pair your
furniture trends with timeless pieces. Otherwise, you'll find yourself
redecorating sooner than you had intended.Contemporary but Modern
One design trend that has been reemerging in the past few years is the look of tufted furniture. Tufted headboards, tufted sofas and tufted armchairs have all made an appearance and will continue to make an appearance for the next few years in interior design magazines, stores, business, websites, features and shows everywhere.
Recently, the reemergence of designs and decorating ideas that are specific to the mid-century modern look have also appeared. Choose tufted sofas that feature these clean lines, as they will blend the best within contemporary or modern interior design styles. Furthermore, clean lines will allow you to use these sofas or chairs for years without having them ever feel out-dated or out-of-place. The tuft is trendy, the lines are classic. This helps make the tufted mid-century pieces somewhat timeless, which is ideal for living room designs or bedroom designs.
Reclaimed Materials
Another popular furniture trend for 2012 will be the continued use of reclaimed materials: metals, glass and wood. Look for pieces made from reclaimed beams, barn wood and even old flooring. Reclaimed materials are versatile because you can make nearly any piece of furniture from them: tables, chairs, headboards, desks, console tables, media stands and so forth.
Glass recycled pieces are also relatively easy to come by and still relatively inexpensive. In interior design, saving money is always a plus and it will allow you to save up for more expensive pieces, like that reclaimed barn wood console table you've been eyeing.
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