Furniture is a very important element of the house because it adds personality to it. With the right furniture, you can create an ambiance that showcases your style, taste and values to anyone who visits your place. There are a lot of eclectic choices available these days, which makes it a great time to buy furniture. It doesn’t matter if your budget is big or small, you just have to visit the best furniture stores to choose new seating, bed, tables or other accessories that can make a huge difference. But, how do you select a store? There are tons of them out there and this can make it difficult to choose.

Luckily, there are some features that can help you in identifying the best furniture stores. What are they? Read on to find out:

Quality

You want a store that sells quality and long-lasting furniture. Everyone knows that furniture doesn’t come cheap and when you are making an investment, you want to sure it is a good one. You can buy and exchange inexpensive accessories easily, but big furniture purchases such as dining tables, sofas and the like are long-term investments. This means that you need to focus more on the solid construction and less on the style. But, the problem is that solid construction is not immediately evident just by looking at the piece of furniture. You should check into the materials, frame and the warranty available.

Value not Prices

There are furniture stores out there that charge you high price, but don’t really offer you any value in return. You want furniture that can provide you value for money and only the best furniture stores can offer this to you. It is better to pay more for a reliable and quality piece of furniture than get something cheap and end up replacing it in a short while. Look for brands that have a good reputation and a long track record.

Service

It is the service that matters most to customers. Every furniture store has a different customer service policy and you want to pick one that’s loyal to its clientele. Would you shop from a store that has a rude staff and no proper return policies? Obviously not. The good furniture stores always try to cater to their clients. Not only do they have friendly and helpful staff for guiding customers, but they also have money-back guarantees and excellent return policies. Apart from that, trustworthy furniture stores also offer great delivery policies, which means that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for getting your furniture delivered.

Whether you are building or buying a new furniture there are several factors that you need to take into consideration when making design choices. This includes the material and quality and durability of the products you wish to purchase.

Don’t Rush

Don’t buy furniture rashly. Most of the times people are so excited that they rush through purchasing decision, and after they have purchased, they regret for their choice. Rushing into a Furniture purchase is unwise indeed as there are many things you need to carefully consider first.

Measure It Up

To reduce the chances of settling for furniture that will prove ineffectual for your home, it is advisable to measure your room area first, and then purchase the right size furniture that can blend with your home décor.

Comfort Matters

Most of the people end up buying furniture, just cause of looks. Furniture with comfort enhances the beauty of it. If you take your time now to ensure you choose the right furniture for your home, you will then be certain to enjoy the comfort and luxury of a beautiful furniture for many years to come.

End User

Before buying furniture you must know who will be using it. For instance if you are buying furniture for children’s make sure that the height of the furniture is not too high, and thing are not, out of the reach for them. Adding your own pieces of furniture to suit individual needs can bring things together nicely and bring a sense of ownership and homeliness to the space. You can also select certain themes for certain rooms.

Wrong Purchase

Cheap imports vendors will be attentive to your need while they are in the process of making the sale, but what happens afterwards? When shopping for furniture it is wise to consider a supplier that is well known, and to choose furniture of the highest quality. Choosing an incorrect item can result in costly damage to the furniture, and more importantly, injury to the person using it.

Paying Too Much

Good furniture is furniture that doesn’t break the bank. Even if you feel your budget is tight, don’t give up on being able to have exactly the look and feel you want, it’s just a matter of hunting around. There are a number of creative hooks available and they don’t cost a great deal yet they can have quite an impact. With such a wide range of bathroom furniture and accessories available today, you will have no difficulty finding something that fits in beautifully.

Too Many Opinions

We all have our favorites and everyone has their opinion on a particular item. When we ask for opinions from different people it makes us hard to narrow down our choice. It is not advisable to take down the troop when shopping for furniture as it make things more confusing and even drives the salesperson crazy as well

Selection

Remember, it is not enough to purchase furniture. You have to select furniture smartly as well. When you follow this maxim, you will discover your furniture acquisition experiences more enjoying than you ever thought possible.

If you have newly shifted to a new unfurnished house, you have a blank canvas in front of you. You can use your creativity and artistic bend of mind to decorate your house in a way that reflects your personality. Even if you have been living there for a while, it is always refreshing to change its décor a bit once in a while. Your home is the space where you spend live and spend most part of your life.

If that space doesn’t feel comfortable and pleasing to you then it is highly likely that you’ll remain frustrated most of the time. For offices as well, the task of choosing furniture is very important as you have to spend a major part of your day there. If your workspace is not inviting and doesn’t prompt you to work then you are in the cards to avoid your job.

You’ll agree with me on the fact that the appearance and appeal of a house is decided by its furniture. It is extremely essential to choose the right furniture according to the space, dimensions, aesthetics and colour of the house.

How to choose the right furniture
Choosing furniture can be a tricky task if you are new with interior decoration. Here are a few things that can be kept in mind when you go out for furniture shopping.

1. 1. The first step is to choose furniture according to the compatibility between its functions and your needs. Each room has some basic functions like a dining room is for eating and a bedroom is for sleeping. Find furniture to equip the rooms to serve their functions. It is also necessary to identify your personal requirements and customise your furniture list accordingly. If you have kids then your choice of bed for the kid’s room will be different from your room. It is also necessary to keep in mind the need for complimentary furniture for each room. A bed room might also need a book shelf if you are a reader or will need a table for your computer or T.V., depending on your interests.

1. 1. Determine the size, shape and dimensions of the furniture to be used. If you have a small dining area then buying a large table will make your room look small. Some shapes and patterns also play a role in managing the aesthetics of the room and making it appear big or small. Identify the compatibility of various shapes and dimensions of furniture with your room before buying it.

1. 1. Identify the final look or the style you are trying to achieve and buy furniture that compliments the overall style. Research and look out for furniture that’ll contribute in achieving the visual impact you are trying to create.

1. Also check the material of the furniture you are intending to buy. Some materials are of cheap quality that might not be durable and some materials shouts rich with its very appearance. Materials also contribute to or decrease the visual impact you are trying to create.

Don’t we all love dropping our bags and just falling on the bed after a long day at work? Our bedroom is a sanctuary that holds in its heart our joys, tears, worries, and many secrets. This bedroom becomes all the important for a newlywed couple. Away from the prying eyes, a husband and wife share their lives and quality time in this room, which is why the colours used in a bedroom must be given a thoughtful consideration.

Every colour holds a different meaning, and if you are soon getting married or recently got married, then you must go through this list to identify which colours would you pick for your new bedroom. As important as the colour is, the paint company you choose would also define the final impact. Therefore, once you pick a colour, but it only from a renowned paint company.

Brilliant pinks, reds and oranges: They may sound out of the league, but using them with neutral coloured furniture and upholstery will help soften the edges and they won’t overwhelm you.

Sky blue and white: Cool blue with white is a classic combination, not to forget visually soothing, that will keep you lively and refreshed. For a scrubbed clean look, choose other things in the bedroom that complement these colours.

Cheery yellow with grey: Yellow in every tone has the ability to rise and shine. The grey here will give the yellow colour a perfect background to stay subtle, making it perfect for a bedroom. This colour combination is contemporary and friendly at the same time.

Spring green and sky blue: Setting the benchmark of elegance since the dawn of time, you can keep either one as the wall colour, and accessorize the room using the other colour.

Aqua and citron: These two colours are exactly what you need to breathe life into a neutral space. Embrace few patterns to add some more personality to them.

Two-toned neutrals: Pairing two neutral colours gives you ample of options to play with accessories in bright colours. Grey with taupe, tan with ivory, or cream with charcoal, you have many options to pick from.

Before you paint your walls, it is strongly encouraged by all veteran drywall painters to prime first. Wall priming may seem like a tedious and unnecessary step, but you will find that it is very worthwhile in the end. Even if you have a non-significant area to paint, like a closet or pantry, priming first will make a huge difference, and you will be happy that you did. Continue reading to learn some helpful tips that will make priming an easier job than you’d expect.

Why Prime?

There is a good reason to prime your walls before painting them. Primer is a sealant, which provides a preparatory coating for your paint. Primer promotes better adhesion of paint, increases paint durability and longevity, and protects the drywall. Although you can purchase self-priming wall paint, it is recommended to use two separate products for the best results.

What You Will Need

To prepare your walls for painting, you need the right supplies. Never try to take short cuts when priming and painting. It is important to not skimp out on quality as well. Although you do not need the finest products to achieve a professional-looking result, you do need to use good brands and durable tools.

To get started, visit your local home improvement store and add these items to your shopping cart:

• Paint Brush
• Paint Pail
• Paint Pail Liner
• Roller Tray
• Roller Tray Liner
• Paint Roller
• Roller Cover
• Drop Cloth
• Primer
• Sanding Sponge
• Extension Pole

*Don’t forget the actual paint for when you’re done prepping!Application Tips

Always be sure to prepare the surrounding area for a painting project by covering up carpet, floors, furniture, and appliances with tarps. This step also includes taping up baseboards, crown molding, wainscoting, and more. Once your surroundings are protected, you can get to work without concern for your personal possessions.

When dipping your paint brush into the primer, try to wipe the excess product off on the sides of the pail. You do not want to apply primer when your brush is dripping. When it is time to apply the product to the wall, start with edges first. Create a border around the edges and corners of the walls where the roller will not be able to reach.

For reliable results, always apply at least 2 coats of primer. For new construction drywall, one coat is acceptable, but two coats is the standard. For darker colored walls, you may need one or two extra coats if you are painting with a lighter color paint afterwards.

Be sure to lightly sand your walls after the primer has finished drying completely. Then use a tack cloth to wipe off all the excess dust. Do this step before painting, and you will have a smooth, even finish when you are done.

The winter season is upon us. Just as we change our lifestyles and routines to fit with the seasons, we must also adapt our homes to the changes. While we’re getting ready to cozy up indoors and bring out the heavy-duty winter woollies, we need to make sure our home is ready to bear the coming onslaught of snow, dirt, slush, and salt.

The winter season brings with it challenges that aren’t purely seasonal in nature; the holiday season comes with a heavy increase in foot traffic around the house as people spend a lot of time indoors. This double effect can combine to do some real damage to your beautiful hardwood floors if you aren’t prepared. Let’s take a quick look at how the changing season can harm your flooring and how you can prevent this from happening.

Common Winter Elemental Damages

Gap formation: The air that your air-conditioning systems will be circulating throughout your home in the winter season is much drier than the type of air that circulates during the summer months. The effect this has on wood is that it causes it to slightly lose its moisture content, leading to the creation of small gaps where planks meet. You shouldn’t worry too much about this, as it’s to be expected. Once temperatures warm up, they will absorb a bit of moisture and return to normal.

Scratches and scrapes: Mud, salt, dead leaves, dirt, and snow can all combine to create unsightly scratches and scrapes on your floors once they are unintentionally brought into the house on the bottoms of boots and shoes.

Rot: If left to lie untouched for long enough, some of these winter elements can make their way into your flooring, causing the wood to rot. This is to be avoided at all costs, as serious cases might make it necessary to seek professional services to repair.
What Can I Do to Avoid Them?

Maintain temperatures: What leads to the creation of gaps in your flooring is the changing temperature levels and humidity. A good way to counteract this effect is to maintain your thermostat settings at a constant even temperature, avoiding turning your heat up and down.

Clean up: Regularly sweeping, mopping, and vacuuming your floors prevents the build-up of sludge and leftover snow that might eventually lead to rot.

Take the shoes off: Simply taking off shoes and boots before coming indoors will go a long way in avoiding most of the winter-borne floor difficulties. Before they come indoors, have your family and friends take note!

Cover up: Rugs, carpets, and floor-mats are a great way to protect your floors, especially in high-traffic areas which experience the most stress. Unwanted elements simply won’t have the chance to get at your floors.

Know what you’re dealing with: Gaining a good understanding of exactly what type of floor you’re trying to protect will make your job a whole lot easier. Having information about your hardwood floor areas such as how old they are, how much money you have invested in them over time, etc. will help you determine just how much time, effort, and money would be reasonably used up in protecting them.

Home improvement can be a difficult task. A lot of home owners don’t know where to start when it comes to such a project. Another thing to consider is the expenses. However, you can improve your home and still stay within the budget if you just stick to these home improvement tips.

Don’t go overboard with appliances and furniture. It’s nice to have new appliances and furniture. But they can be expensive. And do you even need them? Because if they are just going to clutter your space, then they are an expensive décor. Make an inventory on what you actually need, then, with much discernment, decide to buy something new.

Convert some unused spaces. Whether it’s a vacant room or a small corner, it can contribute to improving your home. And no, it doesn’t necessarily mean it should be a storage space. You can use the space for a small office. Entertainment center. Bar. Or even a play area for your kids. Whatever you decide to do, make sure it’s dynamic.

Add some plants. Home improvement does not necessarily mean taking down something or renovating. It can also mean adding something that is significant enough to make an undeniable difference. Try adding a plant to an empty or seemingly boring space, especially if it’s near a natural light source. While accessories or décor will do, there’s nothing like a living thing to liven up the space. It’s also good for the home environment since plants can purify the air. A decorative plant is great for the living room. Small potted plants and hanging plants can be nice near a window sill. For the kitchen and dining area, small potted herbs or plants with edible flowers are a great addition. Imagine how convenient it would be just to pick the herbs or flowers you need, give them a wash and instantly use them?

Use natural light. Using natural light is both an art and scientific, but it does not make it any less awesome. Natural light saves energy and ‘energizes’ your house hold. So it may be nicer to substitute thin drapes for blinds. You can also strategically place mirrors to reflect light at specific areas of the room. This won’t cost as much as knocking down a portion of the ceiling to install a skylight. While it may seem expensive at first, you can use solar-powered lights, especially around your backyard, garden or lawn. This will save you money in the long run. Also, nowadays, solar lights come in great designs and shapes so they’ll definitely give a new vibe to your place.

Did you know that there is more to your home’s exterior than just siding and paint? Sure, you may recognize that, but it should also be noted that your roof is also a part of the exterior of your home. After all, without the roof, your home’s interior would not be protected! (shocking, isn’t it?)

So, it is quite important to see that you take care of your home’s exterior. This doesn’t have to be a part of the basic To Do list that you check off weekly, but it should definitely be a part of that quarterly list! By doing so, you have a better chance of identifying home exterior concerns and being able to stay a step ahead of them – before they become full on problems that are costly to repair (or need to replace!).

If you are new to home ownership, then determining what type of checking on the home exterior needs to be done can be stressful. So, to help out, here are the place you need to be paying special attention to:

• Gutters – The gutters of your home control the amount of rainwater reaches your home’s exterior and protect your roofing as well as your home’s siding. Be sure they are attached correctly and are not sagging anywhere. It is also important to clean them periodically so that there is no build up of debris.
• Paint – Take time to note if you need to touch up an area or call in a professional painting crew. The status of the paint job/siding will be one of the first thing people notice.
• Siding – If you have vinyl siding, or one of its sister products, then you will want to clean it off periodically using a pressure sprayer.
• Windows – Be sure these are not just clean, but open and close as they are designed to do.
• Patio or deck – e sure that the boards are sound, and that any debris is swept off of them. Not only does this look better, but you can prevent any damage caused by critters/pests. Be especially vigilant against areas around windows and doors – were wood rot can occur. If you notice damage near these locations, be sure to get someone to check it out and determine the action to be taken.
• Roofing/Shingles – Walk around your home and note any areas where shingles may have pulled away or are loose/missing. If you see any, repair them before they fall away and leave your home exposed to the elements of nature.

Dealing with home exterior issues doesn’t have to e stressful. Do some basic maintenance and then be sure to connect with the right companies within your community to help with those aspects that you don’t feel qualified to do yourself.

We all have to have a roof over our heads don’t we? Most of us are lucky that we have, but is it a house or a home?

A house provides shelter for us and our family but a home provides much more. Walking towards your house/home after working all day, is it an attractive prospect or is it just somewhere to get out of the rain and sit down? The reason I ask is that so often you get the wrong advice usually from people who benefit out of it.

I have recently moved to Swansea where there are some lovely little terraced cottages – my wife and I have bought one – with stone walls, a slated roof (someone was given bad advice and put tiles on ours!), chimneys, timber sash and casement windows, flagstone path, good quality timber door, etc., etc. But I see whole rows which have been covered in beige cement roughcast, whole streets of them, all the same.

Hardly any chimneys remain in some streets with uPVC windows and doors, concrete paths, totally devoid of their original character. A terrace near to us was stripped of its old cement render and the stonework exposed. I had high hopes of it being repointed in lime mortar and shining but, no, beige cement roughcast accompanied the uPVC windows and removal of the chimney stack so we now have a faceless roughcast box in its place.

Why does this happen?

I suppose that it’s partly an effort to modernise but does that mean that the original fabric should be forgotten or hidden as if it’s something to be ashamed of?

Original/traditional features like timber windows or chimneys are in poor condition. MAINTENANCE SAVES MONEY. It seems that very few of you can be bothered decorating your windows or doors and would rather lose that part of your homes history and character by replacing these troublesome features with plastic, which, I must add, also need replaced after about 10 years. The wooden windows you just got rid of probably lasted for the previous 100 or more… So, would it have been worth decorating or repairing them? Everything can be repaired. Chimneys may no longer be used. IF they are repaired correctly there is no reason they will give you any problems for decades or longer and it helps prevent your home from becoming just a house.

You are asking the wrong question of the wrong person. I have mentioned this before but, if you ask a double glazing salesman if you need windows – guess the answer. If you ask a builder if you need building work done, he’ll no doubt find some like removing your chimney or covering your stonework up with beige cement roughcast from the apparently never-ending supply.

The lack of importance of traditional/original features in the community. What sets out an historic town centre from a modern one, how do peoples feelings change towards them? Do you enjoy trips to an historic town with different shops and building styles or prefer 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s flat-roofed or concrete slab-fronted buildings with no soul? You probably are mixed but aesthetically, the craftsmanship of the old must win out.

The local authority has some responsibility for this by allowing or not preventing these changes. And it’s not just the aesthetic and historic value, these features have an intrinsic value and usefulness. Chimneys, even if there isn’t a useable fireplace, can provide ventilation. This is vital for human health, reduces condensation and the risk of some chest complaints, improves air quality and the movement of air in the chimney will help keep it dry.

Sash and casement windows are known as being draughty but this again is good for you and your home, maybe no so good for your heating bills though. Maybe you should expect to be wearing a jumper indoors in the winter and not flip-flops and shorts like my son used to. Old windows can be draught-proofed and double glazed units can be fitted to the same frames however double-glazing salesmen are NEVER going to offer you that option.

If you have a limited budget, as most of us have, it is cheaper to refurbish, repair, mend, decorate, fix, etc., than it is to replace, short and long-term. There is as much value and a great deal more social history in your terraced cottage than there is in the Colosseum or Buckingham Palace so, how about taking some free advice and please consider the consequences of removing something that helps make your house into a home. Or even calling for some advice or to discuss a survey.

An outdoor kitchen is the ultimate dream for a lot of people who enjoy backyard entertaining. Imagine gathering your friends or family together for a summertime barbecue or a cozy winter cocktail party in the comfort of your own garden. Here are some great tips for designing your killer outdoor kitchen.

1. Design Ideas

Pinterest is a great resource to find design inspiration and to compile your plans. Simply go to pinterest.com, register an account, and type in “outdoor kitchen ideas”. There is a multitude of design options out there. Take a look at some of these tips!

• Moern and Sleek

Concrete or rich colored woods are a great way to create a modern design aesthetic. Most classic or traditional kitchens use white-washed or light colored wood to create the look so go the opposite way for modern! Minimal furniture and features also help to create a modern feel. This also helps with maintenance and clean-up too. Check out these images for inspiration.

• Classic or Country

White wood, blue accents, and exposed stone are a great way to give your outdoor kitchen rustic, classic appeal. Flowers and plants growing up the sides of walls or arbors are great for creating softness and a traditional appeal as well. Think of white-washed cabinets, pale-wood benches, and large rustic dining tables.

2. Grills

So many grilling options! There are 6 major types of grills to consider for your outdoor kitchen. Think about what you most enjoy cooking and what you can get the most use out of before choosing your grill.

• Open Grills

This is the simplest set up of all grills. It consists of a metal or stone box with a heating element (wood, charcoal, gas) and a metal grate over the top of the box directly over the fire. Open grills are best for direct grilling over high heat and are best suited for quick cooking foods like kebabs, thin steaks and chops, and fish.

• Covered Grills

Add a cover to the open grill and it allows you to add smoking and indirect grilling features to your outdoor grill. Covered grills are best for thicker steaks, rack-of-ribs, or whole chickens and ducks. You can also add different types of wood to your grill, close the lid, and let the meat slowly absorb the aroma of the wood.

• Ceramic Grills

Ceramic grills are made of thick walls that allows heat to radiate off the side of the walls for even cooking. Ceramic grills are usually much deeper than typical grills and are generally used to cook bread (like flatbreads or India’s naan) directly on the side walls. The grill portion of ceramic grills are best suited for thin sliced meat, kebabs, fish, or veggies.

• Rotisserie Grills

A rotisserie grill adds a rotating spit to the grill to allow for even cooking of thick slabs of meat or whole animals. Food is cooked slowly over several hours that results in crispy skins on the outside and tender, moist meat on the inside. Rotisserie grills are best suited for thick steaks, fatty meats, or whole animals like chickens, ducks, or even whole pigs (if your grill is big enough).

• Smoker Grills

A smoker grill cooks meat on low heat for several hours over aromatic wood chips for flavorful and tender meat. The most common woods used for smokers include maple, hickory, mesquite, oak, and pecan. Smokers are best suited for tough cuts of meat that it slowly tenderizes while in the smoker. Meats like briskets and ribs are perfect for this.

• Firepit Grills

A firepit grill allows your whole family to feel like you’re camping out right in your backyard! Firepit grills are just like campfires but with a metal grate positioned above the fire to cook food. The grates for the grills are height adjustable so that the food raised or lowered to be closer or farther from the fire. This makes firepit grills extremely versatile and can handle delicate foods like fish, veggies, and S’mores to thick cuts of beef and whole animals.

3. Appliances

Take a browse through these links for some ideas for your appliance purchases.

• Pizza Ovens

Here is an affordable, moveable outdoor pizza oven.

• Grilling Space

This is a comprehensive, versatile grill designed especially for outdoor use.

• Beverage Center

This is a great option for those who really want to entertain! Store your drinks and drink accessories in a sleek design.

4. Furnishing Ideas

There are so many options to consider when it comes to furnishing. Will you go for a table and chair configuration, or a bench and stool set-up? Consider what kinds of gatherings you will use your kitchen for to help you decide which is best.

• Color: try to think about what color scheme you will like and enjoy throughout the years. You don’t want to choose a bold, crazy color palette that you end up tiring of after one season. If you want a bold, bright touch, use interchangeable pillows, cushions, and throws. You can choose, bright appliances or flowers to add color too. That way, your base palette remains neutral while adding add splashes color that are easy to change out.
• Fabric: Obviously, you need to choose a weather-resistant fabric for your outdoor furnishings, especially if there is a minimal overhead cover. Treated canvas and Olefin fiber are good choices for outdoor furniture.
• Shade Sails and Covers: It is important to protect your appliances and furniture from the weather and potentially harsh elements. If you live in an extreme climate, consider the kind of protection you want to use for your outdoor kitchen. You can build awnings to shade the patio area or you can build a structure, like an arbor or pergola. Basically, this has a sturdy roof and side pillars. You can also install weather-resistant curtains to the side pillars that you can pull closed to act as walls if you’d like some privacy in your patio.
• Finishing Touches: once the heavy appliances and furniture pieces are installed, take a step back and think of what else space needs. Here are some ideas for finishing touches:

– Ornaments

– Lamps

– Small side-tables

– Decorative trays and bowls

– Vases and good-quality fake flowers

– Water-resistant throws and blankets for winter months

5. Money-Saving DIY Options

You don’t need to rely on the expertise of others for every aspect of your outdoor kitchen needs. You can handle some of it yourself if you’re up to it!

• Use recycled wood and old furniture/benches from second-hand stores or yard sales. Upcycle it yourself and get to work making your chairs, benches, or shade sails.
• Go out and find weather-resistant fabrics from fabric stores or furniture sales. You can re-upholster your outdoor furniture to suit your own personal aesthetic.