5 Ways to Brighten Your Home During a Dreary Winter

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

Don't let the dark, cold days of winter get you down. Check out these easy ways to freshen your decor to help keep your home sunny and warm.
The days are short, and many of them, gloomy, cold and full of dramatic weather. Make the most of your long days spent inside by trying to make your home as bright and cheery as possible – a few simple changes can make a big difference.

1. REMOVE YOUR SCREENS.

Mesh screens aren’t necessary if you aren’t opening your windows. Remove them, and be surprised how much extra light streams through when there isn’t an extra layer blocking the flow.

Daniel Pratt, 2013, Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved

2. USE LIGHTER-COLORED SLIPCOVERS.

Invest in ivory, white, or any other light-colored fitted slip cover for your sofa and sectional. The brighter colored fabric will feel lighter, and the room as a whole, brighter. Same goes for light-colored tablecloths on your dining room table. They may need to be washed more regularly, but light will deflect from your table and make the room feel brighter.

Sarah Wilson/ Getty Images, 2013, HGTV/ Scripps Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

3. LET THE HARDWOODS SHINE.

If you have hardwood floors, consider removing area rugs in rooms where natural light is at a minimum. The light that does stream in will reflect off your shiny hardwoods and onto your walls.

4. SWAP YOUR LIGHT BULBS.

Time to pay closer attention to the coloring of your home’s light bulbs. The difference between a warm white, a cool white, and daylight bulb can greatly change the feel of a room. If your home is anything like mine, you might find that some bulbs work better in some rooms than others; selecting a few and comparing live in your fixtures is the best way to see how it will really look. Those in-store displays situated beneath the fluorescents don’t always do the bulbs justice. Also, this is as good of a time as any to upgrade to LED bulbs for efficiency. For more tips on lighting, refer to this guide and learn how to choose it, what lighting works best in your home, and more.

Jonathan Rachman

5. SELECT LIGHT-COLORED DRAPERY.

Curtains with saturated colors and dark patterns will make the room feel darker. Install lighter-colored curtains in their place for the winter months. While you’re at it, install the new drapes at the far edges of your window, so as not to block any portion of the window and to let as much natural light in as possible.

DIY NATURAL LEMONADE–COOL, REFRESHING AND FUN

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

As the summer heat intensifies, cool down with an all-natural lemonade recipe that puts a twist on a refreshingly sweet drink. This healthy recipe makes a pitcher of lemonade perfect for backyard barbecues, pool parties, lemonade stands or a relaxing evening on the porch. 

Watch our video to find out how to make this lemonade.

What you’ll need: (makes enough for one pitcher, about 8 cups)

• 2 organic lemons
• 10 organic strawberries
• 2 quarts of water
• Ice cubes
• Large pitcher
• Vinegar

Directions:

1. Soak the strawberries in a vinegar bath (1 part vinegar: 4 parts water) for ten minutes. This will clean them and will not leave an aftertaste.
2. Slice the strawberries in half, making sure to remove the stems.
3. Cut the lemons in even slices. Do not quarter them.
4. Place strawberries and lemons in pitcher. Fill with 2 quarts of water.
5. Place in refrigerator overnight. The flavor and nutrients of the fruit will infuse into the water. The result? Delicious, healthy strawberry lemonade—no sugar, no artificial sweeteners and no preservatives. Just a tasty, refreshing treat.

Tip: The fruit will last 48 hours. Just keep adding more water.

Recipe can easily be doubled, tripled or quadrupled to serve more people.

FOR KIDS

Now that you have a new lemonade recipe, why not build and bedazzle your very own lemonade stand?

LEMONADE STAND BASICS

• Have a plan−do you want to raise money for a local charity or fill up your piggy bank? People like to know how you’ll be spending your proceeds, so be ready to tell them. If you decide to give your lemonade away for free, consider having a donation jar out, just in case your customers are feeling generous.
• Select a location. Choose somewhere that has lots of people (hopefully thirsty!) and see if it’s OK to set up your stand. Your own front yard is usually the easiest spot.

Note: depending on where you set up your stand, you may have to get permits or permission first.

• Build your stand. Get started using something as simple as cardboard boxes or a folding table and cover with a tablecloth. You can get as detailed as you want with the many building ideas you’ll find online.
• Create a sign.  Use a chalk board or make your own out of foam board, stencils, markers and glitter. Attach to the stand and add other eye-catching creative decorations. 

FOR PARENTS

Let the young entrepreneurial spirit take root with the kids, as they serve all-natural lemonade to friends and neighbors! Help make the day a success by spreading the word ahead of time, so everyone can join in on the fun. Put up a poster, hand out flyers or post something on your neighborhood Facebook page to generate interest and excitement. Remind your budding business men and women that courtesy is king. Then sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labors −with a nice, cool glass of lemonade.

How do you cool off in the summer? Have you ever built a lemonade stand? We’d love to hear your story and tips in the comments section.

WELCOME MAT: 3 EASY STEPS FOR A SUMMER MUDROOM REFRESH

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

The rainy days of spring have retreated, leaving us to contend with all the fun that comes with summer. Revamp your front and back door areas to make room for summertime essentials. Here are a few tips for transforming your entryway or mudroom into a summery landing pad.

Swimsuits, beach towels, flip flops and sports equipment are just a few pieces of this season’s ever-present clutter. Need a spot to dry off after a run through the sprinkler, a dip in the pool or sweaty yardwork? Why not transform your entryway or mud room into a cooling spot complete with plenty of areas to stow away gear and seats for drying off? Relief is on the way with some helpful tips for repurposing this space and giving it a warm weather vibe.

STEP 1: REFRESH THE ROOM—ADD CHARACTER  

Front door or back door, it’s the first place guests see when they enter your home, so it’s worth the effort to clean it up to make a good first impression. Remove anything that doesn’t serve a purpose or isn’t being used—then donate it or trash it. Once you have decluttered the room, add a fresh coat of paint and if you’re feeling ambitious, come up with a theme for the area. For example, you could transform it into a beachy escape by adding plants, baskets and seashells. Make it cheery and bright, a warm welcome for your family and visitors.

STEP 2: COVER THE FLOOR

Cover the floor as you see fit. This time of year, simple sisal or seagrass woven area rugs are a great choice since they are made for greater durability, come in different sizes and bring warmth and charm.

STEP 3: FURNISH THE ROOM 

Your mission is to make the space more useful by introducing designated storage areas for everyday necessities. By attaching shelves with adjustable hooks, you’ll have spots for hanging keys, jackets and handbags right where you need them. The top wooden shelf provides ample space for sunblock, hats and maybe even a seashell or two.

Below the shelf, place a table with a shelf. Add bins on the lower shelf and presto—you now have the perfect spot to hold beach towels, flip flops, pet toys or anything else that gets dropped off at the front door. A lamp or two will help cast a pretty glow over your neat and tidy “welcome center.”

If you have the room, a bookcase extends your storage and display potential. Find one that fits your space and fill it up with bins or baskets and a knick-knack or two.

A storage bench can serve double duty by giving you a place to take off your shoes and put them away all-in-one.

Add little touches like a cart on casters. These come in handy for wheeling in groceries.

Perhaps a stylish coat rack will fit in the corner—a great idea for hanging up wet items.

With an entryway transformation, odds and ends won’t end up in the rest of your home and you’re sure to make great first impressions when guests admire how you’re keeping it all organized in style. How do you rearrange for summer? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section.

WELCOME MAT: 3 EASY STEPS FOR A SUMMER MUDROOM REFRESH

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

The rainy days of spring have retreated, leaving us to contend with all the fun that comes with summer. Revamp your front and back door areas to make room for summertime essentials. Here are a few tips for transforming your entryway or mudroom into a summery landing pad.

Swimsuits, beach towels, flip flops and sports equipment are just a few pieces of this season’s ever-present clutter. Need a spot to dry off after a run through the sprinkler, a dip in the pool or sweaty yardwork? Why not transform your entryway or mud room into a cooling spot complete with plenty of areas to stow away gear and seats for drying off? Relief is on the way with some helpful tips for repurposing this space and giving it a warm weather vibe.

STEP 1: REFRESH THE ROOM—ADD CHARACTER  

Front door or back door, it’s the first place guests see when they enter your home, so it’s worth the effort to clean it up to make a good first impression. Remove anything that doesn’t serve a purpose or isn’t being used—then donate it or trash it. Once you have decluttered the room, add a fresh coat of paint and if you’re feeling ambitious, come up with a theme for the area. For example, you could transform it into a beachy escape by adding plants, baskets and seashells. Make it cheery and bright, a warm welcome for your family and visitors.

STEP 2: COVER THE FLOOR

Cover the floor as you see fit. This time of year, simple sisal or seagrass woven area rugs are a great choice since they are made for greater durability, come in different sizes and bring warmth and charm.

STEP 3: FURNISH THE ROOM 

Your mission is to make the space more useful by introducing designated storage areas for everyday necessities. By attaching shelves with adjustable hooks, you’ll have spots for hanging keys, jackets and handbags right where you need them. The top wooden shelf provides ample space for sunblock, hats and maybe even a seashell or two.

Below the shelf, place a table with a shelf. Add bins on the lower shelf and presto—you now have the perfect spot to hold beach towels, flip flops, pet toys or anything else that gets dropped off at the front door. A lamp or two will help cast a pretty glow over your neat and tidy “welcome center.”

If you have the room, a bookcase extends your storage and display potential. Find one that fits your space and fill it up with bins or baskets and a knick-knack or two.

A storage bench can serve double duty by giving you a place to take off your shoes and put them away all-in-one.

Add little touches like a cart on casters. These come in handy for wheeling in groceries.

Perhaps a stylish coat rack will fit in the corner—a great idea for hanging up wet items.

With an entryway transformation, odds and ends won’t end up in the rest of your home and you’re sure to make great first impressions when guests admire how you’re keeping it all organized in style. How do you rearrange for summer? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments section.

6 Tips for Choosing Furniture for Your Home

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

I had purchased “grownup furniture” before.

But I don’t think I was ever so excited about a furniture delivery as I was on that Saturday morning when the china cabinet arrived.

The cabinet was our first purchase together as a married couple, and I was so excited to fill it with our china, crystal and other wedding gifts.

I imagined a lifetime of setting the table from the china cabinet, as we hosted meals for friends, our parents, extended family and eventually our future children and grandchildren.

Buying furniture is a practical exercise. You need a place to sleep, a place to sit, a place to eat and a place to store clothes and china and the other stuff of life.

But I also think it’s important to tap into your emotions when choosing and buying furniture for your home.

You’ll make memories around that coffee table, as you prop your feet on it and cuddle on the sofa with your sweetie, as you share wine and good conversation with a good friend and as you color in a coloring book with your toddler.

In my opinion, mood, style, function, quality and price all matter when choosing furniture for your home. Today, in partnership with Havertys, I’m sharing my 6 tips for choosing furniture for your home.

I think I know a little something about furniture.

I’ve certainly bought enough of it through the years, even making a few regrettable buying decisions that have made me a wiser furniture buyer.

I also live near High Point, the furniture capital of the world, and I’ve worked in the industry. Every time I go to the High Point Furniture Market, the trade show for furniture retailers and manufacturers, and tour designer-styled showrooms full of gorgeous furniture, I come home with a list of rooms I want to redo and refurnish

And there’s that hobby/side business of mine of taking old furniture and making it new again with paint.

1) Make a Mood Board

Before you start shopping for furniture, I think it is helpful to make a mood board.

A mood board will help keep you focused on the mood and look you want to create in your space. When you’re out shopping for furniture, it’s easy to get distracted by all the pretty — and that’s when you can make expensive mistakes.

I recommend spending some time on Pinterest and on furniture store sites, like Havertys, to do a little pre-shopping before you actually hit the stores. Buy some home decor magazines and start collecting inspiration photos.

2) Take Your Time

Though we’ve lived in our house for more than three years, every room isn’t completely finished or furnished. I’m still looking for “just the right thing” for certain rooms in the house.

My current challenge — nightstands and lamps for our guest bedroom. I’m still looking for ones I love.

I’m giving you permission to take your time when furnishing your house. Don’t feel you need to rush in and buy something you don’t love to fill a space, especially something expensive.

I shop everywhere for furniture: at retail stores like Havertys, online, antique stores, yard sales, flea markets and even my mom’s house.

I won’t buy an expensive piece of furniture I don’t love, but I might pick up a yard sale piece that isn’t perfect, knowing that I can make it over or replace it later without guilt when I do find what I love.

3) Know Your Measurements and Use Space Planning Tools

I use an app on my phone to keep notes about home design projects, furniture and accessories I’d like to buy for our home.

In that app, I also keep room dimensions and other key measurements. Because there’s nothing worse than getting a new piece of furniture home only to find out it doesn’t fit where you thought it would fit.

I’m also a big fan of room planning software to help you visualize your space before you furnish it. It’s great for trying out furniture placement without killing your back.

I used a room planning tool online when I was redoing my home office and craft room, and I even taped out furniture I planned to use before buying it.

This visual exercise helped me decide to go with a smaller craft table than I originally thought I needed, and I’m so happy I did.

4) Splurge Where it Matters

Not every piece of furniture you buy will be an heirloom, but I really do think it pays to invest in quality.

There are certain items you can probably count on replacing, like sofas and upholstered chairs as tastes or styles change or they get threadbare from use.

But things like your dining room table or china cabinet could be with you for as long as you own your house — if you choose a timeless style and buy furniture that is built to last.

Later down the road, you may choose to refresh these pieces with paint or a new finish.

Even upholstered pieces can last for years if you invest in a quality-made piece of furniture in a timeless style. You can always have a fabulously made sofa or chair recovered.

5) Buy What You Love

As much as you may be infatuated with a design trend, I wouldn’t recommend that you let the trends influence your major furniture buying decisions. Buy what you love today and what you will love 10 years from now.

Try out trends in pillows and other accessories or upholster a side chair in a fabulous modern fabric.

It’s easy and fairly inexpensive to change the look of dated upholstery when you tire of it.

6) Go for a Collected Look

The most beautiful interiors always seem to have a collected look, as if the homeowners spent a lifetime searching for the furnishings and objects in the space.

Be mindful of that as you shop for furniture.

It’s OK to mix and match different wood tones and paint and fabrics and patterns and even styles, like blending industrial with glam or rustic with chic.

That’s how you create a home that is uniquely you and find furniture you’ll love as much in 20 years as you did when it was new.

Havertys has some great “forever” piece of furniture. and now’s a great time to shop with them.

Share your Havertys purchases on Instagram using the hashtag #HavertysInspireHavertys helps you bring your vision to life. 

5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING BEDROOM FURNITURE

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

Sometimes, when picking out new furniture, the number of options can be overwhelming.  Many customers can find themselves wandering helplessly through the furniture store unsure which pieces to choose or where to even start.  Not to worry - next time before you head bedroom furniture shopping, use these tips from Showman Furniture for a more productive trip.

1)  Know What You Need

Are you shopping for an entire bedroom furniture set or just a few pieces? Are you replacing, complementing or redesigning? Knowing your shopping goal is crucial to staying on track and leaving with the right purchase. Determine what piece(s) of bedroom furniture you are looking for and for what purpose:

-          For sleeping: a bed, which includes a bed frame, headboard, footboard, box spring, and a mattress

-          For convenience: night stands that will be the right height and size for your new bed

-          For storage: dressers, vanities or storage benches

-          For entertainment: an armory or other piece of furniture to serve as a TV stand

2)  Prioritize: Style or Savings?

A lot of the decisions over your bedroom furniture come down to style.  There are many different options to choose from: classic, traditional, modern, minimal, country, trendy and many others.  For some, this is the most important element.  For others, the decision can be easily determined by budget.  When it comes down to style vs. price tag, you need to know which side you are on.

Decide before you even go into the store whether or not you're more concerned with the furniture style or how much you spend.  Do a little research and look at the furniture styles available for your price range. If you find out you have an expensive taste and a limited budget, your options are:

-          Wait and save up more to afford what you really want

-          Search the web for sales, coupons and special offers that can bring the price down

-          Compromise: find something similar at a lower price or from last year's collection

3)  Think Long-term

Most of us don't buy new bedroom furniture every year or two - for the majority of shoppers, it is a major purchase expected to last many years, perhaps even generations.  This is another instance where style comes into play. Before you commit to a piece of furniture, make sure it's something you can live with for a long time. Canopy bed may be in right now, but will you still be happy with it in three years? To maintain both style and flexibility, keep these ideas in mind:

• Go classic: wood is always stylish and a simple wooden bedframe can fit with any design
• Look for furniture with removable or replaceable elements, such as footboards, hardware, finals, etc.
• Consider wrought iron: it is extremely versatile and can be easily painted if you want a change.

Just like clothing, home decorating has trends that can fade in popularity just as quickly as they come - but you don't want that to affect such important investment as bedroom furniture.

4)      Do Your Research

As with any big purchase, it's always a good idea to know what you're getting into before you buy.  You can find almost any information you want to know about bedroom furniture online. When you research, specifically look for:

-          Typical dimensions a piece of furniture comes in

-          Reviews on quality and durability of particular items

-          Ease of assembly if applicable

-          An average price range

-          Looks, trends and styles you like

-          Your local or online retailers or showrooms

5)      Be Prepared

When it's time to make the trip to your local Maryland bedroom furniture showroom, there are a few items you can bring to make the final decision easier:

• The exact dimensions of your bedroom and furniture that's already in it
• Dimensions of your bedroom and entrance door frames to ensure your new purchase fits
• A list of the pieces you need with your total budget
• The photos of styles you like with names and prices
• Photos of your bedroom or samples of materials (floor boards, carpet, wall color, finishes, curtains, etc.) if you are trying to match your new piece of furniture to the rest of the décor.
• A tape measure, just in case!

If you've done your homework, picking out your next bedroom set should be simple.  All it takes for a quick and easy purchase is a little time to make sure you're making the right decision - and that knowledge will certainly help you rest easy in your new bedroom!

Green Home Improvement Ideas 7 Tips on How to Choose Best Bedroom Furniture Sets

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

You should know the important things when choosing bedroom furniture set. To make it effective and pretty, these following factors are essential to think about.

1. Bedroom size

You need to have exact measurement of your bedroom. This will define the size of furniture you can take. Smaller bedroom should use small furniture too to make sure the room is not too crowded and you have enough space to move around. There are choices for small and big bedroom.

2. Bedroom style

You should also define how you want your bedroom look like. You can define classic, chic, or modern style as your pick. By then, choose bedroom furniture set that brings out the same style. This will give perfect concept and look.

3. Scheme color

It is preferable that you pick your favourite colors or any soft and warm color as your scheme. It helps you sleep better. Now, match the color with your furniture color. It does not need to be the same, but it must be perfectly match to the room color.

4. Space saving alternative

Consider buying new designs of furniture. Several new beds now are completed with drawers as well, and bookshelves now hang on the wall. It does not eat too much space and you will like these functional features. Combine small tables and drawers to make dressing table if you want to.

5. Quality

This is essential. Choose a set with durable material, tough enough for long lasting use. Common supplier offers bad quality so you need to be careful on this. You can also ask if there is any warranty for your furniture. You do not want to waste your money on bad quality.

6. Budget

Furniture can cost a lot of money. Therefore, you need to set a budget. You do not have to have everything at once if you do not have enough money. We can make it step by step buying. Do not buy anything more than you can afford.

7. Price

This is one of the keys. Always compare the price! Go to multiple stores and suppliers, and check on the quality, then compare the price. Pick a set with reasonable and affordable price performing good quality as well. Do not be teased with cute look but expensive price.

Try to meet the entire requirements while you are selecting your bedroom furniture set. All of them need to be met so your basic need and aesthetic need are well covered.

4 Tips for Choosing the Right Sofa for your Lifestyle

Ashley HomeStore Furniture Coupons 2016: Buy More, Save More at Ashley HomeStore! Get Ashley HomeStore Furniture Promo Codes 15% OFF when you spend $499, 20% OFF when you spend $500-3,999, and 25% OFF when you spend $4,000+. Redeem this coupon now!

Choosing your brand new sofa can be both exciting and frustrating at the same time. On the one hand you’re shopping for a new piece of furniture that will define your living space for years to come, and on the other you’re whittling down the competition until you’re left with a winner that you’re happy to spend your hard-earned money on.

To help you in these trying times, the DesignerSofas4U team has put together a list of things to consider when you just can’t make that final decision.

1. Consider its purpose.

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how often thinking about what your new sofa will actually be used for is overlooked. Customers tend to lead with their personal preference over practicality, leading to complications down the line.

Your living room is likely to be the hub of social activity in your home since this is where everyone gravitates to when it’s time to relax – well, almost everyone;

sometimes it really is best to just leave teenagers to their privacy. If you’re buying a sofa for a busy living room then you need to consider a piece of furniture with a sturdy, resilient frame and upholstery that can withstand years of torture. The arms are likely to be sat on, contrary to our frequent advice, and there will always be that one person sat on the floor leaning against the bottom of the sofa even if there’s actually room to sit on it. In these situations we’d recommend something like a large leather or wool settee; both these materials are highly durable and easy to clean.

If you’re actually buying a piece of furniture for a lesser used room, like the conservatory or the guest bedroom then durably against family onslaught is less of a concern, but other factors come into play. For example, we don’t usually recommend leather upholstery for conservatories since these rooms tend to be more at the mercy of the elements than any other in the house. Think about those times you’ve sat on a leather sofa during the depths of winter or in the midst of a sweaty summer afternoon; the seat was either ice cold or warm and sticky, and very uncomfortable at the best of times. Wool on the other hand has naturally occurring thermal insulating properties that adapt to changing temperatures, making it warm during winter and cool during summer – perfect for a conservatory.

DesignerSofas4U - Chesterfield Sofas

2. Consider your family.

And by family, we don’t just mean your spouse and children, though these are likely to influence your decision too. Your family includes your parents, grandparents, grandchildren and maybe even great grandchildren. And the pets.

Accessibility is always something to keep in mind for the older and younger generations. Will the elderly be able to sit down comfortably and, more importantly, stand back up without pushing their bodies to the limit? Will your younger children be able to safely climb up, down and around your new sofa without risk of injury? These are important questions you should be asking because they’re likely to be using your furniture whether you’ve given them consideration or not.

Pets can be just as loveable and just as frustrating as our human family members, and whether they’re allowed to or not they’re likely to get some use out of the sofa you choose too. Goldfish and terrapins and the like can likely be overlooked, but anything with teeth and claws can cause some serious damage to your expensive furniture in a matter of seconds. Aged leather looks refined and mature, but aged leather full of scratches from cat claws can appear shabby and poorly maintained. For buyers with pets we’ve always recommended fabric sofas because of this – yes, sometimes fabric can absorb unsavory odor from animals but proper maintenance of you sofa will prevent this.

3. Consider your comfort.

Comfort is always subjective; what’s just right for one person could be too high, too deep or too firm for the next. Every sofa frame is different, and cushions can be filled with anything from down to high-density foam.

If you want a really soft seat then you should definitely consider a down filling. Unfortunately, down is considered a premium choice of filling, so they’ll have a larger price tag to match. Down can also be quite difficult to maintain; you’ll be plumping them up on a daily basis, and cushions without down proof ticking under the upholstery fabric will see feathers poking through. Down can be used in combination with high-density foams, though these too can be quite expensive.

A good option for your filling would a combination of pads comprising down and polyester fibre and springs. The springs form the core, giving your seat a firm and resilient structure, and are wrapped in high-density foam and finally covered with the pads. The result is a seat that’s both soft and firm, and the cushion won’t lose its shape very easily.

The most common form of filling is high-density polyurethane, and the higher the density the firmer the seat. Sometimes it’s wrapped in other materials, like polyester or cotton, to make cushion softer to sit on, but not always. These types of fillings are usually the cheapest.

As with everything in life, quality fillings don’t come cheap – prices scale as the quality increases and we always advise our customers to buy the best quality they can afford because this heightened quality will see a sofa stay comfortable and retain its shape for longer.

4. Consider your taste.

Finally we come to the point that most buyers consider their main priority. We urge customers to buy a sofa that suits their taste and style, but first you should always whittle down the competition to just a few choices using the tips above.

Think about it; you might buy a sofa based on how it looks, but once you’ve got it home used it for a week you can’t then return it because it’s too deep, or too soft, or you’ve realized the material isn’t right.

You’re also going to be looking for a sofa that fits into the theme of the room it’s intended to be used in; yes, that modern, angular red leather sofa looks gorgeous but it’s not going to look right in a small cottage living room decorated in antique tones of tan and cream is it? But that Old-English leather Chesterfield would look stunning!

Taste is by far the most important thing you’ll come to consider during your sofa selection adventure but it should always be considered last, once you have a list of suitable candidates that meet all the criteria you expect from you lovely new piece of furniture.

Some find it gruelling, but hunting for a new sofa should be exciting; it’s a new addition to the family that will share in the memories made in your home. We love engaging our customers and working with them to find the best possible solution to their seating needs, so if you’re ever in need of a friendly chat then contact us and we’ll do our very best to help you.