Do's And Don'ts Of Maintaining Leather Furniture

Leather furniture is a life time investment and thus, it is important to protect it from wearing down. To keep its timeless appeal and durability, its maintenance is necessary.

Do’s

Dust and vacuum regularly

Leather attracts dust which can make the furniture lose its shine. The owner can keep it clean with regular dusting and vacuuming. You can vacuum it after every few weeks to remove the debris stuck in the corners and dust it with a soft clean cloth.

Use a leather protector

Apart from cleaning leather furniture on a weekly basis, you can use leather protectors to keep it tidy and retain its shine. It also helps in protecting the leather from drying out and developing cracks.

Test the maintenance product before using

There are a variety of cleaning products available in the market but it is not necessary that any product can clean the furniture with perfection. Some of them have high content of bleach or other cleaning chemicals that can badly damage the leather. An important advice is to test the product on a small patch or area before using it on the entire piece. Every variety of leather has its own cleaning needs and the solutions used should adhere to these properties.

Cover it when not in use

Leather furniture should not be left unattended when not in use. You can buy special covers or use a light sheet to protect it from dust and drying out. Apply a light coat of a moisturizing agent to keep the softness intact.

Seek professional advice

With various cleaning products available in the market, most people prefer to clean their leather furniture at home but there are certain stains that are difficult to get rid of. Trying to clean a spot repeatedly can badly damage the leather. This is when you should seek professional help. They use professional cleaning methods and can also give you some handy tips to increase the life of your precious leather.

Don’ts

Don’t neglect

Leather furniture needs a lot of care and attention. In order to avoid any damage to your leather furniture and to increase its longevity, take extra precautions to keep it clean as well as new.

Clean spills quickly

Leather is hard to stain but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the spill. Treat it as quickly as possible to prevent the stain from setting. You can clean it by using a soft cloth and a mild cleaning solution.

Don’t expose it to direct heat or sunlight

Leather furniture should not be exposed to sunlight. Keeping it in direct contact with the heat may cause it to dry out and crack. Maintaining moisture level is a must to keep it in a good condition.

Do not clean it with water and soap

Water and soap should not be applied to leather. Water can leave stains on the furniture and using a soap should be avoided as it can make the material hard or discolor it.

Above stated factors will help you in protecting your leather furniture and ensuring its longevity.

Cozy Home Decor Ideas For Winters

Winters mean spending most of the evenings indoors. It is a great time of the year for families to come closer and share a stronger bond. Thus, it is important to make your home comfortable and ready for the winter festivities. You can redecorate and make it more welcoming with below stated ideas.

Opt for warm fabric

Get fluffy blankets, heavy curtains and soft throws to feel cozy during winters. You can choose from fabrics such as wool, velvet and faux fur to make your furniture warm and comfortable. Wool is a natural insulator and is widely used for rugs and throws. You can cover the mattress with flannel sheets and use a faux fur blanket for an instant comfy feeling. Put a wool or velvet throw on the couch and add some pillows with bright colors. Heavy curtains also help in keeping the coziness intact.

Use high quality rugs and carpets to keep your feet warm

Rugs and carpets are important pieces when it comes to home décor. They provide insulation from the cold flooring and are available in various patterns to match the décor of your house. Make sure you choose their size according to the space available in the room.

Lighting and candles

You can even install lighting in your home to make it more welcoming and cozy. You can use a string light on doors or window frames to enhance the visual appearance of the home. Opt for LED lights if you wish to reduce your electricity bill. Candles, preferably the scented ones can be used to make the rooms inviting and warm. You can also keep them on dining or coffee table to make your ambience mesmerizing.

Warm up the living room with fireplace

Nothing can be better than enjoying a good book or a magazine while cuddling up in front of your fireplace. It can be a great option for keeping your room warm and cozy in winters. A gas fireplace can heat the entire house and is easy to install. It is less expensive than a built-in-fireplace and provides constant heating. It can easily be turned on or off with a click of a button.

Winter is the best time to accessorize your home and make it look more welcoming. All you need to do is, make a few changes to add warmth and comfort. All you need to do is, make a few changes to add warmth and comfort. 

Furniture Ideas To Make Your Living Room Look Bigger

Your living room speaks volumes about your personality and lifestyle. If you have a small living room, creating a visual statement while providing a spacious look is important. Make sure you analyze your requirements and choose furniture that goes well with the rest of décor. This can help to enhance the aesthetic appearance of your room.
 

Listed below are few furniture ideas that make your living room look spacious and organized:

• Built-in cabinets or shelves: To make use of every inch of space, you can opt for built-in shelves or cabinets. You can keep flower vases, books, decoration items etc. in these shelves to accentuate the look of your living room. This can help to keep your room organized and make it look bigger.  
• L- shaped sofa: You can keep a L-shaped sofa in the loft area of the living room. It can help to make use of unutilized space under the stair case and enhance the visual appeal of your room.
• Multipurpose furniture: You can also use upholstered ottoman for dual purpose. It can help to increase the seating area and act as a footrest.  This will make your living room look more spacious while improving its functionality. 
• Built in desk:  A built-in desk can be installed to add extra seating in your living room. Since it is completely fitted according to the dimensions of the room, it can be best way to save space.  
• Sleek dining set: You can choose a dining table that is compact and sleek. Make sure the chairs occupy less space.  This can help to provide an elegant and spacious look to your home.
• Glass furniture: If you have a small living room, buying glass furniture can be a good option. You can keep glass coffee or side table as they do not take up much space.
• Other options: Placing mirrors and painting the walls in neutral colors can also help to create the illusion of more space. Furniture items of different shades of the same colors can provide a coherent look and help to make the room look bigger.
• Portable furniture: You can even buy tables or chairs that can be easily folded. Nowadays, tables with wheels are also available at various furniture stores. You can easily move them around wherever required. This can help to avoid any unnecessary clutter and use your space in an effective way. 

These tips can help you enhance the visual appeal and provide a spacious look to your living room. Make sure you research thoroughly and buy quality furniture for your home.

Multi-Functional Furniture Ideas For Small Spaces

Multi-functional furniture is a boon for small spaces. Not only they add a lot of utility but also upsurge the style quotient of your home. They are innovative furniture items and hence the character they provide to the place is huge. These items are available in various price ranges and color options so you cannot feel restricted in terms of choices. If you are looking for some multi-functional furniture ideas, following are some items you may opt for:

• Sofa cum bed: A sofa cum bed tops the list of a multi functional furniture idea. These act as sofa pieces in the day time and open up to give enough room for one or two persons to sleep by the night. They are comfortable and come with options like a back rest, arm rests or simple flat beds. They could either be a mattress attached to wooden frames or only mattresses that fold and open easily.
• Coffee tables: A center piece for your small living room which has cushioned stools for seating those go under the table itself. When not in use these chairs can simply be stored inside giving an impression that this is just a table.
• Cabinets: Modular cabinets for bedroom, bathrooms or drawing rooms that have mirrors attached to the entire front portion act like dressers as well as wardrobes. These cabinets have many shelves inside to keep all your clutter hidden. One can store clothes, shoes, linen and toiletries, all behind full length mirrors that also make the room look bigger.
• Nesting stools: Getting a set of stools that are of different heights is a good thing to keep in your living room as these stools go under each other looking like one. When in need, take out the stool that is required and move it around the room as required. These could be wooden or of metal and are made light weight so they can be carried around easily.
• Wall mounted foldable table: When not in use these tables look like just a frame in the wall. One could use them in the study room to open and keep laptop/tab on it to work. This could be at a standing height or sitting height depending upon frequency of use.
• Ottomans: These are great storage cum seating items which every home should have. Ottomans look classy and are easy to move around. Available in various material options like cane, light wood, fabric, they can store items inside them and look like comfortable stools on the outside.

Apply some thinking and convert simple furniture items into multipurpose accessories which serve the purpose of a small space. Make sure you blend them with the rest of the home’s theme by choosing good colors and materials.

Kids Seating Furniture Ideas

Kids furniture need to be picked considering its use, space in which it will be kept and age of the children. The material has to be durable and colorful so it is liked by the kid. Seating furniture needs to be selected carefully as most of the activities - studying, eating, playing games- are all done while sitting.

Following are some ideas to buy seating furniture for kids:

• Individual chairs: These chairs need to be light but sturdy. They may be made of a solid material like hardwood or plastic. The latter gives the options of many colors it could be picked to gel with other furniture in the room. The weight should be such that kids can easily pull them around. Individual chairs can be used with the study table to do school work or generally sit while reading or watching TV. If you have more than one kid, each of them can get their own color.
• Benches: For a kid’s room, benches serve a dual purpose. They can be used for sitting by the window while at the same time the seat can be removed to store their toys, books or bedroom linen. Benches are also available in many materials and color options. You can also choose a vibrant upholstery to it to make it look like a kid’s room accessory.
• Bean Bags: Bean bags are comfortable and fun. Throw a bean bag in the kid’s room for their play time or reading time. However, since there is no back support, sitting on it for long hours is not good for posture. One may have to teach kids to use it only for short time periods.
• Step Stools: Step stools may be used for seating as well as reaching heights in the room where the games or books may be stored. Step tools must be light weight and made of string material to avoid accidents.
• Sofas: Light weight, multi-purpose sofas are a good seating option as they can be used as beds at night and sofa in the day time for sitting. Sofas are available in a variety of colors and fabrics. They are not heavy and can be pushed around easily.

The trick to decide the correct seating furniture for kids is to minimize the floor space so they can move around freely. Also, the furniture should not be bulky or have sharp edges. One must also take care of the back support as kids must be taught about right posture from a young age.

Things To Remember While Buying Furniture For Kids

It is said that the furniture and décor of your kids’ room can have great impact on their behavior. Therefore, it is imperative to be extra careful while buying furniture for your kids room. The bed, dresser, cupboard, nightstand, desk etc. that you buy should not only be visually appealing but also add to the functionality of the room.
 

Here are some tips that can help you buy suitable furniture for your kids room, while keeping their tastes and

preferences in mind:

• Ensure Durability And Safety: Ensure that the furniture is sturdy and made of high quality material. Glass furniture should be avoided as it can easily break and lead to injuries. Non-toxic coatings and varnishes should be preferred to ascertain the safety of the kids.
• Solutions For Small Spaces: If your kids room has space constraint, you can go for compact furniture with more storage space. For instance, bunk beds can be chosen in place of a traditional twin bed. They will not only take up less floor space, but also add to the playful atmosphere of the room. Make sure you choose the beds that have drawers or boxes underneath to store your kid’s toys, blankets, extra pillows etc.
• Choose The Right Hues And Styles: It is extremely important to pick the right color and design for the furniture to make sure the room looks more inviting. Kids may not line fucniture in brown or black finishes. Instead, you can go for bright colored beds, chairs and cupboards. Custom made beds in different shapes, sizes and colors are also available in the furniture stores.
• Accommodate The Child’ Needs: If you are looking for a study table for the kids room, make sure it has sufficient shelves and drawers to keep books, documents, stationery etc. The chair should be comfortable with proper arm support so that the child is able to study comfortably. 
• Let The Child Personalize: Besides the basic furniture requirements, it is equally important that the room is personalized according to the child’s preferences. You can let him choose the cushions, photo frames, wall clocks etc. as per his choice. You can also place a bean bags where he or his friends can sit and relax.

Always keep in mind that the furniture you buy should add to the functionality and style quotient of the kids room.

Cleaning Outdoor Patio and Deck Furniture

Outdoor furniture requires special care, as it is exposed to harsh climate, dust, dirt and pollution. If you have a patio or deck, you need to clean the furniture regularly to maintain the aesthetic appeal of the area. Outdoor furniture comes in a variety of materials such as plastic, wicker, resin, steel, aluminum or fabric and requires different cleaning methods for each.

 

Here are some tips on cleaning different types of outdoor patio and deck furniture.

• Metal furniture: For wrought iron, aluminum or steel framed furniture, use water and mild soap to clean the furniture. Often, metal furniture has a special coating to make them resistant to corrosion. However, if your furniture does not have that coating, consider pasting jelly or wax to make it rust proof.
• Wicker furniture: If you have wicker furniture in your patio, you can easily clean it using pressure washer at the lowest setting. Spray water to remove any spills and dirt. You can even clean it with soap solution and a sponge. Make sure you dry the furniture properly and then apply wax to the frame to make it water resistant and shiny. Keep the furniture covered or stored indoors when not in use to increase its durability.
• Wooden furniture: If your wooden deck furniture has fine varnish coating, you can clean it with soapy water followed by wiping with a clean sponge. You must keep your wooden furniture indoors during rain or winters to avoid any damage.
• Resin Furniture: Many homeowners also prefer resin outdoor furniture as it requires minimum maintenance. It can be easily cleaned by spraying water on it. Allow it to dry and use an abrasive for removing any marks. If mildew is present, remove it by cleaning the furniture with a mixture of detergent, bleach and water.
• Upholstered furniture: Regardless of the type of fabric you have, upholstered furniture demands extra care. Remove the cushions from the frame and clean them with mild soap as well as water. Ensure that the cushions are dry before storing, as moisture can lead to mildew growth. If suspect the growth of mildew, clean the cushions with a mixture if bleach, detergent and water. Let the mixture soak in the fabric for at least half an hour before cleaning with sponge. Allow it to dry completely.

Regular care and maintenance will surely prolong the life of your outdoor furniture.

Guide To Choosing A Headboard For Your Bed

A headboard not only makes a bed more functional but also increases its aesthetic appeal. From upholstered, metal or wood headboards, you can choose from a variety of options depending upon your requirements. Here are some tips to help you choose the right headboard for your bed:

• Consider the size of the bed: Make sure that you buy a headboard that perfectly fits the bed. If you like to sit up, watch TV or read in bed, a large headboard can be a better option for you.
• Consider the size of room: If your room is spacious, you can have a large headboard so that it can be the focal point of the room; whereas, for a small room, you can have a headboard with minimalist design and artistry. Also consider the height of your ceilings while buying the headboard. If the ceilings are low, do not choose a headboard that will take up the entire wall height. This can make your bedroom look smaller and overfilled.
• Consider style: It is essential to choose a headboard that is stylish and blends well with overall décor of the room. A uniquely designed headboard can create an inspiring ambience in your bedroom. From wrought iron to upholstered headboards, you can buy the one that you prefer. You should also make a choice between a freestanding and an attached headboard. If you do not want to stick to a particular style for long, consider buying a freestanding headboard.
• Consider the colors and fabric: Depending on the color scheme of your bedroom, you can pick a suitable headboard. Whether you want to create a bold statement or create a subtle look, you can choose the color accordingly. While choosing the upholstery, you can select from patterned, plain fabric or other prints. From velvet, leather, suede to brocade, you can choose from an array of fabrics for the upholstered headboard.

A perfectly designed headboard can add comfort and style to your bed. You can consider installing a headboard that has built in lights and storage space for an enhanced functionality

 

Patio Seating Furniture Ideas

People often like to use their patio for seating and enjoying evening teas or dinner. This make them look for interesting patio seating furniture ideas so that they can transform their patio into a comfortable space. You can use your pool area around the patio for effective space utilization. While looking for furniture for your patio, you can consider different materials such as wood, steel, plastic and metal. Make sure that the furniture is durable so that it easily bears even harsh weather conditions.

Here is some common patio seating furniture ideas.

• Chairs: For comfortable seating, you can consider couple of chairs in your patio. A wide range of chairs are available in different materials and designs, so you can easily select them depending upon your requirements and comfort levels. Deck, pool, folding chairs etc. are some of the available furniture for seating in the market.
• Table: Whether you want to entertain guests in your patio, or you want to keep your newspapers or a book while sipping your morning coffee, you always need a table. A variety of tables is available in different materials in furniture stores.
• Dining sets: The dining set is a best option for your patio if you like to throw dinner parties for your friends or family. A stylish dining set will add glamour to your patio and offer it a warm look.
• Sofa set: For making patio an inviting place, you can buy a cozy, compact sofa set in your patio. Your guests would love to sit in the patio and enjoy talks. You can even arrange some special events in your patio and entertain your guests.

Besides these furniture ideas, you can use your creativity to give a new look to your patio and make it look interesting and innovative. You can choose patio furniture on the basis of its usage and the ambience that you want to create. To enhance the appeal of your patio, you can consider having outdoor lighting and accessories. Homeowners often use traditional and classic outdoor lights and heaters to create a warm ambience at outdoor spaces.