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.

 

Wood Furniture Care

Wooden furniture is an integral part of interior decoration in any home. By utilizing proper care and cleaning techniques, you can make it last a lifetime. For this, you must always ask for cleaning instructions whenever you buy furniture made of wood.  

Caring for wooden furniture depends on the type of wood and its finishing. Below are listed some tips for taking care of your wood furniture.

• Dusting: It is important to frequently dust wooden furniture so as to remove airborne particles that get accumulated on its surface. Use a clean, dry and soft cloth to remove dust but make sure you do not disperse the grime all over.
• Keep away light and heat: You must keep away your wooden furniture from direct heat and sunlight. Storing fine furniture in attics is not a great idea as temperature variations are high in such places. Also, direct sunlight can have a harsh effect on the furniture causing it to fade. Use drapes and sheers to protect your furnishings. 
• Avoid using cleaning sprays: All-purpose cleaning sprays should not be used on wooden furniture until and unless there is a plastic coating on it. Use soap and water only for sticky spots otherwise avoid using water on wood. 
• Provide proper protection: Everyday heat and moisture can dampen the look of the wooden furniture in your home. For instance, marks from beverage glasses or heat from a hot pan can cause damage to your furnishings. To avoid these things, you can use coasters, table mats and table covers whenever placing something on dining room tables.
• Oil polish: While using furniture oils can provide protection to an extent; using them in too much quantity can actually make the wooden surface smear. You should also avoid polishing with pure olive oil as this attracts more dust. 
• Wax: Using wax is a better option as compared to furniture oils because it does not smear and lasts longer than sprays or polishes. Paste wax or liquid wax should be applied and care must be taken to remove any unwanted visible streaks on the furniture item.
• Caring for lacquered furniture: Frequent dusting can protect lacquered furniture for a long time. You can use furniture polish to add more lustre and shine.  Re-oiling is necessary in case your furniture piece looks dull and dry. In this process, you need to remove the leftover wax and apply oil (for e.g. linseed oil) after which you need to re-wax.
• Upholstered furniture: Clean dust and remove dirt on a regular basis to prolong the life of upholstered furniture. Vacuum at least once a week and use a crevice tool to remove dust from hidden spots. 

Tips For Choosing The Perfect Sofa

If you are planning to update your living room and looking for a stylish sofa, you need to consider various factors. With so many choices available, choosing the perfect sofa requires you to invest time and efforts. Here are some tips to help you choose the right sofa.

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  Check the size: It is crucial to measure the size of your lounge area to decide the size of sofa you should purchase. You must ensure that your new sofa fits into the space and creates the perfect look. If you have small space, consider buying a sectional sofa that can be placed against the wall. Depending upon the use, consider whether you want to buy a 2-seater or 3-seater sofa. If you entertain guests frequently, then modular sofa can be a great choice.
• Check the style: While choosing the sofa, check what style suits your home. You must choose a sofa that matches with your existing interior. Decide whether you want a modern, classic, contemporary or traditional style sofa.
• Check fabric: Once you decide the sofa style and size, you must pick the right upholstery or fabric. If you have kids at home, prefer to choose a dark colored fabric with hardwearing texture weave, which will not get dirty easily. Make sure the upholstery is serviceable so that you can easily clean the sofa if it gets filthy over time. You can choose from a variety of fabrics, colors and textures. To enhance the appeal of your sofa, you can throw some coordinating cushions to complete the look.
• Durability: The sofa is an integral part of the living room and it must be the focal point of the décor. Invest in a sofa that is made of quality materials and can withstand the regular wear and tear. The foam should be of good quality so that the sofa seat does not sag with time. Buying a sofa is a huge investment, so make sure it is durable and made to last for years.

Make sure you get a sofa that is backed by quality. It is always good to buy sofa from a reputed furniture store to get a good number of options to choose from. You can also get customized sofas that are made to suit your needs.

Tips For Finding The Perfect Coffee Table

A coffee table is a multipurpose piece of furniture that not only completes the look of a living room, but also helps to store and display various things. It is a crucial piece of furniture that sets the tone of a family room. With such a huge variety of coffee tables available these days, choosing the perfect one can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you find the perfect coffee table:

• Space available and traffic flow: While looking for a coffee table, you need to consider the space available in your living room. Make sure you choose a table that leaves enough space around for movement. It should be close enough so that you can easily keep the mug or other things on it. Make sure there is at least two feet or more free space around every edge of the coffee table.

• Height: Make sure you pick a coffee table that is a couple of inches lower than the seating. The standard height of most coffee tables is around 16 to 18 inches, but if you need a taller table, you can choose one around 20 to 21 inches.

• Styles: The coffee tables are available in an array of styles including traditional wood tables with carvings and solid base, contemporary tables with storage spaces and modern glass style coffee tables with metal base. You can choose one depending upon the style of your sofa, other furniture and décor of your living room.

• Functionality: Since the living room is used for a variety of purposes such as entertaining guests, reading, watching movies, playing games etc., make sure that the coffee table that you choose is multifunctional. If you have small kids at home, choose a round coffee table or the one with rounded edges. Having a coffee table with storage spaces such as drawers or shelves can help to store books, magazines, board games and many other things.

• Ease to maintain and clean: As you use the coffee table to keep dishes, glasses or mugs, the table top should be made of an easy to clean material. Glass top tables are the best, as they can be wiped off easily with a clean cloth.

• Colors: Your coffee table is certainly the center of attraction, so choose bold colors to create a style statement and make your living room look bright. Choose a color that complements the sofa and other accessories in the room.

Make sure you choose a coffee table that is functional and stylish. It should reflect your personal style and make your living room lively and attractive.

Save Space With Ottoman Beds

If you are looking for stylish and quality beds that offer extra storage space, you should consider buying ottoman beds. These are a great option for people living in a small home. With an ottoman bed, you can easily maximize the storage space in your bedroom. The box under the mattress can be used to store a lot of stuff like bedding, clothes, boxes, books, toys, etc. Here are some of the benefits of ottoman beds:

• Less floor area: The biggest advantage of having an ottoman bed in the room is that you can save a lot of space. There are a number of things in a home that are not used routinely but create a clutter due to lack of storage space. By having an ottoman bed, you can easily keep all such things organized. It saves the space in the room, which can be used artistically or for various other purposes.

• Clean and organized look: The ottoman beds help to make the room look clean and clutter-free. Due to lack of storage space, the rooms often remain cluttered with various things lying here and there. When you have an ottoman bed, you can easily keep the unnecessary stuff out of sight which helps in creating a neat and clean room. It is particularly useful if you have kids at home.

• Avoid additional furniture: Cupboards and wardrobes often take up a lot of floor space in the room. They can also make the room look smaller. When you purchase an ottoman bed, you can easily save the cost of buying a separate closet, wardrobe or other storage furniture.  

• Available in different sizes: Depending upon the size of the room and your storage needs, you can choose from the different sizes of ottoman beds available. They usually have a hydraulic lift that makes it easy for you to lift the bed’s base and use the storage area. You can also opt for the ottoman beds that open from the side.

Ottoman beds are easily available in various furniture stores and they come in an array of sizes, styles and designs. Make sure you choose one after assessing your needs, measuring the space in the bedroom and your budget.