Category: Decor

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7 Brilliant Tips for Organizing Your Furniture like a Pro

Posted: March 27, 2022

1.  Start with a Focal Point

Want your house to look like it’s designed by a professional? You can do it with a bit of guidance, creativity, and effort. The first thing to do is decide on the focal points for each room.

Tips to consider when choosing the focal point:

      • It doesn’t have to be the center of the room
      • The focal point for each room varies from another
      • Don’t be afraid to use a corner/ window/ wall/ fireplace as a focal point
      • Consider the overall dimensions and shape of the room

Some rooms have a natural focal point- the most attractive part. It can be the huge window that shows a glimpse of Denver or the home theater screen on the wall. Go with it.

2. Don’t Clutter the Space

It’s tempting to use all the furniture you have and mix up the old and new. But hey, slow down a little. Filling up the room will clutter the space rather than showcase your findings. No matter how massive a room is, it will look stuffy and cramped (even if you arrange the furniture) when there are too many things to look at.

      • The minimalistic arrangement makes the room appear bigger
      • Let the carpet be visible under the furniture
      • Less is more in smaller rooms
      • Think of the atmosphere you want to create

Don’t give in to the urge to flaunt all your collection. You can rearrange the furniture and change the décor easily if there are fewer items to move around.

3. No Furniture Against the Walls

Many people think that pushing the furniture right up to the walls will make the room appear bigger. That’s not true. In fact, the middle of the room will appear hollow. Irrespective of the size of the room, you need to leave at least a tiny space between the wall and the furniture. It will create an illusion of a bigger room. Moreover, there are many advantages of leaving the gap empty between the wall and the furniture.

      • It’ll be easy to clean behind the couches, shelves, and wardrobes
      • The walls won’t be marked, stained, or damaged by furniture
      • You can see the initial signs of weather/ water damage on the walls
      • The furniture will not be affected if the walls suffer from moisture/ water damage

4. Consider Ease of Movement

How do you plan to walk around in the room? Is the path from the door to the couch/seating arrangement free of items? Is there a risk of tripping over something in the dark?

      • The furniture should not obstruct the traffic flow
      • The route from the door to the focal point should be clear
      • Don’t create too many zigzag paths
      • Don’t keep pointy or edged furniture close to the walking path
      • Don’t line up expensive and breakable items along the path
      • There should be space between the seating arrangement and coffee tables

You need to pay extra attention to the ease of movement if you have kids, pets, or elders at home. A simple tip to remember is not to complicate the arrangement.

5. Think Beyond Squares and Circles

Be creative when arranging the furniture and ensure that the symmetry is not disturbed. The arrangement doesn’t have to be in classic shapes like squares, circles, or rectangles. For example, you can arrange the furniture in a triangle with two couches angled towards the corners. Balance this by lining up chairs or placing a day bed on the third side.

Tips to maintain symmetry in the room:

      • Distribute the large and small items evenly across the room.
      • Don’t fill up the center of the room and keep the rest sparse.
      • Don’t stuff tables or vases into the corners
      • Balance straight lines by bringing a rounded centerpiece or vice versa
      • Try not to add too many heavy shelves to the same room (unless it’s the study)

6. Don’t Block Natural Light 

Denver has all four distinct seasons, and you should make the most of them. If your room has windows that allow bright light inside the house, make sure not to block the windows with furniture. A dark room feels smaller stuffier and can even trigger unease in some people.

What if the room doesn’t have windows? Brighten up the space by adding different types of light fixtures. Ceiling lights, wall lamps, floor-standing lamps, table lamps, etc., are some ways to lighten up a room. Don’t use them all in the same room.

      • Don’t put heavy furniture against the windows.
      • Use mirrors to reflect light from one part of the room to another.
      • Go for level-wise artificial lighting to make up for the loss of natural light.

7. Bring It Together 

You must decide how you want the room to feel. Living rooms need to be inviting and comfortable. Bedrooms should be cozy and relaxing. But these are generic statements. You need to determine what kind of atmosphere you want to set in a room.

Bringing together the furniture and decorations requires thinking and imagination. Don’t be afraid to move them around if the initial arrangement doesn’t have the feel.

Here are some tips to complete the look:

      • Choose the suitable artwork to go with the setting
      • Soften the edges by adding cushions, throws, fresh flowers, etc.
      • Invest in a high-quality floor rug
      • Set up activity zones in the same room
      • Work outwards from the focal point
      • Tables should be within arm’s reach

The 5 Most Important Things to Consider When Buying a Dresser

Posted: March 18, 2022

Dresser

What Is a Dresser And Why Is It Important?

A dresser is a storage system used to store clothing. It can be a wardrobe, chest of drawers, or a combination of both. A dresser is used to keep your clothes organized. It is also important to note that the term dresser refers to different types of dressers.

There are two main types of dressers –

      • The sideboard dresser
      • The bedroom dresser

Sideboard dressers are usually found in the living room. The bedroom dresser is usually found in a bedroom. The sideboard dresser is great for storing larger items such as clothing, shoes, and accessories. The bedroom dresser is great for storing smaller items such as jewelry, purses, and scarves.

The 5 Things You Need to Look At When Buying a Dresser

1. Determine The Style You Want

The next thing you need to do is determine what style you want. You can go with a traditional style that is a bit more old-fashioned or go for something a bit more modern. If you are looking for something a bit more modern, you can choose one with a more minimalist look.

The choices are pretty much endless, but it would be easier for you to narrow down your choices. This can be dependent on your existing furniture or decor.

      • Sometimes, you need to choose between form or function.
      • If you can’t make up your mind, ask someone close to you for an opinion.
      • Ensure that the style matches the room and the furniture.
      • Getting a dresser with a bit of a retro vibe to it is a good choice.

2. Select The Size You’re Comfortable With

There are a lot of different kinds of dressers available today, and each has its own unique design, style, and purpose. When choosing your dresser, you need to think about how much room you have in your bedroom and what kind of space you want to use it for.

It’s important to think about how big your room is and how much room you need for your home’s various pieces of furniture. You’ll likely want a small dresser if you have a small bedroom. If you have a large bedroom, you may want a large dresser.

      • Decide on how much space you need in a dresser. A dresser needs to hold everything you use on a regular day.
      • Another thing to look at when deciding the size is where you’re putting the dresser.
      • It’s a great idea to measure the dresser yourself when buying it.

3. Check Drawers And The Drawer Material

When you are looking for a new dresser, you want to make sure that it can handle what you want to put in it. You need to check all of the drawers and see what they are made of. If it is a wooden drawer, it needs to be strong. There are many types of wood for dressers, but the most common is pine.

This is a very good choice for a dresser because it is sturdy and easy to clean. Also, sometimes the bottom of the drawers are made of masonite or plywood. These are considerably weaker than normal wood.

      • Drawers are an important thing to check for dressers. You should check the joints on the front and back.
      • The drawer guides should also be made of wood. Metal can deform and lead to jamming later.
      • Drawers should have dividers between them to keep the dust out of them.

4. Choose The Right Material

When it comes to choosing a new dresser, you need to consider the furniture’s material. Dressers are made of wood, metal, plastic, glass, or other materials. You can paint them if you want to change the color. Each material has its pros and cons.

However, some people dislike the way wood furniture looks. Choose a dresser with a sleek metal frame if you want a more modern look. If you’re looking for a classic style, then go with a dresser with a wooden frame.

      • A majority of the buyers prefer wooden dressers because it is durable and looks more upmarket.
      • The material you choose will also determine the weight capacity of your dresser.
      • Wooden dressers are a bit more expensive than metal and fiberglass ones.
      • There are several types of finishes when you buy a wooden dresser.

5. Check If It’s Within Your Budget

A dresser can be a major purchase, but you don’t need to spend a fortune. You want to make sure that you get the right size and style for your room. If you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’ll probably just end up with something that you don’t really like.

If you are on a tight budget, you may want to purchase a used one. However, if you have a bit more money to spend, it may be worth it to buy a new one.

Sometimes the budget decides what material and size you choose for your dresser. Buying a dresser that is too expensive is not a great purchase in the long run.

      • Decide the budget before you go shopping for a dresser. Remember that you’ll use a dresser for many years to come.
      • The price of the dresser is perhaps one of the most important factors of the purchase.
      • Getting a used wooden dresser is always an option. They are more durable than other types of materials.

Common Mistakes People Make When Buying Furniture

Posted: March 18, 2022

1. Being Impulsive

It’s easy to make mistakes when buying furniture. We can avoid many mistakes that cost us money and peace of mind with some planning and better self-control (we know it’s hard). Impulsive buying is something many of us are prone to. No surprise there. Maybe the furniture is similar to what your friend/ relative has. Perhaps the price/ discount is too good to resist.

Ask yourself the following questions when you feel the impulse to buy:

      • Do you really like the piece of furniture or is it the price that’s more attractive?
      • Why do you want to buy something similar to another person?
      • What will you do if the furniture doesn’t suit your home?
      • What will you do when you realize that you don’t like it anymore?
      • Can you afford to make a wrong purchase?

2. Not Paying Attention to Your Lifestyle

The internet and housekeeping magazines sure inspire us when buying furniture. However, not many realize (until it’s too late) that the pictures posted are a result of a meticulous photoshoot. Everything is planned to create the right effect, from lighting to colour contrast to the setting. Does it match your lifestyle in Denver? Consider your lifestyle and region before buying furniture.

Tips to remember when choosing furniture:

      • You’ve got to live with your furniture. Pick what looks good in your home.
      • Consider kids, pets, and seniors when buying furniture.
      • Dainty items can’t survive heavy usage no matter how cute they look.
      • There’s no point in buying high-end furniture every year (unless you have more than enough money for it).
      • Appearance, cost, and durability matter. Find a balance between all three.

3. Going for a Completely Matching Set

A golden rule in buying furniture is to look for variety in color, shapes, and sizes. A completely matching set seems terrific, but not when you have to look at it every day. Colors play a vital role in setting the mood of the room. Have enough variety that you can rearrange the room to change the mood anytime you want.

      • Don’t do the following when buying furniture:
      • Buy all items for the room at once
      • Get everything in matching colors and shades
      • Pick designs based on the latest fads (it’s called fad for a reason)
      • Give more importance to appearance than comfort or vice versa
      • Ignore that your home needs character (something that reflects who you are)

A home that oozes character will be more inviting than a house that’s a copy of the latest fad.

4. Painting the Room First and Buying Furniture Later 

Did you already decide on the wall paint? Stop right there and don’t buy the cans of paint. Painting the walls first will limit your choices for furniture. What if you love an ornate little piece but can’t buy it because the color will clash with your wall paint? Ouch!

      • Colors will look different in different settings, be it a computer screen, white light, or natural light.
      • There are too many shades of the same color, and no, you can substitute one for another.
      • Anything extreme (too bland, bright, or dark) is not suitable for your home.

Once you buy the furniture, you’ll have a better idea about what to do with the bare walls. Do you want to paint it? Will wallpaper look better? Maybe textures can enhance the beauty of your furniture.

5. Not Considering the Maintenance Cost and Requirements

Furniture needs maintenance. Luckily, some require less maintenance and last for a long time. Some need more care but still last long. A few other items need more maintenance and have a shorter life span. Which kind of furniture do you want to buy? Choosing the last option wouldn’t be wise, right?

Tips for maintaining furniture:

      • Follow the seller’s instructions.
      • Hire professional cleaners.
      • Don’t use harsh chemicals.
      • Vacuum regularly.
      • Use only soft cloth or brushes.
      • Don’t leave the furniture in direct sunlight.

Maintenance depends on your lifestyle, your geographical location, and financial restrictions. What worked in New York may not work in Denver. Buying a pale cream chenille or velvet sofa when you have toddlers/ pets is a bad idea. The total maintenance cost should not be more than the furniture price.

6. Relying on the Staff or Others to Make Decision for You

How many times did we buy something because someone suggested it? Getting influenced by another’s choice is something you should vehemently avoid when purchasing furniture. It’s your home, and you (and your family) have to live there.

At the same time, not asking for more information is also wrong. If you are not sure about a piece of furniture, go ahead and ask others. But choose the one you love and fit your budget.

      • Don’t take your entire family of friends’ gang to the furniture store.
      • Don’t ask the staff to take a pick between two or more choices.
      • Don’t argue with others in the furniture store. Leave and go back later to make your decision.
      • Don’t buy something based on someone’s experience.

Top 6 Reasons to Shop Local for Furniture

Posted: March 6, 2022

coffee tables gallery

Visiting large chain stores that are always bursting at the seams isn’t the right way to buy home furnishings. It’s pretty challenging to get your questions answered and find the distinctive furniture you desire.

These six factors will convince you why you must shop local for furniture instead:

1. Low Shipping Cost & Convenience

Imagine ordering an exquisite dining table from a far-off location. Now imagine the horrors if it comes broken or damaged. You’d have to go through it all over again. Contacting customer service, issuing a complaint, getting a refund and replacement is quite frustrating.

And the chances of that getting resolved seamlessly depend on if the brand has excellent customer service. If your furniture does arrive unharmed, you’d have to pay hefty delivery charges. Some brands also charge a handling fee that’s not included in the total cost of the item.

However, if you choose to shop from a local furniture store instead, you save yourself an ordeal.

Wood Furniture

By shopping local for furniture, you:

      • Avoid paying sky-rocketing shipping costs, especially on heavy-duty items
      • Facilitate white-glove delivery for objects that need assembling. Local furniture stores are more likely to entertain this request. A worthwhile option to explore if the furniture is heavy, costly, or irreplaceable

2. Unique Home Furnishings

Before shopping local for furniture, you want to get your priorities straight.

      • Do you wish to buy furniture to support your living situation temporarily?
      • Or do you see it as a long-term investment, something that can even be passed on to future generations?

In the second scenario, choosing a local furniture store is your best bet. In Colorado, stores such as Rare Finds Warehouse feature unique, rustic, vintage home furnishings. You’d be surprised to know what you could find at these local furniture stores.

Rare Finds Warehouse, for instance, also offers customized furnishings.

You’d have to:

      • Name the materials
      • Convey your vision about design and functionality.

The local artisans will handle everything else. Some of their items are over a century old or more. That’s how unique the local furniture store offerings are.

3. Top-Notch Customer Service

 Let’s say you want a custom-designed bar table. You have the design and functionality in mind. But you need help choosing the material, such as cast iron, wood, and steel. You are also unsure about the table base and top or its adjustable height.

In such a scenario, you need professional advice from people who understand design, functionality, and individual style. Local furniture stores employ people who have the knowledge and experience to help you make the right decisions.

After all, buying furniture is no less than an investment. It will define your space and enrich your life for many years to come. Since it’s a local furniture store, you can always visit it in person and talk to the right people.

      • Walk around the store and see if someone turns up to help you explore the inventory.
      • Ask questions that you may have. Since local furniture stores employ people with industry experience, chances are you’ll get satisfactory answers.
      • Don’t hesitate to inquire about the kind of support you’ll receive, from entering the store to making the purchase and getting the product delivered.

4. Saved Expenses in the Long-Term

Buying an architectural salvage or a century-old antique may cost more than a cookie-cutter piece. But a high-quality home furnishing will also last for many years – generations even. If you think long-term, you’re saving money.

What good is buying an uninspired, low-quality product only to get it replaced a couple of years later? Instead of spending twice, spend once and make your home stand out. Rare Finds Warehouse in Colorado, for instance, sells vintage furnishings. Some of these are one-of-a-kinds. Imagine if that furniture ends up in your home.

No one else will own that particular piece – ever!

5. Ease of Buying Accessories

Consider this:

      • Someone who is looking to buy a sofa is perhaps also looking for a sofa table
      • Someone who wants to buy a bed frame might also want a nightstand
      • Some may need additional seating for the dining table
      • Others may need floor lamps, hanging lamps, or chandeliers to accentuate the beauty of their space

You’d need accessories that blend well with the main purchase most of the time. You can find all home furnishings and accessories at a local furniture store in one place. Employees at these stores can assist you with the add-ons.

6. Unmatched Quality

Local furniture stores may not surpass large retail stores in terms of quantity. But they do outshine them when it comes to quality. Nowhere else would you find home furnishings and décor carved by skilled artisans around the globe.

Items like these sell fast at Rare Finds Warehouse. If someone had to describe the quality found in local furniture stores in one word, it would be – treasure.

Key Takeaways

By shopping local for furniture, you:

      • Save steep shipping costs
      • Increase the probability that your order arrives in one piece
      • Enjoy a personalized, speedy resolution of problems and queries
      • Can buy unique home furnishings
      • Save money by investing in high-quality furniture
      • Buy accessories to support the main purchase
      • Get high-quality furnishings and décor

What Do You Think of Purchasing Furniture from a Department Store Vs. a Furniture Store?

Posted: February 12, 2022

Department Store or Furniture Store

The attire you wear is an expression of your style and personality. And so is the furniture you place in your living room or bedroom. When you go furniture shopping, you have two options. It’s either to visit a department store or a furniture store.

This article will give you reasons why you should choose the latter.

What is a Department Store?

The large retail stores where different household /lifestyle items are sold are department stores. They are called ‘department’ stores because they sell items in various departments within the same building.

There are separate departments for handbags, kitchen appliances, kids’ wear, women’s apparel, etc.

Some famous department store brands can have their own line of products as well. Examples include the likes of Macy’s, Kohl’s, John Lewis, Zalando, and Otto.

Depending on the brands, they may or may not have a section for furniture. Department stores are popular for a reason. To summarize the reason for their popularity in one word, it’s – convenience. Why go somewhere else if you can get everything in one place?

Isn’t it? Not really.

When buying furniture, you are better off visiting a furniture store than a regular department store.

Here’s why:

Disadvantages of Buying Furniture from a Department Store

Department stores prevent you from hopping from one shop to another. But they do not offer unique, one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. Even though they sell an impressive range of products, they provide limited variety if you niche down to the furniture.

Leather Sofa

1. Lackluster Customer Service

Step foot into a department store in Denver, and you’ll find a large number of employees serving customers in different categories.

Due to a massive selection of product categories, it’s impossible to provide a personal touch in customer service. The retail industry, in general, has a high employee turnover at 60% in the United States.

There are various reasons behind it, including:

      • Little to no promotion opportunities
      • General disconnect with the vision of the department store brand
      • Peripatetic nature of the job; most employees view it as a temp job
      • Poor onboarding and longer shifts
      • Low pay (the average salary of a retail sales associate is $13.85 per hour in the US) to cut the cost of operations

All these factors contribute to lackluster customer service and a lack of motivation. The staff does not have the expertise to help you pick the right furniture piece that will suit your style.

2. Insufficient Variety

While department stores sell several product categories, you have limited options if you pick one type, i.e., furniture. People who want a unique furniture collection won’t find it in a department store.

A one-stop solution is not what they desire. They prefer hand-picked home furnishings that have a history behind them. Such variety is impossible to find in a department store. They feature mass-produced home furnishings.

Benefits of Buying from a Furniture Store

Most people aren’t hunting for home furnishings and lifestyle/household items on a single shopping trip. It makes sense to schedule a dedicated furniture store visit to find a piece you will cherish for years to come.

The advantages of purchasing from a furniture store as opposed to a department store are:

1. Personalized Customer Service

Unlike a department store, furniture store employees care about your personal preferences. They give you undivided attention.

Since a furniture store offers a single category of products, employees here have the chance to gain expertise. So, knowledgeable staff can assist you better than a department store employee.

2. Unique Home Furnishings

If you buy furniture from a department store, you’ll find cookie-cutter, mass-produced pieces. But if you want distinctive furniture, visiting a store like Rare Finds Warehouse in Denver is the way to go!

You’ll find seating, furniture, and tables hand-picked from Asia, North America, and Africa.

At Rare Finds Warehouse, you can buy:

      • vintage furniture
      • antique furniture
      • architectural salvage
      • one-of-a-kind items sources from Egypt, India, Thailand, and the United States.

There is no dearth of variety at Rare Finds Warehouse!

3. Customized Furniture Pieces

Imagine being a restaurant owner. For any restaurant (or bar), the ambiance is everything. The kind of furniture you select decides the vibe of the space. If you pick cookie-cutter furniture, your restaurant won’t set itself apart from competitors.

Thus, it would help if you had custom-built dinner tables, chairs, and other seating. Rare Finds Warehouse offers custom-built furniture. You can select the height of the tables, base, top, feature iron, wood, or steel as per your preference.

Moreover, trained professionals will help you make the right decision. Professionals at a department store can offer general guidance. But they cannot answer specific questions that need an in-depth understanding of design.

Key Takeaways

Here’s why you should pick a furniture store over a department store:

      • Get reclaimed home furnishings
      • Buy unique pieces that aren’t mass-produced
      • Enjoy personalized customer service
      • Get custom-build furniture tailored to your preferences