Tag: custom furniture

Stuff your dream home full of aesthetics by integrating custom furniture that suit every nook and cranny. Take a look now!

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

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.

7 Shopping Tips to Buy New Furniture

Posted: March 12, 2022

1. Measure the Room

Buying new furniture requires a little (okay, a lot) time and effort to get it right. After all, it’s your home and has to make you happy each time you walk into the room. Start by measuring the room, and this should be the first step even before you look for furniture.

Mistakes people make when measuring the room:

      • Measuring only once (do it at least thrice to be sure)
      • Measuring only from wall to wall (don’t ignore the corners and the open spaces)
      • Not making a note of the measurements (no, you won’t remember all those numbers)

If you are replacing existing furniture, measure the furniture and the space it occupies.

2. Take Pictures and Draw a Mock Up

Grab your smartphone first and take pictures of the room from all angles. Use the below questions to angle the camera for pictures.

      • How does the room look from the doorway?
      • Does it feel too cluttered when you stand in a corner?
      • From which window does the light enter the room?

Refer to the pictures when you look for furniture and carry the measurements with you. Better yet, draw a mock-up of the room on a sheet of paper and use it as your reference guide. Using pictures and the mock op design will give you a complete idea of where a piece of furniture will fit. The mock-up will help when you rearrange the new furniture in the room.

3. Research the Materials Used

Always do your research when finalizing a piece of furniture. You need to know the pros and cons of the materials used in making a chair, table, shelf, or any item you want for your home. Pay extra attention to maintenance costs, strength, and durability.
Here are some examples of what you need to find out:

      • What kind of wood is the piece of furniture made of?
      • What are the advantages and disadvantages of heavy/ lightweight furniture?
      • Does the material cause any allergies?
      • How frequently do you have to get it varnished/ repainted?
      • How does Denver’s weather affect the materials?

If you’re dealing with fabrics, get samples (swatches) of the ones you liked. Compare them leisurely and make the final decision.

4. Determine Your Budget

It’s easy to forget other expenses when you think you found ‘the perfect furniture’ for your home. But is it really perfect for you? We’ve got to admit that we have far more important expenses.

How to not overshoot your budget? Let’s take a look:

      • Set a lower and upper limit (for the total amount and individual items)
      • Start looking for pieces in the lower limit
      • Remember that you need to pay for delivery services
      • If you spend more on certain furniture, balance it out by spending less on another

Spend only as much as you can afford, and if you’d instead save more money and then buy, by all means, do that.

5. Sizes, Shapes, and Designs

Whether you are renovating the house or moving to another, the main factors to consider remain the same. What sizes, shapes, and designs should be furniture be?

Have clear answers to questions such as:

      • Do you like vintage and antique stuff or prefer contemporary designs?
      • Does bulky furniture attract your attention or the sleek ones?
      • What colors do you prefer for the furniture?

A combination works for most layouts. For example, a rectangle dining table can be paired with round chairs. A triangle coffee table can be the centerpiece in a room with a plush sofa. Balance heavy items with sleek and sharp pieces to add variety and character to the room.

6. Look Online First

Even if you prefer to buy locally in Denver, you can look online before visiting the furniture store. Several furniture sellers have both online and offline stores. Shorting your favorites will save time when you visit the store. Moreover, you can also read the reviews by other customers to get a better idea about the item.

      • What is the range of collections?
      • Can you order custom pieces?
      • What are the delivery and return policies (online and offline)?
      • How responsive is the business when you contact online?

Another advantage of checking out the online stores is that you’ll have more background information about the seller and their business.

7. Buy When the Time Is Right

It’s more than okay to wait for the right furniture to come your way rather than buy something within a deadline. And if you really need a couch or a chair, check out thrift stores or secondhand stores to get one for a lesser price. It’ll do the job until you find what you want.

Things you shouldn’t do when buying furniture:

      • Compromising on high-end furniture because you need it
      • Buying when you aren’t thoroughly convinced about something
      • Paying more because it’s got more demand and is a current market favorite
      • Rushing into a sale to make the most of it
      • Getting stressed out because you don’t like anything you see

Remember that what’s trending today may not be in style after a couple of years. It’s better to wait and buy when the time is right.

The Pros and Cons of Buying Custom Furniture

Posted: February 17, 2022

pros and cons for custom furniture

The Benefits of Buying Customized Furniture

      • Maximum Customization is allowed with Custom-built Furniture.
          • Made-to-order furniture gives you design flexibility. You can design your furniture that is suitable for your home and space. Customized furniture allows you to suggest a carpenter variety of designs and materials. For example, if you have seen a rectangular dining table somewhere, you can ask to incorporate that design into your coffee table.
          • So how can you customize your furniture?
      • You can experiment with different designs, materials, and colors to create an entirely new set of furniture based on your preferences.
      • You can take assistance from a furniture expert and select suitable designs for your home.

Your design preferences can be accommodated with custom wood furniture. You’ll have complete control over the designs, materials, and colors of every piece of your furniture. On the other hand, prefabricated furniture may not meet your personal expectations. Prefabricated furniture may take up too much or too little space, while custom-built furniture is usually tailored to your specific needs.

1. More Sustainability, More Authenticity

People nowadays would rather have a custom-built set of furniture than one that has been prefabricated. Prefabricated furniture is known for its lower sustainability than its custom-built counterparts. Custom-built furniture’s long-term viability is a step ahead in bringing class and authenticity to your place.

The carpenters keep the environment in mind while making custom-built furniture for you. They create an exclusive set of furniture without hurting the environment. Highlands Ranch residents are known to go for the more progressive alternative to make the neighborhood a better place to live.

How custom-built furniture is sustainable?

      • You can incorporate recycled materials in your set of custom-built furniture. As a result, the custom wood furniture is eco-friendly.
      • Prefabricated furniture produces more wood and metal waste than custom-built furniture.
      • Custom-made furniture is designed to last more than 15 to 20 years with low to no upkeep.

2. An Economic and Time-saving Option

Custom-made furniture is not as expensive or time-consuming as you may believe. Prefabricated furniture neither saves time nor money, contrary to popular belief. Prefabricated furniture does typically cost more and takes longer to arrive. On the other hand, custom-made furniture is a cost-effective and time-saving solution for you.

How can custom-built furniture be economical and save time?

      • Custom-made furniture requires less wood and metals to build. Hence, it takes a lot shorter to make than a prefabricated one.
      • Custom-made furniture carpenters are usually highly motivated specialists. Hence, they typically deliver your set of furniture before time.

Custom-made furniture relieves you from the burden of following up on your products. You can tweak your designs and materials in between and still have your products delivered on time. Custom-built furniture can save you a considerable amount of maintenance money due to its durability. Highlands Ranch is becoming increasingly popular as a community to opt for custom-built furniture.

3. Custom-built Furniture is a Long-term Investment with Value

Custom-made furniture is constructed with materials of your choosing, making it of higher quality than the prefabricated ones. Custom-built furniture carries its own set of quality and durability standards. These custom-built pieces are not only long-lasting but also add value to your space.

Custom-made furniture can upscale the overall look of your home in the neighborhood. The look and feel of your home will enhance without spending a fortune on complete interior designs. Custom-made furniture is less challenging to construct than ready-made ones.

Let’s have a look at how custom-built furniture adds value to your home.

      • Custom-built furniture is the result of your choices and creative inputs. The set of furniture will be a symbol of your vision.
      • Each piece of custom-made furniture is built to be durable and go the extra year with you. Hence, it is an investment that will pay off in the long run.

Pros and Cons of Custom Furniture

The Cons of Buying Customized Furniture

1. You Cannot Cancel Your Custom Orders Midway

The most important thing to keep in mind before ordering custom-made furniture is that you may not be able to cancel once the order is placed. A dedicated workforce is assigned to complete a custom-made set of furniture. So it requires planning and significant efforts to complete your dream furniture.

So what is the downside of canceling a custom order?

      • Custom orders are just like tailored dresses; they do not please or fit everyone.
      • Custom-made furniture is made to reflect your persona in your space. Hence, canceling a personalized order is a wastage of material, effort and time.
      • At times, showrooms may not have the space or the theme to showcase a canceled order.

Companies are usually concerned about their workforce being squandered off due to customization requests and labor. Hence, you should seek assistance from a furniture expert before placing your custom-made furniture order.

2.Risk of Damage and Maintenance

Custom-made furniture is usually made up of high-quality wood. Hence, it carries a significant risk of damage due to poor usage and low maintenance. Custom-made furniture should be well taken care of regularly.

What types of damages are we talking about?

      • Wood is vulnerable to water. Moisture can soak into the wood to swell it up.
      • Heat is another factor that can damage your custom-made furniture. Excess heat can expand the wood and cause it to crack.
      • UV rays from the sunlight can cause your custom-made furniture to change colors.

Maintaining your custom-made furniture can cost you more than a dime, for sure. Customized furniture is a long-term investment, after all. Not every artisan can restore your custom-made furniture to its gone glory. Hence, it is wise to request maintenance from the same company you acquired your furniture from.

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