Though I like to concentrate on the retail furniture market, I also happen to be the father of a 15 month old little girl. That simply means that the line between home and everything else I do blurs often. This is no different. I want to take a day or two here to talk about furniture safety.
Furniture safety is an issue because the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that in 2005, more than 3,000 children under the age of 5 years were treated in ER’s in the US due to injuries associated with televisions tipping over. When other types of furniture tip-overs are thrown in the number becomes even more startling.
The answer is that when there are children in the home or even visiting a home, furniture must be made safe. How can it be made safe or at least safer? There are a couple of things you can do.
First, you can check with your furniture retailer to find out what if any testing has been done on a particular piece. Pay special attention to television stands and entertainment centers. Additionally, look at tall pieces like chests and dressers, which can also be susceptible to tipping and falling.
Secondly, once you do have your furniture purchased and in your home, you should take the time to “child proof” it. That means you must make drawers harder to open by putting child safety latches on them. Additionally, you can use child safety tethers to get them to connect to the wall to help prevent tipping.
Finally, check with baby safety websites to see what there is you can do. Look for products to make furniture safer, and try to be thorough in your furniture safety.
There is no way to make anything safe one hundred percent of the time. What you can do, though, is stay aware and do your homework.
Over the next day or two, I will research a little more and add links to sites where you can learn more about furniture safety. I will also link to some products I have used in my home or that have been recommended to me be experts so that you can find what you need to make your furniture not only beautiful and functional, but also safe.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
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What About Custom Furniture?
If you can afford it and it is an option for you, I think custom furniture is a fantastic idea. There are a number of furniture companies out there, usually small, that will basically make what you want to your specifics. In most cases, they are certainly worth it.
Why do I love the idea of custom furniture? When it comes right down to it, furniture is a “feel” purchase. It is something you get because of the way it makes you feel to look at it, use it, or decorate your home with it. When you buy custom furniture, you are buying furniture that will absolutely positively be what you envision and what you want.
Secondly, custom furniture is going to be better functioning in almost every case than what you would buy on a furniture retail floor. If, for instance, you are buying an entertainment center for your home, a custom made piece of furniture would fit your entertainment components more exactly in most cases. Additionally, a custom made sofa will fit your room better.
Finally, custom furniture is usually of very high quality. Since you, the customer, are choosing materials, you are helping ensure quality. Also, with the right custom furniture company you are involved in virtually every step which also helps with guaranteeing quality.
The only real drawback of custom made furniture is that you will likely find yourself spending a lot of money. When you get to choose the wood, the fabric, the size, the hardware, and every other feature of your furniture, you can expect to pay for it. For many of us, that is simply not an option. On the other hand, it may be a great way to ensure that you will have a piece of furniture that you can pass down for generations. In the end, that just might make it worth the extra few zeros on the price.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Why do I love the idea of custom furniture? When it comes right down to it, furniture is a “feel” purchase. It is something you get because of the way it makes you feel to look at it, use it, or decorate your home with it. When you buy custom furniture, you are buying furniture that will absolutely positively be what you envision and what you want.
Secondly, custom furniture is going to be better functioning in almost every case than what you would buy on a furniture retail floor. If, for instance, you are buying an entertainment center for your home, a custom made piece of furniture would fit your entertainment components more exactly in most cases. Additionally, a custom made sofa will fit your room better.
Finally, custom furniture is usually of very high quality. Since you, the customer, are choosing materials, you are helping ensure quality. Also, with the right custom furniture company you are involved in virtually every step which also helps with guaranteeing quality.
The only real drawback of custom made furniture is that you will likely find yourself spending a lot of money. When you get to choose the wood, the fabric, the size, the hardware, and every other feature of your furniture, you can expect to pay for it. For many of us, that is simply not an option. On the other hand, it may be a great way to ensure that you will have a piece of furniture that you can pass down for generations. In the end, that just might make it worth the extra few zeros on the price.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Sofa Slipcovers: Worth it?
Personally, I hate sofa slipcovers. Then again, that is based almost exclusively on the fact that a) I am a man and b) I am lazy. I guess, then, that I should talk about them more in the practical sense. I can do that, I think, but when it comes right down to it a sofa slipcover is all about personal preference and how much work you want to put into your sofa.
Sofa slipcovers, if you don’t know (which would surprise me, but bare with me for those who stumbled across this blog on accident and are still reading), are basically clothes for your couch. A sofa slipcover is shaped like a sofa and “slips” over it to cover it. They allow you to protect the original sofa with a cover that can be cleaned more easily. They also allow you to change the look and color of your sofa readily. These are certainly positives.
Additionally, the right sofa slipcover can give your sofa a great shabby chic look that is pretty popular. It is very much a Greenwich Village look for those of you into that New York loft appeal. So, again, that is certainly a positive. What’s not to like? There are actually a couple of things of which I think you should beware when considering a sofa slipcover.
For one, you have to beware of badly made sofa slipcovers. For instance, many are made of cotton. Cotton shrinks, cotton stains, and cotton tears. These are also three things you don’t want happening to a slipcover. So if you decide you do want a sofa slipcover, either avoid cotton or at least look for a well made, preshrunk cotton that will help you avoid these pitfalls.
Secondly, slipcovers are made separately from sofas (unless you buy a slipcover sofa, but that is for another time). That means that you have to make sure that the sofa slipcover you buy will fit your existing sofa. If it does not, then you are stuck with either a poorly fitting cover or with making a trip back to the store to exchange and possibly not for the first time.
So the best way to think of it is this: if you are going to get a sofa slipcover be careful. Shop around, look online, look in stores, and measure carefully (as you should do with any furniture purchase). Then again, you could just go with the sofa you bought anyway and not cover it at all. Or maybe that’s just me!
Sofa slipcovers, if you don’t know (which would surprise me, but bare with me for those who stumbled across this blog on accident and are still reading), are basically clothes for your couch. A sofa slipcover is shaped like a sofa and “slips” over it to cover it. They allow you to protect the original sofa with a cover that can be cleaned more easily. They also allow you to change the look and color of your sofa readily. These are certainly positives.
Additionally, the right sofa slipcover can give your sofa a great shabby chic look that is pretty popular. It is very much a Greenwich Village look for those of you into that New York loft appeal. So, again, that is certainly a positive. What’s not to like? There are actually a couple of things of which I think you should beware when considering a sofa slipcover.
For one, you have to beware of badly made sofa slipcovers. For instance, many are made of cotton. Cotton shrinks, cotton stains, and cotton tears. These are also three things you don’t want happening to a slipcover. So if you decide you do want a sofa slipcover, either avoid cotton or at least look for a well made, preshrunk cotton that will help you avoid these pitfalls.
Secondly, slipcovers are made separately from sofas (unless you buy a slipcover sofa, but that is for another time). That means that you have to make sure that the sofa slipcover you buy will fit your existing sofa. If it does not, then you are stuck with either a poorly fitting cover or with making a trip back to the store to exchange and possibly not for the first time.
So the best way to think of it is this: if you are going to get a sofa slipcover be careful. Shop around, look online, look in stores, and measure carefully (as you should do with any furniture purchase). Then again, you could just go with the sofa you bought anyway and not cover it at all. Or maybe that’s just me!
Why Consider Pine Furniture?
Somewhere along the line in furniture history, consumers were convinced that the only worthwhile wooden furniture is made of oak. I used to work the sales floor constantly answering oak questions: where is your solid oak furniture? Do you have this in oak? Is a Chinese hardwood the same thing as oak? At the same time, many of the same furniture consumers also decided that pine was bad. Pine, I believe, gets a bad rap.
Granted, pine is a soft wood as opposed to the hardwoods like, yes, oak. However, pine furniture is still very durable and quite lovely. In addition to that, it is usually a lot less expensive than the coveted oak furniture that so many seek. Let’s take a quick look at the negatives and positives of pine furniture.
On the negative side, it is a soft wood and will thus scratch and nick up easier than furniture made of hardwood. It is lighter in both weight and color as well. Finally, pine does not have a grain with as much beauty as most feel oak does.
On the positive side, though, pine furniture is a lot less expensive. In addition, if you buy a set that is made to look distressed, the nicks and scratches will blend right in anyway. Even if you are buying a hardwood piece of furniture, the distressed look is both practical and popular anyway. Finally, if you buy solid pine furniture, it is still solid wood. That means it will still be very durable and will likely last as long as an oak piece, only with more dents and scratches.
So if you like the idea of having solid wood furniture for your home, consider looking at pine. It will save you money and still look great. Pine gets a bad rap, so give it a chance and you will see just how great a pine set can be for you.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Beware of Sectional Sofas
There is no doubt about it; sectional sofas can be luxurious, comfortable, and even practical in many situations. There are, though, reasons for furniture buyers to beware of the sectional sofa lure. They can be both inflexible and impractical so that buyers can end up regretting their purchase no matter how nice or “high end” it is.
First of all, there is nothing wrong with sectional sofas in and of themselves. They can offer you a great deal of seating as well as a great setup for home theater entertainment. The only problem is that you really have to be sure of what you want, or at least shop around for something that has some flexibility to it.
Many sectional sofas are limited to only one or two configurations. They end up fitting only in a particular corner or facing a particular direction. If you know your room, have no intention of moving, and have no intention of changing the furniture layout in your room, then you have no worries.
On the other hand, if you ever move or change your room, you could be backed into a corner that will force you to buy new furniture for the room. And who wants to do that? I have seen it happen many times, and in fact I used to actually try to talk customers out of sectionals (despite the nice commission) because I just saw far too many problems.
Fear not, though, you can still have your cake and eat it too. You just have to be vigilant and thorough in your search for the right sectional sofa. Look for something that is flexible. There are many sets out there that are made up of series of square pieces that allow for virtually any configuration. Additionally, you can look for other flexible features that will make your sectional sofa moveable and practical no matter where you live in the future. Just make sure that what you find is also comfortable so that you will love it long term.
Sectional sofas are certainly not bad. They just require that you do even more measuring and planning than you would with a traditional sofa set. If you are in the market for a sectional sofa, watch for online displays that show you the options, talk to your sales consultant at the store, and make sure you take your time. Finding the right sectional sofa can be very exciting, but finding the wrong one can make for a disaster.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Bedroom Shopping Advice: Splurge on the Mattress before the Set
I used to see it all the time; a couple comes in and spends $10,000 on their new bedroom set, but only is willing to buy the $399 king set from the cheap “end” of the mattress displays to go with it. There are many reasons for this, but the biggest reason is that furniture and mattress customers never stop to think about the importance of a mattress.
For most consumers, a mattress is the only piece of furniture in the entire home with a direct influence on their health and physical happiness. A good mattress can help you get better sleep and have a healthier back and joints. A bad mattress can make you tired, grumpy, and even take away from your performance at work.
I will save my thoughts on selecting the right mattress for later in the week, but suffice to say that I think if you are going to splurge on one thing and skimp on the other, skimp on the bedroom set. How many people are going to see your bedroom versus the amount of time you will spend on your mattress? You already know the answer.
Choose a mattress that feels good, that you know you will look forward to sleeping on, and that will be good for your back and joints. You will have to spend some money, but in the case of mattresses it is money well spent. Certainly, your mattress will do you more good than the mahogany bedroom set with the brushed nickel hardware, right?
If you just have to have that bedroom set, though, think about skipping the armoire or one of the night stands and putting a little extra toward a nicer mattress. Or maybe go for the mattress you love and a king bed frame rather than the $2,000 sleigh bed and cheap mattress.
Either way, the point is that while I encourage you to buy a bedroom set you love; I also encourage you to find a mattress that you will love. Find a way to make it happen and you will be glad you did. Remember, your mattress is that one piece you can pick up at a furniture store that will influence your health, your happiness, and even your job performance. Isn’t worth a few hundred extra dollars?
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Relax, It's Only Furniture
I think that one of the best ways you can ensure your happiness when it comes to furniture shopping is to remember that it is furniture. There were many times when, as a store manager, I was able to relax an angry customer by saying something to the effect of “sir, just relax. It is only furniture and we will get this taken care of.” I do not say this to belittle the importance you may place on the furnishing of your home, but rather to remind you that furniture is not worth going crazy over. Yes, you spend a lot of money on it, but at the end of the day, worst case scenario, you can get the money back and start over, right?
In that vein, I just wanted to give you a little furniture humor. Check out this site and you will see that furniture is fun, furniture is funny, and furniture need not get your blood pressure up. Keep your cool, enjoy the process, and have faith that errors can be corrected.
Hope this helps
The Furniture Guy
What’s the Rush: Furniture Shopping and Buying Should Happen at the Right Pace
Back in my days as a furniture salesperson, I got a good feel for what types of customers most often ended up unhappy. There are, of course, those that just won’t ever be satisfied, the ones that don’t understand that there is no such thing as perfect furniture, and then there was the hurrier.
The hurrier thinks that he or she must find the right piece of furniture TODAY. He or she also wants that piece of furniture today in the next 10 minutes or it is quite possible the world as we know it will end. To those hurriers out there, I say: take your time. Furniture is not a hurry purchase.
First of all, most furniture retailers worth their salt will turn over styles and models almost constantly. If you don’t see what you want, or something you really like, then wait. Wait until you find the piece that is truly going to make you happy. What, though, if you cant find that piece?
Try special ordering if you have to. If you have to wait 6-8 weeks to get that recliner in the color you want, then do it. Being satisfied with your purchase and happy with your furniture is much more important than being able to pay, pull around, and pick it up in back to take home. Sure, if that happens it is great, but relax and make sure that you will be happy no matter how long it takes.
Secondly, make sure that what you are looking for exists. Yes, people do ask for things they have imagined and have never seen. If that is the case, then you will likely only find your vision from a local custom furniture builder, and not from your local retailer. Retailers are at the mercy of trends and of manufacturers. Your vision may not fit into those.
In the end, I am just trying to tell you to relax. Make furniture shopping leisurely and not a sprint to find the piece closest to what you want as fast as you can. When you are unhappy with your purchase it will hurt you, your retailer, and your salesperson. All you have to do is wait an extra day, week, or month and get it right.
The hurrier thinks that he or she must find the right piece of furniture TODAY. He or she also wants that piece of furniture today in the next 10 minutes or it is quite possible the world as we know it will end. To those hurriers out there, I say: take your time. Furniture is not a hurry purchase.
First of all, most furniture retailers worth their salt will turn over styles and models almost constantly. If you don’t see what you want, or something you really like, then wait. Wait until you find the piece that is truly going to make you happy. What, though, if you cant find that piece?
Try special ordering if you have to. If you have to wait 6-8 weeks to get that recliner in the color you want, then do it. Being satisfied with your purchase and happy with your furniture is much more important than being able to pay, pull around, and pick it up in back to take home. Sure, if that happens it is great, but relax and make sure that you will be happy no matter how long it takes.
Secondly, make sure that what you are looking for exists. Yes, people do ask for things they have imagined and have never seen. If that is the case, then you will likely only find your vision from a local custom furniture builder, and not from your local retailer. Retailers are at the mercy of trends and of manufacturers. Your vision may not fit into those.
In the end, I am just trying to tell you to relax. Make furniture shopping leisurely and not a sprint to find the piece closest to what you want as fast as you can. When you are unhappy with your purchase it will hurt you, your retailer, and your salesperson. All you have to do is wait an extra day, week, or month and get it right.
8-Way Hand Tied Versus Pirelli Webbing
At Gardenweb, in their furniture forum, there was a discussion about 8 way hand tied sofas versus those using Pirelli webbing. I have to tell you, this comes up a lot. I know that I had many customers ask me about this. I will give you my opinion, but in the end you are obviously going to have to choose for yourself.
If you don’t know, these two phrases refer to the way the seating on your sofa is supported. With Pirelli webbing, there is generally a series of coil or sinuous springs covered by the webbing. The webbing itself is a highly resilient material that is used in everything from airlines to automobiles. Few will deny that it is strong and wears well. On the other hand, 8-way hand tied uses a series of twine strings tied, by hand, 8 ways to support the seat. Many swear by it as both traditional and superior. It is not unusual to hear stories of old 8 way hand tied sofas lasting for 50 years.
But which is better?
First off, 8 way hand tied is going to be more expensive than a sofa using Pirelli webbing. That is just a fact. So, if cost is a concern, you may want to go ahead and cross off 8 way hand tied from your list of options.
As for which is actually superior, it is hard to argue with history. On the other hand, Pirelli webbing has not been around long enough to truly know. I do know this: it lasted as long as I wanted my sofa. I have never owned 8-way hand tied because I felt it was too expensive, but it is traditionally considered to be a sign of fine craftsmanship (hence the price).
I guess what I would tell you is that you have to consider what you want out of your sofa. If you want to spend a lot of money on something that you plan to hand down for generations, then you may want to watch for that 8 way hand tied Italian leather sofa. For most of us, though, the Pirelli webbing is more practical. It will surely last 10-20 years (long enough to get the kids out of the house), and you will be able to get it at a much more reasonable price.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
If you don’t know, these two phrases refer to the way the seating on your sofa is supported. With Pirelli webbing, there is generally a series of coil or sinuous springs covered by the webbing. The webbing itself is a highly resilient material that is used in everything from airlines to automobiles. Few will deny that it is strong and wears well. On the other hand, 8-way hand tied uses a series of twine strings tied, by hand, 8 ways to support the seat. Many swear by it as both traditional and superior. It is not unusual to hear stories of old 8 way hand tied sofas lasting for 50 years.
But which is better?
First off, 8 way hand tied is going to be more expensive than a sofa using Pirelli webbing. That is just a fact. So, if cost is a concern, you may want to go ahead and cross off 8 way hand tied from your list of options.
As for which is actually superior, it is hard to argue with history. On the other hand, Pirelli webbing has not been around long enough to truly know. I do know this: it lasted as long as I wanted my sofa. I have never owned 8-way hand tied because I felt it was too expensive, but it is traditionally considered to be a sign of fine craftsmanship (hence the price).
I guess what I would tell you is that you have to consider what you want out of your sofa. If you want to spend a lot of money on something that you plan to hand down for generations, then you may want to watch for that 8 way hand tied Italian leather sofa. For most of us, though, the Pirelli webbing is more practical. It will surely last 10-20 years (long enough to get the kids out of the house), and you will be able to get it at a much more reasonable price.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
What to Look for in a Sleeper Sofa
It seems that when it comes to sleeper sofas, many people have no idea what to look for or what to expect when they enter that showroom. As with most types of furniture, though, one of the biggest factors in getting the right sleeper sofa is having the right expectations. Hopefully a little information about sleeper sofas and what you should expect can also help you to find the best one for you.
First of all, if you are looking at sleeper sofas, you should understand that there really is no such thing as a really comfortable one (the bed, not the sofa seat). Sure, we can put men in space, build sports domes, and clone sheep, but the truly comfortable bed from a sofa sleeper still eludes mankind so far as I have found or been told about. At best, you are looking for something that is tolerable for one or two nights. If you are looking for more, you are probably actually looking for a futon.
Secondly, sleeper sofas rarely, if ever, feel the same as their non-sleeper counterparts. Having a bed inside the sofa is undoubtedly going to make it feel different when you sit on it. Your sofa will be more firm, but it may also keep its firmness longer, if that is something you like.
Third, your sleeper sofa is going to be heavy…real heavy. When you get it, you should consider that when thinking about deliver versus pickup of your piece of furniture. Because of the weight, your sleeper sofa may also be difficult to maneuver through doorways and down hallways. Just make sure you keep that in mind as you shop.
When you get to the point where you are looking for a good sleeper sofa, though, there are a few things to look at for quality. First of all, look for something with a decent warranty on the sleeper mechanism as well as the sleeper mattress. Obviously, neither will last like a real bed will, but you should have some insurance of quality from the maker or the retailer. Just make sure you ask.
Finally, try out the beds. When you are the furniture store, check out the sleepers completely. Sit on them closed and lie on the sofa sleepers when they are folded out. Find the one that not only feels the most comfortable (or least uncomfortable as it were), but also the one that seems like it will hold up.
Getting a sleeper sofa does not have to be difficult. You just need to go in knowing what to expect and ready to truly investigate the pieces there on the showfloor.
Hope all of this helps,
The Furniture Guy
First of all, if you are looking at sleeper sofas, you should understand that there really is no such thing as a really comfortable one (the bed, not the sofa seat). Sure, we can put men in space, build sports domes, and clone sheep, but the truly comfortable bed from a sofa sleeper still eludes mankind so far as I have found or been told about. At best, you are looking for something that is tolerable for one or two nights. If you are looking for more, you are probably actually looking for a futon.
Secondly, sleeper sofas rarely, if ever, feel the same as their non-sleeper counterparts. Having a bed inside the sofa is undoubtedly going to make it feel different when you sit on it. Your sofa will be more firm, but it may also keep its firmness longer, if that is something you like.
Third, your sleeper sofa is going to be heavy…real heavy. When you get it, you should consider that when thinking about deliver versus pickup of your piece of furniture. Because of the weight, your sleeper sofa may also be difficult to maneuver through doorways and down hallways. Just make sure you keep that in mind as you shop.
When you get to the point where you are looking for a good sleeper sofa, though, there are a few things to look at for quality. First of all, look for something with a decent warranty on the sleeper mechanism as well as the sleeper mattress. Obviously, neither will last like a real bed will, but you should have some insurance of quality from the maker or the retailer. Just make sure you ask.
Finally, try out the beds. When you are the furniture store, check out the sleepers completely. Sit on them closed and lie on the sofa sleepers when they are folded out. Find the one that not only feels the most comfortable (or least uncomfortable as it were), but also the one that seems like it will hold up.
Getting a sleeper sofa does not have to be difficult. You just need to go in knowing what to expect and ready to truly investigate the pieces there on the showfloor.
Hope all of this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Furniture Complaints Site Worth a Look
I know I already told you about the importance of the Consumer Reports website, but I wanted to give a quick link to another consumer site that will make things even easier for anyone shopping for furniture. This one will simplify your search for what you want, and it will also prepare you for what can go wrong with furniture shopping. Yes, it is true; things do go wrong with furniture (gasp!).
Consumer Affairs has their own website that is worth a visit, but I want to be a little more specific. If you go to their furniture section, they have a list of typical complaints they get for various stores, manufacturers, and distributors. Additionally, they explain ways to avoid problems (read warranty and guarantee information, etc.).
After reading it over, I would definitely recommend paying a visit to Consumer Affairs site before doing any shopping. I wouldn’t completely write off anyone appearing on the report, but I would read it to prepare myself for what is to come. Furniture shopping is a lot easier when you have all the information.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Lazyboy or Lane?
Recently, I have gotten two questions about Lane versus LazyBoy on my own and have seen another one on a message board (by the way, this is a good board for exchanging information or finding others to compare furniture information with). So let me just real quickly give you my feelings on the two.
To put it simply, I think they are both fantastic companies that make good solid motion furniture. I believe that no matter which way you go, you will be getting a good product. Some help huh? I know that seems like a cop out, but it is the truth. In the end, I think you need to look at both products IN PERSON and make your decision from there. Sit in the pieces you are looking at, feel them, and try out the reclining mechanism on both types (there is a definite difference in the feel of a LazyBoy reclining mechanism and a Lane mechanism.
Finally, consider the warranties. Both offer nice warranties, and it is certainly worth your while to look over the manufacturer warranties for both Lane and LazyBoy at these links. While they are similar, there are differences you may want to look over.
In the end, I can’t, in good conscience, tell you whether you should buy a Lane or LazyBoy (or any other major motion furniture manufacturer). If either was clearly better than the other, I would certainly say so, and I can tell you that my personal preference is lane. That preference, though, is based on personal tendencies and not in any way on quality. So just know that both are worth your time for sure and that the only way to make the right decision is by trying out both types for yourself.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
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To put it simply, I think they are both fantastic companies that make good solid motion furniture. I believe that no matter which way you go, you will be getting a good product. Some help huh? I know that seems like a cop out, but it is the truth. In the end, I think you need to look at both products IN PERSON and make your decision from there. Sit in the pieces you are looking at, feel them, and try out the reclining mechanism on both types (there is a definite difference in the feel of a LazyBoy reclining mechanism and a Lane mechanism.
Finally, consider the warranties. Both offer nice warranties, and it is certainly worth your while to look over the manufacturer warranties for both Lane and LazyBoy at these links. While they are similar, there are differences you may want to look over.
In the end, I can’t, in good conscience, tell you whether you should buy a Lane or LazyBoy (or any other major motion furniture manufacturer). If either was clearly better than the other, I would certainly say so, and I can tell you that my personal preference is lane. That preference, though, is based on personal tendencies and not in any way on quality. So just know that both are worth your time for sure and that the only way to make the right decision is by trying out both types for yourself.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
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What I REALLY Think of Online Retailers
The question I keep getting is about my opposition to buying furniture online, so I think it is time for me to clarify my feelings on this. Understand that I am in no way knocking or endorsing any online furniture stores, I am sure many are great businesses. My issue is this, though: furniture is a “feel” purchase for most people. They want to feel the furniture under them, put their hand on the top of the dresser, touch the leather against their arms on the recliner, and feel the mattress under their backs. When you shop and buy online, that is just not possible. I do, though, believe that there is value in online furniture sales.
For one, I think there is nothing wrong with looking at, trying out, and feeling furniture at a local store and then making the purchase online if it saves you money. Buying furniture online can certainly get you savings depending on where in the world you live and what you are buying. If that is the case, then by all means make your purchase, but do not shop, decide, and buy online or I think you are putting yourself in position to be disappointed.
Secondly, online furniture stores can help you get an idea about price points, styles, and specs when you walk into your local retailer. Once there, you can use the knowledge you gain online to get pointed toward the styles, prices, and even brands you think you may like. Check out manufacturer websites along with online retailers to find out information about various pieces, the manufacturer of those pieces, and specs that will help you decide what will and will not fit in your room.
Finally, if you do opt to use an online furniture store, make sure you have all the information. Part of my bias against online furniture shopping comes from bad experiences relayed to me by customers. Understand how the return policies and warranties work with your online retailer before you do anything. There are times that a return to an online store is very costly compared to that of a local retailer. The more you know, the better your experience may be.
Though I do have some reservations about shopping and buying furniture online, there is value to online retailers. Use them to make a final purchase if it saves you money; after all, saving money is a big part of the retail furniture battle. Additionally, use them to gain information you can use in a local store. Finally, whatever you decide, make sure you have all the information you need to make your experience a good one. In the end, I just want you to get the furniture you want, at a good price, and with the support and customer service you deserve as a consumer.
I hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
Caring for Leather Furniture
Despite the belief of many out there, caring for leather furniture is not all that difficult. It requires only that you maintain somewhat of a routine and that you understand certain characteristics of leather. The following should help you attain both of those.
First of all, with leather furniture, you should understand that there will be some wear. This Patina, which will develop given enough time on even the most heavily treated leather, should be embraced. Much like the again of human skin, it is easier just to accept that it will go through changes. You will see these changes around where the hands, arms, and head touch your furniture the most. Oils from the body create wear by being absorbed into the leather furniture.
Secondly, by simply wiping down your leather furniture with a damp cloth a couple of times a month, then drying it with a soft towel you can save a great deal of wear and tear. This will remove dust and dirt that naturally settle on your leather furniture and can hasten the wear and tear on it as well as speed up the process of breaking down the quality of the leather. Sure, leather creams and treatments are nice, but simply washing off your leather a couple of times a month will do a world of good without costing you a fortune. Additionally, when you dust your home, dust your leather furniture too just for good measure.
Finally, do treat your leather from time to time. Find a lotion or cream you like what will help keep your leather soft. This is particularly important in the drier climates like Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado where there is little moisture in the air to keep the leather soft naturally.
There is not a lot to keeping your leather furniture sound, but cleaning it and treating it regularly should help your leather to last you for years to come.
Hope this helps,
The Furniture Guy
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