Decorating


Friday, June 18th, 2010

Selecting the perfect furniture for your children’s bedroom

5001Your children’s room is very important to them. It is one of the few places in the home they call their own and many times they will find refuge there.  The different pieces of furniture you furnish their room with will make or break their bedroom and can create a very un-enjoyable environment.

Selecting the correct pieces of furniture is absolutely a must. The following steps will help in the process of assembling a perfect youth bedroom.

  1. Find out what he or she wants in their room. They are the ones that are going to be spending all their time there.  So make sure it is filled with things they want.
  2. Based on how much space you have to work with, the bed is the essential piece of furniture you will buy. Make sure it is as convenient as it is comfortable. Your choices will consist of day beds, bunk bed, lofts, day beds, and storage beds.
  3. Color schemes. This is vital when buying furniture. Lots of kids’ bedroom sets come in assorted color schemes so discuss with your child the color scheme he or she likes best.
  4. Your child most likely will have homework and thus needs a place to do it. Find a desk that he or she can easily fit into, preferably with a book shelf.  Homework is not fun, so make sure their desk is comfortable. Find a matching, comfortable chair for the desk also.
  5. A night stand is next on the list. You child will need a place to put an alarm clock or their glasses once it is time for bed.
  6. Finally, for extra storage, a dresser, armoire, or trunk will work well and keep the room clutter free.

When designing a bedroom your children will adore, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those perfect kid bedroom pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so your children will have a place they can call their own.

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

Placing bedroom furniture so you can wake up pain free

B3600How many times have you awaken from a great night’s sleep only to have your morning ruined by the painful feeling of banging one of your toes or shins against a dresser or another piece of furniture?
It has happened to all of us at one time or another, but the great thing is it doesn’t have to anymore! Arranging the furniture in your bedroom can be tricky, especially when you are working with limited space. The following steps will help you not only add more comfort and style to your bedroom, but it will save you from mornings filled will toe throbbing pain:
1.    Sketch the layout of your bedroom on a piece of paper. Include measurements and placement of all radiators, doors, and windows.
2.    Get the measurements of all your furniture. You can either write it down or if you are creative enough, make cutouts of each furniture piece.
3.    Place the cutouts on the paper and move them around until you get the desired layout you want. Make sure the spacing between furniture pieces is big enough, giving you the peace of mind knowing that you won’t be bumping into anything when you wake up.
4.    Make sure your room is clutter free! Clearing out clutter from the corners of the room will give you better energy flow. Exposed electrical equipment emits electromagnetic waves, which can hinder a peaceful night of sleep. Instead, hide wires from electrical equipment in units with doors.

When designing the layout of your bedroom, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those perfect bedroom pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you can start your mornings off pain free!

Monday, June 7th, 2010

Putting together the perfect guest room

putting together the perfect guest roomSpending the night in an unfamiliar room can be such a drag sometimes, especially when the sleeping conditions are reminiscent of sleeping in the great outdoors.  So why would you want to put your guest through that same experience?

Take into consideration the things that make you feel at peace when staying in an unfamiliar place.  This is the most important factor to make your guests feel right at home in a guest room. It will also give them a warm and cozy feeling knowing their comfort was thought of when you invited them into your home.

Follow these suggestions when shopping at your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to create a comfortable, relaxing experience for your guests:

  1. Keep it clutter free. Remove any furniture that might give the room a cluttered feel. Guests will feel more at home if they have enough room to accommodate themselves.
  2. Don’t furnish with all your unwanted furniture. This too can make a room feel cluttered and hodge-podge.
  3. Give the bed all the comfort you would want if you were sleeping on it. Provide extra pillows and don’t skimp on the linens. A thick duvet isn’t a bad idea either.
  4. Provide a nightstand next to the bed. This could be a great place for a lamp for reading purposes.
  5. Place a bowl of candy, magazines, books or flowers in the room to make your guests feel welcomed.
  6. Hang a mirror on the wall so they have a place to freshen up.
  7. A clock radio, wastebasket, iron and ironing board, tissues and a bottle of water are nice personal touches.

When creating a comfortable guest room for your dearest friends, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to find the perfect pieces of furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection that will give your guest a home away from home experience.

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

Tranquility right in your own home

tranquil roomEverybody needs peace and quite some time or another. Whether it’s after a long days work or you have a huge decision to make, tranquility can play a huge role in rejuvenating you. But where can you go to get peace? How about right in the comforts of your own home! With just a little help and some creativity, and your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee, you can create a little room in your home where relaxation will always be waiting for you. Follow these steps to creating your own tranquil area.

1. Choose a room in your home where there will be few to no distractions from others. A lightly trafficked area is best like a bedroom or office area.  The main idea here is to create a personal and uncluttered place that inspires you to feel relaxed.

2. Focus on beauty when decorating. It doesn’t take a lot, but just a couple of objects. It can be a photo of a loved one, a candle, flower, or some type of memento that relaxes you. Something personal. Regardless of what the object is you choose, keep it simple when it comes to color. White and pure colors are usually the color of choice. A nice comfortable chair is also key. The idea is to be relaxed. Relaxing means putting your whole body in a comfortable state. What better reach that goal than a comfortable chair.

3. Stimulate your senses. Aroma and sounds enhance peaceful feeling in people. Some type of scented candle or table top waterfall for noise are usually the objects of choice,  but music can also play a huge role in achieving tranquility.

4. Take advantage of it. It is really pointless to set up an area and not use it. If you have a moment or you are by yourself, take advantage or the area you created. It’s not enough just to have the space available, it’s about taking the time out of your hectic workday and relaxing.

When trying to set up a tranquil room in your home, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to purchase the items you need to find peace in your home.

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

Deciding on the design of your sofa

pleated skirtNow that you have picked out what style of sofa best suits your family needs, it is time to think about design features.

This glossary will help you deciding and define the features you want in a sofa. You’ll find sofas at your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee in every style and design at prices to meet every budget!

Feet: Yes, a sofa has feet! Exposed feet are typically wood or metal. If you room is formal or contemporary, then you should lean in the direction of wooden feet. Modern styled sofas usually come with feet made of metals or other mixed materials.

Skirt: If you decide that you don’t want your sofa’s feet to show, there are many skirted options. Casual and traditional styled sofas often have skirts that can be pleated, gathered or tailored with matching or contrasting fabric patterns.

Arms: Arms can be high, low, wide, narrow, curved, or straight. Choose an arm style that you’re your body and your room’s use – will you be snoozing here, lying down to watch a movie, or serving tea? The arm height also influences the height of your end tables.

Back: The sofa back can be tightly stuffed, tufted or pillowed. Pillows can be attached, semi-attached or detached in matching or contrasting upholstery patterns. Contemporary sofas typically have a clean,, tight back while fluffy pillowed backs adorn casual designs.

Seat Cushions: Sofas have one to three seat cushions in a variety of fill  techniques and materials that greatly affect comfort, quality, durability and price.

Toss Pillows: Toss pillows are sometimes optional and other times included with a sofa. You can easily change the look of your room with different pillows in bright fabrics with fun or fanciful trims. Toss pillows are like jewelry for your sofa!

Next week we will continue with the size, fabric, and comfort of sofas and how they will complete your rooms design.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Sunday, May 9th, 2010

Using bright colors to spice up your home

turquoise1Say goodbye to the days of pale sea blues and aqua’s. Sprint 2010 is here and with that comes a forecast of bright and vibrant colors!  Strong intense blues like peacock, teal, and royal are making their ways into homes across America.  However, the color of choice of this very bright season is turquoise.  Moods are known to be stimulated by bright colors and can be greatly affected by them. Blues are known for providing tranquility and freshness, giving any room a sense of well being. Bright blues will just emphasize those feelings making your room a place everyone will want to be.

We tend to lean to the safe side when purchasing larger ticket items, like a sofa or dining table, from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee. This means browns and beiges will most likely be the color of your furniture purchases. These neutral colors can be given some spirit by accenting them with bright colors. A turquoise throw pillow or lamp will add style and energy to the room.

Bright colored accent pieces can also be easy on your budget and be easily replaced in the changing seasons. You probably will not want bright turquoise colored throw pillows during Christmas time, so going bright on small accent pieces can give you the luxury of changing the style of your room easily and affordably.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Accent your living room with end tables

End TablesEnd tables are the perfect accent piece for finishing off the beautiful look of your living room!

Used for lamps, extra storage for remotes and magazines, and a place to put keys or even a cup, end tables serve many proposes but most of all add style to your room.

When deciding on what end table to buy from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee, the single most important factor you need to consider is the scale of furniture you will place it next too. Small tables with short legs will look awkward when located next to larger couches with lots of volume.  Your end tables need to be proportionate in size to the couches, sofas, and chairs by which they are placed.

End tables should measure about three inches above or below the arm of the piece they will be next too. This will allow them to be reachable when you are sitting. Nothing is more frustrating than going to place a drink down and having to either stand or reach way over the arm of the chair to set it down.

The design of the end tables should match the style of the room they are located in. That does not necessarily mean they should match the other furniture pieces exactly, but should overall match the design of the room. End tables are meant to stick out and be noticeable. Stay away from purchasing ones that have the same exact design of your couch they will be placed next too. Be creative.

Finally, the construction and materials they are created with should be both sturdy and durable. End tables are meant to get a lot of use and have things placed on them . Over a period of time the wear and tear can have a damaging effect to them so make sure they are well-built. Metal frames are the most sturdy but if you are looking for wood end tables, make sure they are made of real wood material. Tables made of press wood are more likely to get damaged if they get wet.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Saturday, April 24th, 2010

Setting up a home office

home officeIn today’s economy, more and more people are finding it easier to run businesses from the comforts of their own homes.  The results of this growing trend mean people are setting aside areas of their home as their office and most importantly now have to buy office furniture.

Whether you are buying a new desk or chair, knowing what to look for can be the difference between enjoyable working area or a painful one.   Follow this guideline for buying office furniture from purchased from your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee and set up your perfect office today!

  1. First, always measure the area you are going to set up as your office before you go out to buy. Knowing these measurements will help you decide what furniture you can purchase for your home office.
  2. Comfort and functionality always trumps looks. You are going to be spending hours at this desk so make sure it is the right height and size for you. Larger desks does not always mean better. Find something you can sit at comfortably.
  3. Think about the materials the desk is constructed out of. Always look for durability. Metal desk are known to hold up longer than wood desks. This is great especially if you have young kids. Wood desks can sometimes be more executive looking, but can get banged up and chipped. Also metal desks are much more easy to clean.
  4. Set a budget. Knowing your limit will help you decide what you can and can’t afford. This budget will help you avoid impulse buying.
  5. Pick a chair that is comfortable, adjustable, and can roll easily on all different types of floor coverings.  The chair is the most important thing you are going to buy. You will be sitting in this chair for hours so do not skimp on this purchase. A little pain in your wallet will be far less than that great pain in your back.
  6. Finally, research. Go online and do some research to see what stores have what offers. This will save you a ton of time and allow you to make great purchases.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Friday, April 9th, 2010

Accessorize!!

accessorize“Oh, NO! Why doesn’t my new sofa look as good in my home as it did in the store?”

We have all asked ourselves this question and it’s one of the most frustrating dilemmas for furniture consumers today. What can you do when the piece of furniture you have just spent countless hours shopping for has a completely different look in your home than it did in the store, magazine or photograph that inspired you?

The solution is simple: Accessories!

Professional designers accessorize rooms to the max. When shopping for that ideal piece of furniture through your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee, make sure you take into consideration the accessories that have been shown in the room setting, such as:

• Occasional Tables
• Occasional chairs
• Curio Cabinets
• Artwork
• Picture frames
• Lamps
• Rugs
• Candles
• Throw pillows
• Blankets
• Floral arrangements
• Decorative accessories
• Place settings
• Table centerpieces

When adding new furniture to a room, go shopping in other rooms of your home to find accessories that will add drama and interest around your new piece. You can also visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of beautiful and affordable accessories from the beautiful furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection.

Attention to detail will pay off and soon your rooms will have the same sparkle and shine as a designer showroom!

Saturday, April 3rd, 2010

Design the layout of your living room properly

living room arrangmentIt’s a problem we’ve all faced at one point in our life. You’ve just finished purchasing some beautiful living room furniture from Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® but now have no idea how to lay out the room. Most of the time we spend countless hours moving furniture pieces around, like an endless puzzle, trying to figure out the layout we want.  But this doesn’t have to be the case. Follow these steps to find the living room layout you want while also saving your back.

  1. Get a piece of paper and draw a layout of your living room. Include all doors, windows, outlets, radiators, and air vents.
  2. Design and cut out miniatures of your items. Make sure all the pieces are named with the dimensions of each.
  3. Locate a focal point in the room. All your furniture pieces will revolve around this point. It can sometimes be a entertainment center, coffee table, artwork, fireplace, or even a mantle. Draw this focal point on the paper where it exists in the room.
  4. Move your cut out furniture pieces around on the paper to experiment with different layouts. Make sure your seating areas face each other and not the focal point. You want to encourage socializing. Place sofas and chairs at right angles around the focal point.
  5. Find a coffee table or trunk to place in the center of your seating arrangement for drinks or board games. This can also be used as a display area to place reading materials or pictures.
  6. Leave spaces in the corners between the seating for end tables or lamps. If you have an extra chair that fits this seating group, you can widen the arrangement and place the chair diagonally into the corner and skip the table.
  7. Finally, fill in any open places with any additional pieces of decor you still have. But remember, less is more. You don’t want to over crowd an area. So place accordingly.

Visit your local PMD Furniture Direct™ franchisee to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful living room furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings® Collection, and start designing your living room today!