A few months ago we bought a beautiful new leather sofa.   My wife had talked about it for months.  I wasn’t paying attention.  But I should have taken a hint. I hate to shop, can think of nothing more heinous, especially for furniture.  I think I would rather stand in line at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles for days than hang around a furniture store for an hour.

Anyway, we shop and shop and shop.  Finally, we find a nice soft Royal Heritage® leather sofa that feels soft as a baby’s butt. Long enough to stretch out on and take a Sunday nap.  Even the arms were padded enough to cradle my head perfectly.  Better yet, the thing comes with a large ottoman that I can put my feet up on.  If this is how the sofas are in heaven, I can’t wait to get there!

So, it’s Monday night, I’ve worked hard all day and I am beat.  All I can think of is getting home, getting into sweat pants and a big t-shirt, grabbing a beer and potato chips, maybe sneak a few pieces of candy my wife has hidden, then plopping on my new leather sofa with feet propped up on the ottoman (socks only of course).  I have the end table strategically placed on my left and at the perfect height.  The lamp switch is at shoulder height for easy on and off.  Huge matching leather storage ottoman placed perfectly in front of me.

I grab my favorite blanket out of the storage ottoman along with a pillow.  I put the pillow beside me as an arm rest and throw the blanket over my lap and legs.  The beer, chips and candy are placed on the end table to my left exactly at arm distance.  The computer is on my lap and NFL.com dialed up.  I reach across to the TV remote control (placed a half inch from the beer).  Monday Night football begins and the opening song of the show drifts heavenly through the room.

“You always sit on that cushion” a voice says.  What? Who is talking – oh crap, that’s right, my wife is sitting just seven feet away in a chair reading.  I completely forgot she was there – forgot she was even home…    Look, I am a big guy, with a computer on my lap; I do tend to punish a sofa cushion.  “This is MY spot” I say.  “I have all the comforts of home right here, I always sit here – I HAVE to sit here” I reply defiantly.  I even went into an explanation about dominant eye…  “I don’t care, you are ruining that cushion!  Look, it already looks more smashed than the one at the end, and we’ve only had the sofa for a couple of months” my wife replies.  “Ok, ok, geesh, I will sit on the other end I guess”.

I slowly throw the blanket off my lap, set the lap top down and push the pillow away.  I shove the ottoman out so I can stand up.  I pick up my beer, chips and candy (which she now sees and makes a comment that she has to change the hiding place…), and carry them over to the other end table on the right side of the sofa.  I sit down.  The cushion sits much harder at this end, and higher.  I don’t like it.  There is no lamp on this side and it is uncomfortable to make the reach now with my opposite hand…  I put my feet back up on the ottoman, pull the blanket back over me and put the pillow under my arm as the armrest.  I am uncomfortable and a plant is in the way…

My wife is now happy.  I am not. This end of the sofa is too hard.  I can’t reach my beer and food comfortably. The pillow does not feel the same under my arm.  The blanket is cold now.  And I can’t see the football game as well because I am not using my dominant eye…  So, I remove the pillow and call my dog Benson up on the sofa.

He gets comfortable next to me and I have a new soft arm rest on my left side.  It’s a little better now..  Then I hear “Andrew, how many times have I told you to not let the dog on the sofa!?”  Geesh, I can’t win…

People need to relax. More importantly YOU need to relax. It is very important to your survival that the amount of stress you put on yourself be lowered and the amount of time you spend relaxing be increased.

One of the single best pieces of furniture to relax in is the almighty recliner.  A recliner is a piece of furniture, such as a large armchair or sofa, that can be adjusted into a reclining position by lowering the back of the piece and raising the footrest. A reclining chair can adjust to different levels from a slight incline, to lying almost flat.

But what type of recliner is right for you?

Stressless Recliners

Stressless recliners are perfect for a family with a fashionable home who want to maintain the home’s sleek style while still having a piece of furniture they can relax in and enjoy the day. Stressless Recliners come in two separate pieces: the reclining chair and a matching footstool to elevate your feet. The chair typically reclines to about 45 degrees and can come in either a high or low back. These recliners come in a whole range of fabrics and colors, allowing you to find the perfect match for your stylish home.

Massage Recliners

What they lack in style, they gain in extreme comfort.  Massage recliners are the ideal item for treatment of tired legs and backs. They come with a variety of massage types and many different reclining positions.  Your legs are cared for too as they include mechanisms to massage your feet, calves, and upper leg.  Typically, they are operated manually but sometimes offer pre-programmed massages for specific parts of your body.

Swivel Recliners

Swivel recliners are probably the most prevalent recliners today since they provide maximum comfort. The swivel base of the recliner allows it to turn in a 360-degree motion, allowing you to see all sides of the room without having to stand up. It reclines using a small lever, and has both a chair and an ottoman with a base that contains the swivel mechanism.  Pull the lever, lean back, kick your feet up and give yourself the much needed relaxation to recharge your batteries for the next day’s activities.

Sofa Recliners

Not to be left out, sofas can be made to recline as well. Many sofas are manufactured with reclining mechanisms of their own, giving your family or guests ultimate comfort in any occasion. Reclining sofas have backs that recline in at least two places and have a footrest which comes up as the back reclines. These can come in a variety of sizes and styles, giving them the ability to fit any kind of décor.

Whether it’s enjoying a good movie or after a long day’s work , visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their immense selection of reclining furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and give yourself the ultimate in relaxation!

Many times contemporary style is classified as a distinct style and doesn’t encompass other design styles. Commonly, and un-knowingly, people think furniture considered contemporary is something they are most likely to find in an upscale art gallery in New York city. What they fail to realize is that the word contemporary simply means “of the present time,” and this can encompass a broad range of designs.

If you are looking for a more straight line look and want to stay within the contemporary design, then look for pieces that are of Danish or Scandinavian design. Contemporary Scandinavian designers often use straight lines in their designs and leave their pieces unadorned and crafted of walnut and teak. Sometimes their pieces will have gentle curves, but these will not be at a premium.

The most common label for contemporary furniture is “Artsy” and is likely to be found in urban locations and lofts. This furniture often has flare and is extremely simple. Furniture pieces in this category are not always adorned with straight lines, but typically showcase curved lines to give them a unique look and shape. Leather and microfibers are usually the upholstery of choice in this case.

Finally, minimalist styled furniture takes the contemporary look to the extreme and is known for its use of straight lines. The Minimalist approach was inspired by Bauhaus design and puts emphasis on free space, functionality, and economical design. You won’t find a lot of furniture in a minimalistic room. Instead, you will find one of two pieces accompanied by a lot of space.

Whether its curvy lines or straight lined, urban or minimalistic, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their immense selection of contemporary furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and give your home the fresh style you are looking for!

We have all been there before. Picking out a new piece of furniture can be a very stressful time, especially when there are so many factors to take into consideration. Take your time and don’t make a hasty decision, this will save you from hating your furniture for years to come. In order to help you find the right piece of furniture, we have compiled a list of factors you need to think about before you go shopping. Each recommendation will help you find that perfect item you will treasure for years.

• Space is key: How much space do you have to work with? This is the first question you need to ask yourself. It’s simple…regardless of what you want, if you don’t have the space, then don’t even consider it!  The shape and size of your room will help you determine what to look for. For instance, if you’re looking for a living room sectional and don’t have a lot of room to work with, consider a loveseat over a sofa.

• Measurements: You want to bring your furniture in your house, right?. Many people find the perfect piece, buy it, get it home and oops it doesn’t fit through the door. Keep in mind that some sofas are simply too big to bring into your home. In order to get the piece into the room, it has to first fit through the door. Measure all your furniture pieces already in the home. This will give you a solid base of measurements to look for in a piece of furniture.  This will save you the stress on the way home about whether it will fit through the door.

• What’s your lifestyle: What is your life like? Is it just you or are you a part of a large family? Will the piece you buy often have smaller children on it? Your lifestyle determines what type of piece you should buy. If you entertain guests regularly, consider a sturdy, comfortable couch. Buy pieces of furniture that will flow with your lifestyle and won’t leave you pulling your hair out every time you have guests over.

• Budget: It’s simple. Don’t buy what you can’t afford. Always plan around your budget. You shouldn’t burden yourself with the added stress that accompanies paying off home décor you can’t afford. Quality furniture costs more, but will last longer. Cheap furniture, while easy on the budget, doesn’t last long and you may find yourself buying furniture again in several years. Determine how long you want your home décor to last and shop for items that fit that time range, and most importantly your budget.

When following these steps for buying a piece of furniture, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their massive selection of high quality furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection and leave in peace, knowing you got that perfect piece!

Time honored, European, Colonial…these are just a few of the words you might hear when shopping for a traditionally styled piece. The main characteristic all these terms have in common is they have a look dating hundreds of years back. These pieces will be reminiscent of furniture you might find in a royal mansion in Spain, or a President in Colonial times.

If a piece has an European feel, it most likely means the wood will have a curvilinear design and commonly will be constructed our of dark woods. Sofas and chairs will have an arched back giving them a more formal look and feel.

American styled pieces will have a look that was represented in the Colonial times. Painted finishes coupled with spindles – and finial – are very typical in this instance. However, they will be adapted to fit modern day uses.

Tropical looks combined with British styles are what makes up the British Colonial and West Indies fashion. These pieces are most likely constructed with wicker, rattan, and other lighter woods but completed with deep dark finishes. The lines and edges of these items will be much cleaner and simpler when compared to the curvy lines of the European brand of style.

When looking to give your room a traditional look and feel, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their enormous selection of furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so your home can have the class and style it deserves!

Wabi-Sabi

Reclaimed wood is one of the most popular trends in green design.  The reshaping of recycled wood falls under the Japanese art form, Wabi-Sabi, an art devoted to finding beauty in imperfection.  This new spin on an old design philosophy presents both contemporary and traditional items that are sure to brighten any space.

Paint it “Green”

The green movement no longer only applies to the construction of furniture.  Now, the green movement extends from your floor to the ceiling, literally.  New chemical-free paints – which contain no volatile organic compounds – make spicing up your interior an eco-friendly exercise.  Today, chemical-free interior paint has expanded from only a few shades to the entire spectrum of the rainbow and beyond.  You can paint your rooms and feel good about your effort to reduce the damage inflicted on mother nature.

LED is a Y-E-S

While compact fluorescent lighting is a better choice for the environment than the old incandescent bulb, it gives off a drab, bluish glow.  Fluorescent bulbs used to be the only environmentally sound choice, but now a brighter option is in the making.  New LED bulbs, made in the same shape and size as incandescent bulbs, will soon hit the market.  They give off a brighter, more natural light than incandescent lights while offering much more durability than the older models.

When giving your room an eco-friendly boost, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and get those eco-friendly furniture pieces from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you can enjoy the environment all the time.

Avoiding Color

Don’t be afraid to experiment when painting your walls. Use colors that thoroughly express your tastes and personality instead of slapping on a coat of beige to “make the room look bigger.”

If you are reluctant to paint your rooms in bright colors, just try the accent effect where you only make one or two of the walls stand out while keeping the others more conservative.

Weak Windows

Window treatments are an easy, cost-efficient way to really put a good touch on a room, but many times, the curtain frame is hung too low or the curtains do not fit the window.  This either makes the ceiling look low or the curtains appear cheap.

The best range to hang your curtains is six inches to one foot above the window molding. This allows more light into the room and it makes ceilings look taller.  Also, curtains should hang from the curtain rod to the floor.

Floating Rugs

A rug should either be large enough to provide a surface for all of the furniture to rest on or the right size for the furniture to perfectly frame it.  Rugs that are too small for a room end up creating an island that really breaks up the design and the scheme of the furniture.

Accessory Overload

Accessories should be nothing more than small additions.  They are not meant to control their settings.  Crowding your tables with frames, candles, and vases is overkill.

Instead display your accessories so that your favorite pieces receive the most attention from visitors.  You can even keep these items in a rotation so that you can always add something new to the room.

Poor-Fitting Furniture

There should be three feet, if not more, separating larger pieces like sofas from the rest of the furniture so that people can easily pass through the room.  On top of that, try not to fill big spaces with little pieces since it really disturbs the flow of your décor.

When defending yourself against design follies, visit your local PMD Furniture Direct ™ franchisee and shop their enormous selection of furniture from the Royal Heritage Home Furnishings Collection so you can have the ultimate decor for your home!