BLOG
Living Room vs. Family Room: Which Furniture to Buy?
Living Room Furniture
Your living room is the center of your home, and there is a very traditional layout that is associated with living rooms. They typically include a sofa or two, an entertainment system, some tables, and some storage. Some even have a desktop computer, which is a modern twenty-first-century addition to the room. When selecting furniture for your living room, style should be your priority. The living room isn’t designed for much play, which is what allows homeowners to play up the design elements of their living rooms. The furniture you choose should be more formal than the furniture you choose for your family room since the living room is often used to entertain for formal events. We also recommend situating your furniture in a way that maximizes the light that enters the living room so that the center of your home can be nice and bright.Family Room Furniture
Family rooms have a purpose that differs from that of the living rooms. If play rather than work is what a member of your family is looking for, the family is definitely the more suitable place for it. As a result, family rooms are all about function and less about style. They’re usually equipped with expansive entertainment systems that include video games and stereo systems. You’re also more likely to see cozy pieces such as recliners in these rooms. All in all, the furniture should be all about comfort. That said, it’s not unreasonable to think that the furniture in your family room will be less expensive or less formal than the furniture for your living room.Living Room Vs. Family Room: The Major Distinction
So…living room vs. family room furniture. What’s the major distinction? The occasion, as it turns out. Having said this, don’t be too concerned about following the “rules.” It’s your home, and you should do what’s good for you and your family. Because the only rules that matter in your household are the ones that you set. In any case, we’d love to hear from you, so feel free to contribute to the discussion in the comment section below. How do you go about choosing your living room and family room furniture?
How to Find Your Own Interior Decorating Style
So you’re thinking of changing the interior decorating style of your home. But it’s not always easy to know exactly what you’re going for.
Decorating magazines and websites are filled with ideas, but there are more subsets of interior decorating styles than ever before.
What’s Your Interior Decorating Style?
Interior design and decoration is a $13 billion a year business, but nobody will ever know your preferences as well as you do — and you can redecorate the biggest room in your house for about $2,000 yourself, about a third of what a pro will charge.
In order to do that, however, you have to define your style… and here’s how to get started.
Interior Decorating Styles: The Main Types
You probably fall into one of several general categories:
- There’s modern, which can also include contemporary, minimalist, or industrial.
- Traditional, which ignores trends and rewards functionality.
- Casual, sometimes called country or cottage, which emphasizes coziness and warmth.
- The more recent formal style, which is clean and ultra-modern and like a boutique hotel room.
- Transitional, straddling contemporary and modern.
- Eclectic, when you successfully incorporate elements of different styles into your own.
Play Favorites.
Go through every room in your house — living room, the master bedroom, everything — and take a mental inventory of every single piece, from sofas to ottomans, from vases to light fixtures, from throw pillows to bookcases.
Single out which pieces you’ve had the longest and can’t bear to get rid of. These are the pieces you want to build your style around.
Make a Stylebook.
Don’t just passively browse those decorating websites and magazines; create a stylebook based on everything that captures your fancy. Pinterest is a great way to do this.
You can also photograph favorite pieces from your own personal inventory and keep those in there.
Pay attention to what patterns you see emerging!
Get Clues From Your Closet.
How you dress on a day-to-day basis says a lot about who you are: if you’re casual or formal, retro or modern.
Go through your wardrobe and repeat the same process you did with your furniture.
Think about what you wear around the house when you’re feeling comfy and what you wear when you want to dazzle the world.
This will help define the style you went for each room in your house.
Use Your Dreams.
Everybody’s got that one lottery dream home that they fantasize about, but the location of your dream home is just as important as what it looks like in this case.
If you dream of living near the water, for example, you might want to incorporate a more nautical theme.
Visualizing your dream location can also help you decide if you want to go Asian or Scandinavian, or something else entirely.
Step Outside.
This step is one that people changing their interior decor often let slip by.
What is it you like about where you live and the curb appeal of your home? Is it spacious or cozy, state-of-the-art or vintage?
Don’t ignore your backyard or your garden, either.
Have You Found Your Decor Style Yet?
Figure out who you are and then start buying furniture to match. Paint colors, appliances, curtains, carpet, and tchotchkes will follow.
Get a jump on the process by starting to define your personal style now with a free design service!
3 Tips for Choosing the Right Home Office Furniture
Are you one of the 3.7 million employees in the U.S. who spend half or more of their working days telecommuting? If so, then chances are you know how important it is to have a well-designed workspace at home.
How your workplace furniture is set up can actually improve your productivity. Moreover, you just don’t want to be spending eight hours in a day in a drab room where you don’t feel comfortable.
That means whether you just got a new telecommuting job or spend a few hours a week working from home, investing in a well-designed workspace will pay off.
But how do you get started? Here are three tips for handling the search for the perfect home office furniture.
Back to Basics
To get started, you’ll need to ask yourself some basic questions.
Get out a notepad and write out your answers. From there, we can look at what furniture will work for your space, budget, and your job.
How Much Space do You Have?
In order to furnish a room well, you need to start by looking at the space. Pay attention to how large the room is and where the natural light comes from.
Making measurements is key. Before going to the store, you should know how large your room is. This way, you can make sure the desk or table you choose will fit.
How Much Money do You Have?
From solid wood to plastic and metal furniture, cost and quality are both widely variable.
In order to put together the best possible home office, you’ll need to consider both how much you’re willing to spend and what kind of quality you’re looking for.
Remember: you get what you pay for.
What Will You Be Doing in the Office?
Your home office furniture should address the practicalities of your work.
If you use a lot of electronics, then you should find a desk that accommodates lots of wires. If you use paper at work, then filing cabinets may be the way to go.
What should your workspace like to help you be the most productive?
Working in Comfort
Making sure your furniture will fit your space and budget is only the first step. You also need to consider your comfort in the workspace, especially if you will be working long hours there.
How Long Will You Spend in the Space?
With American workdays getting longer and longer, long-term comfort is something to consider. Think about what type of chair you would be okay with sitting in for long periods of time.
Ergonomics, or the study of workplace comfort and efficiency, should also be considered. This means you shouldn’t ignore simple things like the space between your eyes and your screen at your desk. Also look at the lumbar support that your chair offers.
How Cluttered is Too Cluttered?
You may have heard of Feng Shui, or the art of creating harmony in your home.
Think of ways you can maximize this space so you’re comfortable moving around the office.
You don’t want to be tripping over your home office furniture. If you’re working with a small space, shelving units or desks with storage can be useful.
Home Office Furniture Style
Finally, if you’re going to be spending lots of time in your home office, it has to be a place where you’ll enjoy being.
What is My Home Office Style?
Style shouldn’t just be limited to the other parts of your house. The art of interior design should have a place here as well, and you can make the room pop just like any other room.
How Can I Balance Comfort and Style?
Of course, your home office can look great and still lack comfort.
The key here is to balance what you need to be physically comfortable and what you need to enjoy the space. The combination of the two will make you a more productive and happy telecommuter.
Why Solid Wood Furniture Is Your Best Investment
You’re probably tired of buying and re-buying furniture for your house. But you’re finding it hard to take the plunge on good quality over cheap and flimsy furniture.
We’ve already told you about the 5 reasons that you should buy American-made furniture. But what quality and materials should you look for when you invest in buying new furniture for your house?
Come along as we go through the reasons why solid wood furniture is your best investment for your home.
Each Piece Will Be Unique
This is kind of the point, right? Don’t you want your furniture to stand out in a special way? Each piece of your solid wood furniture will be a unique slice of a tree with its own natural design. The knots and rings in the wood will add personality that won’t be found with other cheap, man-made materials.
With many of our solid wood furniture companies, you get to customize your furniture by choosing styles, sizes, hardware, wood types, and finishes to create a truly unique piece of high-quality furniture.
And speaking of the quality of solid wood furniture …
They Can Last a Lifetime
We have all been burned by lousy furniture deteriorating over time. Don’t act like you haven’t. Don’t you owe it to yourself to invest in a piece of furniture that will be as solid ten years from now then as the day you bought it?
At the end of the day, you don’t really ever hear anyone talking about “vintage IKEA furniture”.
Furniture made out of solid wood will be with you for the long haul if you treat it with care. With the right finish and the right kind of wood, you can expect the quality to stay the same for years.
But how do you make sure the quality stays strong over time?
Easy Upkeep and Maintenance
With solid wood furniture basically being a “what you see is what you get” style of furniture, any surface damage can easily be fixed right away.
By buffering spots and blemishes on your piece of furniture, you can easily restore it to its original aesthetic. Since the finish usually lets the intersections of the wood shine, the sky is the limit when it comes to repairing any damages.
You can pick the finishing of your choosing.
And if you are into that sort of DIY restoration, sanding and refinishing wood furniture is a pretty simple process. And once you get it right, the whole process can be extremely gratifying.
That is Why Solid Wood Furniture Is Your Best Investment
There you have it!
Let’s face it, you knew before reading this article that wood furniture was the only way-to-go. You just needed some convincing!
Now do yourself a favor and find the perfect piece for your home!
If you have any questions on finding the right furniture to outfit your abode, visit our furniture showroom, we’d love to help!
Get the Most From Your Space: How to Arrange Bedroom Furniture
Your bedroom is your sanctuary. A space to rest and rejuvenate. So you want to make sure that this room is laid out perfectly. You want to arrange your master bedroom furniture so that it not only looks great, but also that it’s functional. You want a space where you can rest easily. But how do you achieve that?
Look no further. We’ve figured out how to get the most from your space. Here’s how to arrange your master bedroom furniture.
Choose Master Bedroom Furniture That’s Functional and Beautiful
When you’re choosing furniture for your master bedroom, you want to achieve 2 goals.
Function
The furniture you choose needs to function in the way you want it to. Make sure the furniture you buy can fit all of the clothing and other items you want to keep in your bedroom.
Form
While making sure your master bedroom functions well is great, choose furniture that you’ll love looking at for a long time.
You’ll also find it’s easier to keep it neat and well organized when you merge form with function.
Now, let’s break it down further.
What About the Bed?
Often, the bed is the main focal point in a master bedroom. So choose a mattress that’s comfortable and a frame that looks great.
Place your bed where you can easily access it from at least 3 sides. Leave space on both sides of your bed. You want to be able to make your bed easily. Remember that a headboard helps make the master bed look more complete.
Also, consider adding a small table placed next to both sides of your bed. This will allow you to use the space functionally. Placing a light on or next to the table will allow you to see more clearly in your bed.
Finally, add accent pillows to add color and brighten up your bedroom.
Master Bedroom Furniture Accessories
Accessories can add life or clutter to your bedroom.
An area or throw rug can make the room look larger. When it comes to art, choose pieces to help you feel happy and positive.
A chair or a bench can also be a great accent piece. Just avoid leaving your clothing on it. Instead, find a great piece of furniture that looks great but can also hold your laundry. It will help you cut down on clutter and keep your space looking great.
What to Avoid in Your Master Bedroom
Many feng shui experts feel these items contribute to a poor night’s sleep.
Electronics
They give off energy, even when you’re not using them and they can keep you awake. Even your cell phone. So either remove, turn off, or cover all electronics.
Photos
Think of it this way, the photos of your friends and family are all staring at you in your most intimate moments in life.
Papers
Keep papers out of your bedroom. This is a space for rest, not work.
The most important thing to remember when setting up your master bedroom is that this bedroom is for you. Pick out bedroom furniture and accessories that you love. And ask for help! We’re here to help make sure you get the best sleep ever in a great looking space.
How to Polish and Maintain Custom Wood Furniture
Homeowners have long relished the elegance, toughness, and versatility of wood furniture. Like the ideal gazebo in your backyard, wood furniture survives on its own, requiring little or no attention.
However, over time, solid hardwood furniture accumulates grime due to pollutants such as dust, grease from the kitchen, and smoke from cigars. When this happens, you will need serious cleaning that goes beyond dusting, to restore your custom wood furniture to its former glory. Such cleaning might involve polishing, staining, and sand smoothing to remove surface scratches.
Keep in mind that it’s the finish on the wood that determines the appropriate cleaning product to be used. So it’s important first to figure out what type of wood your furniture is made from. You don’t want anything that will do harm to your custom wood furniture.
Here are the three basic ways to clean your furniture:
- Use a commercial wood cleaner
- Use of dish detergents
- Use of Trisodium Phosphate
In this post, we are going to show you how to clean your wood furniture by use of commercial wood cleaners.
How to Clean your Custom Wood Furniture with a Commercial Wood Cleaner
Use of wood cleaners to clean your valuable furniture is the most effective way to restore glory to your old antique. Commercial wood cleaners can be found virtually in all home goods stores and also in most hardware stores.
Look for a product made specifically for removing wax and dirt. Examples of such products include mineral spirits and turpentine.These products work best at removing grime as they don’t react with the wood.
Here’s a step by step guide on how to clean your grimed furniture with mineral spirit formulations.
Step 1: Prepare the product
Most of the commercial wood cleaners work best in warm temperatures of around 70-degrees Fahrenheit. However, some of these products are flammable, and should not be heated over an open flame. Instead, put the cleaning bottle inside another container of warm water for around 15 minutes.
Step 2: Apply the cleaner
Most furniture, if well cared for will only need mineral spirit which should be applied using a soft, clean cloth. However, if the furniture has been neglected and has scratches and stains, you might need to use a super fine steel wool.
To apply the cleaner, dip a soft, clean cloth in the cleaner and wipe it gently over the surface of the furniture. Let it stand for around 10 minutes to allow the chemicals in the cleaner to react with wax and grime.
Once the film or the old wax has softened, wipe the wood with the same cloth to get rid of the residue completely.
Step 3: Repeat the process
If the wood cleaner fails to remove the grime completely, you may want to repeat the process.This might happen especially when the wood surface is stained or very dirty.
Step 4: Let the furniture dry
After you are done with the cleaning, give your furniture at least 24 hours to dry. You will only be able to see its luster when it’s completely dry. Only then will the full effects of your cleaning manifest.
Step 5: Polish your furniture
Now that you have totally cleaned your wood, you might want to enhance its looks with some polish. Again, I would encourage you to do some research on the type of wood before choosing the right polish.
Once you get your wood polish of choice, coat the furniture’s surface sparingly with polish.
Conclusion
Taking good care of your custom wood furniture not only prolong their years of use but also adds an aesthetic appeal to your home. By learning how to strip grime off your furniture, you will give new life to even the oldest antiques.
For more information on how to clean and maintain your specific wood furniture, talk to us. Having sold these brands of solid hardwood furniture for years, we know the best way to keep your furniture clean and maintain that shine.
And, if you have space for new furniture in your home or office, check out Rainbow furniture today. We have all the pieces of American furniture you need to transform the looks of your home.
A Touch of Elegance: 7 Interior Design Styles to Add to Your Living Room
Your living room is a representative of your home. It’s not only where you spend time with your beloved friends and family, it’s also where visitors can get a glimpse of your life. Summer is about to arrive. It’s the season of barbecue parties and social dinners making now the best time to spruce up your living room before guests arrive.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are 7 interior design styles you can add to your living room.
Awesome Interior Design Styles to Refresh Your Living Room
1. Art
Art pieces are a great addition to your living room. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have to be an expensive art piece. There are plenty of beauty prints you can get without breaking the bank. For instance, art pieces with marble effect can give your living space that simple, elegant touch.
2. Lighting
There’s always room for lighting. You have a wide range of selection on the market. Be it desk lamp, floor lamp, table lamp, or pendant light, chances are you’ll be able to find a unique one to bring more light to your home. Just head to the nearest antique store.
3. Mirror
If you have a small living room, it can be tricky when organizing the furniture. You don’t want big furniture that makes the space feels more crowded. Besides opting for smaller pieces, try adding mirrors. They can reflect the light, giving the impression of a larger, more airy space.
4. Candle Holders and Vases
Small details can make a big difference. Some vases and candles holders can give your living room a more sophisticated look. Try to go for bright colors. If your budget allows, go for marble decorative bowls. Marbles are one of the classic interior design styles. You can’t go wrong with them.
5. Plants
A green living space isn’t complete without the existence of a few plants. For a big living room, you can add a few plants in the corners. But if you have a small space, some small cacti by the windows or coffee table would do the trick.
6. Pillows
A few pillows can instantly change the mood of a living room. Besides the practical value, pillows make the room cozier and inviting. Throw some brightly colored pillows into your living room and watch the space transform. Just make sure they match the style of other furniture.
7. Rugs
Rugs can become handy if you have a small living room. They create extra seats for your guests. In addition, a colorful rug, like the Moroccan style can brighten up the most monotonous room. Try to mix different rug textures together to give the space more character.
The Bottom Line
While there are many interior design styles to tune up your living room, make sure you study your space well before making a change. We hope you’ve found these suggested interior design styles useful.
We offer a great selection of furniture that can be a perfect addition to your living room. Visit here for more information.
5 Summer Home Interior Ideas to Make Your Rooms Pop
With the days getting longer and the air getting warmer, summer is nearly here! That means that it’s time to start packing away those heavy blankets and dark colors to make way for sunnier vibes. Refreshing your home’s interior for summer means brighter colors, patterns that pop, and plenty of natural accents.
Maybe you just want to add a few accent pieces to your home. Or perhaps you plan to completely redo your interior. Either way, if the changing of the season has you wanting to refresh your home interior, check out these five trendy ideas to make your rooms pop!
1. Go Natural
One of the easiest ways to welcome summer into your home is by bringing the outside in with a pop of natural accents. House plants are a classic way to decorate your home. And with so many options out there, there’s a plant style that’s perfect for every taste and style. Go modern with colorful succulents or cacti. Give your home a tropical, beachside vibe with large-leaved palm plants. Or, go classic with ferns. Many plant options also purify the air of home, which means that your accents are doing double-duty!
2. Get Back to the Basics
There are plenty of fun summer trends that you could use to completely flip your home. But you’ll likely regret going all out with trendy colors and patterns when the season changes again in the fall. Instead, start with a natural color scheme, and add accents from there.
All-white walls, furniture, rugs, and linens have become very popular in recent years. This ultra-neutral base gives your home a clean, modern look that is easily customized by adding a few pops of color.
3. Add a Pop of Color
Whether you choose to go all white or opt for a different neutral scheme, going basic with your home interior makes it easy to follow this next summer interior trend. Adding pops of trendy colors is a great way to keep your home updated with the changing seasons.
For the summer of 2017, Primrose Yellow, Island Paradise, and Greenery are all great choices. You can also easily change out these pops of color each time the season changes–or whenever the mood strikes you!
4. Accent with Metals
Metals like brass, copper, and gold are making a serious comeback this year. Whether you use these metals for knobs on your furniture or purchase accent pieces coated in them, these will give your home a modern, sleek look.
5. Give Yourself Some Staycation Inspiration
Celebrate summer by using a beach vacation as your inspiration for your home interior. Choose tropical houseplants to accent your rooms. Decorate with seashells and other beachy accents. Or add some coastal-inspired furniture. Whether you go all out or just add a few accents, you’ll be giving your home a laid-back vibe that is sure to get you in the mood for summer!
Update Your Home Interior This Season
If you’re ready to update your home interior for the summer season, you should start with the furniture and work from there.
If you’re ready to find the perfect furniture for your space, check out Rainbow Furniture today!
5 Reasons Why You Should Buy American Made Furniture
You’ve finally decided to get a new dining table.
Partly because you want to revive your dining room, but also because you know that all it takes is one heavy plate of pasta and it might topple to the floor.
Furniture is a very important purchase for Americans. In 2016, Americans spent 96 billion dollars on home furnishings.
With this in mind, consider all your options when purchasing your next furniture piece.
One option that is often overlooked is buying American made products. Some shy away from purchasing because of cost or lack of knowledge about how important it is to support American brands.
Keep reading to find out five reasons why you should buy American-made furniture.
1. American made furniture helps the economy
Since the 1980s, furniture made in China has put a strain on American furniture manufacturing.
One way of combatting this problem is to purchase American made furniture.
Supporting American made products boosts the economy by creating and sustaining jobs for furniture makers.
Rainbow Furniture store has been around for over 80 years and continues to stand strong with the support of local buyers like you!
2. It has a higher quality
Have you ever heard quality over quantity? Well, in the furniture business American-made products are the creme of the crop.
Because of the high quality, prices may be more expensive than the cheaply made products from abroad.
However, don’t be deterred by the price tag. Furniture buying should be an investment, not an on the whim purchase.
Investing in quality furniture saves money over time because you don’t have to replace it often.
Not sure where to put that beautifully designed American made piece in your home? No worries, participate in our free interior design service.
3. It’s the environmentally-conscious choice
When buying furniture you may not stop to think how your purchase effects the environment.
American made manufacturers have to adhere to very strict environmental regulations to protect consumers. For example, the U.S. employs very strict testing of toxins in its furniture before being sold to the public.
Other countries that create furniture may not hold these same regulations.
4. Have a connection to the manufacturer
When you buy products overseas you don’t get a chance to have a connection to the manufacturer.
If you have a question about the product, you may have a hard time getting the question answered or worse, it may not be answered at all.
However, when buying American made furniture you have access to the manufacturer and can instantly build a connection.
Getting your questions and concerns answered in a timely manner is a great perk when buying American.
5. American values in mind
When buying American products you know the standard of working conditions that were in place to make the product.
Some countries may not employ these principles and could result in long workdays, extremely low pay or worse child labor.
You don’t want that on your conscious, right?
Buying American allows you to stand up for what’s right by putting the money where your mouth is.
Instead of buying that cheap table, purchase something you know will last for years to come. And at Rainbow Furniture, we have all the pieces of American made furniture you need to give your home an elegant look.
Heirloom-Quality Wood Furniture
Manufacturer Showcase: Palettes by Winesburg
Rainbow Furniture in Fort Wayne, we pride ourselves in carrying American-Made furniture with many of our manufacturers being right here in the Midwest. Selling furniture made in the USA not only helps our local economy, it also means a higher quality furniture for our customers.
Bedroom and dining room furniture from Palettes by Winesburg, located in Dundee, Ohio, is just one of the many furniture manufacturers who make the heirloom-quality furniture that we sell.
Learn how Palettes by Winesburg makes their hardwood furniture, from wood selection to the finished piece, then stop into our Fort Wayne furniture showroom to see the quality for yourself.
OUR BRANDS
