How to Buy the Right Furniture....

 

It can feel a little daunting buying a new piece of furniture, you know roughly what you're looking for but could use some extra help. 

 

It's important to choose pieces that will compliment your room rather than over-power. Keep in mind the colour scheme of your room when browsing, as well as the space you have to work with. Ask yourself questions such as -

 

- How will this furniture fit in my room?

- What functionality do I require from my purchase?

- Do I want fabric or leather and what will be more practical - for my needs?

- How often will I use the furniture?

 

Once you have answered these questions the process of selecting the right piece of furniture will seem a lot simpler. 

 

 

Sofa Buying Guide

 

Size - It's very important to choose a sofa that fits your room. If you buy a sofa that is too large for your room it will make the room seem smaller and will not look right, similarly if you put a small sofa in a larger room it would appear lost. 

 

An easy way of establishing what size sofa you require is to lay out newspaper on the floor and experiment with sizes. Once you are happy with the size you have created, measure the newspaper shape and bring with you when ordering your sofa or chair. By doing this you can be reassured that you are buying the right size sofa or chair for your room.

 

Some of our manufacturers offer a service where they can supply the furniture with the arms separately, which bolt back on once delivered. Legs can also be ordered detached (will be re-attached upon delivery) and even some sofas can be delivered as separate pieces. This is very useful if you have awkward corners or obstacles, which could make delivery a little more difficult. Do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

 

The shape of the furniture is also something to consider. Higher back sofas look better in a room with higher ceilings, whereas lower back sofas look better in a room with lower ceilings. Consider how the shape of the furniture will look in your room.

 

Filling - Do you prefer a softer sit or a firmer sit? Again this needs to be considered before making your purchase. Most of our manufacturers offer different types of cushion filling so we can find something to suit your needs. The options available are:

 

- Feather

- Fibre

- Foam

- Fibre Wrapped Foam

- Feather Wrapped Foam

 

Depending on which filling you choose some require higher levels of maintenance then others. Feather cushions require 'plumping' after each use to keep that 'just new' appearance. To see how to do this, please watch out our video.

 

 

Loose Covers - If you’re worried about your furniture getting dirty, perhaps you have young children or pets, choosing to have loose covers may be the answer you’re looking for. You are able to remove the covers easily and wash them in the washing machine when required. By ordering two sets of loose covers, you always have a spare set when one is being cleaned. 

 

Having loose covers gives a sofa or chair a more casual/relaxed look to it, you don't get the tight fit you would on a fixed covered sofa. This is something to bear in mind when buying your new furniture.

 

 

Leather or Fabric - There are some very practical reasons to consider when making this decision but you need to go for the one that you will enjoy the most. Some find leather cold to sit on whilst others would disagree. Some think fabric is too high maintenance whilst others say with the right care it always looks good as new.

 

If you have young children and pets which are allowed on the sofa/chair then leather may be the better option as it’s more versatile and easy to wipe up spillages. Again this depends on the leather you choose as some are harder wearing than others, which show up marks and scratches easily.

 

Leather is now available in many different finishes, from distressed and antiqued to exceptionally smooth and soft, where the semi-aniline dyeing process removes most of the flaws. Corrected grain leather will have had most flaws covered up, but because leather is a natural product, markings will differ from piece to piece and dyes may not take identically throughout the hide.

 

Leather must be kept away from direct heat. If placing a leather sofa in front of radiator use this little trick - Place your hand in front of the radiator, gradually move your hand away from it, once you can no longer feel the heat coming from the radiator (roughly one foot), this is a safe distance to display your leather sofa. 

 

If you are willing to maintain your sofa then fabric can still be a great option, perhaps opting for a darker fabric or loose cover.

 

Fabrics are becoming increasingly harder wearing and versatile, with the advance in technology over the years. The structure of most fabrics is now even more durable and furniture is lasting even longer. With special treatments and protectants, there is a fabric to suit everyone. 

 

If you have seen a fabric or leather swatch and you would like a sample please contact us and we can order these for you.

 

 

 

Dining & Cabinet Buying Guide 

 

Some of our manufacturers use solid wood to make their products, whilst others use real wood veneer. It's important to know that solid wood pieces can differ slightly in colour and pattern as each tree is different. Some woods display different patterns in the grain as well as blemishes, knots and burrs, which are all part of the natural and individual beauty of the wood. If you are looking to purchase several pieces we would suggest that you buy them at the same time, as the wood is more likely to match due to the pieces coming from the same batch of timber.

 

Veneers are thin slivers of real wood that cover the inner board (usually MDF). They are much lighter than solid wood and so are much easier to move around. The advance in technology means that veneers are even stronger than solid wood and are less at risk of twisting or warping.

 

The quality remains the same whether you chose solid wood or veneers, it just remains a matter of preference. Some pieces of furniture can only be made in veneer or solid wood, to enable the look and shape required for the piece of furniture.

 

 

 

Bed Buying Guide

It's a must to try a bed before you buy one, as everyone’s preference is different. Mattresses come in many densities from the very soft to the very firm; also what the mattress is actually made from can vary greatly. 

 

Prices can also vary quite a lot. Some find that beds are rather expensive, especially if it has been a while since their last bed purchase but it is very important to get a good quality bed, which often means more money but a good night’s sleep is vital for good health and wellbeing. A good quality bed is well worth the money. A mattress should adapt to the body's contours, supporting the muscles and allowing the body to circulate properly. This will allow the user to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

 

 

Pocket Sprung Mattress 

 

- Springs are housed in individual pockets giving a more luxurious feel

 

- The springs work independently, responding to the individual’s body weight

 

- Ideal option if there is a considerable weight or size variation between you and your partner

 

- The sides of the mattress are hand stitched, which adds strength and quality

 

 

Memory Foam

 

- Body heat softens the foam

 

- The mattress moulds to your body's contours

 

- Provides great support and enables the body to move naturally during sleep

 

- Helps to maintain correct posture and aligns the spine horizontally when lying on your side

 

- Hypo-allergenic with anti-microbial properties

 

- Occasional rotation is required to distribute wear evenly

 

 

Combination

- Combining materials such as: latex, memory foam or pocket springs in various configurations to create a desired affect from a mattress.

 

- Creating a desired tension - gentle, medium or firm

 

- Producing certain qualities such as: non turn, back support, heat responsive (so you don't overheat) weight distribution, prevention of tossing and turning, extra support where required, comfort levels. 

  

Size - There are many sizes of beds available on the market now, ranging from 2'6'' to Super king size of 180cm. There is something for everyone. 

 

Types of bed 

 

Adjustable beds - Suitable for those with a disability or back problems. The Motorised action allows the user to elevate the head and legs with ease. 

 

Divan - The base a mattress can be laid upon. The divan supports the mattress and allows the user to enjoy the mattress to its full capacity. There is the option of a traditional deep divan base, which can incorporate hidden storage or the choice of a modern shallow divan base, which has longer legs and provides a contemporary bedstead appearance. 

 

For additional comfort choose a sprung edge divan base, whilst if you want extra comfort and support right up to the edge of the bed, choose a firm edge divan base.

  

Storage bed - Usually a flip top action (ottoman) where the mattress can be lifted up with ease to expose an area suitable for storage. Like the divan, storage beds can be made with a series of drawers.

 

Bedstead - The frame to enclose the mattress. Many styles are available and can be made in materials such as: wood, fabric and leather. They are more decorative than the divan and can give a contemporary or classical look to your bedroom.