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Get the Best Textile for Upholstery or Reupholstery

Upholstery fabric lasts longer and wears better if it is the right strength and has the best properties – durability and stain resistance – for the use it will receive.

The quality of upholstery determines how comfortable people are going to be when seated. Upholstery quality is also often overlooked when buying a car or selecting furniture because appearance is usually considered first. Not everyone stops to ask if the fabric and construction will be durable and stain resistant enough to withstand the type of use it will receive. Upholstery that is covered with a fabric that is the wrong quality leads to a disatisfaction.

Why Is Reupholstery a Good Option?

While many people have been unsatisfied with their upholstery after making the purchase – it is hard to estimate how many people have bought upholstered furniture or or a car with attractive seat covers only to find out it is uncomfortable, stains easily, or seems to be falling apart quickly. Many people simply dispose of the unsatisfactory furniture item or replace the uncomfortable car while others tolerate the inferior upholstery until it finally falls apart.

Upholstery Cleaning

A piece of furniture or car interior that is gently used has cleaning and stain resitance requirements that are different than the cleaning requirements of a heavily used item. All upholstery fabric should ideally be treated with some level of stain resistance though it is possible to save a little bit of money by getting a cheaper, untreated upholstery fabric if the item will be gently used. Even if the furniture or car interior is carefully used – accidents happen – and it is easier to avoid problems by starting with a stain resitant fabric.

Stain resitant fabrics still get dirty sometimes no matter how careful the owners are, As a result, selecting an upholstery fabric that is simple to clean is a wise choice. Microfiber fabric, if not careful to follow directions, is difficult to clean without spotting. According to cleanyourmicrofiber.com, microfiber should be labeled with either an S, a W, or an SW cleaning code. S represents solvent cleaners and W represents water based cleaners. Using the wrong cleaner on any fabric will cause spots and discoloration. Most upholstery fabrics can be cleaned with laundry detergent but check the label first.

If Upholstery Cleaning Fails It Might Be Time to Reupholster

The tight economy makes it important to stretch money as far as possible. It is not always reasonable to dispose of furniture or trade in a vehicle just because the car interior did not hold up well. A simple furniture repair can add years to the time before it is necessary to replace upholstered furniture. Restyled seat covers also make the interior last as long as the rest of the car.

Finding a reputable upholstery shop is the easist way to get a piece of furniture repaired or to get an interior reupholstered. A professional upholsterer will make recommendations about how each type of fabric will wear and how hard cleaning will be. It is critical to get an estimate up front, but it is normally cheaper than replacing. If making the reupholstery project a do-it-yourself project is a possibility then the fabric store assistants should be able to help with fabric selection and quantity information about purchasing fabric by the yard.

Begin the Upholstery Project After the Fabric is Selected

Dining room chairs tend to be heavily used. This heavy use sometimes means the chairs have to be either replaced or reupholstered more often than other furniture. Heavy use also makes fabric strength and stain resistance important when choosing upholstery fabric.

Upholstery fabric is normally 54″ wide so 1/2 yard will normally cover two dining room chair seat pads. Many fabric stores provide a chart that relates pictures of furniture with the amount of fabric required. The chart makes selection easy because it is as simple as finding the picture that looks like the item being reupholstered.

Gather the Supplies Needed to Reupholster the Chair Before Beginning the Project

The upholstery tools and supplies needed for dining room chair seat reupholstery are screwdrivers – foam (1/2″- or thicker – as desired for comfort), dark colored chalk, tack and staple puller, a small quantity of glue, fabric, and staples and stapler – or short trimmers upholstery tacks and a tack hammer. If the thicker foam is used an electric knife is helpful as well because it will slide easily through thick foam while scissors do not cut foam well. Any regular hammer can be used but an upholsterer’s tack hammer is easier to control for this type of work. If the wood is damaged add plywood and a saw to cut it to the list of needed items.

Pre-Upholstery Step: Disassemble the Chair

This basic furniture upholstery repair job is easy to begin. Turn the chair upside down. Make a small “f” mark on the front of the seat and a “b” at the back. There should be four inset screws holding the seat pad to the frame of the chair. Remove the four screws and the frame should lift off of the seat pad. The frame can be set aside at this point unless woodwork needs to be repaired. The old seat pad upholstery will be either stapled, tacked, or a combination of the two.

It is possible to cut the fabric away or simply place the new cover on top of the old one. It is, however, best to repair the seat properly by removing the old cover and foam. Use the tack and staple puller to remove the tacks and/or staples. Set the old cover aside. If there is a difficulty, it is occasionally beneficial to refer to the previous cover.

Chair Upholstery: How to Reassemble

Set the wooden seat board on the foam and trace around the board. Cut the foam about 1/4″ to the outside of the chalk line. Optional but useful later – put a few drops of glue to attach the foam to the seat board. Place the upholstery fabric face down on a clean flat surface. Place the padded board – padding side down – on the fabric. Cut fabric with approximately 4″ of overhang. (If the foam and board are very thin 2″ would suffice.)

Pull the fabric until it is snug in the center of each side of the seat pad and fasten in place with staples or tacks. (It will not look or wear right if it is applied loosely.) Pull the corners into place and fasten next. Work evenly around the seat pad, fastening and smoothing the fabric a small section at a time. When the fabric is secured – trim off any excess fabric. Screw the seat pad back onto the chair frame. Flip it back over, and enjoy your newly reupholstered dining room chair.

Multi-Purpose Furniture Offers Style at a Reasonable Budget

A typical downtown studio often does not allow a traditional dining room and elbow room to co-exist. Convertible coffee tables allow dinner guests to eat comfortably.

People downsize for many reasons. Empty nesters may be inspired for a more carefree lifestyle while young professionals move to the cities for more career opportunities.

Reality of Downsizing

As simple as it may sound, downsizing can be a “physically exhausting and emotionally draining experience” according to an article jointly presented by Ohio State University Extension and Ohio Department of Aging.

Unless budget is not a concern, many people moving from suburban or sprawling communities to major urban centres will find that their money does not go very far for rent or mortgage. In addition to sticker shocks, feeling cramped is also a common phenomenon when old furniture pieces are being hung on to and jammed into small spaces.

Purging

It is difficult to part with items that have been in the family for a long time, well used and treasured. However, if they do not fit into a 500-square foot apartment, they are going away. They don’t have to be trashed. They can be donated to those in need, given to family members, or even sold for cash to buy new furniture. The good news is that furnishing a tiny room does not need much.

Going paperless to fullest extent can minimize the amount of paper work and storage boxes required. Bills, statements, tax returns, brochures, instruction manuals and even recipes are a few easy steps to start with. Make sure the electronic files are backed up periodically.

The New but Small Space

Not enough storage, dinner guests having to put their plates on their knees and having to work in the bed or on the sofa are some of the common complaints of many new dwellers of small living spaces. With the recent trends of urbanization in cities like Vancouver and San Francisco following the European urban planning models as discussed by Carol Lloyd on SFGate.com, many furniture manufacturers provide sleek and affordable multi purpose furniture to allow residents to enjoy their new small living spaces as well as their vibrant urban neighbourhoods.

Beds

Platform beds or storage beds are perfect solutions for storing items not needed frequently such as seasonal clothing, spare bedding, and house deeds. They free up valuable closet space in tiny bedrooms and are particularly useful if there are more than one person in the household.

New platform beds with storage no longer resemble the clunky beds found in many mobile homes. Koolhaus Design, with stores in Vancouver and Calgary, features a line of sleek and zen-inspired platform beds with storage on its website. In fact, the company only features such beds on its website.

Entertainment Centres and Work Stations

The entertainment centre and work stations can easily be housed in the same unit. IKEA’s BESTÅ series offer an affordable solution with many different shelving options for different needs: TV cabinet, AV equipment storage, slide-out trays for laptops, drawers with organizers for CDs / DVDs / stationery, and slide out frames for hanging files. The series also offer sliding doors so the work stations can be covered or hidden when it is time to enjoy HD programming on the flat screen. That “flex space” with no window staged by many condo developers as an office can now be used as a pantry for the chef in the house or a hall of fame for sports equipment for all four seasons.

Room & Board’s Custom Linear line offers a more expensive version but its solid wood selections (oak, walnut, cherry, or maple) will help make a statement in the new space downtown. The company only has about 10 locations in the U.S. but it ships nationwide in the U.S. and to Canada. The company also clears customs for Canadian deliveries.

Convertible Coffee Tables

Convertible coffee tables embody the essence of multi-purpose furniture. They are particularly useful when dinner guests are infrequent but comfortable dining is important when company is over. A seldomly-used dining table takes up useful space in a one room living / dining space that can be used to accommodate a sleek sectional sofa in which both people can spread out and lie down while watching TV.

Convertible coffee tables are not easy to find. CALLIGARIS, a furniture manufacturer from Italy, offers 4 coffee tables that can be lifted hydraulically and expanded to accommodate upto 6 or 8 people. They offer wood and glass surfaces in different colours. The company’s products are carried by its own stores and other dealers around the world which can be located on its website. Although they are more costly than a standard coffee or dining table, they may cost less than the cost of two tables purchased individually from other furniture manufacturers.

Dwell, a furniture retailer in the U.K., offers a slightly less expensive version. Dwell has about 15 stores in England and Scotland. Although it delivers to most parts in the U.K., it does not ship overseas.

A New Beginning

Although it is difficult to get rid of valued possessions, downsizing provides an opportunity to exercise creativity, to simplify living, and to create new memories.

When to Buy Patio Sets, Best Time of Year to Buy Couches and Sofas

Buying good quality furniture can be cost effective with understanding one’s needs, good research, willingness to wait for end-of-season sales & comparison shopping.

There are lots of good deals in the market for quality furniture. Besides aesthetic appeal and fitting in with the decor, the furniture should also be durable and comfortable. Kid and pet friendliness, maintenance costs and whether the furniture is going to be outdoors or indoors are other factors to consider before furniture shopping.

How to Choose the Right Furniture

Consider these pointers before deciding to buy a piece of sofa or couch.

• Kid/Pet Friendliness — Consider if you very young children that might spill on expensive furniture. or pets that might scratch on a newly bought sofa. Microfiber resists stains and might be a better choice in a household with young children. Tables with sharp edges may not preferred in a home with toddlers.
• Maintenance — When it comes to cleaning your furniture, there are several considerations.
• Is furniture easy to move — If you live in a rented house or apartment, is the sofa and couch easy to move?
• Colors — Does it match the general mood and decor of the house? Does the color of the furniture go well with the color of the floor and walls?

Tips to Get Cheap, but Good Furniture – Why Should you Buy Furniture in January and July?

Here are some money-saving ideas when purchasing furniture.

• Capitalize on End of Season Sales — Prices on patio sets are cheaper in September. “The best months to buy furniture are January and July, just before new shipments arrive”, according to Jackie Hirschhaut of the American Home Furnishings Alliance in High Point, N.C., in a USAToday article. The retailer is anxious to make space for the new items and wants to get rid of space consuming old inventory.
• Make use of Inventory Liquidation Sales — Look for store closings, “going-out-of-business” signs among furniture stores. Usually stores that close, have an initial markdown, and a few days later there is a more generous markdown. In the final days of sale, there are a lot of non-matching pieces available at a deep discount.
• Model home furniture sale by builders — Home builders buy complete furniture and accessories to make their model homes look appealing to buyers. When all the homes in the community are sold out, furniture and other decorative items are available at a throw-away price. Enquiring with the sales staff in a new community might be a worthwhile exercise before walking into a furniture store.
• Garage sales and Craigslist Sales — Garage sales and Craigslist are good places to look for used furniture, that can be fixed up.
• Buy Individual Units Instead of Sets — Non-matching items could be got for a bargain. With an artistic eye, convert non-matching items into an eclectic style.
• Do Research Online — Most research is done before going to the store. Browse a few stores’ catalogs online to avoid impulsive buying without adequate information at the store. When at the store ask for discounts and price matches.
• Buy Furniture Online — Buying online is cheaper but has the disadvantage of not letting the buyer see, touch and feel the real furniture.
• Furniture Delivery — Some stores make a higher margin on delivering the furniture than the furniture piece itself. See if the store has a warehouse pickup option.

When the furniture is delivered, make sure that it is free of blemishes, cracks and tears. With a little research and willingness to wait, one can bring home furniture that both looks appealing and comes at a reasonable cost.

Using Mosaics to Personalize Furniture

A mosaic table top can add some color and interest, as well as personalization to space. Creating one can be an easy and rewarding project that will brighten any home.

Whether looking to add some color and design to a room, refinish an old table, or make a point of interest and conversation in a space, mosaic inlays are a wonderful option. While there are certainly options for sale, it can be simple to create one, either by inlaying a ready made mosaic design, or creating one from loose pieces.

Preparing the Table

The mosaic is going to need an area to reside in. If the table already has a built up rim around the edge, nothing more will need to be done for this step. If the table does not have a rim, or depression for the mosaic to be set in, one will need to be created.

While it may be possible to carve, or sand out a depression into the table, There is a lot of opportunity for mistake, so leaving the top as is and building a rim is the more feasible option.

Using a thin domed molding in the material that will be inlaid will give the most uniform look, or if no molding is available, Utilize a thin strip of wood molding that has been painted or stained to match the table’s color.

Stone, glass and ceramic can be purchased in thin ½” domed moldings, which can be applied to the outer edge of the table. These will be applied first, before the mosaic, to ensure that the table will be level when complete.

The table’s surface should be clean, dry and sanded to remove any bumps or depressions. Apply the molding by either driving thin nails in at an angle through a wooden molding, or by applying thinset in an even coating to the backside of the tile molding, as well as a thin troweled coating to the edge of the table, and tapping down lightly to even them.

Be sure to line the edges up straight along the table, and wipe away any excess thinset. The moldings can be mitered at the corners for a framed look, or left to over lap.

Choosing the Material and Style

There are several ways of going about inlaying a table top. The first would be to order sheets of ready made pattern or random mixed mosaic. Mosaics are sold on netted or paper-faced sheets of natural stone, ceramic or glass tiles and can be placed onto the table top with little modification if so desired.

Mosaics can also be removed from sheets, or purchased in loose tiles if a more custom look is desired. Purchase single sheets of different colors of material, and use the pieces whole to create patterns, or use tile nippers or glass cutters to break the pieces up to reconfigure into pictures and shapes.

Check with tile showrooms to see if they have odd lot material of mosaics on hand that can be purchased for well below list price. Some showrooms may also have old mosaic samples on hand from discontinued materials that they are willing to give away simply to make space. It never hurts to ask, and many unique and different materials can be acquired this way.

Setting the Mosaic

Once the able top has been prepared, measure how deep the indentation is, as well as the depth of the mosaic. Thinner mosaics will need to be built up with extra thinset to create an even top, while thicker mosaics will need less.

If using sheets of mosaic, trowel on the thinset to the depth required. For glass mosaics, be sure to smooth out any trowel marks before applying the glass, as these marks can be seen through the glass when complete. For thinner materials, try putting thinset on both the table, and the back of the mosaics to create extra height.

For loose pieces of mosaic, have the design pieced together off of the table, first. Apply small areas of thinset to the table and recreate the design one section at a time. Working this way will help keep the thinset from drying out too quickly, and will allow for plenty of time to be sure the design is right.

Wipe away any excess thinset, and remove any paper covering mosaic sheets according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Allow the material to set for at least 24 hours before applying a sanded grout with either a grout float or a sponge, being sure to pack the grout into the spaces between the tiles. To remove grout haze when dry, buff the table top with a dry paper towel. If natural stone tiles have been used, they will need to be sealed prior to grouting, to help ensure easy clean up.

Once complete, protect the surface from stains by applying a sealer to any natural stone or grout. Ornament the table with vases or pictures, or leave bare to display the design. Be sure to place the table where its unique properties and beauty can be enjoyed by all

A New Interior Design Scheme for Summer, Fall, Winter & Spring

It is easy to reinvent the interior design of a room for each of the four seasons. Slipcovers offer an inexpensive but exciting way to redecorate four times a year.

Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a new couch every three or four years? The good news is that with slipcovered furniture, any room can be instantly transform and change just like the seasons do. A well designed slipcover immediately gives a piece of furniture new life and a launching point for a whole new seasonal redecorating theme or color palette.

A fabric slipcover (often offered in heavy duck cotton and soft natural linen fabrics) is a wonderful way to update any home’s decor. With the variety of patterns, colors and styles offered by niche retailers, department stores and direct to the customer manufacturers, it just takes a little legwork (or web browsing) to find the perfect covers to create stellar interior design concepts in a home. It is a beginner-friendly DIY project. Since the slipcovers are most often purchased, no sewing skills are required.

In the last five years or so, fabric slipcovers, once very costly, have come way down in price and are now affordable enough for more homeowners, and certainly the preferred choice over new furniture for the budget conscious home interior decorator.

Winter

In the winter, people prefer to stay inside more. Home becomes a haven from the harsh elements and dreary sunless days. Winter décor should bring warmth and comfort. When deciding the fabric for slipcovers in winter, think warm, cozy and cuddly and choose fabrics like velvet, chenille and corduroy. Colors should be on the rich scale; ruby red, forest green and midnight blue are all excellent choices. For a light color choice, consider an oatmeal beige or silvery sage green.

Spring

Naturally, spring is a season of regeneration. For spring inspired slipcovers, think about florals and slubby linen fabrics. With color in this season, the sky is the limit but stay clear of dark colors. Fill the room with airy lightness with a color palette in the pink, pale green, sky blue and buttery yellow tones. If the room is already busy with accessories, floral drapes or wallpaper, choose a single color for the slipcover. The trick here is to pull a dominant color from the existing draperies or carpet and purchase slipcovers in that hue.

Summer

Summertime and the living is easy… fabric slipcovers and the tone of all interior design should be easy also. Ticking fabrics in cotton, pale florals and nautical inspired stripes are all excellent choices for slipcover fabrics. Lighter weight fabrics such as polished cotton and Irish linen are lovely in a summer inspired room. For the summer months, crisp white slipcovered furniture is elegant yet casual – very Nantucket.

Fall

Autumn is often the favorite season of many but can present design challenges. Slipcovers can solve that dilemma with an easy and inexpensive way to restyle, refresh and rejuvenate a room for the harvest. Stay clear of cliché decorating in fall – no Halloween or Thanksgiving inspired themes. Fine for decorating the front yard or the dinner table, but in overall home decorating, they never translate well into effective interior design.

Simply making a change that is a departure from summer will have the project room looking new and ready for the coming months. Stay away from summer whites, pale yellows or baby colors. Instead, think about using earthy tones that reflect nature at this time of year – crimson red, burnt orange and chocolate brown work very well.

New furniture may be costly unless buyers browse at discount retailers like Ikea and Overstock.

When relocating, purchasing furniture may be overwhelming and costly. However, there are several options for furnishing a house. Affordable furniture is available in various locations, including Ikea and Overstock.

Shop at Ikea

One of the great stores to buy affordable and plentiful furniture is Ikea. The store has many different branches throughout the United States, with a warehouse full of easy-to put together furniture. Focus on big things, like couches and beds at Ikea, for they have a large selection that matches most decors. It is easy to shop online, as well, at Ikea.com.

Use Internet Websites Such as Overstock.com to Find Furnishings

This is a good way to find furniture on the internet as well. Websites such as www.overstock.com have many different furnishings. Not only that, but Overstock.com offers free shipping on customers’ first purchases. Make this first purchase a big one, like a couch or a bed. It saves you money on those outrageous shipping costs.

Use Internet Sites Like eBay or Craigslist to Buy from People.

Customers can also buy affordable furnishings from other people via websites like eBay and Craigslist. These websites have various people in different locations selling goods. Make sure to check the items in person before buying or asking for as many photos as possible to see any nicks or scratches on the items.

Find Furnishings in Thrift Stores

Although it may not be feasible to buy large items such as beds or couches in thrift stores, it does make sense to buy tables, chairs, artwork, and other additions to your décor. Use the affordable costs and bountiful selection of thrift stores to add delicate touches. If a side table is necessary or a dinette set, thrifty shoppers can find interesting items at a local Goodwill.

Use Consignment Shops

Customers can also shop at different consignment shops where people put up furniture they are trying to sell at reasonable prices. Many sellers will buy objects at thrift stores and clean them up to be sold at a consignment shop. Vintage and antique items can be found here. Make a deal with the seller and cut the price by 10%.

By using websites and affordable furniture stores like Ikea to furnish a place, people will save money while also decorating a lovely new home. Added touches can be found at thrift stores or consignment shops. However, don’t let furniture shopping be a daunting task.

Conlusion:

Affordable furniture is available in various locations, including Ikea and Overstock. Focus on big things, like couches and beds at Ikea, for they have a large selection that matches most decors. Buy affordable furnishings from other people via websites like eBay and Craigslist. Furniture shopping can be a daunting task, but thrift stores and consignment shops are great places to start. Make sure to check the items in person before buying or asking for as many photos as possible to see any nicks or scratches. Use websites and affordable furniture stores like Ikea to furnish a place.

There are many choices in window treatments ranging from natural to synthetics. Each has pros and cons. Here are tips to help with the decision.

When it comes to having a beautiful room or a mediocre one, often the difference is in the details. Yes, fabric, paint, and furniture are important, but the “little things” like accessories and room accents often make the difference. Unfortunately, one of these “little things” is the type of blind choice. With so many alternatives accessible today, it’s critical to grasp the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Aside from the fabric and patterns that make up a beautiful window treatment, perhaps one of the most important aspects of window treatment is the type of blinds chosen. After all, if an individual has a single-level house outside the city limit, one may choose to have curtains only. Still, if living in a townhouse in Atlanta, blinds would offer more privacy and a better sense of security.

Some of the most common window treatment choices used today are wood blinds and Polywood. Each is a practical way to ensure that a home’s décor is everything desired, but there are distinct drawbacks and benefits for each type. Recognizing the pros and cons of these window treatments can make a huge difference in the homeowner’s decorating budget and the room’s overall appearance.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Polywood

Polywood or faux wood blinds are made of recycled materials or heavy plastics and are extremely affordable to the everyday consumer. They come in a variety of sizes and can be obtained at most home improvement and retail establishments. In addition, they can be easily adjusted to meet the dimensions of virtually any window. These blinds don’t warp very easily, and they often come with a lifetime warranty from the company that makes them.

The Polywood blinds are flexible, making them easier to clean; they can be used both inside and out and offer durability and resistance to rotting, warping, cracking, or splintering. In addition, they are cheaper than wood blinds and can be adapted to any design or decorating style. Consequently, these faux wood blinds are used in many homes, especially those with young children or where extremes in temperatures are common.

The key disadvantage of Polywood blinds is that they do not always look as good or professional as a wooden blinds. Also, some brands are prone to fading or yellowing over time. Moreover, Polywood blinds have limited color selections and are typically heavier than wood blinds making them more difficult to raise and lower. This additional weight requires that they have more “ladders” and also makes them more likely to sag.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Wood Blinds

The blinds are made from actual wood and come in several wood choices ranging from Bamboo for a more casual look to the elegance of cherry or oak, or they are stainable or paintable to coordinate with any décor. Also, installing wood blinds gives an added security measure as inside views are blocked.

Wood blinds are not usually found in one’s local home improvement store, so scheduling a home consultation to purchase them is necessary. Also, wooden blinds are more expensive, but proper care will last for many years. Wooden blinds are also not as child-friendly as they can be broken if bent or pushed down too hard. In addition, if living in a climate where excessive moisture is common, wooden blinds may warp.

Overall, when it comes to home decorating-whether inside or out is important to choose what will work best for individual needs. After all, there is no perfect product, just personal preference. But, by knowing the pros and cons of plywood and natural wood, at least it is possible to make an informed decision.