Does your bedroom feel boring and basic? Do you want to glam it up and make it a space you long to retreat to at the end of the day? A beautiful bedroom retreat is something everyone should have and we’ve got our top three tips for making it happen.

Three ways to take your bedroom from basic to beautiful:

1) Add or Recover Your Headboard

The easiest way to make a bedroom feel more glamorous and restful is to add in a luxurious headboard. A large upholstered headboard adds texture and focus, and depending on the fabric you choose, it can really add any element you like;

A touch of whimsy:

2) Ban Basic Bedframes

A good mattress deserves a great frame. From platform beds with storage to a four-poster bed the styles of bedframes are varied and can help you add your own personality to your perfect bedroom retreat.

3) Accent It Up

Side tables, a small TV stand, dressers that store your clothing properly – all these accent items help make a room look and feel like home. It doesn’t need to be new either! A medium height dresser out of the kid’s room might be a perfect weekend DIY project for a fresh coat of paint so it can now be the TV stand in your bedroom.

Look around at what you’ve got and see if you can repurpose and rethink items to make your bedroom work for your needs. Sometimes a great weekend project can yield your favourite and most prized item.

Another great accent item is mirrors and art. Visit your local antique store and find some fun frames, blow up art your kids have created, or frame a precious note. All these accent items help make your room one you want to enjoy.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

When I grew up in the eighties the sectional was almost always the sofa that graced the playroom or messy TV room in the basement. This was the case in my house and certainly all of my friends’. A big messy couch that constantly separated and ‘made’ us lose our Gameboys in between the various sofa pieces.

Now a full-fledged grown-up and furnishing my own home I’ve come to realize the sectionals of the past are no longer and today’s sectionals give you so many reasons to love them. With simple attachments to keep today’s sectionals as one, there are so many reasons to consider a sectional as your sofa of choice, here are my top three.

Any Size, Any Space, Any Style

Are you a mid-century modern fan? Do you prefer deep and luxurious? Do you have a tiny space or a massive one? The real beauty of sectionals is there is a configuration for every possible style or space. You can go for a classic look or a super modern look, you can have a soft velvet fabric or a rugged leather, the options are literally endless with sectionals.

Features on Features

A sectional with features like cup holders, storage in ottomans, power and manual reclining, is like a gift within a gift. Not only can you get all the various features of a sofa you want, but you can get features on the features. I like to lounge on one side, husband reclines on the other, and the dogs can snuggle in the middle. I’ve got magazines stored in the ottoman and unless you could fit a maid in there too, I feel like life is pretty good.

Easy to Move & Rearrange

Because sectionals are a series of components meeting your individual style needs, it also makes them very easy to transport. No Friends couch moving scene screaming PIVOT here my friends, nope – moving sectionals from room to room or house-to-house is super easy. This also means you can re-jig or rethink your sectional based on the room or house.

A sectional we moved from our family room up to our cottage recently had one small section removed to make it work perfectly for the space. We didn’t need a whole new couch, but it almost feels like we got one!

Are you ready to love sectionals too? Visit your local BrandSource store today to sit down on our selection of sectionals and see what it’s all about.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Sometimes I wish I could be the lady who wraps all her furniture in plastic so it looks like new forever, and then I remember that it is very weird and also probably very uncomfortable. Not to mention, wrapping furniture in plastic for everyday living is not at all practical.

And while I know messes, spills and accidents can happen (especially during the busy holiday party season) there are some simple tips and tricks to help keep your furniture looking like new (without becoming the crazy plastic person).

Here are some of my tips and tricks to keep your furniture looking like new.

Tip #1) Performance Fabrics

Just like a great sports bra does wonders for sweat and support, a proper performance fabric on your sofas and accent pillows can help you by cleaning more easily and being stain resistant. Another great option is choosing outdoor fabrics for your dining room chair seats. With so many fun choices, you can recover your chairs easily in a fabric toddlers, dogs, and messy Aunt Harriet can do their worst and you can just give them a quick wipe down.

Tip #2) Preparation & Protection

While it’s nice to show the wood grain of your lovely dining room table, I find holidays the perfect time to dress it up with tablecloths and runners, adding in some advance protection against spills and scratches. This also helps protect the wood from any hot dishes you need to serve.

This also means leaving coasters out on literally every surface so it’s pretty obvious you want them used. Another tip to help prevent spills from being even worse is to never fill glasses more than half full. This helps guests limit their indulgence, but also makes sure if a glass does go over it’s less likely to run across half the table.

Tip #3) Warranty & Protection Plans

Warranty and protection plans for your furniture are boring yes, but very reassuring. If you are investing in quality sofas and solid wood dining room sets, it might be worth investing in a warranty or protection plan to help provide that extra bit of reassurance if it all goes south (despite your best efforts).

Tip #4) Serve Up Stain-Free Foods

While cranberry sauce might be non-negotiable, other stains inducing foods aren’t necessary and should be encouraged to remain off the holiday or entertaining menu. If you really don’t want to serve up red wine, you can even try having a signature house cocktail made with easy to clean mixers. Think through buffet food and self-serve appetizers to make sure there isn’t cheese dripping or sauces going everywhere. Pick items that can easily be enjoyed without a big mess, or be sure to provide lots of plates and napkins.

Tip #5) Clean Spills Immediately

If spills do happen, the best strategy to avoiding stains is to clean them up immediately. And while I know it’s stressful, remain calm and don’t forget to reassure your guests that accidents happen with a smile.
After all, if the worst thing that happens at a family gathering over the holidays is a spill you should count your blessings.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Congratulations! You’ve done the hard part: You’ve found a home, you’ve purchased it, and now you are getting ready to move in. Now comes the fun part. Furnishings!

Sure, you could go through the hassle of moving all your old furniture, but wouldn’t it be much more fun to turn over a new leaf and decorate this place with brand new, awesome stuff? Yeah, I thought so, too. Even better, you don’t have to go far for your shopping trip – we’ll help you pick out your new favourite furniture!

So, here are a few of the basics that you’ll need to help make a space feel like home, and also to make sure that your guests have someplace to sit when they come over to play Poker and Monopoly.

1. Something to Sleep On

This should probably be the first thing you knock off your checklist, unless you want to spend the first few nights in the new place sleeping in a pile of sheets on the floor while the cat sits and stares at you and wonders why you aren’t on a nice, comfy bed.

All that aside, moving is stressful, and you probably aren’t going to get it all done in one day. At the end of the night, you’ll want someplace to sleep, so start with your mattress, bed frame, and any other bedroom furnishing you need to feel right at home.

2. Something to Relax On

Now that sleeping is taken care of, you’ll want to go to the next best thing … relaxing! You aren’t going to just spend all of your time standing in your new apartment – at least you shouldn’t – and you’ll need something to just chill out on.

You’ll probably want a CLD, otherwise known as a couch-like-device. Perhaps a new Elran sofa? Or maybe a smaller version called a condo sofa? How about an Elran sectional and its many options? Or you could get a recliner and combine it with a loveseat. Go with whatever you feel, just make sure to plan to have something for your living room.

Elran provides reclining furniture where both comfort and style are combined; it sits well and looks good. By selecting an Elran piece of furniture for your home, you’ll get to choose amongst the variety of leathers and fabrics available – whether you like traditional brown or opt for fashion-forward purple – they have the options.

3. Something to Entertain With

With the living room relaxation taken care of, next you’ll need something to do with your free time. You could sit there all day on the Elran couch and marvel at how good of a deal you got on the house and how many millions of years you’ll be paying the mortgage, or you could get a life and find something fun to do!

A new TV is always perfect for a new house, especially if you upgraded and have more room – which means you’ll now have the space for a bigger TV!

Of course, your entertainment options don’t need to be electronic in nature. You could go for something else: A pool table perhaps? Or maybe making one area into a cool little yoga nook? It’s your new space. The options are limitless.

4. Something to Eat Off Of

Hmm. Do you hear that? That’s probably your stomach growling since you made it this far on this list and I haven’t mentioned a kitchen table yet.

Yeah, one of the other important pieces of furniture you’ll need is a kitchen table, or at least something to eat off. If it’s just you in the house, you could get by just fine with a coffee table, but if your family keeps growing, you’ll probably want an actual kitchen table.

Of course, with the table you’ll also need to get something — or somethings I should say — to sit on. Chairs for the table, and a few for the living room and other entertaining spaces is probably a good idea, as well. It’s kind of anti-vogue to ask guests to bring their own seating arrangements, apparently.

5. Decorations and Special Touches

With the major necessities out of the way, now you can get to the even more fun part of the fun part. That vaulted ceiling looks perfect for a chandelier, doesn’t it? Always wanted a giant purple, fuzzy rug? Go for it.

Decorations and special little touches are going to be what truly makes your new house feel like home. Put some artwork – or posters – up in some frames, get some potted plants, grab a cat tower for the kitties, and whatever else you need that brings you joy.

No matter what your furniture needs are, don’t forget that we are always here to help. Be it with your new home, or just to upgrade your furniture in your old home, we’re always here to guide you through your furniture shopping and make sure you find just what you are looking for.

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

Breathe in that brisk, fall air! It’s finally that time of the year again: The air is starting to cool down, the leaves are falling, and it’s the perfect weather for jackets and boots and scarves and pumpkin spice, well, everything.

Of course, you aren’t the only thing that should be dressing up for the season – your whole house should be joining in the celebration! Throw aside those bright, summery colours, and get ready to bring fall into not just your wardrobe, but your décor, as well.

With these tips, you’ll be able to freshen up your whole house for the season, and still have time to enjoy the decorations before the winter chill comes. Let’s make like a pile of leaves and jump right in!

Falling for Fall

Like summer’s bright pastels and seaside beach-friendly tones, fall offers its own unique palette of colours. With reds, yellows, purples, blacks, oranges, browns, and mixtures and shades of all of the above, the colour decorating options for fall are quite open!

If you are looking to bring a touch of fall to your house, there are some easy places to start: Pull out some fall-coloured blankets and throws for an easy splash of colour. Replace your summer oven mitts and dish towels with ones adorned by leaves and pumpkins.

Even better, why not really seal the deal with a lovely accent piece? Perhaps a Signature Design by Ashley loveseat to go in that empty corner of your living room – it would be the perfect place to cuddle up and enjoy a book on a nice cozy fall evening!

Waiting Patiently for the Holiday Season

The whimsical and leafy colours of fall aren’t the only options you have for the next month, however. The great pumpkin festival that is Halloween may have passed, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use holiday décor to further your fall festivities.

If you are expecting a crowd this year, nothing is quite the showstopper like a brand-new kitchen table and dining set to go with your festive placemats and centrepiece. Signature Design by Ashley offers amazing dining sets, and with something from one of their collections, you’ll be able to bring out the most of your new fall décor and have room for all of your growing family to eat at the same time. Bonus points!

Accenting Everything

The devil really is in the details, and that is especially true when it comes to decorating! If you really want to bring the fall spirit home, make sure to add some small personal touches that really reflect who you are – and what you love about fall! For example, you could get those pumpkin scented candles out, and you could even pull out some fall-coloured drapes and shades, too.

Better yet, given how exhausting preparing for the holidays can be, how about getting a nice recliner to go along with that new table? There’s nothing like kicking back after a hard day of cooking and eating, and you won’t find a seat more comfortable than a recliner from Signature Design by Ashley.

If you really want to celebrate the season, there’s no better way to do it than redecorating and refurnishing. With some new colours in your space – and with some new Signature Design furniture by your side – you can’t go wrong. Bring in fall in style!

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

So, you’ve finally made the plunge into getting that new Palliser couch you’ve been eyeing. Or maybe you’re still shopping around and you want to make sure this sofa stays shipshape as long as possible. If you’re determined to keep your next couch from falling prey to common-couch care mistakes, we can help you there.

Palliser Couch care can be a tricky business. Your couch is the place you spend most of your at-home relaxing time, so it can be easy to forget that it requires a bit of work to stay stylish and sharp. Who wants to think about chores after a long day at work? But, if you want to keep your sofa around for years to come, it’ll need a little TLC. So, begin the journey of preserving your couch with these four good sofa care habits.

1. Switch Up Your Seat

Uneven wearing is the silent killer of a good couch. Everyone has their favourite spot on their sofa – that place you like to crash every night after work, the spot where you could just curl up and eat popcorn and ice cream all weekend … Yeah, that spot will be the first to go, and it’ll bring the rest of your couch down with it if you’re not careful. If you put too much wear and tear on one part of your couch, the cushions will start to go lumpy fast, and after a while, the springs will start to sag, big time.

This is hardly conducive to a comfy couch experience, and to keep one side of your couch from falling into a black hole of discomfort, you may have to change up your habits. Try sitting in different places and different positions every day, so you don’t put any one area under too much strain. This will keep your Palliser couch springy and supportive even after years of use.

2. Flip Your Cushions

Even if you’re carefully changing up your sitting spot every day, your cushions can still start to wear down just from regular use. If they get too badly worn out, the stuffing can break down, clump up, or warp long before you would otherwise need to start shopping for a new couch.

No one likes a couch full of lumps and indents, but, if you get into the habit of flipping your cushions over every few weeks, you can keep the issue in check. Flip them upside down and front to back every now and again to make sure you’re making the most of every inch of those cushions.

3. Ban Food on the Couch

I get it, sometimes all you want to do at the end of the day is curl up with a box of cookies and hot chocolate and watch TV until you can’t keep your eyes open anymore. But when that mug of hot chocolate gets away from you, and more of those cookies end up in the cushions than in your stomach, your relaxing evening won’t be quite so relaxing anymore. So, prevent the mess altogether and make your sofa a crumb-free zone. Your future self will thank you.

But I get it, sometimes life gets in the way of even the best laid plans. If you really can’t get away with ditching couch meals entirely, at least put a protective covering down when you eat. A towel or sheet can catch the worst of the crumbs and soak up any undesirable spills before they reach your precious couch.

4. Don’t Skip the Cleaning

It’s not just your carpets and bedsheets that should be getting a regular cleaning – your couch should get a thorough wash every now and again too! Arm yourself with a lint roller and a hand vacuum and you should make quick work of the worst of the dirt. Vacuuming the cushions every few weeks can help keep lint, hair, food particles, and other undesirables from building up in the fabric.

Be sure to remove the cushion covers and give them a wash every few months too (as long as the fabric is washer-safe). If you’re struggling with ground-in grime or soaked-in stains, steam cleaning is another great way to freshen up your couch and make it look like new again. A little planning ahead during your next couch purchase can make this step even easier. When you’re shopping for a new sofa, ask our staff about the different fabric options you have, and how you can best take care of each of them.

These simple rules will get you into the habit of couch upkeep in no time. If you hold yourself to it, your new couch will give you years of comfort and support. But, if you’re still searching for that perfect Palliser sofa to love and cherish, be sure to check out the options at our showroom! Now that you know everything you need to keep your couch looking and feeling great, we would love to help you pick out a Palliser sofa that you’ll love for years to come.

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

When the leaves start to fall and the weather gets colder I immediately crave a warm cozy spot cocooned with a good book and a cup of tea, even better if there’s a fire. Just a quick scroll through Pinterest will tell you I’m not alone and it’s time to get comfortable for a long winter indoors. With that in mind, I’ve assembled some of our best décor solutions for making your home more comfy and cozy this winter. In three words I can sum it up by saying it’s ‘all about texture’.

Texture, texture, texture!

Texture means not only soft furs and warm and wool-y blankets, but layers on top of layers to create even more texture in your room, simply by adding in some fabulous décor items or comfortable lounge-y furniture.

The soft fur pillows add warmth to this modern living room. If you have one of grandma’s old furs in a closet and you know it will never make it outside, why not it give it new life on the sofa as a cozy reminder of her?

The volume of pillows here is what creates texture and definitely has me wanting to dive in and get cozy. Change out your pillow cushion covers seasonally to add colour, change up textures, and create some extra cozy-ness in the winter.

The warm and textured beautiful blue pouf is the perfect place to pop your feet and get cozy reading a book. Poufs are a great addition because not only are they comfy for feet in the winter, but they are year-round spare seating for a living room full of friends.

A warm fire and this simple cozy corner of the room may just be your favourite all winter long.

Blankets draped over furniture help to add texture and warmth through both the look and the feel.

We love the idea of having a basket of blankets for guests to choose from, that way everyone can snuggle.

This chaise with a cozy blanket and extra pillows had me at hello.

This living room has a trio of awesome texture, a pouf, a pillow, and a blanket all placed perfectly on a chaise for cozy winter afternoons.

I hope you’ve been inspired to add a little more texture to your living spaces this winter. What do you have your eyes on? More pillows? More blankets? Or like me, just more of everything!? (wink!)

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

You know that little black dress in your closet that you pull out time after time and never get tired of hearing how great you look in it? What’s the one thing you change up each time you wear it (besides your underwear!)? The one thing you change up and makes your LBD (little black dress) feel like something special and new is your accessories! And girlfriends, when it comes to dressing up your living room and doing it on a budget the best way to do it is with accessories.

Just think of your living room as the classic little black dress, dress it up or dress it down with accessories and change it up for the seasons, it will always look good. And it’s easy to it on a budget. Here are our top four ways to liven up your living room on a budget.

1) Art & Décor

A funky vase, a bold canvas, and seasonal décor help change up the look of your living room with blowing the bank. This one wall with a large art mural really makes this room incredible, but it can be easily changed and was relatively inexpensive compared to the high-quality couch in a neutral colour that will last for years and years.

2) Pillows & Throws

Pillows and throws are one of the easiest and most economical ways to add both fashion and function to your living room. Not only can you change up the pillows seasonally with colours or other fun designs, but adding in throws at winter also helps keep you and guests warm and cozy. Throws and pillows come in literally hundreds of patterns, colours, and variety of textures you can only imagine the possibilities for ‘accessorizing’ your living room for any occasion or season.

The bold art, the throw, the colourful end table: this room has it all accessorized and it’s awesome.

3) Rugs & Lamps

A bold new lamp or a luxurious rug underfoot can be relatively inexpensive ways to boost your living room’s wow-factor. Not only do lamps and rugs make great accessories for your living room, but they can be easily moved around the house for use in other places depending on the season or the need.

Easy enough to change up and move based on your mood, these living room accessories have really become a lot more interesting and colourful over the past few years and we’re glad to see it! Rugs and lamps offer so much opportunity to personalize your living spaces without spending a fortune.

This room would be boring and beige without the awesome rug and great colour pop of the pillows.

4) Accent Tables

A good hostess knows the best living room parties are ones where people have enough room to place their drinks down while they nibble. Accent tables are the earrings for your living room LBD. A good set of accent tables, while not expensive, can make a room. Adding both bling and function, cocktail tables and nesting tables spread around help make living rooms the ultimate entertaining zone.

These three accent tables make for a great everyday coffee table but can be separated for entertaining and don’t take up too much space.

Looking to liven up your living room? Your local BrandSource store has a wide selection of all accent tables, décor, wall art, pillows, and more.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Who doesn’t like to have friends over? You set a date, make the official invitations and carefully plan a menu that will delight your guests. For some, it is also a chance to showcase their new passion: mixology. What better way to please your guests than to prepare a cocktail that they’ve selected themselves?

If you too have always dreamed of setting up a small bar at home and demonstrating your bartender skills, here are some of the essential elements you will need to think about to impress the gallery.

1) Choose Your Home Bar Style

First of all, you need a place to store everything you need. Space permitting, you can choose to go all out and build a bar with stools, stainless steel counters, beer kegs, etc. (often in the basement). You can also choose to be more discreet and use your kitchen cabinets or an extra piece of furniture like the ones below for storage.

But why hide your talent? I found a low-cost home bar solution that can be used in several rooms in your home. Both decorative and functional, it can go with you when you move. And what is this solution? The portable mini bar. This industrial one here is a great example.

And how about this contemporary one?

2) Buy The Right Tools

Just as a mechanic needs to have the basic tools in his trunk, a good amateur mixologist needs to have some essential tools to help create wonderful cocktails. Here’s what I think you need for your new passion.

• 2 shakers (a small one and a larger one)
• Mixing glass
• Stir spoon and bar muddler
• Ice strainer
• Julep strainer and Y-shaped peeler
• 2 jiggers
• Bottle opener
• Ice bucket and tongs

3) Fill Your Home Bar With Basic Alcohols

Now that you have all the right tools to start your career as a home mixologist, you are probably wondering what alcohols you should stock for your home bar? Here are the essential ones to have:

• 3 classics (your choice – vodka, gin, rum, tequila) – I have a soft spot for vodka and rum because they allow me to create two of my favourite cocktails, Cosmopolitan and Mojito.
• 1 liqueur – Citrus liqueur is the most popular because it will allow you to make cocktails such as Margarita and Kamikaze.
• 1 cream – I believe the most popular are Irish cream and Amarula.
• 1 fine spirit (your choice – scotch, whisky, brandy, cognac) – For the connoisseurs.

4) Think About A Few Extras

If you want to take your passion a step further, you can add a few extras to your home bar area such as a counter height table with stools that can easily be placed against your sofa.

And if you need to keep beverages cool, you can go for a mini fridge or a beautiful refreshment tub like the one below.

That’s it! You now have everything you need to become the most popular mixologist for your group of friends and family. Go ahead, have tasting evenings and let your creativity run wild.

Have fun!

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

The smallest apartment I ever lived in was a little 425 square feet nest above a flower market. That tiny little home was lovely and my most amazing feat was serving a sit down for 22 people in it! Yes, 22 people in a shoebox. It was a memorable night that’s for sure!

This small space entertaining experience taught me a few key life lessons about how to entertain (in general), but especially in small spaces so I thought I would share them with you here.

1) Multi-functional Furniture

The best pieces of furniture are those that can perform double or even triple duty. Small space saving furniture items like nesting tables are a great way to add extra cocktail trays or snack platters around your space without cluttering things up on the day-to-day.

We’ve already talked about how awesome accent chairs can be, and small space entertaining is no different. While you might not have a full dining room table and chairs, a few accent chairs pulled from around your space will help you offer up extra seating.

⇒ Want to learn more about accent chairs, read this: How to Add Style and Function to Any room With Accent Chairs

If your small space does have room for a small table, having one with the ability to add extra leaves and extend it is super helpful. Going from everyday seating for four to having 10 just by pulling out handy extensions makes entertaining easy and gives you the best of both worlds; small and functional.

The best part about all the above options for making small space entertaining easy is that each of them is also an investment for your future largest spaces. A great accent chair, set of nesting tables, or dining table with extensions will help you entertain in spaces both big and small. Now that’s multifunctional!

2) Quality Over Quantity

With only so much space, going bananas with the number of dishes, platters, pots, pans, and everything else required can only add to the clutter. Focus on having a really great cheese platter rather than bowls and bowls of chips and flimsy plastic veggie containers.

3) Advance Preparation

Advance preparation is key to success. Make as much food as you can in advance, lay out the tables and chairs, set everything up so the day of you are calm as a cucumber and can entertain without stress.

4) Focus on What’s Important

Spending time with family and friends is really why you are hosting is the first place. If a soufflé falls flat, or your roast is overcooked matters very little. What matters is opening your home (no matter how small) to those you love and making memories together.

Do you entertain in small spaces? What are some of your best tips for making it magical?

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert