At our store, we aim to help make your house a home with quality furniture and a little expert advice from our staff. We’ve even put together our top design tips for making the most of your furniture and transforming your place into the haven you deserve!

If your own home furnishings are a little sparse, treat yourself by picking out some new pieces by Ashley to bring your space to life. With these tips, your new Signature Design by Ashley will be carrying your home’s style all on its own and you’ll wonder how you ever got by without it!

Size It Up

Properly furnishing your home has everything to do with adjusting your décor to the size and shape of your room. When you have a smaller space, it can be easy to look around and give up on having a beautifully furnished home. But the key is all in the sizing and proportions of your furniture.

One of our Ashley loveseats can give a room the same cozy look as a couch, but on a smaller scale, while armless chairs provide comfy seating without the bulk. Rounded tables also help save space and make your furniture easier to navigate around.

On the flip side, if you’ve got a room with more space than you know what to do with, go big and double up. Cushy couches with rounded arms, or even two matching sitting areas within the same room can help fill the space while keeping it all functional. So, get out your measuring tape and get started!

Sectioned Off

Sectionals are all the rage, and they’re the perfect seating solution for almost any home. Living room too big? They take up space and help create an elegant shape to your sitting arrangement. Living room too small? They eliminate the need for extra chairs cluttering up your floor space. Sectionals are a perfect option for entertaining and relaxing, and they come in just about every design aesthetic you can imagine. Sectionals from Signature Design by Ashley can help amp up your style and while adding a bit of structure to your living space.

Front and Centre

Pushing all your furniture against the walls is a major design misstep we see all the time. Some people think that by leaving all their floor space open, they’re making their spaces easier to navigate. But practically, however, it just makes the space feel unbalanced and inconvenient to use. When you’re shouting at your guests from waaaay on the other side of the room, then you’ll get what we mean.

Instead, pull your furniture away from the walls. It might not be possible to put all your furniture in the middle of the room, but even just scooting in your chairs closer to your couch can make the space feel more intimate and natural.

Mix and Match

Variety is the spice of life, and the same is true of home design! When picking your Signature Design by Ashley, one of the most important things you can do to create balance and visual harmony in your home is know when to throw off that balance a bit.

Pendant lighting of different lengths or chairs in different shapes and styles can actually help complement the overall feel of a room. Too much matching and symmetry can make a room feel tense and stuffy. Asymmetry creates visual interest and the kind of naturally dynamic look that makes a home feel really lived in. Couches and chairs of difference depths, tables made of different materials, and mismatched décor can all make your space feel vibrant and stylish. Signature Design by Ashley offers plenty of unique pieces that can bring your décor to life with taste and sophistication.

If you’re feeling inspired to switch up your space, check out our selection of quality furniture with the help of our staff! Celebrate the things that make your home more “you” with these helpful tips and some fresh furniture from Signature Design. Your space will feel like new in no time!

Shop Our Furniture from Signature Design by Ashley Online Now!

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

When I picture my backyard, it’s got bright summer sunshine, lots of laughter, the smell of barbecue, and a perfect place to eat where I sip a cup of tea or enjoy evening drinks. I picture a happy space with comfortable (and durable!) outdoor furniture. The one hiccup is how short our Canadian summers actually are. There is usually a feeling of having “just” brought the patio furniture outside before we’re putting it away again for the fall and winter.

EXCEPT! The powers that be in patio-furniture-design land have finally heard the cries, and we are seeing an ever-increasing number of outdoor furniture styled and designed with a key element in mind: it can be used outdoors and indoors.

Say what now!? Bringing the outdoors inside (and vice versa) makes these unique furniture and accessories like toss cushions and area rugs so incredibly versatile. Their versatility is also what makes them a great bang for your design buck. Cost effective and stylish, outdoor furniture and accessories are coming inside in a big way.

Want some inspiration before you shop our outdoor furniture? We’ve rounded up our top five favourite (and easy) ways to do just that:

Kids Indoor Playroom

Let’s face it, kids are the destroyers of things. They use markers and glue in places they shouldn’t, they hide cookies in the couch (for the dog to find later!), and generally wreak havoc being their awesome little selves. While a basement or indoor playroom needs furniture, you want it to be both industrial in strength and friendly in décor style.

Enter what you would typically think of as patio furniture to the rescue!

Today’s outdoor sofa sets are made with high performance fabrics, ready for a quick wipe clean and almost immune to what the average toddler and unaccompanied family pet can do in a quiet half hour. Not only is looking to outdoor furniture to furnish and accessorize the inside of your playroom a practical solution, it’s also a very economical one. Where a big messy spill would ruin an indoor area rug or cost a bunch in cleaning, an outdoor area rug can be hosed off and hung to dry. Kids cannot outsmart the outdoor furniture design people, they’ve thought of everything! The kids room, or any room heavily used by a growing family, makes a great place to use outdoor furniture inside.

Seasonal Seating & Décor Supplements

In the summertime we’re outside; we eat outside, we entertain outside, we do all our living outside as long as the weather lets us. But when winter comes the entertaining moves inside and I find myself needing an extra sofa in the living room, or an extra table & chairs in the kitchen to help be the host with the most. With my outdoor furniture so stylish and easy to move (it’s light y’all!), I can easily move a little outdoor love seat into the living room for holiday parties.

Want to justify buying all those outdoor toss cushions? A great use for all those outdoor cushions is to make them double as your holiday décor cushions. Just cover the outdoor cushion with all your reindeer cushions and you’re off to the races! Now you longer have outdoor cushions to store all winter, and holiday cushions to store all year long! (you just got more storage space for shoes…you are welcome!)

Mix N’ Match

Thinking outdoor furniture can only be used outside is so 1992. Stylish, comfortable, multi-use, and very economically priced, today’s outdoor furniture and accessories choices are quickly becoming “everyday” choices we can use in any room inside or out; no matter the season. We’re seeing more and more mixing and matching, bringing the outdoors in – in a big way. Imagine a nice wicker chair at your dressing table, or an outdoor rug in your heavily trafficked laundry room!

Kitchen Eating & Seating All Year Long

Who says you can’t use a fabulous patio set in your kitchen all year long? This is a great way to add relaxed seating into your kitchen without the cost of a traditional kitchen table and chairs. With a huge selection of small bistro sets to larger tables seating groups up to 10; looking to outdoor furniture or patio sets for your kitchen is a great option.

Small Space, Growing Family

Most families start out in a smaller family home, slowing growing into a home with more space. Making big purchases – like a living room set, or dining or kitchen tables can take a big chunk out of your budget. It also means that expensive quality sofa, or new dining set must come to the new house and you’ll have to “make it work”.

Why not invest in a quality outdoor dining patio set for your eating space? Or use outdoor living room furniture in your smaller living room? This way you are investing your dollars into an awesome patio set for your new (bigger) yard AND getting the furniture your small family home needs right now. It’s the best of both worlds!

Inspired? Be sure to shop our selection of outdoor furniture.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Moving to a new home? Here are my top 10 essential furniture items that I think every new home should have:

A good bed

A good bed means good night sleeps, which after moving is essential. A well-rested you with no aches or pain from a lumpy mattress means you can tackle the rest of the unpacking and whatever else you have on your to-do list. You don’t need your dream bed frame or the perfect headboard when you move, but a bed is a must. The rest of the décor will come with time as you figure out how the space works best for you.

Armchair

It need not have perfect upholstery, it could be the ugliest thing in the world. But having an armchair you can throw a blanket over and use to enjoy tea, a good book or welcome guests is always a good item to have. The bonus is, an armchair can move around the house or apartment depending on your needs. It could add seating in the living room or be a nice place to read a book in your bedroom. Armchairs are essential and full of possibilities.

A Few Good Lights

They might not be the ‘perfect’ lights for the spaces you need them for (on a desk, table, by the bed, etc.) but some lights are better than no lights. Having a few table lamps and maybe a floor lamp is essential to making any house your home. A quick stop at your local reuse centre should yield a couple of decent ones to get you by until you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Table

Just like lights, any old table will do as long as you can comfortably sit at it (with your legs underneath). You need something you can use as a dining table or desk (or both!). Upcycling an old table from your parents or something you buy at a garage sale is a great way to make do until you finally invest in the dining room table and desk you need.

Chairs

A couple of chairs, old wood ones you’ve painted in bright colours, or basic folding chairs are helpful for eating at the table and working at a desk. A fun collection of random chairs can be used in a variety of ways throughout the house, and are on standby should they be needed for a larger dinner party.

Sofa

A sofa is essential yes, but worth waiting for if you don’t have one yet. Unless you get a hand-me-down or find a second hand one for a steal; you’ll want to save your pennies for a quality sofa. A quality sofa is an investment in any home whether you’re staying or moving. A quality sofa is worth waiting the six to eight weeks for it to be made locally, using fabric you have picked specifically for your lifestyle needs, with the dimensions your space requires. So, yes, a sofa is essential for your new home – a quality one is worth the wait.

SHOP SOFAS

Coffee Table

You need a place to put your cuppa-tea, you need somewhere to rest your feet during a Netflix binge-watching session, and it doesn’t need to be fancy. A coffee table is a great item to find locally at second-hand stores or garage sales. Give them a fresh funky coat of paint and change up the legs to add or remove height. This is a fun way to add personality and function to your new space without breaking the bank.

Dresser

A clean and organized space immediately feels more welcoming, and that’s what a dresser does for a bedroom and any other number of places. When I moved into my very first apartment, I took my childhood dresser. That same dresser now helps store linens in the guest room and it is painted a lovely chalk white. When it comes to dressers, they can be used in so many ways – for clothes, for linens, for supplies in a shed or workroom; you can always use one – and in a move to a new home, they are essential.

Shelving

A bookcase, a shelving unit and an armoire, are all a great asset to have when you move into your first home. You’ll need a space to display and store some of your favourite things like photos, books, and décor accessories.

Area Rug

Nothing makes a space feel warm and brings it together like an area rug. A large rug can anchor a room and helps cold floors feel warm, instantly making you want to stay a little bit longer. Pick one in your favourite colours to bring you cheer and brighten up your décor, especially if it is a rental where you can’t change the colours of the walls.

Need some essentials to round out your collection of hand-me-downs and upcycle projects before you move? Shop our living room furniture.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Whether you’re just starting out or upgrading your home and style; buying a good quality sofa (or sectional) is so much more than finding the sofa you like the look of best.

Buying the best sofa is more. Why? Because good quality sofas, just like good quality anything, requires just a bit more thought. A lot of care and craftsmanship goes into making high-quality sofas, sectionals, and chesterfields; so, I’ve rounded up my definitive guide to helping you buy the best sofa.

Whether you want a big squishy sofa with lots of cushions or sleek mid-century style sofa, you want it to be comfortable and suit your lifestyle.

With that in mind, here are some things to consider before you buy:

Fabric choices

Will pets and kids be using this sofa full time? Is this a sleek bachelor pad sofa for grown-ups only?

There are many fabric choices out there, some better for pets and kids than others. Be sure to ask in store about how well the fabric choices you like will stand up in your household.

Frame Construction

Sofa frame construction is a key element in making when investing in a high-quality sofa. Solid wood frames offer the most longevity and ensure they will stand the test of time without sagging in the middle or sloping to the side. Solid construction allows a high-quality sofa to get reupholstered in 20 years, giving your investment new life.

Construction details of a Canadian made loveseat by Decor-Rest

Cushion Materials

Highest quality cushions are made from down. However, these require lots of fluffing maintenance, which is why most manufacturers recommend a blend or a high-quality material wrapped around high-quality foam (which is the most common option in a high-quality sofa). Be sure to ask in store about the cushion materials the seating support and don’t forget to ask about any warranties they might have.

Country of Origin

High-quality sofas made in Canada ensures all materials and workmanship are up to modern Canadian standards and regulations. To read more about why the country of origin and buying custom can make a difference in your sofa, read this post Top 3 Reasons to Buy Custom Made Furniture.

Armed with this helpful information, visit your local showroom, plop yourself down on a selection of sofas and see what you like. While you’re there and looking for a high-quality sofa, you will want to ask a few key questions in store:

• Where is the sofa made?
• What options do I have for customizing fabric, cushion material, and even configuration (when it comes to sectionals)?
• What is the frame made of?

Not ready to head in store just yet? Shop our living room furniture from the comfort of your home before you join us for a visit.

• Shop Our Living Room Furniture
• Shop Our Sofas
• Shop Our Sectionals

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

Reclining Sofa Collection by Elran

It’s long been known that the label Made in Quebec is synonymous with quality in furniture, but did you also know that Quebec-made furniture comes in a wide range of styles and price?

Curious to know what gives “Made in Quebec” furniture that certain je ne sais quoi? Read on!

What Exactly Does Made in Quebec Mean for Furniture?

Quebec-made furniture is designed and manufactured by qualified workers in a workshop or factory located in the province of Quebec. In fact, the furniture industry in Quebec provides nearly 25,000 direct jobs in 1500 different locations and is one of the seven largest employers in manufacturing, just after the food sector.

So it’s quite simple, really. When you buy Quebec, a beneficial ripple effect occurs in the form of support for local jobs and local economies.

At BrandSource, we’re proud to say that the 21 owner-operated Quebec retailers offer over 72% of their product selection from local Quebec manufacturers.

In-Store or On-Line: How Do You Know Your Furniture Was Made in Quebec?

Look for the Fleur de Lys

Finding Quebec-made furniture is easy. Just look for the Fleur de Lys logo from the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers’ Association (QFMA). It can be found on store windows and tent cards. It also carries the headline Meuble du Québec.

Who Are the Quebec Furniture Manufacturers?

Actually, there are more than 105 manufacturers that are proud to call Quebec home, including such well-known brands as Elran, Canadel, Bélisle Furniture, Julien Beaudoin, Amisco, Arboit Poitras, Jaymar, Bugatti Design. To learn more about them and discover others, we invite you to visit the Meuble du Québec website.

Such depth in this manufacturing sector means that there is something for every sense of style and budget. Plus, whatever you select, you also will be able to customize it. So go ahead, express yourself! Customize your dining room and bedroom furniture, and while you’re at it, include the sofa, loveseat, sectional and recliner as well.

Solid Wood Dining Room Set by Canadel

7 Reasons to Say OUI to Made-in-Quebec Furniture

Your decision to Buy Quebec says a lot about you:

1. You value the quality of craftsmanship and durability of furniture produced here.
2. You delight in the choice of colours, fabrics, leathers, size options.
3. You recognize the talent, creativity and know-how of local manufacturers.
4. You benefit from the quality of your purchase and the price that fits your budget.
5. You care for the environment by selecting furniture that has not travelled halfway around the world and lowers the carbon footprint.
6. You support local economies and job creation.
7. You cultivate the use of native wood species that are better adapted to our northern climate.

Need New Furniture?

Visit one of our member-owned BrandSource stores to see their vast selection of Quebec-made furniture. I’m certain that, like a growing number of Quebecers, you will fall in love with the furniture made right here.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert