BrandSource Canada Blog – Page 18

December 5, 2018

Christmas Shopping Made Easy

Whether you have a naughty or nice list, our guide to easy holiday shopping will take the pain out of gift giving. Are you ready to go outside the box?

Holiday shopping is never easy, except when careful planning, and using a variety of options are involved! Whether your giving lists are long or short, you should never spend beyond our means. So many of us are faced with large credit card debt after the holidays and suddenly the joy of the season quickly turns to misery. The best way to get started is to write out the list of who to shop for and the total shopping budget. Using cash and recording the costs as you move along the list will help keep you stay on track. Here are some great ideas on how to keep your bank accounts in the black while sharing the joy of giving!

Baked Gifts

When you are a kitchen alchemist who can easily navigate eggs, butter and flour into a bowl, then you can let your skills shine with batches of baked goods! Why not? Filling cute holiday inspired boxes and containers will get everyone’s mouth-watering! From kids to seniors, brownies to trail mix, pound cake to Bundt cake, nobody will feel left out!

Buy Local

Local shops can really use some attention during the holiday season! Even if they compete with big warehouse stores and online businesses, especially during the holidays, they can still offer you some great deals. By doing it differently and shopping local you may get one of a kind items or services that will thrill that special someone on your list while supporting local businesses.

Craft Fairs

There is nothing more fun than attending craft fairs during the holiday season. Handmade and unique items are abundant from slippers to candles to wooden toys, there is something for everyone on your list. They are usually held on weekends and include entertainment for the young and young-at-heart with plenty to eat while you shop until you drop!

Entrepreneurs

Whether they make candles, essential oil blends, offer massage therapy, cooking or babysitting services, entrepreneurs are easily found online and in your neighbourhoods. They are your friends, family, neighbours, teachers and they need your support to either help supplement their income for a growing family or a little extra during retirement.

Donate to a Charity

So many charities are available that support foundations and organizations assisting refugee families, endangered or abused animals, international emergencies, local food banks and victims of abuse. Some offer certificates or toys in exchange for a donation which can be made in the name of the person on your list. While you support an organization that holds some meaning for you, you are also inspiring your recipients to give some thought to social issues.

Gift Cards

For the more difficult-to-shop for person, gift cards from their favourite store can be a last-minute life-saver! Whether it be for books, clothes, gadgets or services, gift cards will make the shopping experience very easy. When purchased online, they can be sent directly to the recipient attached to a lovely card or gift box.

The holidays should be a fun time to spend with those you love and share the bounty of a year well-lived. By carrying that spirit over to a new year without the stress of an over-extended budget gets things started on the right foot!

Angela, Your Sleep Expert

December 5, 2018

Traditional or Contemporary Furniture – Which is Right for Your Style?

Traditional or Contemporary Furniture – Which is Right for Your Style

Would you consider yourself an old soul or a modern-day innovator? Whether you realize it or not, most people have a pull towards one or the other, which has a way of affecting their style. From clothing to furniture to house décor, your style is important, and understanding the difference between the two can help you figure out what you like and feel more confident about your purchases.

If you aren’t sure what types of furniture line up with your style, find out what traditional and contemporary furniture styles from Signature Design by Ashley would look better in your home and work best with your lifestyle.

Traditional: The Art of Mixing Well with Others

Traditional Sofas

If you’re an old-fashioned type of person, you’re probably somebody who enjoys a traditional aesthetic. This doesn’t necessarily mean worn down and ancient furniture. It can mean you particularly like ornate wood furniture, such as a cherry wood bookshelf or a coffee table designed with a unique flair. It can also mean you enjoy patterns and intricate details to give your home a classic look.

Traditional style generally stays away from bright colours. You’ll never find a neon green couch or a jewel-toned colour anywhere. The vibe of the room should be calm and casual. Neutral colours such as grey, beige, and soft blues are always preferred in a traditional room.

One of the best things about traditional furniture is that each piece can easily fit into any style room. Throw a traditional coffee table into a modern-esque room and it won’t stand out. Throw a cozy chair in a rustic space and it will blend right in. Traditional furniture has a knack of mixing well with others. And if you’re looking for furniture to blend in, we’ve got the traditional Signature Design furniture in store that’ll help do the job perfectly.

Contemporary: The Art of Standing Out

Contemporary Sectional by Signature Design

Contemporary furniture styles are all about clean lines without the frills, and neutral hues with a pop of colour throughout. Simplicity is key when it comes to contemporary styles. It wouldn’t be a normal contemporary room if any of the furniture was bulky, so be sure to keep your furniture silhouettes looking slim.

Like traditional, contemporary sticks to neutral colours, but differs by throwing in a bold and vibrant shade in every once in a while. Imagine walking into a room with pure white walls, but a cobalt blue ottoman sitting between two grey sofas. Pretty striking, huh? That’s contemporary in a nutshell. Just be sure not to go overboard with too many different bright colours in the same space because that can make the room look busy.

Of course, when it comes to traditional and contemporary pieces of furniture, it’s not always a one or the other sort of deal. There are plenty of ways to mix the two together! So, if you happen to be on the lookout for some contemporary or traditional furniture, stop by our store to find a large variety from Signature Design by Ashley just waiting to fit into your home today! We’d be happy to help you figure out which style you’re going for and which Signature Design pieces will fit perfectly in your layout.

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

December 5, 2018

Which Palliser Furniture Sofa Style calls To You?

The world of sofa shopping can be vast and intimidating. Your couch is your safe space, your welcoming embrace when you get home from a long day of work, the centrepiece of your living room décor – you want to make sure you’re picking out the perfect one.

And if you’ve been hanging onto the same old, reliable couch that’s been collecting dust and stains in the corner for a decade, it can be hard to make the jump into something new. But rest assured, Palliser Furniture has your back.

Palliser’s vast selection of sofas are the perfect complement to your style – and your comfort. We’ve got several stunning models available – but which one is right for your space? Check out our handy guide to Palliser sofa styles to figure out which one will suit you just right!

Let’s Get Sectional

If you’ve got a house fit for a king and want to make all your guests feel like royalty too, bringing home a sectional is the perfect way to do it! These sprawling sofas fit in perfectly with every home design and give you and your guests plenty of space to get comfy.

Though they’re especially great for maximizing floor space in large rooms, smaller homes can easily get the luxury treatment too. Chaise sofas give you a little extra room to sprawl out, while keeping the sofa’s width compact.

On the Recline

Do you like to get low? Like, really really low? A reclining couch is the perfect style for the comfort-minded individual! These sofas come in all shapes, sizes and styles, so you can keep your living room sleek and add a little extra comfort to your space at the same time. Loveseats, sectionals, and classic-style sofas are all available with the ability to recline, so sit back, relax and enjoy your favourite TV show from way down low. Go ahead, catch a few Z’s! We won’t judge!

Loveseat, Baby

Cute and cozy, loveseats are perfect for filling an awkward corner or taking the place of a couch in smaller homes. Loveseats have all the comfort of a sofa, but in a stylish, compact size. There are lots of varieties of this comfy seating option too, so you can find one to suit you no matter your style or space.

Settee loveseats have a high, straight back and a comes in classic and contemporary looks. Divans, a type of loveseat without a back or arms, are a great slim seating option for the end of beds or window seats that can’t quite fit a couch.

Sleeper Keeper

Multifunctional sofas are the perfect option for a compact home! If you love to entertain but don’t quite have the space to give your guests a whole room of their own, a sleeper sofa or futon is a great choice. These multitasking sofabeds can either pull out or fold down, so evening guests don’t have to squeeze or crane their necks to get a good night’s sleep at your place.

If you’re big on naps, they can also be a great way to catch a few Z’s on a lazy afternoon. The best part is that with a sleeper from Palliser Furniture, you get both style and convenience! Your multitasking Palliser furniture isn’t just functional, it looks great in your home as well. Come on by our store to check out some of the great options we have in stock from Palliser.

Keep It Classic

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with playing it safe and taking home a traditional sofa. Palliser offers several shapes, colours, and styles, so you can always pick the perfect option for your home. Try out a sleek, contemporary couch or a transitional one with padded armrests. Minimalist mid-century modern and sharp, square-armed sofas are also on trend. With a classic sofa, you are free to explore any and every combination of colours, styles, and designs you can imagine, all thanks to Palliser!

With Palliser, there’s no wrong choice for your space! Whether you need a mega-sofa for all your friends, or a loveseat just for you and your honey, come by our store to check out all of our incredible selections from Palliser. Be sure to try them all out before you buy! You might be surprised by the style you’re most drawn to.

Alex, Your Furniture Expert

December 5, 2018

How to Sleep Well During a Storm

Storms can be scary. Between the lightning, the pounding rain, and the darkness that goes along with them, storms can easily put a thunderous interruption into your daily routine. Said noisy interruption can have double the impact when you are trying to sleep during the crashes and flashes of a storm. So, in an effort to help our customers weather any storm, we’ve put together some tips to help you get back into your sleep routine, no matter what is raging outside.

Block, Block, Block It Out

While we don’t have a magical storm signal blocking machine that can turn storms on and off at will, we do have some other – and more realistic – suggestions for helping you get to sleep during a storm. Though, hopefully somewhere somebody is working on that storm blocking machine.

Storms are loud, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t fight fire with fire. Or in this case, sound with sound. Earplugs can help quiet the world around you, or you could even use white noise to help cover up the sounds of the storm.

Crawl into bed, get nice and comfortable in your amazing Sealy Posturepedic mattress, and use earplugs or white noise to create a shield that protects you from the storm. If all goes well, you’ll be off to sleep before you know it!

Black, Black, Black It Out

If the lights and sights of the storm are what gets to you, blackout curtains could be a good way to go. They’ll help you block that raging visual display of electricity outside your window and provide you with a dark place to close your eyes and get some rest.

Of course, curtains aren’t going to solve all of your sleeping problems: You still need a good foundation underneath you. That’s where Sealy Posturepedic comes in — with a Sealy Posturepedic mattress at your back, you’ll be able to get the best sleep possible, no matter what is going on in the world outside.

Think, Think, Think It Out

There’s also another force you can use to combat the storm raging outside: your own mental ingenuity. There are a couple of different things that could help at this step, and most of them you’ll be able to do right from the comfort of your own bed.

The idea is distraction, so yoga or meditation before bed could be useful in getting yourself into a sleep-ready mood. You could also try reading or journaling as other activities.

Sleeping during a severe storm can be tricky, but there’s no reason to let the storm get the best of you and ruin what could otherwise be a night of perfectly good and undisturbed sleep. Your mattress is the foundation of all of your sleep habits, so you want to make sure that a Sealy Posturepedic mattress is there to support you when you need it most.

But, if you aren’t happy with your mattress – even on nights when it isn’t storming outside – then it is probably time to give us a call! We’ll help you find the best and most comfortable Sealy Posturepedic mattress that meets all of your sleeping needs.

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

December 5, 2018

Eat These 6 Healthy Snacks Before Hopping Into Your Bed

Are your midnight snacks sabotaging your sleep? Turns out, it’s more likely than you think! That’s right, the habit of digging into leftovers or chowing down on cookies before bed might be satisfying, but eating the wrong foods before bedtime can wreak major havoc on your rest! Late night snacks aren’t a bad thing as a general rule, but most of our typical snack foods (full of salt, sugar, and carbs) can dry us out or keep us awake long past` our bedtimes.

But there are ways to curb this problem without going to sleep on an empty tummy. Some snacks are not only fine to eat before bed, they might actually help you sleep too! So, if you’re a chronic snacker, don’t reach for those potato chips just yet. Instead, try these six healthy snacks that can help you get to sleep faster and sleep more deeply. Pair these snacks with a snooze on a Beautyrest mattress and you’ve got all the fixings for a great night of sleep!

1) A Handful of Nuts

Nuts, especially almonds and pistachios, are great for filling you up and helping you hit the hay. Nuts are packed full of protein and other important vitamins and minerals that soothe your body and help you achieve a deeper sleep. Don’t go for more than a handful though! Consuming too many calories before bedtime can keep you awake while your body struggles to break down all that food.

2) Nut Butter and Fruit

Nut butters have a similar effect as their in-shell counterparts. A small piece of fruit, like an apple or banana, smothered in peanut or almond butter is a great way to feel full while staying healthy. The potassium and magnesium in the fruit paired with the protein and delicious taste of the nut butter is the perfect recipe for a great night of sleep!

3) Greek Yogurt

In addition to being delicious, Greek yogurt has tons of protein and fibre that can help you achieve a more restful night of sleep. Top it with some cherries (which help naturally increase melatonin levels) or chia seeds (packed with iron and fibre) for an extra sleepy time punch!

4) Whole Grain Toast

It turns out, some carbs can actually help you get to bed more easily! Avoid white bread, which tends to be tough for your body to process and contains little nutritional value, and opt for a slice of whole grain toast, full of healthy fats which can help you sleep. Top your toast with previously mentioned nut butter, cheese, or even some slices of avocado (we’re looking at you, millennials), all of which have sleep-inducing qualities.

5) Herbal Tea With Honey

Not only are herbal teas like chamomile and lavender relaxing and cozy, you can even sweeten them up when you have a cup before bed, totally guilt-free! Honey helps promote the hormones your body needs to slip quickly into dreamland, and herbal teas are great for eliminating stress and relaxing those nerves that keep you wide awake and jittery through the night.

6) Leafy Greens

Salad might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of bedtime snack foods, but greens like kale, lettuce, and spinach are great for your bedtime health! Try chopping up some veggies (carrots and chickpeas are just a few other great sleep-inducing options) and reap the rewards of a refreshing pre-bedtime salad!

Still struggling to get to bed even with all these sleep-promoting snacks? You might have a bigger problem on your hands than satisfying the late-night munchies. A bad mattress can keep you tossing and turning no matter how good your nighttime routine is! With a Beautyrest mattress, carefully crafted to perfectly fit your body and adapt to your unique sleep needs, you’ll be on cloud nine every night. So, if you can’t seem to get a good night’s rest no matter what you try, set the snacks aside and go shopping for a Beautyrest. Give us a call or check out our store to learn more about all the great Beautyrest mattresses we have in stock!

Gerry, Your Sleep Expert

December 5, 2018

One Samsung Cooktop is All It Takes to Celebrate National Bacon Day

Sniff sniff. Do you smell that? It’s the wonderful, amazing, magical smell of frying bacon. Just in time for National Bacon Day on December 30, we thought it would be great to fry up some scrumptious bacon. Sorry, this batch is for us, you’ll have to make your own.

And of course, what better way is there to cook bacon than with a cooktop from Samsung? There isn’t a better way, that we can assure you. Samsung appliances are always ready to help you meet your own culinary goals. “Why,” you ask? Great question. Let’s grab some bacon and take a look.

Five Burners to Rule Them All

We’ve finally found the answer to the age-old question: Is one piece of bacon ever enough? Of course, it isn’t!

And to celebrate National Bacon Day, you don’t want to cook up just one pan full of bacon. That’s a normal day meal, not a meal worthy to celebrate a national holiday! Instead, you’ll probably want to cook up as much bacon as possible. How about five whole frying pans of bacon? At once. Now that would be legendary.

Well, with a Samsung cooktop, you can live that legend. With five sealed burners, you’ll be able to make as much bacon as your heart desires … and as your stomach can handle.

Grateful Griddles

What, five burners isn’t enough for you? You want more reasons why Samsung makes awesome appliances? Well, we’ve got them in spades. Keep reading.

If you prefer not to make your bacon in a pan, then a Samsung cooktop also has the answer for you. All you have to do is use the included griddle, and presto! You have a perfect surface for all of your breakfast foods, bacon included. Another problem solved, all thanks to the science of Samsung.

Of course, the griddle has other uses, as well, which means you’ll have the added benefit of being able to use it for other breakfast foods throughout the year – not just to celebrate bacon day.

Cast Iron Cleaning

Of course, after you eat the bacon, you still have cleaning up to do. And cleaning up bacon grease isn’t fun, but it is part of the process that we all have to deal with.

Luckily, Samsung has extended a helping hand here, as well. With their cast iron 3-piece grates, cleaning is a painless process. The burners are also sealed, further keeping your cleaning process down to as small of a task as possible. Just make sure that you don’t spill any of that bacon grease, and always make sure to dispose of grease appropriately, as well!

Celebrating bacon should be a beautiful thing, and you wouldn’t want to ruin that celebration by producing anything less than amazing bacon. Luckily, as always, Samsung has your back.

But, if you don’t have a Samsung cooktop – or are curious about how other Samsung products can seamlessly improve your cooking life – stop on over! A member of our team would be glad to assist you on your appliance journey any way we can.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

December 5, 2018

Don’t Hate on Slate: How to Incorporate GE Profile Slate Finish Appliances in Your Kitchen

Style is important. Especially when you are working on a big kitchen remodel and don’t want to go through all that time and money to get appliances that work but don’t look good.

They should work, of course, but they should also look good doing their thing. Luckily, GE Profile appliances give you the best of both worlds: Not only are they high-quality appliances, but they also look great getting the job done, especially if you go with their slate finish.

No matter the reason you are searching for new appliances, GE Profile’s slate options will meet your needs, and then some! Here are just a few reasons why you shouldn’t pass on being great with slate.

No More Matching Game

Whether you are replacing one appliance – or are looking to replace all of your kitchen appliances – making sure everything matches is important. Nobody wants a kitchen that is mismatched or looks like a bunch of jumbled ideas thrown together.

For that reason, theming and colouration are important. And slate really is a chameleon colour – it will fit in no matter what the rest of your collection looks like. Worried about how it will look next to cabinets or your floors? Spoiler alert: Slate will fit in perfectly with whatever styles you have picked to centre your kitchen space around!

If you are starting from scratch, however, slate also gives you a good base to start from. From there you can further develop how you want the rest of the kitchen to look. And, if you are looking for other ideas, check out these Slate Mood Boards that GE put together.

Fingerprint Free

Colour possibilities aren’t the only benefits of GE Profile Slate appliances – we don’t want to focus too much on form over function here. With your GE Profile Slate appliances, you are also going to have plenty of quality-of-life improvements, as well — You aren’t sacrificing substance for style. Slate is also only available with GE, so you’ll always get the quality that you know and love!

For example, the GE Profile Energy Star French-Door Refrigerator gives you a built-in K-Cup Brewing system! You can even schedule when you want hot water ready to go through the GE Kitchen App.

On the baking side, a GE Profile Slate double wall oven gives you a wealth of features, including true European convection and a huge cooking capacity. And with all Slate finish appliances, there’s another really impressive bonus: It hides fingerprints, so you won’t have to waste all of your cooking time cleaning up.

Of course, if you are looking to upgrade and not sure where you need to start, don’t let home renovations overwhelm you! Stop in today and our knowledgeable appliance experts will be glad to help you figure out what you need to get started with your renovation, and also help you find the best GE Profile Appliances to fit your unique needs and budget.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

December 5, 2018

Compact Bosch Laundry Pair for the Minimalist

If you live a minimalist life, it’s probably the simple things that bring you pleasure. From a subtle grey wall to a piece of furniture that is multi-functional, being a minimalist is all about the whole, “less is more” motto. So, if that sort of lifestyle speaks to you, you probably appreciate downsizing your home in any way possible – even when it comes to your appliances.

With a Bosch compact washer and dryer, you can now do laundry quickly and efficiently without taking up a lot of space. Check out these great reasons why your inner minimalist dreams will come true after using a Bosch compact washer and dryer.

1. Fit It Anywhere

The Bosch Compact laundry pairs are each 24 inches, making them much smaller than your average washer and dryer. Because of their condensed size, you can fit them almost anywhere in your home! If you have a tiny place, these laundry appliances will be the perfect addition and will never make your home feel cramped. Not to mention, they can also be stacked on top of each other, giving you even more possibilities.

2. Control From Your Phone

If you have minimalist tendencies, you probably like to stay organized, especially when it comes to your home’s upkeep. With the Home Connect App, you’ll not only be able to keep an eye on your laundry cycles from afar, you’ll also be able to start a wash or dry cycle with a quick touch of a button on your phone.

You’ll also find that having the Home Connect app on your phone can help you keep up with your daily chores, so you don’t fall behind. For example, instead of forgetting about your clothes after running them through a wash cycle, your phone will now be able to notify you when your clothes are done! You can say goodbye to stale smelling clothes that have been left in the washer too long. This app is simple and functional, which is exactly what the minimalist doctor ordered.

3. Eco-Friendly

One big trait of a minimalist is disliking waste. Luckily, these Bosch appliances do too. A Bosch compact washer and dryer are more than just fashionable appliances, they’re also made for a good cause. From the Eco Perfect Cycle that reduces energy consumption by adjusting the temperature, to being one of the few Energy Star qualified dryers on the laundry market, you’ll find that these appliances are more than just good looks – they’re the full eco-friendly package.

Compact Bosch Laundry Pair for the Minimalist

When it comes to style, you can never go wrong with a Bosch appliance. It’s where simplicity, functionality, and efficiency meet, making any Bosch appliance a logical choice for a minimalist. And if you need help finding the perfect one for you, speak to one of our friendly and expert sales associates to guide you on the right path.

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

December 5, 2018

4 Reasons to Get a Whirlpool Induction Cooktop Before the Holidays

The holidays are coming up quick – are you ready for the mealtime madness? Depending on your holiday traditions, this time of year can be chaotic. Hosting family and friends and organizing holiday meals can be difficult and stressful, and without the proper tools, you’ll be in for a world of hurt. If you want to tackle the holiday season and come out on top, you’ll need to prepare. You’ll need a Whirlpool induction cooktop.

Having high-quality appliances can make your life easier any time of the year, but induction cooking is especially handy when your holiday harmony depends on getting food to hungry mouths as fast as possible. So, if you’re fretting about how best to make the season go smoothly, here are four reasons you should get yourself a new induction cooktop from Whirlpool before the holidays hit.

1. It’s Safe

This time of year, you never know who’s going to come running through your kitchen next! Nieces, nephews, children and grandchildren are almost always underfoot and in all the chaos, it’s easy for accidents to happen. Sliced hands, burned fingers, and broken bowls are all staples of the holiday season, but with an induction cooktop, you can make at least one step of the cooking process much safer.

Induction technology is the safest form of stovetop cooking, because the cooktop only heats the inside of the pan, leaving the burner itself cool to the touch, even when the stove is on! Your Whirlpool cooktop can detect when a pan is placed on the burner and doesn’t start heating up until it senses one. That way, even if you leave the stovetop on by mistake, curious hands can’t get burned on the cooking surface. No more iced fingers this season – just iced cookies, cakes, and other delicious treats whipped up with the help of your Whirlpool induction cooktop!

2. It’s Speedy

When you’re entertaining for the holidays, speed is everything. Crowds get hungry fast, and you’re going to need to turn out meals, snacks, and appetizers faster than you can say turkey! Luckily, induction cooktops are fast-heating, and can typically boil water in less than two minutes. Now that’s the kind of speed you’ve been looking for!

Whirlpool’s induction cooktops also come with a Boost feature, which increases the maximum power of the largest heating element for even faster cooking. This feature is perfect for searing meats or boiling big vats of pasta quickly. Whirlpool induction cooktops help you get food on the table faster than ever, making sure your holiday cooking is all smooth sailing.

3. It’s Precise

Induction cooking combines the ease and efficiency of electric with even greater precision than gas cooking. Because the pan itself is being heated, rather than the burner underneath, there’s little to no heat retention when you change the settings on your cooktop, so shifts in temperature are almost instantaneous.

Whirlpool’s simmer function is also great for precise, low-heat cooking. Melt chocolate, butter, and more without worrying about burning or congealing your dish. Whirlpool’s reliable, steady heat is just the thing to make sure all your holiday dishes come out just right!

4. It’s Stylish

Who doesn’t secretly wish their guests would gasp in awe when they walk into your home? Whirlpool induction cooktops are smooth, sleek, and stylish enough to make any houseguest do a double take.

Whirlpool’s glass touch controls do away with bulky knobs and hardware, making your cooking space modern and original. Smoothtops are also much easier to clean than traditional gas grates, so you can always keep your
kitchen sparkling clean, showing off its natural beauty.

Because induction burners don’t get hot, you can even place a paper towel right under the pan while you cook, to collect any spills before they even reach the surface of your cooktop. Induction is stylish and makes cleanups simple — what more could you want? Holiday guests are sure to be wowed!

With a Whirlpool induction cooktop, holiday cooking is easier than ever! You’ll impress your guests and make your own life much easier. So don’t deprive yourself this holiday season! Pick up an induction cooktop before the holidays hit hard – future you will thank you!

If you have questions about induction cooking or need some help picking out the perfect Whirlpool cooktop, come down to our store. We’re happy to help with all your cooking needs, and make sure you’re prepared for all your holiday feasting!

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert

December 4, 2018

Where to Splurge and Where to Save: In the Living Room

The living room is appropriately named since next to the kitchen (most times literally!), the living room is where most of the actual living happens. We read, snuggle with the dog, watch TV, have family reunions, and yes even eat in our living room. The living room does a lot of living and so we need to make sure we have the right furniture and décor elements to make the living space as happy and welcoming as can be. We also want it to last and yet to change with the times and seasons based on our tastes and needs.

With that in mind, it’s time for another edition of where to splurge versus where to save. This time we’ll be looking to our most used living space, the living room.

Where to Splurge

Sofas, Couches, Chesterfield

Just think of all you do on your couch. It’s a lot, isn’t it!? A high-quality sofa can literally make or break your back. Comfort is key and a sofa or couch that breaks or is sagging within a few short years is not a safe investment.

The sofa is also likely to be one of the longer term items in your living room, investing in quality means you will love living your living room for years to come – because all you need to do is change up the throw pillows!

Lighting

Good lighting is essential for any room, including the living room. Good lighting makes tasks easier, helps maintain eyesight, and adds ambiance and mood. Be sure to have well-placed floor lamps, table lamps, chandeliers, and pot lights to help you light up your living space.

Bonus! While both lighting and quality sofas are a financial splurge, you can easily take advantage of sales like Boxing Week to save on your splurge items. Now that’s smart living!

Where to Save

Décor items

Throw pillows, seasonal décor, and other accent items are a great way to add personality to your living room without blowing the bank. A solid sofa investment means you’ve got 10 to 20 years of throw pillow variety, new area rugs, and interesting art to rotate. What fun!

Accent Chairs

We all know and love a great accent chair, and we all know how versatile they can be. But there is no need to spend a boatload on a chair that will rarely get sat on. This is where you can afford to save and get something in a lower quality since you won’t be using it nearly as often as something like a sofa.

Bonus! You can save even more on these items by buying off season – like stocking up on all new Christmas décor during Boxing week.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert

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