Featherlite India

Cheerful, open offices make you work better

Fri, 17 May 2013 03:17:34 -0400

There has been a sea change in the way we work. So,why should our work place look the same as several decades before? According to a British study, good-looking offices actually drive a lot of positive energy among employees.

Different work calls for a different environment. And employers today are actually thriving to make it easy for their employees. This, according to studies, brings out the best out of their talent pool.

Going by this theory, smart furnishing and lots of wide and open spaces are the emerging trends in office decor. Young and energetic professionals emphasize a lot on networking, collaboration and sharing. So gone are the days when small cubicles used to fill up offices.

Advanced technology and easy access to work tools are things one needs to keep in mind while designing office furniture these days. For example, chairs with armrest for laptops and tablets are selling well as office furniture.

Keeping this in mind, most offices are opting for scientifically designed ergonomic furniture. Ergonomically designed furniture is a blessing for all those who have to work at their workstations for long hours. It is also helpful for those who have postural defects and back problems.

In addition to workstations, little corners for recreation are part of this trend. Little relaxing corners with cushioned sofas, bean bags and coffee tables, make your office a place your employees want to spend more and more time at. Some offices also have game rooms with fooseball, TT and snooker tables.

Cheerful and pleasant office-indoors are here to stay. Boardrooms with heavy tables and closed cubicles are by gone. Offices today are less formal and more of a fun place to work at.

Petra Blaisse – Internationally Renowned Interior Designer

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 01:12:45 -0400

Petra Blaisse is a Dutch designer who investigates in new and ambitious ways for interior design. She is one of the world’s most popular and talented interior designers and is renowned for her crisp functionalist approach and attention to detail.

Petra Blaisse started her career at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam in the Department of Applied Arts. From 1987, she worked as freelance designer and won distinction for her installations of architectural work. Gradually her focus shifted to the use of textiles, light, and finishes in interior space while at the same time, to the design of gardens and landscapes. Throughout this freelance time as she became more interested in garden and landscape designs, Petra gathered a high class range of designers with different specialties from different nationalities to create a world class design team.

In 1991 she founded her company Inside Outside with the help of her very talented team. Inside Outside specializes in spatial, light filtering or acoustic objects such as curtains. She is known for her creativity in combining different elements. She is not only good at interior design, but also in architecture, exhibits, landscapes and textiles. She mixes various styles using colours, flexibility, lights and movement to bring fresh graphic effects. Her style reflects a blend of the inside and outside, the landscape and the structure, and culture and nature. The result is a design that is sophisticated, yet functional. All these are reflected in her works, which include the golden curtain at the NederlandsDans Theater, the curtains and flooring of the Lille Grand Palais in France, the spiral sound curtain in Kunsthal in Rotterdam and the Museum park, also in Rotterdam.

Ms. Blaisse has lectured and taught extensively in Europe, Asia, and the United States. Her work has been included in numerous international design and architecture exhibits. Her company Inside Outside works globally on projects and has collaborated with various architects and designers making it one of the most sought after and popular companies in its field.

5 Ways to Spruce up your Living Room

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 06:03:20 -0400

Does your living room look tired? After many years, things may start to look old and worn. Fortunately, even small measures can go a long way in making such a room look better. You can make a difference with just one bold change such as painting the walls or you can change the colour of one wall. Changing the floor covering is also a possible option. But, if painting and replacing floors involves more expense than your budget allows, there are still many other ways to give a tired looking living room a facelift.

Here are 5 quick and easy steps you can follow to spruce up your living space in no time!

1. Cut your clutter.

You can spruce up a room simply by clearing away the clutter in the room and giving everything a thorough cleaning. Dust your furniture, fluff your pillows, put away unused books, etc. Spend a few minutes each day to cut the clutter. Remove all of your current decorative items and put out a minimal amount of new items.

2. Add pops of colour.

Adding pops of colour to your space brightens your mood and your room. Change or add small items such as paintings. throw pillows, cushions and other acessories. This is a great way to add splashes of colour to a room. You can also add a variety of textures in the room to spruce it up.

3. Bring in plants and flowers

Plants and flowers can make any room come alive. There are many different plants that do very well inside, and adding nature to a room can make it seem much brighter. Place flowers with a flourish for an instant breath of fresh air in any room. Or, if you prefer, potted ferns, wreaths, and potpourri can also make a statement.

4. Bring in new lighting

A lot of times rooms look tired or worn because they are very dark. You might be able to make the room look a lot nicer by adding in new lighting. You could install new lighting into the ceiling if you want to spend the money or you can purchase some pretty lamps to go with the lights already in place. Also consider redirecting your existing lighting to highlight particular features of your room.

5. Get some new colourful area rugs

If you don’t have the money to have the entire flooring replaced, you could make a big difference by putting in some very colourful area rugs. A simple area rug can dramatically change the feel of a room. Dress up with an Oriental rug, or lighten up a dark room with a white or cream-colored rug.

Home Furniture Trends of the Season

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 07:41:00 -0500

Now that we are all settled into the new year of 2013 let us have a look at some of the trends that are likely to dominate the furniture and décor scene of our homes in the first few months of this year.

Stylish seating will be in focus. There’s never been a better time to incorporate chic, eye-catching sofas into your home. Whether you want to replace the furniture in your living room or den, keep yourself in a fashion frame of mind as you design. This means opting for furniture that has a sense of style and makes a statement when you walk into the room. Curvy furniture coupled with funky accessories can instantly boost the appeal of a space in your home. Remember that the sofa is not a piece of furniture that you can’t change with every passing trend. It must be classic in form and always make sure to invest in quality furniture from a trusted brand such as Featherlite.

Glamorous colours will be in demand. With the cold dreary winters surrounding us we need bursts of colour and sunshine in our surroundings. Furniture in glamorous and bright colours is expected to be all the rage this season. In short, it translates into jewel-toned hues that provide colour to the room and yet have a sense of elegance and luxury that is typical of this season in them. Featherlite’s range of furniture offers you the necessary pop of colour without compromising its aesthetics and elegance.

At the end of the day, you have control over what your interiors look like, and no one says they have to fall in line with the year’s hottest trends. However, these can be great starting points as you look to revamp the look and feel of your living spaces. Do not follow these trends blindly and instead incorporate them into your space by giving it your very own personal touch to it. Always remember quality is of utmost importance and invest only in well-known brands to be assured of it.

Care for your Leather Furniture

Sun, 23 Dec 2012 18:43:42 -0500

Leather furniture is one of the most elegant types of furniture that you can own. Leather is pleasant to have in any style of home, and will bring a new light to any room it is placed in. Leather is also a type of material that is easily maintained and like wine will get better as it ages. There are some commonly accepted ‘Dos’ and ‘Don’ts’ when it comes to leather.

Some of the ‘Dos’ of leather care are

Clean and condition your leather furniture once a year with a soft leather cleaner and conditioner. Pay special attention to the areas that your skin and/or hair touch. Our natural oils can damage leather.

Dust the furniture with a dry, soft cloth once a week. If you have a vacuum attachment that is soft enough, you could use that too. Just be sure that it won’t scratch the leather.

Keep the furniture away from humidity, if at all possible. If needed, put a dehumidifier in the room that the furniture is in. Too much humidity can actually be an invitation for mould and mildew.

Here are the ‘Don’ts’ of its maintaince

Never put leather in a location that gets direct sunlight. Sunlight is one of leather’s biggest enemies. It can cause drastic fading and sometimes even cracking.

Try to avoid placing your leather furniture near a heat source. Excessive heat can cause drying, which in turn can cause cracking.

Do not use any cleaning product on your furniture that is not explicitly made for leather. Certain cleaning chemicals can cause severe damage.

Don’t be discouraged from leather because of the dos and don’ts of its maintenance. It is actually easier to keep your leather in good shape than it is fabric. Just make sure that you buy your furniture from a trusted company like Featherlite to ensure the quality of the leather.

Advantages of Open based Desking Systems

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 13:50:32 -0500

Earlier office spaces were of two kinds, either segregated spaces like cubicles or office layouts wherein the work floor has desks next to each other without any barrier between two employees.

But over the past few years the look of the typical office space has been changing and these two styles have combined and given way to a new one. The standard, high-wall office cubicle is being replaced by smaller workstations with lower wall separators. The removal of these barriers is designed to stimulate more employee interaction and collaboration. The low separators are also an improvement from the basic and minimalistic office design with no barriers whatsoever.

This new kind of office workstations is popularly known as ‘open based desking system’. The many advantages to it are,

Open based desking systems give the freedom of easily accessing colleagues and subordinates in your office compared to cubicles. But they also offer more privacy compared to a barrier-less office.

They have the advantage of keeping a check on wastage of time and office resources as employees and employers get a chance to watch over their colleagues all the time without cutting or stepping into the personal space of the employee or making them uncomfortable. For example long hours spent over unofficial phone calls or for sending personal emails, etc., during work timings can be curtailed significantly.

There is greater collaboration and team spirit experienced by employees as compared to cubicles. It has also showed an increase in employee creativity as open spaces invite flow of communication and exchange of fresh and innovative ideas between employees.

It gives the employees a sense of owning their private space and therefore increases loyalty towards the company. This eliminates any problems of dissatisfaction or distrust among employees towards the company.

Open based desking systems can also house more number of employees in a given area than a cubicle layout thereby effectively utilizing the space available.

A trusted brand like Featherlite not only provides high quality desking systems but also customizes and manufactures them according to the company’s preferences and based on the needs of the available office space.

Importance of the Office Lobby

Sun, 25 Nov 2012 13:45:49 -0500

Every time you have entered a new office building, the first area you enter is where you create your first impression of the business you are dealing with. Usually, this is the reception area. From the furniture to the décor to its cleanliness, everything about this room affects your opinion of the company and the people who work there. A clean, well-organized, and stylish reception area will immediately give people a feeling of ease. They will assume you to be trustworthy and intelligent. They will believe your business is successful and lucrative.

The first thing a person sees when entering a lobby or reception area is the reception desk. The style of this desk will say a good deal about what sort of business and the working style of the company. A traditional or old fashioned design will give a feeling of a business with a lot of experience and a deep foundation. A more modern style will give the impression of a youthful business and an assurance that you have your finger on the pulse of today’s trends.

After the reception desk, the clients look for a place to sit. See to it that the furniture is clean, undamaged, comfortable, and professional. Also make sure that your sofas and the other chairs and accent furniture are well coordinated if they are not from a matching set. To ensure that choose a set from a trusted brand with a varied range like Featherlite.

Tables, bookshelves and books are also a vital component of any reception area. The books should be in accordance to the type or nature of your business. Also look for scuffs, scratches, and tears in the furniture. Make sure everything is as clean as possible.

Before you decide on your lobby furniture and décor decide how you want your customers to perceive your business as mature and classic or young and vibrant. The impression your reception area creates will help determine the customers and employees you attract.

Benefits of Mesh Chairs

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 13:01:36 -0500

Office chairs of certain fabrics tend to trap in temperature making the persons back come to be over-heated and also sweaty. Of course, the longer one sits in this kind of seat, the more irritating the issue gets. This is especially true in hot and humid climates and the solution to this problem is ‘Mesh chairs’ as they facilitate breathability.

They are the latest trend in ergonomically designed office chairs. A mesh office chair is often made of a fabric that is sewn in such a way that will allow the whole chair to function as a ventilated seat. This fabric is designed in such a way that it resembles a mesh pattern. It is this pattern that sets mesh office chairs apart from other types of chairs.

This specially designed office chair lets the air to flow freely through the mesh fabric of chair to the body, and as a result controls the temperature and maintains the body at a comfortable temperature. Mesh fabric has small pores for the air to pass through it and hence the person sitting on it does not feel hot or sticky even if the office does not have an air conditioning facility. Mesh cloth is also flexible enough to be able to mould to and fully assist any type of physique form. Mesh material is particularly excellent at supporting the lumbar area of the back which usually takes the impact of the body weight when in the sitting position. This can provide added comfort to the use and since air flows through, any odours that you think will get stuck in the fabric actually won’t.

Mesh office chairs are also amongst the sturdiest and most durable workplace chairs about. Although they are made of fabric, this fabric is tightly woven in a strong mesh-like pattern to provide a strong, united and functional office object.

Mesh workplace chairs can also add a sophisticated modern appearance to any workplace. Add to this the several benefits discussed above and acquiring a mesh office chair is certainly a wise decision for virtually any office. To be assured of good quality and well-built mesh chairs be sure to go for a trusted brand of furniture like Featherlite. Featherlite has a range of mesh office chairs available for every need and every design, in a number of models, shapes, sizes as well as colours.

Ergonomics of the Sofa

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 05:51:00 -0400

Buying a sofa for your living room will probably be the most important decorating decision you will make for your living room. There has to be a lot of thought and consideration that must go into deciding on one.

A sofa must not only be good looking but must also be confortable. It must be designed ergonomically that is with the human body and its necessities in mind. An uncomfortable sofa can cause strain on the lumbar and back muscles so choose the right one according to a healthy standpoint.

First of all the sofa must not be too soft or too hard. A hard sofa is obviously undesirable as it is not comfortable but a very soft one is also not recommended no matter how comfortable it is to sit on. A soft sofa makes it difficult to maintain the normal physiological curvature of the spine thereby causing or aggravating backache. Sitting on too soft a surface also makes it difficult to maintain the body’s centre of gravity making us constantly move to find balance and stability. This constant movement can cause fatigue and body ache.

A sofa must not only be designed ergonomically but must also be used correctly so. Once you choose the right sofa make sure to follow certain tips to ensure a healthy sitting experience. Do not use the sofa as the bed, as sleeping on one may prove to be harmful for your health. A sofa is designed for sitting and not sleeping so sleeping on it may cause additional tension and pressure on the muscle tissue. It also limits your range of movements when you sleep, leading to a crooked, bunched up or crammed sleeping position, which can leave your back stiff or cause a muscle pull. Lastly maintain the quality of your sofa with regular maintenance. Change parts such as cushions that are worn out and uneven to maintain support of the spine and a healthy body.

A sofa from a trusted brand like Featherlite not only is an assurance of ergonomics but is also long lasting requiring minimum maintenance.

Why Choose Modular Office Workstations?

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 06:05:00 -0400

Using a modular office partition is one of the easiest ways to create divided space in an open area. Traditional staples of business world success, like enormous personal offices, are going out of style because they do not encourage productivity.

The modern office cubicle exists to separate large spaces into individual work stations to encourage a productive work environment. By creating privacy, and by sometimes reducing noise through sound-absorbing materials, partitions cut back on distractions and noise in the workplace.

Modern trends tend toward the less-is-more side of design because of the desirability of open spaces. Newer ideas, such as smaller, cubical-style workstations with a larger area nearby for group work and meetings, are creating better usage of space. Fewer permanent walls create more open spaces, allowing more light to pass through. This helps to maintain good attitude among employees.

Modular office partitions are a practical alternative to conventionally constructed walls for office use. Quick installation is possible because all components are pre manufactured. On average, installing modular partitions is known to be up to 75 per cent faster than constructing new walls. This relatively quick process means office activities are disrupted for a shorter amount of time. Another advantage for using modular office partitions instead of new construction is that they are reusable. If spatial needs change, modular partitions can be rearranged to accommodate different configurations. With a permanent wall system, these changes are not possible.

While choosing modular workstations, select a trusted company like Featherlite that not only sells modular office partitions but also offers services to help design and customize them according to the space and requirements of the organization.

Requisites of Affordable Office Chairs

Tue, 16 Oct 2012 02:28:00 -0400

Bad office chairs causes strain on the neck and the lower back region giving rise to a lot of problems affecting your overall productivity. Choosing an ergonomic office chair helps reduce the detriments faced by remaining in a solitary sitting position for a long time. They are designed to help employees perform well and at the same time feel healthy even after a long day.

Ergonomic chairs of good quality and with multiple features can be expensive, but you don’t have to spend an arm and leg to buy them. Fortunately, there are a lot of economical office chairs of good quality and with basic ergonomic features that you can buy in the market today. But make sure to buy them from a trusted brand so that you are assured of the quality, precision in design and engineering of the ergonomics. When it comes to value for money office chairs, it is important to look for features that will make you feel comfortable and are specific to your needs.

Office chairs now come with multiple features but there are a few important ones that are basic and necessary even in the most inexpensive models.

One of the most important features that you need to look when buying office chairs is the seat. A good chair for the office should be height adjustable and allow you to plant your feet comfortably on the floor. It is also important that you choose chairs with enough seat depth and width to support your body type.

Another great feature of good seats for the office chair is its Foam Density. The foam density of an ergonomic chair should not only be high but should also have a high resilience. In fact, seat foam with good composition will help have an equal distribution of body weight and hence reduce chances of back injuries.

Lastly, it is also important to buy chairs that come with the most important feature of office chair ergonomics. Choose a chair that is equipped with a well-designed yet sturdy back rest, it is important to protect and support your back with the natural shape of the spine.

These basic features are a necessity in every chair for your well-being and for you to be comfortable while working.

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Selecting the right Coffee Table for your Room

Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:18:28 -0400

The most important piece of furniture in the living room after the sofa is the coffee table. They are the unsung heroes of home décor and are frequently overshadowed with not much attention paid to them. While coffee tables of many styles can be found easily in most home décor stores, the large variety in their design can make it a little confusing to zero in on the right one.

They are not limited to just the living room but can be placed in the family room or bedroom too. The coffee table if grand looking can be the centrepiece of the room forming its focal point. They can also be styled in different ways like with a vase of flowers, candles or a witty collection of coffee table books.

The coffee table in the living room must be the best looking one and should match the rest of the décor of the space. Since this is a formal area it will probably not be subject to the rough handling as some of the other rooms, so you can opt for one made of delicate materials such as glass etc.

The coffee table in the family room on the other hand must be able to withstand rougher handling so it is important that it must be sturdy. It is also useful if it is multifunctional so look for tables which come with built-in storage facilities. The surface should be made of material that is able to handle a certain amount of abuse like spillage of liquids etc. As this is an area that children use frequently, glass top tables with sharp corner or edges must be avoided.

The shape of the coffee table must depend on the seating configuration of the room. Square and round ones work best with large sofas and smaller arrangements look good with oval and rectangular ones. If the room has rounded furniture then choose a square or rectangular table and vice versa, to form a nice contrast. The maximum size of your coffee table should be two thirds the size of the couch in length and in height it must be same as your sofa or lower. It should fit in the seating arrangement in such a way that there must be enough space around it for leg space and movement.

The kind of material you choose for the coffee table depends entirely on the size and shape of the room, its existing décor and also on how you intend to use the table. Clear or transparent tables give the illusion of space and are ideal for small rooms as they make it look more open and airy. Tables made of metal and stone give the space a more modern look while wood especially dark wood such as mahogany give a more traditional look to the room. Leather and faux leather are also good options as they are easy to maintain and safer around very young children.

The right coffee table can be the star of your room, in its own right and also helps set the tone of the room.

Importance of Flexibility in Workstations

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 01:15:00 -0400

Studies have shown that work environment of an organization is directly affected by the efficiency of its workstation and tools. People who are uncomfortable or constantly interrupted are likely to be less productive. The same design of workstation is usually used throughout the office to maintain harmony or continuity in the look of the office. So this single design of workstation must cater to a multitude of employees and the organization’s various business needs. The Workstation must have movable and adaptable parts with adjustable components that make it suitable for all types of tasks and body types and fulfill certain requirements.

It is essential to accommodate any changes in the organization and its future potential for growth.
It must be such that it supports the mix of employees and their physical needs. Every employee works in a different manner and may have different roles in the organization and it is necessary to have a certain degree of flexibility or adaptability to suit each ones preferences.
The workstation must be planned in such a way that it must have room for to keep up with technological advances that may be implemented in the office.
It must facilitate interaction between employees and provide ease of communication and thus help improve team dynamics.
It must provide some amount of physical and acoustic privacy so that the employees are not disturbed and do not feel interrupted.

Flexibility in workstations is not only necessary for the physical needs of the company and its employees but also boosts the morale of the employees by providing extra benefits such as

The employees feel empowered when they have control over their personal space or workstation.
The privacy provided by the workstation gives the employees the feel of a personal space and comfort thus enhancing their efficiency.
The ability to organize the workspace as per own convenience also improves productivity of employees.
Individualization of workspace gives the employees a sense that they ‘own’ a workspace and helps increase loyalty towards the organization.

The type of workstation that fulfils the conditions required is a ‘Modular workstation’. It lets you separate your office into individual work areas with a certain amount of privacy without creating permanent structures. Its design and form is crafted to endure through the various phases of growth of an organization and promote a healthy work environment.

It is best to choose a reputed company that will accordingly design a modular workstation that fits the needs of your organization and its employees, specifically meant for the nature of work of your organization.

Get Your Furniture Ready For The Monsoons

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:28:00 -0400

Monsoon provides us respite from the summer heat but it also brings bad news with it for our furniture in the form of humidity. Keep all furniture away from windows to avoid exposure to rain. As for the moisture content in the air, using a dehumidifier is the best option especially when it comes to precious items such as vintage furniture.

Wooden furniture needs extra care during monsoons. Humidity in the air can cause mould and mildew infestation. A coat of polish or wax not only helps retain the lustre but also prevents the moisture from coming in contact with the wood, thus keeping the furniture safe and keeping such problems away. Termites are also a problem during high humidity. Do a thorough check of you furniture for signs of termite infestation, and hire a professional to get rid of it if necessary. Keep your cupboards and drawers away from walls as they can get damp during monsoons. Put some naphthalene balls or silicone bags in them to absorb the moisture and also keep away insects like silverfish.

Wrought iron furniture especially outdoor furniture is prone to rust. It must be coated with antirust or retouch parts where paint has chipped off to prevent oxidation of the outer layer of the metal. Scrub the area which is rusted without harming the surrounding areas. Repaint the furniture only when it is rust free. Spraying it with a metal primer before painting it increases the protection. Another option to protect metal furniture is to wax it with automotive type liquid wax.

Leather furniture with exposure to the moisture in the air tends to lose its sheen, and over a period of time can also form mildew on it. So it is best to keep them as dry as possible. But with good quality leather it is not so disastrous, and hence it is very important to invest in leather furniture from a trusted brand. Clean your furniture with a damp cloth to remove dust and stains, and immediately wipe it with a dry cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Keeping them well lubricated with leather conditioners also helps maintain them.

Keep the room well ventilated, and try getting rid of indoor plants as it increases indoor dampness. Switch to curtains of lighter material to allow more sunlight to come in.

Add colour to your home décor in the form of accessories to uplift the ambiance.

Creating the Perfect Lobby

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 03:17:09 -0400

The lobby of your place speaks about who you are, your tastes and preferences, and is an introduction to your home, office, business or hotel. The lobby is the first impression of a place as it is the first thing you see when you enter and since it’s the last thing you see when you exit, it can create a lasting impression on us. People assume the decoration of the lobby to be an unimportant task and also tedious so they tend to take it casually. But with very little effort this vital space can be made welcoming, comfortable and stylish. Keep the decoration of the lobby and its furniture simple as it must not overwhelm the rest of the space.

Lobby of a home

The lobby is the entrance to your home and will be the first place that guests to your home will see, so keep it clean and organized. Do not leave shoes or magazines strewn around. A shoe rack is an essential piece of furniture for your home lobby. It is also likely to be a small space so smaller furniture like simple chairs is best suited. If space permits then you can add a coffee table to it too. Guests usually spend very little time in the lobby of a home as they are entertained in the living room so keep the décor simple.

Lobby of a business or office

A lobby is said to be like the business card of your office. Visitors or clients should walk in and right away know about your business and nature of work you do. It should be welcoming and have enough seating room for the expected traffic of visitors and clients. It is a space where visitors are allowed to wait and during this wait should be able to sit down and relax, so it should be comfortable. Couches and sofas are preferred over chairs as the waiting period is likely to be longer and also the space should also be larger. It should definitely have a coffee table and reading material like magazines or newspapers.

Lobby of a hotel

The lobby of the hotel is an exception to the rule that lobbies must not overshadow the rest of the space. A hotel is known by its lobby as much as by its rooms, so here it can be larger than life and must be as well done as the rooms if not better. It will certainly have a large number of visitors so it must be the one of the bigger spaces of the place. Hotels are supposed to be relaxed places so the furniture must be luxurious and very comfortable. The décor of the lobby must always be in alliance with the theme of the hotel and its rooms.

The right furniture combined with the right accessories and appropriate lighting will help you create the perfect lobby for your place.

Office Furniture Buying Tips

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 01:02:05 -0400

Buying office furniture can prove to be quite a task, and to make a good impression and generate optimum productivity it is necessary to choose the right furniture and accessories for your office. It can be tricky as there are many aspects to consider because you are not only catering to your needs but also to those of your employees and potential clients. It should be comfortable for your employees and presentable to your clients and reflect who you are and the nature of your work. The three most important conditions it must fulfil are durability, comfort and must successfully represent your company’s ideology.

Invest in good quality furniture that will stand the test of time. Office furniture is subject to rough handling and also cannot be changed as often as home furniture. Cutting corners and buying cheap furniture will prove to be more expensive in the long run. Consider office furniture a long term solid investment and put your money on high quality and luxurious furniture that looks professional. Always look for a good brand of furniture or furniture store. This way you not only get quality furniture but are also more likely to get pieces that blend with each other rather than mismatched pieces.

Keep in mind that the type of furniture you choose exudes the vibe of your office. If you intend it to be a relaxed environment then go for more colourful and playful furniture. If you want it to a more serious work-space then go for more sober looking and traditional furniture. Choice of furniture also depends on the nature of your work. It depends on the kind of business you operate and kind of clients you intend on serving. A company whose nature of work is creative should reflect that in their furniture and serious businesses should stick to furniture such as wooden desks and leather chairs.

Your office is the space where you are likely to spend most of your waking hours during the weekdays and therefore has to be comfortable and practical. Comfort is said to increase productivity of the employees. They should have enough space to relax and stretch when they are worked up. This comfort factor must not be limited to only your employees and you but must extend even to the guests and clients. If they feel comfortable and at ease in your office it helps them gain trust and build a long term relationship with you.

Go for minimal designs and clean cut lines as it makes your office look uncluttered and neater. A clean office helps us be more organized and also gives the clients the same impression about the company. Impulse buying office furniture is a big no-no. Put a lot of thought and research into it before zeroing on your final choice.

Essentials for a Home Office

Thu, 24 May 2012 06:56:34 -0400

With more and more people beginning to work from home fulltime or part time there is an increasing necessity for home offices. A home office must be practical and comfortable but not so comfortable that it reduces your productivity. It has to primarily be in a private or secluded part of the house where you won’t be distracted, secondly it must be tidy and well lit and finally it must be furnished with the right furniture and storage system.

Once you decide on the space you would like as your home office then comes the time to furnish it. The things you need to create this space are

· Desk

Before anything else the first thing an office requires is a desk as it is where you are likely to spend the most time. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a large or expensive one. It must fit your budget and be sufficient for the nature of your work. If you intend to meet with clients in your home office then go for a desk from a good brand, as it looks professional and helps create a good impression. A good quality one would also obviously be long lasting and durable.

· Chairs

A chair is the most vital piece to invest in and must not be compromised on. The ideal chair should be the right height and provide ample back and arm support. Using the wrong chair for an extended period of time can cause back and spinal problems. If your work involves being on the computer all day then buy an ergonomic chair. A lot of smaller companies and unbranded ones claim to be ergonomic but are usually just regular chairs with wheels and a flexible back. To be sure of it buy chairs from reputed companies as their chairs are built on the basis of many hours of research on it. Always sit on a chair and try out its features before you decide on one.

· Organization and filing system

You home office must be an uncluttered and organized space for you to perform efficiently. So keep all the necessary documents, files and stationary organized in neat shelves, cabinets or other storage units. This not only makes your office look good but is also very useful to find necessary documents and refer to them in the future.

These essential items are sufficient furniture and accessories for a simple and comfortable home office. But apart from these basic items it is recommended to add a little bit of design to your home office. These items could either be a photograph of your loved ones or a lamp for enhanced lighting or even a vase with fresh flowers in them. These not only vastly improve the ambience of your home office but are also known to enhance your creativity.

Necessary Accessories for your Home

Wed, 16 May 2012 02:31:02 -0400

Accessories play a very important role in the look of a room as they are the fine detailing required for a room to look complete. While lot of effort and time is spent on buying furniture for the house, accessories for it are sometimes neglected. They are bought on a whim without keeping the décor of the room in mind and can look mismatched. Accessories must always be chosen keeping the main furniture and theme of the room in mind. If the right accessories are used they can completely change the look of the room. They add class and finish to an otherwise incomplete and bare room. A room without accessories looks plain and dull and if over accessorized or mismatched can look shabby or overdone.

There are many accessories like paintings and sculptures or rugs and carpets which require more thought and deliberation before buying, as they are usually expensive or take up a lot of space. They are also bigger features of the room and cannot be changed or modified very often without changing the entire décor.

And then there are accessories that are flexible and are affordable like cushions, lamps and vases. The best part of these accessories is they are generally easy to move and can be easily placed in different parts of the room to change its appearance. They can also be discarded in lieu of newer accessories and replaced more often than furniture as they are usually much more affordable. Some of these accessories are a must have and no room is complete without them.

· Decorative lamps.

Lamps are to the floor what chandeliers are to the roof. They are light sources that not only provide light but are also a treat to the eyes. They are great accents to the living room to add to the existing light in the room or to be used as a source of dim light for indirect or mood lighting. Every bedroom also needs decorative lamps used as a ready light or as bed lamps. There are many varieties of decorative lamps in all shapes, materials and colours available in the market. There are a few types like wooden decorative lamps which suit most decors and emanate a warm glow.

· Cushions

They are the easiest accessory and the most flexible ones to add to a room. They come in the largest range of fabrics, colours and designs and take up very little space. They are an instant spruce up for a room and can be changed very often. They can be placed in any room of the house and on any seating furniture too.

· Vases.

Flowers are a great way to bring freshness to a room and greenery into it. You can choose to use fresh flowers, dried flowers or artificial and ceramic flowers depending on your décor and convenience. As important as it is to choose the right kind of flowers, it is equally if not more important to choose the right vase to exhibit the flowers in. Vases come in a lot of different sizes from small table top ones to really tall vases meant to be placed on the floor. They can also be moved to different rooms and surfaces to change the appearance of your space.

Make sure that they match the size of the room and its theme to preserve the style of the décor of the space. They should also be placed in such a manner as to maintain the perfect symmetrical balance in the room. These basic accessories must be incorporated into every home to create a cosy and inviting environment.

A Focal Point for your Living Room

Wed, 09 May 2012 07:41:54 -0400

Every room in order to appear well put together must have a ‘focal point’, which can either be piece of furniture, art or any piece that commands attention. It is the basis for selecting or arranging other pieces in the room, and forms the theme of the room. It must draw attention to it and the other pieces and aspects of the room must subtly complement it. Without a focal point a room can either look too dull, and too many focal points demanding attention can make it look cluttered.

A few rare houses will have an architectural element like a fireplace or a beautiful view which will naturally become the focal point. And at times an object worthy of focus by itself becomes apparent as you are decorating. But more often than not it has to be decided by you. The easiest way to create a focal point is to look for around the room and see if there are any existing features or pieces that catch your attention and you would like people to notice.

While deciding on a focal point remember that it will be the most noticed piece of furniture or spot in the house. So it has to look classy and must represent your unique style and interests in the best way possible. For example a grand piano will make a great focal point in a musician’s home but may not necessarily match the spirit of a sporty, adventurous person uninterested in music.

A few possible options to create a focal point in your living room are

· A sofa or couch.

A sofa will make a great focal point as it is probably the largest piece of furniture in the room and is most likely to draw attention to it. Sofas in bright colours and interesting designs help easily establish focus. Place it against the longest wall of the room or create a lounge area in the corner. If you already own a neutral coloured muted sofa it can be accessorised with bright and bold throw pillows or reupholstered to be able to easily draw attention to it.

· A piece of art like painting photographs and sculptures.

When your focal point is not a piece of furniture, then all the furniture in the room must be either neutral in colour, theme and design or must complement the art or the wall without being too harsh on the eye or taking away the focus.

Every good painting, photograph or sculpture has a story to tell and invokes strong emotions in people. So always choose ones that not only invoke happy and warm emotions but must also be a strong representation of your personality. When you are creating a focal point with a collection of different pieces they must be arranged to create a well-organized display and must be easily from the seating area.

· A family heirloom or a memento from your travels.

They are not only an excellent focal piece visually but also make for an interesting piece of conversation. An antique chair or vase passed on from generations adds that personal touch and warmth to the room.

It is not necessary that the entire room has to be designed around the focal point or that it has to be placed in the centre. It must just be easy for the eye to spot and must complement the rest of the furniture and décor of the room.

A living room is the space where the family spends time together and also the room where guests are entertained. It is therefore recommended to not use the television as its focal point as it takes attention away from the conversation.

Tips on Shopping for Your Home Furniture – Part 2

Fri, 04 May 2012 03:14:00 -0400

In our previous post we have already discussed a few tips to be considered while shopping for furniture. Here are a few more tips which will further optimize your furniture shopping experience.

1. Think about long term plans for your room.

Irrespective of how much you like the look of your room now, you are likely to want to change it in the future. Buy furniture based on the way your room looks currently and also for the way you would like it to possibly look in the future. This ensures that your furniture does not need to be tossed out soon, and can last through redecorations and makeovers of the room. Look beyond the passing fads in style and colour which come and go. Buy a piece which you will feel comfortable with even years later and that truly appeals to your senses.

2. Always test the furniture in the store.

A piece of furniture even when if it is of the highest quality, may not be have the comfort factor that you require to it. Always sit on the couches and chairs, lie down on your cots and mattresses and test the doors, hinges and drawers to ensure that they work smoothly. Also if the furniture squeaks or scratches the floor of the showroom then it is likely to do the same to the floor of your home and it is best to skip it. When it comes to fabrics, test it under different lightings conditions before you decide. Make sure the furniture is convenient to use and works for you before putting your money on it.

3. Ask for and consider the opinion of the sales people.

Most of us aren’t experts in furniture design, interiors or upholstery. Our knowledge on it is based on our limited experience and research. Salespersons on the other hand with more experience and exposure in this industry can be considered experts in the field. Discuss details about the budget, dimensions and shape of the tentative space and the kind of furniture you have in mind with them. This will help them give you an informed opinion about the right product for you. Pick a weekday or anytime when the store is not too crowded and the salesperson can give you his undivided attention to make the best of it. Consult a sales person but make sure the final buying decision is ultimately yours.

4. Take into account the shape and scale of the room

Before venturing out to buy furniture, measure your room and draw up a floor plan of the space you intend to buy the furniture for. Take some photographs of the room with you as it makes it easier to assess if the furniture will be a good fit for the room. Swatches of carpet and other fabrics in the room along with paint samples if possible will also prove to be great help. Stores are generally large in size and the furniture which may seem the right size there will look larger when placed in your house. So it is recommended to carry a tape measure to check if it will fit into the space you have assigned for it. If still in doubt then go home with the measurements of the furniture, and double check it by mapping it out on the floor of your home. Also don’t buy too many pieces of furniture for a room as it will make it look over crowded and cluttered.

5. Check the credentials of the store or brand of furniture.

Always do your research on the store and brand ratings beforehand. Online reviews give a fairly good idea about the reliability of the store and the merchandise. Note that any store with low ratings has clearly been subject to customer complaints previously. Talk to the employees and enquire about the return policy of the store and the warranty they offer on the furniture. Also find out the shipping details and its charges to your location. When there is a choice, opt for the merchant with the best ratings. High ratings not only indicate the best in quality but also the best after purchase service.

With these in tow furniture shopping will now become a breeze, with no room for any regrets in the future. Make sure to shop from trusted brands like Featherlite to avoid any future disappointments.