What to Consider When Buying a Slipcover

What to Consider When Buying a Slipcover

Slipcovers are great investments for your home and your furniture. They keep your furniture clean, add color, and make your home more easily customizable. When you decide to purchase a slipcover for furniture in your home, you may want to check out this guide on what to consider when buying a slipcover.

Consider what color will be best for the room

Picking out a bold color or an intricate pattern for your furniture can be exciting, but make sure you know you’ll love it for years to come. Slipcovers are typically long-lasting staples for your home. This doesn’t mean that going with a bold color or pattern is a bad choice—it simply means to think into the future and make sure you won’t want to make major color theme changes. A good rule of thumb to follow is if you have bold or patterned walls, choose a neutral or muted slipcover. If you have neutral or muted walls, consider a bold color or pattern for your slipcover.

Consider whether it needs a custom design

Take a good look at the furniture you’re considering a slipcover for. Decide if it seems to be a pretty standard shape and size or if it’s a little more unique. For more unique pieces, you’ll almost always want to invest in a custom slipcover. Investing in a custom slipcover is always a good idea, as it will fit your furniture perfectly. Slipcovers should fit tightly and not look frumpy or have too much fabric. As soon as you receive your slipcover, put it on and inspect the fit. We have many resources on our website to help you properly measure and put on a slipcover.

Decide on the best material

Where your furniture is located and what you use it for are typically the deciding factors in what material slipcover you should purchase. When you’re looking for slipcovers for outdoor furniture, you should ensure the material you choose is designed for outdoor use. This will be a fabric that’s a bit thicker than indoor fabric, and it should be more water-resistant and easier to spot-clean. For indoor furniture, you have a wider range of options for slipcover materials. Look at the other furniture in the room and decide which material would complement the other materials.

Simple Ways to Dog-Proof Your Furniture

Simple Ways to Dog-Proof Your Furniture

Your dog is part of your family. Having a dog is a great way to enrich a household. They provide companionship, give you reasons to get out of the house for walks, and you can play with them for hours. Dogs are natural chewers, though, especially puppies and larger breeds. This often leads to your furniture being chewed up. Learn these simple ways to dog-proof your furniture so that you don’t have bite marks, hair, and puppy pee on everything you own.

Groom your pup regularly

Pet hair is a serious issue when it comes to furniture. If your dog is a known shedder, you may get used to every surface in your home being covered with loose hairs; however, this fur can make your furniture uncomfortable and unsanitary. Lint rolling your couch eight times a day may be working for now, but that may get tiring quickly. Getting your furry friend groomed regularly can massively cut down on how much they shed. Regular baths, haircuts, and brushing can help with shedding control.

Discourage chewing on wood

If your pup is a chewer, then all of your wooden surfaces may suffer. Luckily, there are deterrent sprays you can invest in. You simply spray your wood with it and the smell and taste discourage your pup from chewing. You can also put on no-chew tape which is designed to take away the appeal of chewing. These measures should only be necessary until your dog learns not to chew. You may need to repeat this process with every new piece of wooden furniture you acquire.

Protect your upholstered furniture

It’s much harder to clean an entire couch than it is to clean one piece of fabric. Investing in a slipcover can protect your furniture from fur and puppy pee. Slipcovers can be custom fit to your furniture, so they look stylish while also adding protection. They are easy to remove, wash, and put back on. These make it easy to have an attractive and modern home while keeping pet problems at bay.

Give your pet their own space

To keep your furry friend off your furniture, and keep their hair and teeth off of it, try giving them a cozy space of their own. Invest in a comfy dog bed and place it in a central location so that they still feel included without being on the couch. Even pet beds can be hard to keep fur-free and unbitten, though. Consider pet bed covers to discourage your dog from eating their bed and to help keep dog hair off the bed itself.
How to Clean Restoration Hardware Linen Furniture

How to Clean Restoration Hardware Linen Furniture

Investing in Restoration Hardware linen furniture has a lot of value. It can make a home look new while keeping its original charm. Some upkeep is required to keep this furniture looking fresh and updated—check out this guide on how to clean Restoration Hardware linen furniture.

Vacuum

Vacuuming keeps the dust particles out of your fabric, making it appear brighter and keeping it fresh longer. This is especially important in households with pets, which can leave fur on your furniture. Even if they don’t sit directly on the furniture, their fur can billow through the air, and dander particles can land on it. This can dim the piece’s color and even create bad odors throughout your home. Vacuuming can prevent these particles from dirtying your furniture and also extend time between washings.

Soak and spot-clean small stains

When small spills occur on your furniture, you can spot-clean the areas to prevent them from becoming permanent stains. To clean small spills, use distilled water to dampen a soft white cloth. Gently dab the area with the cloth until the stain lifts. Be sure not to rub the area or use a rough cloth, as this can cause pilling or damage to the furniture. If the stain doesn’t lift using this method, try soaking the area with a solution of one-third mild fabric detergent and two-thirds warm water. Once you’ve soaked the area, dab it with the cloth again.

Machine-wash the cover

If the prior methods for cleaning your Restoration Hardware linen furniture don’t pan out, you can try to machine-wash the cover. Slipcovers are great because they’re washable and because they can beautify your furniture. Remove the slipcover from your furniture and place it in the washing machine. Use a mild detergent, and wash on a gentle cycle. You may also opt to hand-wash the item if your washing machine isn’t as gentle as you’d prefer. This method should remove the stain and get your furniture looking great again. For all your slipcover needs, check out Easy Fit’s vast collection of stylish slipcovers, from couch covers to outdoor twin mattress covers. We can even make you a completely custom slipcover to perfectly fit over your furniture.

Why Furniture Matters Most When Redesigning a Room

Why Furniture Matters Most When Redesigning a Room

Redesigning a room is a fun task that can result in a refreshed home that feels brand-new. Everybody has at least one nice room in their home, but it could always be better—a redesign of that room can instantly turn it from okay to amazing. There are many factors to consider before you fully redesign a room. You have to decide on a paint color, a room theme or color scheme, what you’ll use the space for, and how to set up the furniture. In fact, furniture is the most important factor in a room design. Check out this guide to learn why furniture matters most when redesigning a room.

Furniture determines function

The furniture determines the function of a room. Rooms don’t come with written labels; people determine their functions using furniture. For example, only when a room contains a desk, chair, and file cabinets does it function as an office. A room with a bed in it is a bedroom. A room with a couch, television, and coffee table is a living room.

Furniture focuses the color and theme

Furniture is what focuses the color and theme of a room. Modern furniture can instantly make a room feel more modern regardless of the design of the rest of the home. Furniture also determines the color scheme. A mustard yellow couch limits the colors you choose for the walls, creating a starting point for a color scheme. The color and design of the main pieces of furniture in the room determine what everything else that goes into the room can and should look like.

Furniture is the focal point of a room

Furniture is the focal point of a room, and well-kept furniture makes a lasting impression on guests. Old furniture, on the other hand, can make a room’s redesign seem pointless. Cover old or less attractive furniture to conceal the old fabric and make it match the room redesign. You could even cover smaller pieces of furniture such as pet beds with fashionable pet bed covers. The furniture design truly determines the success of a room redesign.

Ways to Rethink Your Library Space

Ways to Rethink Your Library Space

Libraries are place where everybody can find something to do. Different libraries are set up for different demographics. There are libraries on college campuses, inside schools, and in the community, available for everyone’s use. No matter the library, most could use a bit of a redesign. The old model of shelves and shelves of books and minimal options for seating or meeting is quickly going out of style, especially with the onset of the digital era. Libraries everywhere are on the cusp of being rethought, redesigned, and reinvented to better fit the needs of an evolving society. Many people still rely on libraries for a reliable and quiet study spot, a place to escape the weather, a place to discover and read about new things, and a hub for community events and presentations. Libraries are staples in communities across the globe and should continue to reflect the needs and desires of its patrons and community members. Check out this guide on ways to rethink your library space to keep it up to date, functional, and a key point in the community it services, no matter if that community is college students, children, or an entire neighborhood or town.

Add color

Adding color to your library allows for unique customization to each section of the space. Different colors elicit different psychological responses in people, so creating rooms with varying color schemes can allow for people to find their most optimal space. Color can really affect people’s moods and focus, so having a variety of neutrals and bright colors in every space is important. Don’t be afraid to experiment with subtle patterns and to mix and match colors. Some people find visually stimulating rooms appealing.

Design the space for flexibility

A space that is flexible and adaptive in regard to the needs of the group or the individual is essential for a forward-thinking library. Libraries are collaborative spaces. Everybody has a different preference on what their optimal reading, working, or enjoyment space should look like. To better accommodate different needs and people, try to create an open-concept space that can be broken up and divided or opened and shared. Lightweight furniture that is easily rearrangeable is another great update to your library. This way a group of college students can come in and arrange for a small group collaboration at one point in the day and an adult can come in to read alone and move a chair back to a solo position. Allowing people customizability is a great way to rethink your library. Tables that can be pushed together or taken apart easily are another great idea. This way people can gather in large groups, small groups, or individually, based on need. This will also help to keep your library fresh. Every time someone enters the library the appearance is slightly different, adding a bit of excitement to their trip.

Offer a variety of seating options

Different chairs suit different activities and different people. It’s important for modern libraries to move away from the old model of standard chairs and tables and move into the future where people expect comfort, options, and flexibility. Consider providing couches and cozy chairs in addition to standard tables and chairs. Also consider investing in a few desks, both small and large. This can make the library space much more accessible for people’s needs. A person working remotely can choose a large desk to stay focused and productive while a student group coming to finish assigned readings can lie on the couches or sit on large pillows on the ground. Try to work in both collaborative workspaces and solo study options.

Keep it cozy

Coziness is key. People often work best if they are in a comfortable setting. Make your library as comfortable, yet functional, as possible. Keep in mind the previous section about seating and make sure you have comfortable seating options in addition to traditional ones. Consider alternative spaces such as nooks within larger rooms and transform them into cozy sanctuaries for those who want to be comfortable and work on their own. Play with the lighting and offer varied light settings in different rooms. Some rooms should have standard industrial-type lighting, as this setting works for some people. Other rooms may offer soft, yellow light provided by lamps instead of fluorescent overhead lighting. This softer light appeals to others. Adding pillows to couches and nooks can make the space feel less industrial and homier and more welcoming. Since it is a public place, make sure to employ wedge bolster covers, which can be easily removed and washed as needed.

Provide modern amenities

A modern library should house modern amenities. This means consider providing your patrons with chargers for their different devices. High-speed wireless internet is a must-have for any public place nowadays, but especially a library where people come to learn and work. Be sure to post the Wi-Fi login and password clearly and in many places throughout the building for ease of access for everybody. If your library has the budget, consider loading up the desktops and library-owned laptops with in-demand software for people to use. This can help create an educational environment and even help to provide important resources for those who may otherwise not have the opportunities to work with these software programs.

Design with consumer needs in mind

Think about the patrons of the library and why they’re there. Taking these reasons in mind, set up your space with their ease of use and comfort in mind. For example, consider repurposing different rooms for different reasons, such as a quiet room, a “loud” room for group study, and a few “in between” options. This way people who work well with background noise have a space, and people who need quiet to get work done have a space. Another thing to do to show you’ve considered the patrons’ needs is to situate as many chairs, couches, and tables near outlets. This way those working on laptops or other devices have a place to plug in, just in case batteries are running low. Overall, there are plenty of ways to rethink your library space. You know the way your community wants to use the library space better than anyone, so trust your instincts. If you get stuck or simply want to make sure you’re on the right track, you can always reach out with a survey looking for ideas and desires of locals for their library.

Three Tips for a Cozier Bedroom

Three Tips for a Cozier Bedroom

A bedroom is a place for resting and relaxation. Every aspect of your bedroom should make you feel calm and ready to decompress from your day. Expel any stressful element of your bedroom and replace it with cozy, soft, and comforting items using these tips for a cozier bedroom.

Get rid of clutter

Nothing can ruin a cozy day quite like clutter. Clean up your bedroom and come up with an organizational system you can stick to. Consider consolidating your furniture to minimize clutter. The feeling of spaciousness typically makes people feel calm and cozy, so move furniture away from windows to let in natural light, and get rid of any unnecessary furniture cluttering up the room. Making your bedroom feel more open can help you feel calm in your space.

Focus on your bed

The bed is the most important piece of a bedroom. Your bed should be the coziest and warmest spot in your whole home. To make sure this is the case, invest in your bed. Your mattress should be just the way you like it—not too soft and not too firm. Investing in a mattress topper can transform your mattress without causing you to go over budget. A cozy duvet or comforter can also make a bed much cozier, but the best way to create a cozy bed is by adding a variety of pillows. Invest in normal pillows, but don’t forget a body pillow for a cozy night’s sleep, a wedge pillow for propping yourself up, and a leg pillow to support your legs while you lounge. A wedge pillow cover can make sure your pillow is cozy and matches your bed set.

Keep the colors calming

A cozy bedroom calls for cozy colors. Too many colors or colors that are too harsh can make a room feel hectic. Keep your color scheme cozy: look for calming colors such as blues, greens, and purples. These are considered cool colors, which are known to make people feel more relaxed. The most important factor when you’re choosing bedroom colors is to choose ones that make you feel calm and cozy.

Steps to Putting on a Sofa Slipcover

Steps to Putting on a Sofa Slipcover

There are plenty of reasons to invest in a slipcover for your sofa. Many people choose a slipcover to extend the life of furniture that is structurally sound but has fabric that’s seen better days. Others may choose a slipcover to revamp their room and give it a pop of color. From children to pets to frequent guests, there’s no end to reasons to get slipcovers. Once you’ve decided to purchase a slipcover, you must install it properly so it stays and looks its best. Check out these steps to putting on a sofa slipcover so it stays secure.

Step one: Clear the couch

The first step to effectively installing a slipcover on your sofa is by clearing the furniture of anything that might be on it, such as pillows, blankets, pet items, or anything else that might be temporarily placed on the couch. This is all you need to remove if your slipcover is a one-piece. If your slipcover is a two-piece, remove the couch cushions as well as other items.

Step two: Place the slipcover on the couch

After clearing your couch, you can lay the slipcover over it to prepare it for installation. Start in the front of the couch and work your way to the back. After you’ve completed this, gently pull the slipcover’s arms over the couch’s arms. Inspect the couch and ensure it’s fully covered by the slipcover, if not, gently pull on the slipcover to adjust it to the uncovered area(s).

Step three: Tuck excess fabric

When you first put on your slipcover, it may appear to be too large for your couch, but don’t worry, this is normal. Simply tuck the extra fabric into the arms and into the spaces between the cushions to help the slipcover form to the natural shape of your couch. If this proves difficult with bare hands, try a kitchen utensil such as a wooden spatula.

Step four: Replace what you removed in step one

Now that your slipcover is properly secured, make sure to replace the decorations you removed during step one of this process. This means replacing any throw pillows, blankets, pet items, or other incidentals so you can begin to use and enjoy your couch. These directions work for placing L-shaped couch slipcovers on sectional couch slipcovers as well.

Improving the Atmosphere of Your Café

Improving the Atmosphere of Your Café

When the weather starts to warm up, people start to look for reasons to get out and about. One of the best activities to get people out of the house and enjoying themselves is going to a café. Your café could enjoy a very busy season if it’s set up for success. Improving the atmosphere of your café can pay off big time when the crowds start pouring in.

Improve your outdoor space

A major draw of a café is the outdoor space. People love to sip coffee and eat small pastries in an outdoor sanctuary. Improve the outdoor atmosphere, and you’ll likely see a boost in foot traffic. To do this, consider upgrading your seating options. Go from the standard, uncomfortable patio furniture to a luxurious variety of seating options. Try investing in a patio couch and some comfy chairs with cushions. Stylish patio furniture cushion covers can help keep your outdoor space looking chic and clean all season long. For a layer of privacy, consider adding a trellis with flowers or vines; this also creates a very photogenic spot for plenty of photos to be taken.

Create a cultivated playlist

The atmosphere can be set by the sounds in your café. The clinking of glasses, the sounds of a French press, and a perfect playlist are what set your spot’s tone. Playlists can be tricky because not everyone likes the same music. The key is to identify what demographic you want to attract. For example, if you want to tap into the “work-from-home” crowd, you may want to choose relaxing music at a low volume that provides nice background sound yet doesn’t distract or drown out calls or thoughts.

Switch up the lighting

Lighting is another great way to create the perfect atmosphere. Consider updating your lighting fixtures for more updated and on-theme ones. Dimmers may also be a good investment. Be wary when using dimmers, though; too much light is jarring to customers, while too little can be frustrating. The light should be bright enough to read without eye strain and dim enough to glance at without squinting.

Do more with your décor

Decorating your café in an interesting manner without being distracting is key to an ideal atmosphere. Paintings from local artists can foster a creative and inviting environment. You can even switch them out seasonally or as they sell. You know your space better than anyone. Find décor that matches your desired aesthetic and work from there.

How to Host Guests Without a Guest Bedroom

How to Host Guests Without a Guest Bedroom

Hosting guests can be an exciting time. You get to visit with people you may not get the chance to spend time with very often. Whether it’s for a short stay or an extended visit, having family and friends close is always a blessing. One thing that makes this blessing a bit more difficult to manage is not knowing where to keep your guests. It’s easy to agree to host somebody—or multiple somebodies—but hosting them is trickier when you don’t have a guest room. Guest rooms are becoming fewer and farther between in the modern household. Between rising housing costs and the growing amount of work-from-home careers, guest rooms are either nonexistent or being used as home offices. If your home or apartment has limited space and you have guests coming to stay, do what you can to make the experience as low-stress and as enjoyable as possible. Check out this guide on how to host guests without a guest bedroom.

Provide a comfortable place for your guests to sleep

You may not have a designated guest room, but you should aim to make it feel as if you do. Your guests are staying with you to visit with you and to see your city, but they’re actually staying at your home to get a good night’s rest. Make sure to provide as comfortable a place for guests to sleep as possible. This starts with a sleeping surface. We recommend that you have a futon that guests can turn into their own personal bed at night and that you can transform back into a functional sofa during the day. Dress up the futon with fun-colored futon covers to keep it clean and to give it a welcoming appearance. Then, outfit your futon with a cozy top sheet and a luxurious-feeling comforter or quilt. The lux feel of the linens can make even the most standard futon feel like a sanctuary. Another item that will keep the sleeping space comfortable for your guests is an option of pillows. Try to provide a firm pillow for people who prefer to sleep on their backs and require ample neck support and a softer pillow for side and stomach sleepers. Always keep these in fresh pillowcases. Now that you’ve nailed down the “bed,” it’s time to think about the sleeping environment. For example, if there are nearby windows, try to affix window treatments so that the morning light doesn’t disturb your sleeping guests.

Create as much privacy as possible

Privacy is key to you and your guests’ sanity during the course of a stay in a home without a guest room. If your guests are staying in a common area such as the living room, try to rearrange your space temporarily to provide the maximum amount of privacy. Consider investing in a room divider to place in front of the guest’s makeshift bed to allow them the feel of a private room. Be mindful of your guests’ routines and sleep schedules by avoiding their sleeping area at night. Grab any snacks, books, or entertainment you may need throughout the night before the guest turns in for the night, and camp out in your bedroom to avoid disturbing them. This allows both parties to enjoy a semi-normal and mostly private bedtime routine.

Clean before your guests arrive

Before your guests arrive—even if it’s a last-minute trip—make sure to clean your entire home. It’s easy to overlook mess if it’s your own, but when you visit another person’s house, the first thing you probably notice is their mess. Clean the space in which your guests will stay as well as the entryway. Deep-clean your bathroom and kitchen, as your guest will most likely spend some time in these rooms. Do all the dishes, and do your best to keep them clean throughout your guests’ entire stay. Dirty dishes can easily pile up while you’re carried away with the responsibilities and joys of entertaining your guests. With the extra mouths to feed, you’re bound to have a larger dish count than you’re used to. Letting dishes pile up can lead to bad smells, bugs, and an overall unpleasant stay for your guests. Furthermore, part of cleaning goes beyond scrubbing floors—make sure you tidy up while you clean. Put away any piles of clutter, or stow it in a closet your guest won’t be opening. Clutter makes a space feel instantly crammed, and it can add to the stress of you and your guests living in such tight quarters.

Give guests amenities

Amenities aren’t just for hotels—you can offer some to your guests, too. This doesn’t mean you have to act as your guests’ personal concierge and be on constant call, but a few small gestures go a long way when you’re hosting guests. Consider providing your guests with a small welcome basket full of essentials. Here are some of the most popular items to include for guests:

  • Phone charger: After traveling, your guests will need to charge their phones. Providing a phone charger will help ease their stress after a long travel day.
  • Ear plugs: You may have grown used to your street’s traffic noise, but your guests most likely don’t have the trained ear to block it out. Provide guests with disposable ear plugs to drown out bothersome noise while they sleep.
  • Eye mask: Even if you’ve fallen asleep on the futon your guests will stay on, you may not have a full grasp of the bothersome lights that may be present in the space, such as a blinking TV light or an ill-placed streetlamp. Guests will appreciate the aid of a sleep mask to help them sleep.
  • Water bottle: Many people prefer to sleep with a small glass of water by their beds. Help out your guests by providing a water bottle for them.
  • Wi-Fi password: Leave a slip of paper with the Wi-Fi password on it. This way, guests can get online with ease and feel independent while doing so.
  • Instructions for the television: Staying at someone else’s home can mean struggling to work the TV. Leave instructions for which remote is for what machine and how to use each one.
  • Spare key: If your guests will be coming and going independently from you during the course of their stay, you may want to give them a spare key so that they don’t feel like prisoners to your schedule.
  • Bedside table: Everybody benefits from a bedside table. Temporarily turn an end table into a bedside table to give your guests a space to set their glasses, keep a cup of water, and simply store things they may need at night and when they wake up.

Guest Bedroom

Tips for Decorating a Beautiful Bedroom

Tips for Decorating a Beautiful Bedroom

Whether you just moved into a brand-new home or you’re simply revamping your current one, redecorating a bedroom is a very exciting task. The world is your oyster when you decide to redo your bedroom. Most people aim to create a space that is relaxing, welcoming, and feels like their personal sanctuary. Even if you’re not ready to invest in new furniture, décor can go a very long way. Check out these helpful tips for decorating a beautiful bedroom.

Choose a color scheme and stick to it

Choosing a color scheme may seem like a hard decision to make, but this room is only for you (and your significant other, if you share a bedroom). You know yourself better than anyone. You know what colors calm you and which you are averse to. Think about your favorite spaces to go when you’re feeling stressed; if they all have a common color theme, consider adding that color to your bedroom’s repertoire. To create the color scheme, you can paint your walls, get a rug, invest in a new bedspread, or even get some throw pillows to liven up the space with your on-theme colors. Throw pillows can easily add color to a bedroom to beautify it. For example, many city dwellers choose a daybed to save space in smaller homes and apartments. To jazz these up, add colorful daybed wedge pillow covers to the bed to create more cohesion within the room without making major changes to your bed.

Add calming elements

Does the sound of water running soothe you? Do you like a fan to run while you sleep? Incorporate any preferences you have to get your best and most relaxing night of sleep into your bedroom design. Humidifiers, standing fans, and water elements aren’t known to be the most attractive room additions, but there are still ways to make these items appealing so they lend to your bedroom’s overall beauty. There are very stylish water elements you can work into a bedroom. You can also tackle a fan by ridding your room of a standing fan and instead investing in a sleek ceiling fan.

Rearrange for optimal space utilization

Even if your bedroom is tiny, there is always a method to maximize the space you have. Taking down heavy window treatments and opting for a more airy option that lets light in will make your room look luminous and spacious—even if it’s not. You can also rearrange where your headboard sits or where you keep your dresser. Experimenting with moving furniture pieces around may just lead you to the perfect set up, consequently making your room as beautiful as possible.