When it comes to furniture, you may think that you know everything that there is to know about furniture. Would it surprise you that many people even in furniture stores do not always have the latest information when it comes to the latest furniture? Probably! Every year there are so many designs of furniture as well as different types of wood that make their way into the stores. Every year, it can be something new from designers, many of whom you do not know.

When it comes to room furniture, such as bedroom furniture or home furniture, there are a wide variety of designs from Oriental to Nordic and everything in between that you can literally go bonkers trying to design a room with a suite full of these items. If you want an Oriental suite, choose such styles as a flat panel bed or a futon with a bamboo screen for example. This is just one example of useful settings that can make or break a room, no matter where in the house it is. This also applies to outdoor furniture such as patio sets.

With all of the materials that can be used for this type of thing, you can just bet that there are pieces that you have never heard of before. Some of the designs are both functional and decorative using materials that you may not think about when it comes to patio furniture. They can utilize materials such as brick, metal and bamboo to create a very functional setting for your patio. However, there are also many different types of material such as Cedar that can also be used in an outdoor setting. This is not only waterproof but also lasts for a long time.

When it comes to this, it doesn’t have to be created from a famous designer to be useful. Traditional designs that come from faraway lands using exotic materials are also on the rise. This is because of the rise in demand for more ethnic types of furnishings. You don’t even have to go to a furnishings store to find these types of things for your home. You can search online for many different types of room furniture and most times, can buy it cheaper than a retail gallery. This can be a real convenience.

So look around the next time that you are out and about. Even things that you may not think about could turn into furniture very easily. No matter what the style of design that you want, there are many places to get information on sectionals such as dining room furniture. As stated before, you also don’t have to break the bank to get the look that you want at a price that is affordable to you.

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Protecting Wood Furniture from Mold

August 21, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

Accompanying the hot summer months are mold, mildews and fungus that thrive in warm, moist environments. Regular cleaning of your natural wood furniture from CLS Direct should be enough to prevent mildew that thrives on organic materials like paper, leather, and wood. Cooled, dehumidified and circulated indoor air is good for your health and that of your furniture. If, however, you find mold damage, follow these few steps:

Remove mold immediately as it can cause sickness, respiratory problems and have an odor.
Wring out a cloth soaked in a solution of three parts water and one part mild detergent.
Wipe surface of the furniture with the solution to remove the mold.
Wipe one small area at a time, followed by a cloth dipped in plain water.
Dry all areas thoroughly.
Clean greasy or filmy substances off your furniture with furniture cleaner, which is different than furniture polish. Wax buildup can harbor mold.
Scrub stubborn spots with a brush dipped in a solution of five parts water and one part chlorine bleach. Test an inconspicuous area first to test colorfastness. Rinse the area thoroughly with plain water and then dry.
Weather permitting, place the furniture outside in the sun to dry. Sunlight aids in oxidation and will be a huge factor in the fight against mold and mildew.

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Selecting the Perfect Furniture for Your Children’s Bedroom

August 20, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

Your children’s room is very important to them. It is one of the few places in the home they call their own and many times they will find refuge there. The different pieces of furniture you furnish their room with will make or break their bedroom and can create a very un-enjoyable environment.

Selecting the correct pieces of furniture is absolutely a must. The following steps will help in the process of assembling a perfect youth bedroom.

Find out what he or she wants in their room. They are the ones that are going to be spending all their time there. So make sure it is filled with things they want.
Based on how much space you have to work with, the bed is the essential piece of furniture you will buy. Make sure it is as convenient as it is comfortable. Your choices will consist of day beds, bunk bed, lofts, day beds, and storage beds.
Color schemes. This is vital when buying furniture. Lots of kids’ bedroom sets come in assorted color schemes so discuss with your child the color scheme he or she likes best.
Your child most likely will have homework and thus needs a place to do it. Find a desk that he or she can easily fit into, preferably with a book shelf. Homework is not fun, so make sure their desk is comfortable. Find a matching, comfortable chair for the desk also.
A night stand is next on the list. You child will need a place to put an alarm clock or their glasses once it is time for bed.
Finally, for extra storage, a dresser, armoire, or trunk will work well and keep the room clutter free.

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Deciding on the Design of Your Sofa

August 19, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

Once you have picked out the style of sofa that best fits your family, it is time to think about design features.

This glossary will help you deciding and define the features you want in a sofa. You’ll find sofas at CLS Direct in every style and design at prices to meet every budget!

Feet: Yes, a sofa has feet! Exposed feet are typically wood or metal. If you room is formal or contemporary, then you should lean in the direction of wooden feet. Modern styled sofas usually come with feet made of metals or other mixed materials.

Skirt: If you decide that you don’t want your sofa’s feet to show, there are many skirted options. Casual and traditional styled sofas often have skirts that can be pleated, gathered or tailored with matching or contrasting fabric patterns.

Arms: Arms can be high, low, wide, narrow, curved, or straight. Choose an arm style that you’re your body and your room’s use – will you be snoozing here, lying down to watch a movie, or serving tea? The arm height also influences the height of your end tables.

Back: The sofa back can be tightly stuffed, tufted or pillowed. Pillows can be attached, semi-attached or detached in matching or contrasting upholstery patterns. Contemporary sofas typically have a clean,, tight back while fluffy pillowed backs adorn casual designs.

Seat Cushions: Sofas have one to three seat cushions in a variety of fill techniques and materials that greatly affect comfort, quality, durability and price.

Toss Pillows: Toss pillows are sometimes optional and other times included with a sofa. You can easily change the look of your room with different pillows in bright fabrics with fun or fanciful trims. Toss pillows are like jewelry for your sofa!

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Putting Together the Perfect Guest Room

August 19, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

Spending the night in an unfamiliar room can be such a drag sometimes, especially when the sleeping conditions are uncomfortable. So why would you want to put your guest through that same experience?

Take into consideration the things that make you feel at peace when staying in an unfamiliar place. This is the most important factor to make your guests feel right at home in a guest room. It will also give them a warm and cozy feeling knowing their comfort was thought of when you invited them into your home.

Follow these simple suggestions while you’re shopping at CLS Direct to create a comfortable, relaxing environment for your guests:

Keep it clutter free. Remove any furniture that might give the room a cluttered feel. Guests will feel more at home if they have enough room to accommodate themselves.
Don’t furnish with all your unwanted furniture. This too can make a room feel cluttered and hodge-podge.
Give the bed all the comfort you would want if you were sleeping on it. Provide extra pillows and don’t skimp on the linens. A thick duvet isn’t a bad idea either.
Provide a nightstand next to the bed. This could be a great place for a lamp for reading purposes.
Place a bowl of candy, magazines, books or flowers in the room to make your guests feel welcomed.
Hang a mirror on the wall so they have a place to freshen up.
A clock radio, wastebasket, iron and ironing board, tissues and a bottle of water are nice personal touches.

When creating a comfortable guest room for your dearest friends, visit CLS Direct to find the perfect pieces of furniture that will give your guest a home away from home experience.

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Cleaning Your Upholstery

August 18, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

Ahhh Fall! As we come to the end of summer, many people begin to take advantage of the beautiful fall weather. Warm days, crunchy leaves, and of course football. While closets, counters, windows, floors, tables, and carpets are at the mercy of the cleaning crew, don’t neglect your upholstered furniture such as sofas, loveseats, chairs and recliners.

The dirt that gathers on solid surfaces such as floors and tables is easy to see and clean. Consider that this same dirt and dust you clean from your end tables, often several times a week, has also settled on your upholstered furniture.

How can you properly spring clean your upholstery to keep it looking new?

Vacuum all surfaces of your upholstered furniture including both sides of any removable cushions. Use your vacuum cleaners crevice tool and dust brush attachments to get into deep corners. Always use the dust brush on leather furniture so suction doesn’t damage the surface.
Flip and rotate your cushions. Turn your cushions over and rotate them to even out the wear and make the inner cushion and the fabric last longer. This should be done each month, not only in the spring.
Rearrange your furniture. The ultraviolet rays from direct sunlight can fade fabric and leather, just like it damages your skin, depriving your furniture of its gorgeous look. Use window blinds or sheers on windows to minimize the sun rays.
Massage your furniture. That’s right, start from the bottom of the arms and back and push the stuffing up, giving it a full look. This works air back into the synthetic fibers and keeps it nice and cushy.

Visit CLS Direct to shop our vast selection of affordable, durable and beautiful upholstered furniture!

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Arranging Bedroom Furniture So You Wake Up Pain Free

August 17, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

How many times have you awaken from a great night’s sleep only to have your morning ruined by the painful feeling of banging one of your toes or shins against a dresser or another piece of furniture?

It has happened to all of us at one time or another, but the great thing is it doesn’t have to anymore! Arranging the furniture in your bedroom can be tricky, especially when you are working with limited space. The following steps will help you not only add more comfort and style to your bedroom, but it will save you from mornings filled will toe throbbing pain:

Sketch the layout of your bedroom on a piece of paper. Include measurements and placement of all radiators, doors, and windows.
Get the measurements of all your furniture. You can either write it down or if you are creative enough, make cutouts of each furniture piece.
Place the cutouts on the paper and move them around until you get the desired layout you want. Make sure the spacing between furniture pieces is big enough, giving you the peace of mind knowing that you won’t be bumping into anything when you wake up.
Make sure your room is clutter free! Clearing out clutter from the corners of the room will give you better energy flow. Exposed electrical equipment emits electromagnetic waves, which can hinder a peaceful night of sleep. Instead, hide wires from electrical equipment in units with doors.

When designing the layout of your bedroom visit CLS Direct and get those perfect bedroom pieces so that you can wake up pain free!

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Limited Bedroom Space? We’ve Got The Answer!

August 17, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

It is an obvious fact that everyone wants a great bedroom. No one wants to be stuck in a small space. We often dream so much about owning a spacious bedroom that we forget about the possibility of it becoming cluttered after some time. What happens if you do not have the luxury of having the extra space? Having a small room is not something that one should fear. These are a few guidelines that help when it comes to working with a small space.

Maximize the sense of space by painting the room in a pale color. White, beige and cream are just a few examples.
Use ceramic or wood flooring that runs in a diagonal pattern. Diagonal lines appear longer than lines running perpendicular or parallel.
Get rid of the headboard and footboard. Headboards and footboards push the bed off the wall and take up space.
Use a metal mattress frame and keep the bed close to the floor. Large frames give the sense of a large mass and appear bulky.
Sleep sofas or a nice futon can be great for utilizing space. Couch during the day … bed at night.
Don’t use too much furniture. Excess furniture can choke a room and its traffic pattern. A bed, nightstand and a dresser is all your room needs.
Storage pieces that rise vertically, like a highboy, are better than pieces that jet out horizontally.
Minimize the use of patterns in things such as rugs, curtains and wallpaper. Patterns such as polka dots, flowers, stripes and plaids can really fill up a room and take away the sense of space.
Refrain from placing a large amount of pictures on the wall. Many designers state that one wall should be left bare to give the psyche a chance to relax.

Designing for a small bedroom is an easy task. Visit CLS Direct for all of those ideal bedroom pieces that will give your bedroom INFINITE space!

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Making Sure Your Bunk Bed is Safe

August 14, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

A parents most important job in life is the safety and protection of their children. From the day our kids are born, we do everything we can to make sure that their surroundings are free from harm. We baby proof our homes, we make sure that they have great food, and we always make sure the toys they play with are age appropriate. But how can we watch over them and protect them when everyone in the house is asleep?

Bunk Beds are one of the most popular beds for youth bedroom furniture. First they save plenty of space in the child’s room. Second, there is something that kids admire and think is very awesome about sleeping high off of the ground.

Here are a few precautions that’s you can take when it comes to keeping your child safe at night:

Make sure your child is age appropriate for a bunk bed. Bunk beds will let you know, like many toys, the proper age of children that should be allowed to sleep on the bed. This is a very over looked rule, and many times smaller children can slip underneath the rails. Have your child test out the bed before you buy it.
The top bunk should always have a guardrail on all four sides, even if it will be placed against a wall. There should be no more than 9 centimeters (3.54 inches) between the bottom of the rail and the frame of the bed to prevent the child from becoming trapped between the rail and the frame.
It’s essential to use the proper size mattress on your bunk bed. Make sure the mattress you buy fits snugly against all edges of the bed frame. If you buy an extra long bunk bed, make sure the mattress is extra long as well.

Make sure you stop into CLS Direct and check out our selection of bunk beds for your children today! You’ll find a wide assortment of mattresses that will fit your child’s bunk bed safely and grown up mattresses for you!

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Tips for Purchasing Furniture

August 13, 2010 CLS Factory Direct Leave a comment

If you’re like most people, you don’t know if the furniture you are looking at buying is high quality or low quality. Here are a nice handful of furniture buying tips so that you at least know a little bit about the quality of the furniture you are purchasing, first as it relates to couches.

TIPS

The heavier the cushion, the better quality they are.
The springs of the sofa should be sturdy. If you remove the cushions and push down on the couch, you should very easily feel the springs pushing back.
Check for a matching pattern all the way around the couch. If the whole couch seems like one seamless pattern all the way around the couch, it is probably worth more than $800.
For any hardwood framed sofa, ask if the wood has been kiln dried. If they haven’t, they will be more prone to warping and cracking from moisture.
Make sure nothing wiggle around or creaks.
If a couch has legs that are actually built into the frame, it is higher quality than a couch with screw-on legs.
A hollow couch is a cheaper couch.
Leather-like and leather match is not actually leather.
Find out what kind of leather a couch is. Top-grain is the best. Anything less than top-grain leather could wear more easily, and will need to stay moisturized and out of the sun to maintain a decent condition.

This list is far from a complete list of furniture buying tips, but it should get you started. Knowing just this much should help significantly in preparing you for shopping for furniture. But that doesn’t mean that the furniture buying tips stop there! Here are some more related to drawers and dressers.

TIPS

Check the corners of the drawers for any inconsistencies, or to see if the core (usually some kind of plywood or fiber board) can be seen through the corners. You shouldn’t be able to see it.
Low quality drawers will use some kind of rollers to make the drawers move forward and back.
Rough interiors on drawers means that the dresser is low quality.
Beware of paper covered particle board, even if the paper seems to look just like normal wood.

This might seem like a lot. It might even seem like information overload. However, there are plenty more furniture buying tips out there on the internet that you can absorb. This is only the tip of the iceberg!