Most of us are pretty good at cleaning our homes to get rid of dirt, dust and germs from surfaces like floors, tables and countertops. But most people pay a lot less attention to their soft furnishings such as sofas, easy chairs and upholstered dining room chairs. OK, you probably vacuum regularly, but how often do you shampoo, steam clean or spot clean your fabric-covered furniture? Read the full article

You’ve found the perfect house or apartment to buy or rent, and you’ll be moving in soon. You’ve already started furnishing the place with a bunch of wonderful new pieces from local furniture stores – in your mind, that is. Soon reality sets in, though, and you remember that you have a lot of other financial commitments (such as the mortgage or rent) and there’s no way you can afford all those fabulous items right now. Oh well, it was nice to dream! Read the full article

If you can’t find exactly the item of furniture you’re looking for to complete the décor in a room, perhaps you would consider buying an unfinished piece and finishing it yourself. Unfinished furniture is exactly what it sounds like –  an item that has been manufactured almost to completion, with only the finish on the wood missing. As long as you’re reasonably handy you can get the look you want with relatively little work, and at a price that’s far lower than you would pay for a finished piece. Some finishes such as shellac or marbling aren’t so easy for beginners to master, while others like paint or stain can be applied by virtually anyone. Read the full article

Wicker furniture has long been popular for both indoor and outdoor settings. Whether you put your wicker set in the garden, on a patio or a porch, or in your living room, bedroom or sunroom, you’ll find it elegant, adaptable and long lasting. If you’re considering purchasing wicker furniture for your home, these are some things to take into account before you make your final decision:

Nowadays you can get both natural and synthetic wicker furniture. Natural wicker is a plant material derived from rattan, willow, bamboo, reed or abaca, and is well known for its beauty and versatility. Read the full article

These days, people just seem to want everything at once, not least when they’re furnishing their homes. Most of us can’t afford to buy all the things we need to fill a whole house, let alone a room, in one fell swoop. The trouble is that if you buy a few items here and there without a clear plan, over time you’re going to end up with a mishmash of furnishings that don’t go together, and that you might not even like any more. Read the full article