Understanding Your Financing Options When It Comes to Furniture Wednesday, August 28, 2019

For many Americans, the end of summer means big transitions: new jobs, new cities, and often even new homes. And as just about any homebuyer can attest, a mortgage is often just the beginning in a series of sizeable new bills. You may need to make some immediate repairs, or you may need to buy new furniture or appliances.

Furniture and appliance retailers do their part to encourage big purchases with summer blowouts and low- or no-interest financing. Before considering such a big purchase, let’s look at your financing options.

 • Cash Upfront
If you have it, this is the best way to pay for just about anything. You won’t have to worry about monthly payments and interest payments won’t be a consideration. It’s not an option for everyone, but it is best to pay for a major purchase upfront.

•  Layaway
Most furniture stores offer a layaway program that allows the you to reserve your furniture and pick up after regular payments. Home Furniture requires a 20% down payment and holds your furniture for 90 days. For some, this may be the best fit. It’s really only an option if you don’t need the furniture right away.

• Lease-to-Own
This could be a good option for people living paycheck to paycheck or have compromised credit, and need furniture fast. You may not be able to purchase furniture outright, but you need a place to sleep and sit quickly. Basically, after agreeing to terms, you are allowed to take your furniture that day and agree to a payment schedule. If a payment is missed, the store has the right to reposes the furniture or the renter has a right to return the furniture at any time. Once the bill is paid, the furniture is yours to keep.

• Credit Cards
This option is a good one for people who already have credit cards and have no trouble making their monthly payments. You can take the furniture home the day of purchase and it won’t mean any new bills. However, you should consider the interest and understand how much your payments will rise with the new purchase.

• Retailer Financing
Most furniture stores offer financing. It will require a credit check and will add a new bill to your monthly expenses. You can offset these expenses with a down payment, and many stores offer interest free payments for a time. Just be aware of any special offers the store may be offering at the time and take advantage.

It really depends on your own unique situation to decide which option is best for you and your family. If you go with some type of financing, just be sure you can stay on top of the payments and you’ll be happy with your purchase.

Farmhouse Style: Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Mix Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Farmhouse homes are popular for a reason. They are relaxing, stylish, comfy and never truly go out of style. The mix of new and old blended with personal touches can be used throughout your home creating the perfect flow from room to room.

Here are a few tips and tricks for the perfect farmhouse style.

• Mixed Wood
Look for simple, unpainted wood to decorate your farmhouse. Consider an oversized wooden coffee table, or simple wooden stools for your kitchen island. Use wooden plank shelves, or even consider wooden counter tops! Don’t be afraid to mix and match wooden finished and textures. Farmhouses tend to blend different elements.

In the living room, a wooden entertainment center is perfect for a rustic look. Avoid anything too glossy and look for aged perfection. In the dining room, consider a simple wooden table.

• Light Colors
If you want to stay true to a relaxing and claiming farmhouse theme, stay away from bright paint and furniture colors. Instead, rely on throw pillows and curtains for pops of color.

Choose light and simple chairs for sitting and a comfy couch for lounging that won’t overwhelm the room. Remember to embrace your farmhouse theme by keeping it simple. You can add pops of color here and there, but typical farmhouse style is light and airy.

• Family Heirlooms
Embracing a farmhouse theme will give you the chance to display items that may have otherwise ended up in the “donation” box. Display your grandmother’s pour over coffee maker. Show off you grandfather’s wooden gardening tools. These objects go perfectly with the theme and can be used as artful conversation pieces. Not everything has to be framed or hung on the wall. Use your aunt’s old pickling jar as a vase or your father’s whisky decanter as a bookend.

Farmhouse life is all about keeping it simple. However, simple does not have to mean sparse and plain. Don’t be afraid to mix varied textures, materials and looks.  Hints of metal and pops of color add to the comfy feel of a farmhouse-styled home. Just look to what makes you happy and comfortable, you can find them all at any Home Furniture Plus Bedding store in Nederland TX, Beaumont TX, Lake Charles LA, New Iberia LA, Lafayette LA or Baton Rouge LA.  

Apartment-Friendly Furniture Monday, August 5, 2019

When it comes to furnishing an apartment, size and organization is key. While you might be limited on space, you don’t have to be restricted when it comes to style. These multi-functional pieces are perfect for an apartment of any size and can make it feel like home.

Bookcases
Although you might not have enough books to fill up its entirety, a bookcase has the advantage of height making it a great place for storage in an apartment. If you want to use it as a more decorative piece, place your books, photos, and a few accent pieces on the shelves. If you need it to function more for storage, grab a few matching baskets and place clothes, electronics, or even office supplies. This way the clutter will be out of sight, but you’ll have your belongings in a proper place.

Daybeds
If you live in a one-bedroom apartment, chances are having overnight guests can be a little tricky. Neither of you particularly desires to sleep on the floor or a couch, so what’s a good solution? Daybeds and sleeper sofas are a great way to accommodate occasional overnight guests while not impeding on your day-to-day living. Down the road, these are great options to put in a spare bedroom or an office for multifunctional use.

Multiuse Storage
Having pieces in your apartment that have multiple purposes is key. A coffee table that has a lift top allows you to have a place for magazines and remotes on top while storing puzzles and DVDs below. A storage ottoman doesn’t just provide a place to prop your feet. It can also store blankets and other items while even providing additional seating for guests.

Pub-Style Dining
Having an eight-seating long dining room table in your apartment might not be realistic. With bar-height dining sets, you have option of setting up in the corner while still having ample space for other activities. To add some additional seating, add bench seating for study groups or a friendly dinner party.

Using the right pieces in the right places is important for apartment living. Make sure your space feels nice and cozy without feeling overly crowded or cramped.

Visit one of our eight furniture and mattress storesserving East Texas and Louisiana and find your perfect living room chair or chaise today! We offer plenty of chairs and chaises to choose from, and you’re sure to find the perfect one for you and your family.

Think You Need a New Mattress? Your Body Will Let Your Know Thursday, August 1, 2019

A mattress matters to your overall health and well-being, so why do so many people neglect a good night’s sleep? Consumer reports recommend a new mattress every 7 to 10 years. Shocked? Most people are. Many folks can’t remember when they bought their mattress! If you know it’s older than a decade, it’s time to start looking.

But your body may also be telling you it’s time to shop around. Here’s a few things to look for:

• You move all night
Constantly shifting position? If you can’t get comfy in bed, that’s a pretty sure sign you need a new mattress. Don’t let old springs push on sensitive pressure points. You need a quality mattress that evenly distributes weight.

• Allergies
If you find that your allergies seem worse at night or first thing in the morning, it may be time for a new mattress. Dust mites are a huge cause of most allergies. Those little mites love an old mattress. Memory foam and waterbeds are a good way to keep dust mites at bay.

• Your back hurts
This is one of the most common reasons for replacing an old mattress. Old mattresses will gradually lose the ability to provide proper support. As the layers lose their compression and shape, your body will no longer feel supported in the mattress. This typically manifests in forms of backaches and pains.

• Constant Headaches
This could be side effect from the allergies created by your older mattresses, and it can also be a sign of terrible shoulder and neck support. If you are waking with a headache more often than not, your old mattress could be to blame.

Any of this sound familiar? Then it may be time to replace that old mattress with a new more supportive one! Don’t let your sleep suffer for a problem that easy to fix. Be the best you with a comfy new mattress. 

Visit one of our eight mattress centers in East Texas and Louisiana and find your perfect living room chair or chaise today! We offer plenty of chairs and chaises to choose from, and you’re sure to find the perfect one for you and your family.