Category Archives: Clearance Furniture

Clearance Furniture

Refrigerator Guide

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I recently did all this research right before we purchased our new refrigerator. Since the refrigerator is one of the larger appliance purchases for your kitchen and will probably last you 10-15 years you need to choose wisely. I was surprised to find that there is such a variety in refrigerators these days. There are many styles and sizes, different colors and finishes and many features to choose from. Then of course you must check out if it is Energy Star qualified. Here is a summary of what I found out. Hope it helps you out!

Styles

1. Small Basic Refrigerator – These are best for smaller families, apartments or small kitchens. Generally it is about three to six inches narrower than your regular size refrigerators.

2. Top-freezer Refrigerator – These are still the most popular refrigerators around and are less expensive than some of the other styles below. They are generally spacious and very good for everyday use.

3. Bottom-freezer Refrigerator – These are very similar to the top-freezer version except the refrigerator is on top and the freezer is usually a pull out drawer on the bottom. It is more convenient as most of your daily use items are at eye level. The bottom freezer though can be awkward as there are no shelves and making it difficult to find specific things.

4. Side-by-side Refrigerator – This has two separate areas for the refrigerator and freezer side by side. The freezer side a little smaller. This style will be good for smaller kitchens where a wide door clearance is a problem. Most of these come standard with an in-the-door ice and water dispensers. You do lose some space on the refrigerator side as a result of this configuration and you will not be able to fit things like wide platters, cakes boxes and pizza boxes.

5. French Door Refrigerator – This is a mix between bottom-freezer and side-by-side refrigerators. The top refrigerator portion has two French doors but the inside shelves are the full width. The freezer is a pull-out drawer. Again you have the benefit of not having to bend down to reach your everyday items.

6. Built-in Refrigerator – This is the custom refrigerator that lies flush with your kitchen cabinets and can be made to look just like them. These of course are expensive. These days you can also find refrigerators made the depth of standard cabinets so it looks like a built in. This route is significantly cheaper than custom built-ins.

Features

* Automatic defrosting – Most new refrigerators have this as a standard feature and I think it is a must. Gone are the days of having to unplug and defrost yourself.

* Power Failure Warning System – This alerts you if there was a power outage while you were not around. It usually also displays the highest temperature reached so you can make a decision on discarding spoiled food.

* Ice Maker – These are pretty standard these days

* Filtered Water – Whether you have an in-door or in-refrigerator water dispenser or just an ice maker, having your water filtered is a good idea.

* Water Filter Indicator – This will notify you when it is time to change the water filter.

* In-Door Water and Ice Dispenser – This is usually standard on the side-by-side refrigerators but is harder to get on the others. Recently the French Door models are starting to give this option. This is a great feature to have specially if you have children. Less wasted energy by fewer occasions to open the refrigerator.

* Rollers – You can lock and unlock wheels as needed making it a lot easier to move the refrigerator. I find this great for cleaning.

* Adjustable shelves and trays – This is something that to me is essential. Almost makes you refrigerator custom for you. I tend to readjust shelves fairly often so to me ones that are easier do do will be important.

* Larger shelves in the door – These can accommodate gallon jugs of milk or large soda bottles.

* Cooling Zone – Cold air from the freezer section is diverted to the refrigerator door helping milk and juice, usually stored here, to remain fresher longer.

* Electronic Temperature Controls – This ensures precise temperature control in the refrigerator and freezer sections.

* Express Chill and Express Freeze Settings – This is great for when you just can not wait.

* These days some refrigerators even come with things like a television, radio, or DVD player built into a door.

Colors and Finishes

Most refrigerators come in various color choices along with your basic white and black. Stainless steel finish is very popular these days and will cost you approximately $250-$300 more. Some manufacturers are now offering fingerprint-resistant stainless steel. This is just a clear acrylic coat on the finish that resists marks. You can also opt for faux stainless that also resists finger prints.

Energy Efficiency

When shopping be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR yellow label which is required to be on display. This label provides an estimate of how much energy the appliance uses, compares energy use of similar products, and lists approximate annual operating costs. Manufacturers have to meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and US Department of Energy so this a good representation of efficiency. Although you may notice that higher efficiency costs more, remember you will save a significant amount on utility bills every month and help the planet.

Energy efficiency is very important but so is getting all the features you really want for the long run. So choose wisely! Good Luck!!

Choosing furniture for a conference setting

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Furnishing your conference room is very important as this is where clients are likely to be met and also where staff training and meetings will take place. The furniture you use for your conference room depends upon how many delegates are likely to be attending and what sort of conferences you are going to host. So with this information to hand, you can now set out to design your conference room with the correct furniture and equipment.

Conference chairs must be comfortable, after all, the delegates are going to be sitting in them for a number of hours and there is nothing worse than an uncomfortable chair from which there is no escape. Making the choice is not quite straightforward though because we are all different shapes and sizes so if at all possible choose chairs which are ergonomically designed for a variety of heights and shapes. Also try and choose chairs which have an adjustable height, back and armrests that way those using them will be as comfortable as possible. Whichever chairs you choose, they should look business like and quite inviting to sit in.

The table will probably take up a lot of space in the middle of the room, so try to maximize the available space and perhaps consider a table of a different shape as opposed to just choosing a rectangular one. The table should be robust and well made so that when it is in use, it feels strong and level. Your table should be of sufficient size so that people have enough room to move around and take notes or work without feeling squashed. There are many different materials that the table can be made from and what you have depends upon the image and ambience you wish to create within your conference room. Obviously, your conference room should have a business like feel but should also make people feel relaxed and comfortable.

Lighting is very important for your conference room and you will need to make sure there is sufficient lighting. If your conference room has large windows you will need to consider shading for bright sunny days. Lighting will play a part on what your furniture will look like as you don’t want white or light coloured tables in a very bright room as this will cause glare and possibly eye strain, so in this instance darker coloured materials should be considered. Lighting should be neither too soft nor too harsh but somewhere in between.

A neutral colour scheme is probably preferred as certain shades promote a relaxed atmosphere whereas others do not. Whatever colours you choose, your office conference room must offer a good impression of your company, particularly if you are to meet with clients there. It must be well furnished and equipped giving the impression of a professional business like room where deals can be brokered and meetings can take place in comfort.

The important thing to remember when choosing furniture is that it should be well made and comfortable, so do test it out before buying.

Tips for Picking the Perfect House Plan

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Too big, too little. Too fancy, too plain. With myriad options for house plans available today, it’s hard to know where to begin.

Consider the following issues and ask yourself some telling questions. The answers will help you decide on a design that’s just right for your family as well as your budget and lot.

Square one

The real estate agent’s mantra “location, location, location” rings true even when you’re building from scratch. From privacy to orientation, your lot is likely to influence which plan you choose.

“Theoretically, it’s best to start by finding a lot because then you’ll have a clear idea of what square footage will and will not fit on the property,” says Robert Martin, Architecture Editor at Southern Living. “It’s a dangerous proposition to try to gooseneck a house into a lot that’s really not ideal for that plan.”

The property owner can seek a variance to exceed the “building envelope,” the allowable area that a home can occupy on a lot. However, the process is often lengthy and there’s no guarantee that permission will be granted.

Local zoning boards and community organizations often require a house be set back a certain distance from the street. Before purchasing a corner lot, find out if front-yard setback regulations apply to the lot’s front and side-street boundaries. This could substantially reduce the area available for a home’s footprint. Easements as well as natural features, like rock outcroppings and mature trees, may also influence where the house can be located.

“Some communities promote close neighbors, and some communities promote more breathing space,” Martin says. “It’s not wise to use up every square foot of building space because you’ll have less of a yard.”

If the lot is located in a suburban neighborhood, consider the placement of windows – take care that they will not align exactly with neighbors’ views. Driveways should also be taken into account to make sure that there’s plenty of room for parking and turning around.

Streets and topography may be the main determinates of a house’s orientation, but it’s also a good idea to consider sun exposures when possible. A homeowner might reorganize a floor plan to take advantage of morning and afternoon light. Martin says that covered porches that face a southern exposure can help block out heat and sunlight.

Remember that plans are not necessarily “as is.” Builders can use a reverse set of plans (sometimes called a mirror image) to better site a house. It’s also possible to hire an architect or modification service to personalize a plan. Ask if reproducible prints or electronic CADD files are available for the selected plan. Either will make the alteration process quicker and easier.

Complimenting your lifestyle

Before delving into the thousands of plans available today, evaluate your current living situation. Look around and ask what works and what doesn’t.

Consider which features matter most to you and which floor plan best accommodates your family’s lifestyle. “Does the floor plan live the way you live?” Martin asks. Are you an empty nester who’s ready to downsize? A single-level ranch home might be your answer. Is this a house where you expect to raise a family? Check out plans that feature great communal spaces as well as a private master suite. Would you live outside 12 months a year if you could? Pick an airy floor plan with plenty of porches and more windows than wall space.

When you decide on a house plan, you’re also choosing a way of life. Do you host dinner parties often, or do you only step inside the dining room on holidays? Today, many families forego a dedicated formal dining room. Instead, a casual eating nook connected to the kitchen accommodates week-night meals, Little League pizza parties and all their entertaining needs. If you work from home or have school-aged children, an office or study may be a necessity. Think about the rooms and how you and your family will use them.

Marrying the old and the new

Magazines and TV shows often tempt us to start decorating from a blank slate, but few people have the luxury to fill a house with new furniture. Keep your existing furniture and aesthetics in mind. It takes a special talent to make a mid-century modern couch work in a Colonial manor house.

The main thing to keep in mind is how the arrangement of furniture will influence the overall feel, flow and function of a room. How will your prized possessions work and look arranged in the new space? Scale is key. A soaring, two-story ceiling can easily dwarf low, horizontal furniture. To avert the Alice-in-Wonderland effect, make sure the plan has strong, vertical architectural elements like a chimney and tall windows. Similarly, an overstuffed couch, two armchairs and a media cabinet might make a small living room look cluttered.

Tip: To help visualize your current furniture in a new space, make a scale model of each item – simple rectangles, squares and circles cut out of construction paper will do. Slide the stand-ins around the floor plan to see which configurations will work. Make sure there will be enough room to walk and adequate clearance for doors to open.

Know what you’re getting

Be aware of what is and isn’t included in the blueprints before you purchase a plan. Most blueprints suggest electrical plans designed to meet national standards. However, varying interpretations and the fact that codes are subject to change mean that the placement of switches, outlets and light fixtures is ultimately subject to local building codes. Heating and plumbing plans are usually not included, so you will need to consult with subcontractors. A local builder or engineer should review the plan to ensure that it complies with all building codes and subdivision restrictions.

Due to concerns over energy costs, safety and other factors, some cities and states require a licensed architect or engineer to review and seal, or officially approve, a blueprint prior to construction. Do your homework. Contact to a local building official to see if such a review is necessary in your area.

Taking the plan from blueprint to dream house

A builder may provide a ballpark estimate of construction costs from a study plan, but he or she should consult the working drawings to give a more accurate figure. Many variables can affect the bottom line, including the choice and availability of materials, labor costs, choice of finishes and degree of detail. Ask several contractors for competing bids.

If you’ve got the vision but not the bankroll (at least at this time), it may be wise to choose a plan with bonus space that can be built out as finances allow.

Be sure to allot a portion of your budget to landscaping and finish details. Architects and interior designers recommend that you don’t skimp on the seemingly small stuff. Higher-quality trim and building materials may trump extra square footage. “Good, insulated windows may be costly initially,” Martin says, “but over the long run, they’re going to save you money on your power bill.” Crown moulding and custom cabinetry can make a stock plan feel like it was designed specifically for your family. After all, it’s the personal touches that make a house feel like a home.

By Sarah Sheridan