Furniture for the Festive Family Gathering

There’s nothing like Christmas to bring families together. And, if you’re lucky, this may happen all under one roof, with many members of the same family getting together to celebrate and break bread en masse. In today’s society, where family members no longer live near to each other in the way that used to be the norm, it’s often the case that large family gathering will invariably end with several people needing to stay the night.

However, this is where a problem may arise for the host who doesn’t quite have enough space to provide comfortable beds for sleepy guests. But no-one likes the idea of ending up in a sleeping bag on the floor, so it’s therefore imperative that hosts who are expecting overnight guests be aware of what they can do to make their guests’ experience more enjoyable.

Furniture Options

The first thing any host should do is to take stock of their existing furniture, and consider the possibility that they may have to invest in some new pieces. This could be either to add to their furniture collection, or to replace existing furniture with pieces that are more practical.

The most practical item of furniture, in this context, is of course the sofa bed. But sofa beds come in all shapes and sizes, from the foam filled single to the plush un-foldable double or even the space age slide out. So your next step should always be to assess how much space you have available in your home.

Space Saving Solutions

Modern furniture is all about maximizing the space potential of your home, so there simply isn’t any excuse any more to not be able to provide a bed for your guest. Soft foam beds can be laid on floors then stored away easily in cupboards. Sofa beds can be slept on at night and then converted back into seating during the day. And slide out beds can be easily hidden underneath permanent beds, providing a fast, simple solution which won’t impinge upon your day-to-day activities. Whatever the space in your home, there’s a solution ready to save it.

Luxury Extras

If you’ve got the cash to flash and you fancy the idea of really treating your guests then you might want to consider investing in some optional extras, such as beautiful bed linen, personalized pillow cases or soft slippers which they can wear around your house. Little gestures such as these will really show your family that you care about their well-being, and will make their stay much more comfortable for both you and them.

10 Of The Most Wanted Gifts For Christmas

According to the National Retail Foundation (NRF), 20.8 percent of shoppers would like to receive home decor or furniture-related gifts under the tree this year. One company, Wayfair, the largest online retailer of home furnishings and decor, today announced the most popular holiday gifts for homes based on recent sales data, shopping trends and top-pinned products on Pinterest.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/11/04/5878887/wayfaircom-forecasts-most-popular.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/11/04/5878887/wayfaircom-forecasts-most-popular.html#storylink=cpy

Wayfair.com's 2013 Most Popular Holiday Gifts for the Home

1. Specialty kitchen appliances – soda makers, ice cream makers, slow-cookers and juicers
2. High-tech home gadgets – iPad/iPod compatible showerheads and cooking accessories
3. TV stands and entertainment centers – furniture and space saving solutions for flat screen televisions and gaming systems
4. Fire pits – copper fire pits and fire pit tables for outdoor entertaining all year round
5. Greenhouses – walk-in greenhouses and tiered portable garden houses
6. Wall mirrors – sunburst mirrors and geometric-framed mirrors
7. Game tables – air hockey, ping pong, pool tables and 3-in-1 multi-game tables
8. Statement cookware – brightly colored enameled dutch ovens, roasters and skillets
9. Children's recliners and bean bag chairs – personalized pint-sized seating for kids
10. Chevron print accessories – throw pillows, rugs and accent chairs in the year's most popular pattern

For the Landfairs #2 is high on our list along with remodeling our bathroom, sealing the basement wall in the laundry room and adding concrete tiles in place of wooden decking in the backyard. More importantly than getting "stuff," we would like an end to accumulating national debt, a smaller government, a sound currency, and health for all.

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Transforming Your Home into a Winter Wonderland

Image from Homes and Gardens

Christmas is just around the corner, so you’ve probably started thinking about the way you’ll decorate your home. But instead of just getting out your dingy tinsel and sporadically flashing lights, why not invest a little this Christmas and turn your home into a winter wonderland.

Swap Soft Furnishings
Swapping your soft furnishings out for rich, jewel tones and luxurious textures and warm fabrics will instantly make your home feel more festive. Changing your curtains to something heavier will keep the heat in and the cold out, as well as preventing drafts. Thermal curtains will work even better for this, making them perfect for winter. Swap out your lighter rug for something with a longer pile, and make your home feel warm underfoot too.

The Fire is So Delightful
Another way to transform your home into a lovely cosy Christmas grotto is to install a fireplace and a roaring fire. There’s nothing Christmassier than getting in from the cold and getting warm by the fire. Fireplace Products have a range of different styles and types of fires ranging from gas powered to electric and even wood burning ones for the traditionalists. It’s a big investment that you won’t be able to swap out when summer rolls around, but it can make those dark and cold winter nights so much better.

Christmas Decorations
The key to good Christmas decorations is to not go overboard with tacky decorations bought from the pound store, or wherever. You can make much nicer ones yourself, and it’s a great way to get kids involved too. There are a plethora of different Christmas decoration ideas gathered here at House to Home for you to take a look at. One great idea that always works well is using old baubles that you don’t want to use on the tree any more but equally don’t want to throw away, simply pop similarly coloured ones into a glass vase and you have an instantly pretty decoration that can be used anywhere.

Glimmering Lights
Everything looks better with the twinkling of lights, the Christmas tree, the mantelpiece, the doorway. You can buy both indoor and outdoor lights, but remember that outdoor lights can be a pain to get up and down again. Drape them around anything you fancy and watch as their sparkliness makes everything feel cosier and more festive. Candles are another way to add flickering lights, and a Yule scented candle will add to the sensory experience of your wonderland.