Tips To Help Protect Furniture When Moving

Photo by Vermont Timber

Moving can be stressful and the last thing anyone wants is to damage furniture and other home decor in the process. Before you start moving your furniture from your old home to a new one, there a few precautions you should take to decrease the risk of damage. Below we have listed a few furniture moving tips.

1. Disassemble if possible - Some pieces can be taken apart into smaller items, making it easier to handle and less bulky to move. However, you have to be expertly organized and make sure to keep all of the parts together, so that you can put it back together again. 
2. Wrap it up - Carefully wrap your furniture with plastic or bubble wrap and/or disposable moving pads. Put extra layers on fragile items. Depending on how long it will be packed up, wood furniture doesn't preserve well with plastic wrap, so protect it with the pads instead. 
3. Mark fragile - When packing up smaller fragile decor and items, mark them as fragile. That way, extra care will be taken when moving and arranging them during your move.
4. Secure - Be sure to tie down heavy items and furniture in your moving truck to prevent them from shifting and toppling during transit. You can use bungee cords or straps to secure them.

Preparing and protecting your furniture during a move can help limit stress and costs that can result from the damage. If you would like more information on our furniture protection plan or would like one of our items delivered to your home, visit our site or a store near you! 

Space-Saving Hacks For Your Home

Keeping your home clutter free can be a daunting task, nearly impossible especially if you live in a smaller space or have children. Luckily, it isn't impossible and can be accomplished with some neat tricks and furniture pieces that are perfect for concealing items for storage. Below we have some accessories that you can use in your home to help save space and organize. 

Media Chest

Hanging storage unit

Storage ottoman

Kitchen cart

Visit our online inventory to view more space-saving furniture accessories! 

Kids' Room Decoration Ideas

For a lot of children and parents, summer means school is out! It may also mean that it is the perfect time to redecorate the kids' room. If you're redecorating your child's room and looking to update some old furniture and home decor, check out our online selection or visit one of our stores to see how we can help meet your home needs! In the meantime, here is a preview of our youth collections: 

Futon bunkbed

Canopy Bed

Futon Sofa Bed

Espresso bunkbed

July Deals 2014

From bunk beds to sofas, there are tons of furniture deals this month! You can furnish your new home or spruce up your old one with these pieces and save money while doing it with our July deals. See the flyer and video below or check out our website and online inventory for more information.

Summer Home Prints and Patterns

Summer is the peak season for moving to and decorating new homes as well as renovating and revamping old ones! This summer a trendy home decor addition like a rug can make a big difference in your home. Various prints and patterns are popping in many houses this season, here are some of the top trends.

Animal Print

Zebra Print Rug

Nature and Flowers 

Dahlia Rug

Colorful Abstract Patterns 

Jazz Rug

If you liked these rugs and patterns, check our online selection of home furnishings and decor or visit one of our stores today!

Tips to Keep Your Home Energy Costs Down this Summer

As the hot summer temperatures rises, so can your home's energy consumption and bill costs. Being energy conscience can help save you money and is good for the environment! Here are a few steps that you can take to help limit the amount of energy you use during the summer months.

1. Unplug nonessential appliances - This is especially true for when you go on vacation. Unplug the nonessential appliances like lamps and other items. If you are going on vacation for more than 2 days and your house will be empty, turning off and unplugging the air conditioning is a good idea as well.  
2. Limit house light use and go outside - One of the perks of summer is that it usually means there is sunshine. Enjoy the sunshine by going outside and reading a book. Using the light outside can also save you from unnecessarily turning on lights indoors during the day. 
3. Change air conditioning filters regularly - The more the air has to push to flow through, the more energy it's using.  Change your filters in your air conditioner monthly and it will improve its efficiency!
4. Keep cool with curtains - Sunshine can be great lighting, but if you're trying to keep cool indoors it can be an obstacle. Adding some dark colored curtains to a room can help block out the sunlight and heat from it. 
5. Update household appliances - Some household appliances like washers, dryers and refrigerators are power suckers. If any of your household appliances are 10 or more years old it is time to upgrade to a new model. The amount you spend on a new appliance can be made up with the amount of energy you conserve. Look for the Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of appliances to gauge their effectiveness. 

Last-Minute Father's Day Home Recipes

If you are still rushing to find dad a gift for Father's Day, time is running out! But don't panic, there is always one thing you can give to surprise the father figure in your life: delicious food. If you are having a cookout at your home this weekend to celebrate dear dad here are a few recipes to try: 

Roasted Pepper Pesto Rubbed Grilled T-BonesServes 4

• 4 T-Bone Steaks

• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

• 1/4 Cup Omaha Steaks Private Reserve Seasoning or Salt and Pepper
• 1 Recipe Roasted Pepper Pesto
 (below)
• 4 each Fresh Basil Sprigs

1. Preheat grill on medium.

2. Brush steaks with olive oil and season with Omaha Steaks Private Reserve Seasoning or salt and pepper.

3. Brush both sides of steaks with Roasted Pepper Pesto.

4. Place steaks on the grill and cook to desired doneness. (For a Medium Rare steak about 8 minutes on the first side and 6-7 minutes on the second side.)

5. When steaks are finished brush both sides one final time with un-used pesto.
5. Serve steaks with a dollop of unused pesto in the center of each steak and garish with a fresh Basil Sprig.

Roasted Pepper Pesto Makes about 2 cups

• 1 Cup Roasted Red Peppers peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1⁄4 Cup Garlic Cloves, peeled
• 
1⁄2 Cup Pine nuts, toasted

• 2 Tbsp. Fresh Chopped Basil

• 1 tsp Kosher Salt

• 1⁄4 tsp Cayenne Pepper

• 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated

• 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice

• 1⁄2 Cup Olive Oil

1. Combine all ingredients but the Olive Oil in a food processor or a blender and purée until smooth.
2. Next add the oil slowly in a thin stream with the food processor running until it is completely combined.

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