The Best Wood Types for Outdoor Furniture

Wood furniture is the perfect finishing touch to a beautifully landscaped garden. Exuding warm tone and natural patterns, it offers sophistication and elegance in a rather rustic atmosphere. Though aesthetic appeal is what people seek first, outdoor furniture must be created with outstanding durability and weather resistance. Not all woods are of equal quality, so choosing the right type is crucial.

Some woods are softer than others, but that doesn’t mean they are not durable. An example of high-quality softwood is cedar. This wood paints and stains really well so recoloring it to match the rest of the furnishings will not be a problem. It also perfectly retains moisture, making it resistant to cracking. Another example of an excellent softwood is redwood, from the native tree species in California that is universally known for its stability. It does not shrink or warp. It is also naturally resistant to decay and insects. Both cedar and redwood weather and age well. With the right care, they can last for years.

Image source: decoholic.org

Meanwhile, hardwood is also a popular choice for outdoor furniture. Teak is one of the most durable woods often used in boatbuilding. It is a hardwood with tight grain and natural oils, making it strong and rot-resistant. It repels water, does not shrink, warp or swell, and ages well. Its superior attributes, however, make it more expensive than other hardwoods. For those with a tight budget, shorea is a cost-effective alternative. Its durability and rot resistance are impeccable and can last for decades regardless of the climate or season.

While these woods can last for years with minimal maintenance, taking good care of them will help them last for generations. Simple cleaning methods such as that with a cloth soaked in a mild soapy solution can go a long way. Varnishing the furniture can also help it have an additional protective coat to shield it from the harsh elements while making it look more polished and stunning.  

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Circus Furniture is a furniture store that has one of the widest furniture selections, one the highest quality furniture pieces, and one of the best services offered in Tucson, Arizona. For more resources on wood furniture, subscribe to this blog.

Removing Water Stains from Wood Furniture

Accidents happen. Homeowners with beautiful wood furniture do not have to panic or get irritated when water or other liquid stains their piece. Reverting the furniture back to its original state is relatively simple, depending on the damage and how soon a treatment is made.

The first step is determining the severity of the stain by looking at its color. White or light-colored marks mean that the liquid has not deeply penetrated the surface. Removing these is easy. Darker stains, however, indicate a deeper level of damage and may need professional treatment. For light-colored stains, furniture retailers typically recommend rubbing the area with an oily furniture polish or petroleum jelly. This is to displace the water with the oil. If this works, a thin layer of paste wax must be placed over the affected area and then buffed with a clean, soft cloth. Paste wax is recommended because the finish is usually nicer and longer-lasting, although a liquid or cream wax may also be used.

Image Source: Pinterest

 If the oil-based mixture does not work, homeowners can use toothpaste placed on a wet cloth or an equal mixture of baking soda and toothpaste (around 1/4 or 1/2 teaspoon of each should be sufficient). More stubborn stains might need a mild solvent such as mineral spirits or an odorless paint thinner. These solvents should be tested first on a finished underside of the furniture, to ensure no damage to the surface.

Image Source: Today’s Homeowner

 If the water stain still refuses to lift, homeowners should bring their furniture to their local store.
Learn more about furniture care from Circus Furniture, a leading retailer in Tucson, Arizona. Like this Facebook page for more information on its products.

The Right Furniture to Prevent Back Pain

Medical experts are now predicting that there is a 50 percent chance of having back pain at least once in a year. This chilling statistical figure has caused quite some alarm in society. The cause may be blamed on lack of exercise and excess weight; however, these experts are also suggesting that wrong chairs and stance may actually worsen the condition. Back pain has the potential to be chronic based on a person’s environment and lifestyle. The good thing is that environment changes – such as finding an ergonomically-made chair- can be made immediately.

Image source: vacupractor.com

 Employees often spend eight to nine hours sitting down. More progressive companies allow their employees to stand up while working on their computer (their desktops being placed on a higher table). However, most companies still require their workers to sit down for the better part of the day. Thus, it is extremely important that companies choose a chair that prevent back pain. Typically, these pieces are naturally curved in the backrest or are made of materials that cushion the lower area. Furniture manufacturers have developed designs to suit all types of body shapes and sizes, so it is also encouraged that individuals try out each chair before choosing a furniture piece. The "standard" back-friendly chair may actually be incorrect for another type of person. Regardless of the design, an ergonomically-made chair will always make a person feel that their back is protected and cushioned regardless of position.

Image source: office-turn.com

 It is also a misconception that chairs for back pain are not stylish. Furniture retailers have been able to blend both functionalities with beauty. Interested individuals should visit their local furniture store to see its collection.

Find excellent pieces of superior quality at Circus Furniture, a recognized name in the furniture industry. For more information, follow this Twitter account.

Selecting the Right Furniture for the Book Lover

Finding space for all their books is one of the many challenges of book lovers living on their own (or even with roommates or partners). This is a singular problem as books, unlike clothes, shoes, or accessories, cannot be folded or hung in a cabinet. Book lovers also tend to see storing away their most prized possessions as something of a sacrilege. Many furniture retailers have come to notice this niche market and are now stocking up on pieces that book lovers will love.

Image Source: countryside-studio.com

Versatility is key to finding the perfect closet for books while still keeping within the budget. Many closets now have adjustable grooves which can fit as many as four or five shelves. These shelves can be taken out to accommodate larger books or placed back in to shelve smaller items. Individuals who find a piece they love but are lacking in space can ask their local furniture retailer to add more grooves. This is a particularly useful suggestion for people who have vintage pieces they do not want to give away.

Another technique is foregoing standard pieces altogether and choosing furniture that perform multiple functions. One such example is a bed whose frame is actually a closet. Furniture designers have been creating versatile beds such as these for new parents to store their baby’s stuff. However, these bed frames can also be used as additional space for books.

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For many years, Circus Furniture has been the go-to name for furniture needs. Learn more about the company’s products by liking this Facebook page.

Choosing the Right Funky Furniture for Your Space

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Perhaps because of that new song that talks funk, or perhaps because more people are exploring different design styles, funky furniture have been taking the forefront in many homes and businesses. Interior designers list the many aesthetic merits of owning an innovative chair, from it being retro-inspired and contemporary chic to the explosion of lines and colors that embody comfort and style. For the relatively conservative homeowner, however, these design jargon seem intimidating.

Unlike traditional furniture, funky pieces add a little excitement to an otherwise standard room. They are useful as a conversation piece and recent designs have made them quite comfortable. It is easy to be deterred by exuberant lines but it is possible for any homeowner to have a funky chair or table without going overboard.

Design furniture shops really talk it out with customers in order to get an idea as to what would suit not only space but personality as well. These pieces should be bought with a different mindset. The functionality should be placed second and appeal prioritized. Remember that these pieces are accents to a room. They should perform their intended function well but being functional is not their primary purpose. The chair or table must suit the interior and overall décor, while being an index of the homeowner’s personality.

Image Source: bedroomkitchen.com

It is generally recommended that only one or two funky pieces be placed in an area. Several of these pieces in a single room would be overwhelming and would jar any creativity or design, particularly if these pieces are in bright colors. 

Circus Furniture in Tucson, Arizona is a reputable store in the area. Learn more about its great furniture selection by liking this Facebook page.

REPOST: Interior design ideas for maximising space

All of us want to have a  place to call our own. But space – or the lack of it – is fast becoming an issue. Whether you live in the studio apartment or want to get more out of a small room, Jessica Hynes shares these small space design ideas to help you decorate.

Furniture placement makes a big difference in a large room. | Image Source: stuff.co.nz

Placing furniture in a room requires careful forethought, writes Jessica Hynes.

If there is one thing synonymous with great interior design, a full-scale renovation, room makeover, or new a season freshen up, it is the consideration and manipulation of space.

Whether it be an apartment, a sprawling country manor, or a freshly signed-off new build, how we work with the space of each room is key to the success of your interior design project.

Furniture placement makes a big difference in a small room. | Image Source: stuff.co.nz

Space evokes emotions, reflects functionality, and is the blank canvas that can be visually controlled through colours, furnishings, and objects.

However, not all amateur interior designers are aware of what can be achieved in the space they have without even picking up a hammer.

We want rooms in our houses to be one of two ways — either cosy and warm, or spacious and airy. How we want a space to work for us depends on the function and purpose of the room. Rooms where people gather, socialise, and spend the majority of their time should feel spacious while a bedroom or study is more likely to feel warm and intimate.

Light sculptural look: Anteo Table by Giorgetti, from ECC. |  Image Source: stuff.co.nz

Apartment living in New Zealand is becoming increasingly popular, with the rise in house prices looking unlikely to slow down soon. Challenging the Kiwi ideology of the three-bedroom detached house on a quarter-acre section (no longer a reality for most of us), the inspiration and resources available for learning to work with smaller spaces are becoming more prevalent in design and architecture.

Adding multiple pieces of furniture to an already small room quickly makes it overcrowded; a couch, a couple of chairs, a TV and coffee table, rug, artwork, and dining table, and your modern, clean lined space quickly resembles a junk shop, and items that once seemed practical now seem superfluous and clumsy.

On the flip side, a large and open plan space can prove just as challenging. Place furniture too far apart and run the risk of a clinical, sterile atmosphere. A new build boasting light-coloured carpets and walls can come across as cavernous when empty; trying to correctly place furniture can be like attempting to decorate the Serengeti with sofas.

But before sacrificing your Marimekko fabric curtains or your Philippe Starck Louis Ghost chairs, be aware that it's often how you place your furniture within a space that can determine its feel.

Having your furniture haphazardly arranged around a TV or coffee table in a small lounge can make it feel pokey. Invest in a rug and face your furniture symmetrically towards each other around it to anchor the area; a little formality goes a long way in visually increasing a small space. Rein in those formally placed chairs floating at the edges of a room in a large space, and form different dominant and submissive clusters of furniture, areas for socialising and those more suited to curling up with a book and a cuppa.

The introduction of different areas adds interest to a large room, and can make it appear visually smaller and more cosy.

'Grounded' furniture can affect the feeling of space in a room: Shadow Buffet by Ethnicraft, from McKenzie & Willis. | Image Source: stuff.co.nz

While most people don't have the budget to knock through walls or add extensions on a whim, accessories and colours are the two secret weapons great designers have in their repertoire.

A bathroom in varying shades of white will make a space appear larger, as the continuation of colour draws the eye around the room. A living area with textured, patterned wallpaper, furniture in different shades, contrasting curtains, and layers of accessories will keep the eye occupied, and visually bring the room in.

The great thing about using accessories to change the way the size of a room is perceived is that you can play with new trends, and make small changes with affordable pieces like cushions and artwork to give your room a brand new look.

Here are a few tricks to keep in mind when you are thinking about how to fill a room to suit its function and size, while maximising or minimising the appearance of space.

* Mirrors aren't only magic for Snow White. For small spaces, place a mirror opposite a window and voila — your room has just gained much needed depth and an added sense of space.

* Big, bold prints maximise a small space, while delicate prints bring the space together.

* Grounded furniture is a great way of making a room appear smaller, as it adds density. Floating cabinetry, or furniture with fine legs make a room appear larger.

* Simplicity and repetition of materials, patterns, and colours make a space appear larger, while contrast, irregular patterns, and lines reduce space.

* Light colours and reflective surfaces such as stainless steel, chrome, and metallics are ideal for small spaces. Dark colours and light absorbing surfaces such as brick, concrete, stone and unpolished timber are perfect in large spaces.

Learn more about choosing furniture and other aspects of interior design from this Circus Furniture Facebook page.

Interior design tips: Comfort and style in the bedroom

Image Source: townandcountrystyle.com.au

The bedroom is a place for people to relax and get a good night's rest. That is why it is important to design it in a way that is most comfortable for the person using it. Here are a few tips to improve the aesthetic and comfort of the bedroom:

Choose a focal point

The focal point is the area in the room with the most emphasis. Choosing a point of focus directs the eyes of the viewer towards a beautiful object in the room, be it a bed with an intricate headboard or a wall with floor-to-ceiling picture or painting. These points add interest and purpose to overall interior design.

Keep proportion and scale in mind

A large bed in a small room will make the room seem smaller. Take note of the size of the furniture in proportion to the space in the room. Mirrors can make the illusion of bigger space. Add more functional furniture and décor to a big room so it won't look too empty.

Image Source: gotosofa.com

Layer with colors and patterns

Don't be afraid to use color. Layer neutral colors with loud or bright colors to add life to any dull areas of the room. Keep colors consistent and experiment with different shades. It's also a good idea to mix and match patterns on pillow covers and bed spreads to add depth and variety.

Add proper lighting

Light is one of the important elements of interior design and the bedroom needs ample lighting to set the right ambience. Natural light from windows can be muted with window blinds or curtains. Place lamps and other artificial lighting fixtures in strategic locations around the room like on the bedside table or near reading chairs.

Image Source: hgtv.com

Visit this Circus Furniture website to find the perfect furniture for your dream home.

REPOST: Color Combinations: 5 Bold Ideas You Haven't Tried Yet

Color is a very powerful design element that can really change the entire look and feel of a room. This Apartment Therapy article below enumerates some bold ideas you should try on your own space.

Image Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Color is a powerful tool for interior spaces. Masterfully wielded, it can shock, excite, pull a room together and more. The challenge? Finding different, fresh ways to use color in your interior spaces so you're never bored! We've got five ideas to consider today.

Color + sliding doors

(Pictured above) You've seen interior doors painted before, and while sliding doors aren't exactly new, they are becoming more and more popular indoors. So combine those two ideas into very exciting bold colored sliding doors to wow in your rooms! Idea spotted on Femina.

Image Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Color + two surfaces

Have some thrift store art you'd love to improve, and add some excitement to a room? Get inspired by the photo above and add some color halfway up the walland cover part of the thrift store art. This idea won't work in every home, but it's certainly bold! Seen on Domaine.

Image Source: apartmenttherapy.com

 Color + a similar color

It's bold to use contrasting colors in the same room and definitely makes a statement. But you can be just as bold by stacking two similar colors together to create a more subtle but still really exciting combination of hues. This idea works best with two walls in the same room, or like above, a large furniture piece stacked in front of a boldly colored wall. Spotted on Sfgirlbybay.

Image Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Color + architecture

This isn't a new idea, but it's so bold it isn't tried by many people. But look how awesome it looks! Painting your interior window trim a bright color not only highlights the architecture of a space, it really makes an entire room stand out. Seen on Country Living.

Image Source: apartmenttherapy.com

Color + a casual, unfinished look

If you haven't tried a partial paint job yet — splashing color on one part of a wall and not using harsh, stark edges or lines — you could be missing out on a really fresh and bold way to add color to a space. Too much for a wall? Why not try this idea on a furniture piece? Spotted on Elle Decoration France via The Style Files.

 Follow this Circus Furniture blog for more design tips for your home.

Get busy: Designing an effective workplace at home

Image Source: dailybusinessdose.com

Today’s fast-paced lifestyles and cultural emphasis on work-life balance have made working from home a common arrangement. Most houses these days have a home office or a study, and the way they are set up can directly affect productivity. An environment where you can be inspired to work without interruption is the key to a great home office design.

There are a few things to consider when designing or decorating a home office – lighting, furniture and organization.

Adequate lighting is necessary for a person to stay focused without getting eye strain. Unlike the living room or the dining room where you want cozy, warm lighting, a home office should be bright, awash in direct light. Purchase a good desk lamp or install lighting fixtures on the walls or ceiling, and use incandescent bulbs or those that mimic the sun’s light spectrum. It is also best to have a window in the room to let in natural light, as exposure to sunlight can keep your mood and motivation up.

Image Source: gearpatrol.com

A spacious desk can ensure that everything you need is at arm’s reach, and an ergonomic chair can prevent back aches from hours of sitting. There should also be enough storage bins or shelves to file and store away work-related items.

Organization is also vital to a good workspace design. Remove all clutter from the desk and the entire room; things you don’t need should be put away in cabinets, loose papers should be filed in drawers, computer and phone cords should be neatly tied.

Designing a perfect and effective home office is not easy. Experiment with the layout, decoration, new furniture and technology, and balance it with your budget until you get it right.

Image Source: designfup.com

Located in Tucson, Arizona, Circus Furniture offers top quality furniture and accessories for clients who are looking to update their home interiors. Follow this Twitter page for more about interior design.