A Retreat for Guests

A Retreat for Guests

There is nothing like a cozy, comfy room to spend the end of your day in. We love it as homeowners, but what about our guest? Trust me, they love staying in a room that makes them not ever want to leave. If you ever stayed in a luxury hotel room, you know what I’m talking about. It is the small details, clean sheets, decluttered space, and special amenities. Well, you can turn that extra bedroom into a special retreat with simple details. Give your guest the 5-star treatment they deserve with a few helpful tips from HGTV.

Essentials for Creating a Cozy Guest Room

A fresh arrangement can complement the room and add a little color. Putting together an arrangement does not have to be a hassle. Even inexpensive store bought flowers or a handful picked from the garden will add charm and bring a smile to your guests. Try tulips, they are a natural choice because they're available year-round and their droopy shape lends itself to fuss-free arrangements.

There is nothing like fresh bedding. Neutral sheets, blankets, and quilts accented with colorful pillows that say “great night's sleep!” Start with high-thread-count, 100 percent cotton sheets then add a thick duvet and pile on lots of fluffy pillows.

I know everyone has a smartphone and probably used it as an alarm clock, but there is still something about having a clock on a nightstand that makes the room complete. Buy one anyway, we don’t want our guests to be late for any plans. Just remember if you purchase a clock test its noise level first, no one wants to lie awake all night listening to a loud tick-tock.

Use a deep basket to store guest towels, a robe and extra blankets. Place it visibly in the room, so guests have everything they need upon arrival. This also keeps them from having to rummage around or ask you.

Five-star hotels have the right idea when it comes to stocking the room with cups, coffee/tea, and snacks. Do the same for your guest room. Stock a couple of mugs, a teapot and small packets of coffee and tea so guests can help themselves to a warm cup whenever they'd like. A dish of easy to eat fruit, late night snacks, and bottled water is always appreciated. You can even customize a snack tray for each guest.

Because we all (almost all of us) forget at least one thing when traveling, consider stocking a few travel-size essentials. Have an extra blow dryer, trial size shampoo, toothpaste, and hairspray handy in the guest room closet or dresser drawers.

Bedside lighting is always nice. Some guests like to read or check their email before going to bed, and a low light desk lamp is perfect to set the mood and keep other guests from sleeping.

Let's not forget the windows. Inexpensive blinds, roller shades or ready-made draperies do wonders in blocking out the early morning sunlight. Guests will appreciate a dark room for sleeping in. You don’t want the room to be too bright to sleep in or become extra hot or cold.

A Furniture Store with Everything You Need

There is nothing like spending the night in a cozy guest room and getting the best sleep of your life. At Peirce Furniture Gallery in Abilene, TX, we stock everything you need to turn your guest room into a 5-star hotel. We offer everything from mattresses to bedding, floor lighting to table lamps, and even wall accents. Our friendly sales staff will help you find everything you need to make your guest room look and feel great!

How Much Sleep do You Get?

How Does Your Bed Treat You?

We are supposed to, on average, spend a third of our lives sleeping. Eight hours out of a 24 hour day is what you should dedicate to allowing your body to rest and recuperate. Of course, everyone is different and everyone has different needs so the number can change a little bit for individuals. As a whole, though, most people spend a considerable amount of time in bed. The quality of your sleep can play a vital role in your body's health and well-being.

Losing Sleep

Ask yourself this question: What happens to me when I don't get enough sleep? Then ask yourself this question: What happens to me when I don't get quality sleep? The answer to both of those questions is probably the same thing. When you lose sleep, you suffer from a variety of negative things including fatigue, irritability, forgetfulness, and drowsiness. Long term sleep loss can have an adverse effect on your health including, high blood pressure, soreness, mood swings, and even neurological disorders. When our bodies rest, it's the time that we repair tissue and filter toxins from our systems. With that being said, it's very important to get the right amount of rest. 

One thing that is overlooked by many is that the quality of rest you are getting is just as important as how much. If you are sleeping for eight hours, but you aren't entering into the deeper stages of rest, you can still have side effects as if you aren't sleeping long enough. Now, there are many factors that can play a part in the quality of your sleep. Stress, worry, and other things may keep you up at night, but things like restless leg syndrome and sleep apnea may be affecting you at night. Problems like those are something that you have to have diagnosed, but one thing you can do for yourself is to make sure you have a new quality mattress. 

Mattresses For Sale in Abilene, TX

A Pierce Furniture Gallery, we've got a great selection of mattresses for you to browse. You should replace yours every 5-10 years. Ask yourself when the last time you bought one was and if you can't remember, it's probably time for a new one. Financing options are available to help make your purchase even easier. Don't let your rest suffer any longer and come by for the sleep you deserve.

Do you have an Area Rug?

How to Clean an Area Rug

For a lot of us, area rugs make a big difference in our room. It can add color for function; keep a cold floor warm on your feet. Rugs provide a soft place for family and friends to sit and play games, watch movies, or just sit and have a good visit with a glass of red wine. Rugs can be a big investment for many of us and we want it to last as long as it can. But at some point, our area rug is bound to suffer a few stains. And while you could send it off for a professional to care for it, it won’t be cheap. If you are willing to put in the time and energy, you can care for your rug at home. Here is a handy dandy do-it-yourself** guide that will help keep your area rug lasting you and your family for many years.





Materials and Tools Needed:

Vacuum

Rubber gloves (if you want)

Rug cleaner or mild dish detergent

Bucket

Sponge

Soft bristled brush

Squeegee

Water—lots and lots of water (get that water hose out!) or Power washer

Tarp



DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare Your Rug

You are going to want to thoroughly vacuum your rug Do this on both sides to remove any loose dirt, hair, fur. Also, You will want to check and see what the care instructions are for your rug. Knowing what type of material it is made of is half the battle!



2. Test for Colorfastness

Be sure to follow the mixing instructions on a store-bought rug cleaner or you can add a couple of capfuls of mild dish detergent to a bucket of warm water. It would be best not to use hot water, as it may shrink fibers or fade color. Test the solution on a small part of the rug to make sure it doesn’t make the colors run. If there is a part of the rug that typically stays hidden, this would be the best place to test.  Proceed to the next step if everything is okay and if not, hand it over to a professional.



3. Cleaning

You can use a sponge or brush for this step depending on the stain or condition of the rug. Work a lather of shampoo or detergent deep into the rug. Allow the solution to sit on the rug and work for several minutes before rinsing.



4. Rinsing

Use a garden hose and thoroughly rinse the rug. You will want to make sure the water is running off the rug clear to ensure all of the cleaning product is rinsed out. If you own one, a power washer would work great as well. Just be sure to rinse out all of the cleaner or soap before drying.



5. Remove Excess Water

Grab the squeegee to squeeze out as much water from the rug as you can. Be sure to work only in the direction of the rug’s nap.



6. Drying

Lay your rug flat to dry, you can use a tarp to lay the rug on so it does not get dirt or grass on it. Once the top side is dry, flip it over so the bottom can dry as well.



7. Vacuum

Use a vacuum or soft-bristled brush to loosen up the fibers on the rug. This will bring new life back to it. Return your rug to the room and enjoy! Follow these steps to revive all of your rugs, large or small, in your home. Daily foot traffic can make a rug look dingy, but this simple remedy can make it easy to make look like new again.



Home Decor and Accessories for Sale in Abilene, TX

Tying a room together can sometimes require that one little thing. You may not even know what it is until you see it. At Pierce Furniture Gallery in Abilene, TX, we have a vast selection of home accents for sale that you can browse until you find that special item. From rugs and throw pillows to sculptures and decorations, we are sure that you will find what you need to compliment any room in your home.

**Please understand that not every rug is exactly the same and, depending on the type of material, the specifications for safely cleaning it can change from this guideline. As with any how-to guide, there is a chance that some damage may occur so testing all products, techniques, and tools on an inconspicuous spot before using them on the rug as a whole. Also, as a disclaimer, this blog was written by a third party who is not affiliated with Pierce Furniture Gallery. The Pierce Furniture Group is not responsible for any damages that may occur during the cleaning process. **

Pierce Furniture Gallery - Spring Around the Corner

Spring is Almost Here

Does it mean anything to you that the season change is just around the bend?   I know that there may be a few people that like the cold weather, but most people are happy to see the change of pace and the warmer climate. Spring brings a new life to most people that coincides with the new life waking up from that winter slumber. for a lot of people that I know, they like to take advantage of the longer days and do some extra cleaning. 

Spring cleaning is a throwback to the days where people had to warm their homes by burning wood in stoves and fireplaces. People back then would take extra steps to keep heat from escaping since wood was not so easy to cut and split for heating. This action led to soot and other grime building up in the home so when the seasons changed and the weather permitted they would open up the home and clean things up. Since most of us nowadays aren't solely using wood to keep warm during the winter, we clean in the spring either out of tradition or other reasons. 

What Constitutes Spring Cleaning for You?

For some people, it is a top to bottom cleaning of the home. For others, it may be the time to move the fridge and other appliances to clean up around those more remote places. For me, it seems to be a time where I throw out a lot of stuff I either don't need or that I am planning on replacing soon. I also like to try and give the furniture around the house a deep clean since I spent much more time indoors over the winter. Yeah, I am guilty of laying on the couch and binge-watching a bunch of Netflix shows, but let's face it, who isn't guilty of that in today's day in age?

New Furniture for Sale in Abilene, TX

Pierce Furniture Gallery is a great place for the people of the Big Country area to find quality furniture for sale at prices that won't break the bank. If you are doing your spring cleaning and you think it may be time for a new bedroom set, sofa, recliner, or dining room table, you should check out all their selection or home furnishings and decor. You will be hard-pressed to find better service and lower prices on the items you want for your house. 

Crunching the Numbers

This can get Expensive

If you have ever had to replace pieces of furniture in your home, you know that they can come with a hefty price tag. Sometimes, the items in question are long overdue for a replacement and so you have seen this expenditure coming for a while. Other times, it can be a spur of the moment decision where you just think you need a change in your home. No matter what reason, you have for desiring some different furnishings in your house, nothing compares to having an emergency. 

If you are wondering what can constitute an emergency need for furniture, I can give a few examples from my own experience. I found out first-hand why they tell you not to leave a candle unattended. I was burning a candle in my bedroom one evening. I had actually told myself that there was no reason to worry because I was just going to be in the next room over. The candle was inside a glass jar and it was about 5 inches high. I figured it was already half burned and constituted no threat to my safety if left alone. I was told afterward that what can happen when you have a candle like that is when it burns too low, the glass breaks from the heat and the wax catches fire. The candle was on a table by my bed and it caught the covers, mattress, and some carpet on fire. I was lucky because I was ready for it. I heard the alarm around the same time I smelled the smoke. I grabbed a fire extinguisher and, luckily, I was able to put out the flames. The only problem was that my bed was ruined and my bedroom smelled like a trash fire for quite some time after that. 

There could be several other reasons why you would have to buy furniture quickly and expectedly. For instance, your kid may hit a growth spurt and needs a new bed so their legs would be dangling off the edge.  You could just spill a bunch of something really hard to clean on a couch and ruin it in a split second. I can see several scenarios that are similar to that one. 

Furniture for Sale in Abilene Texas

Buying furniture doesn't always have to be a hassle. At the Gallery Furniture stores in Abilene, we do our best to make it easy on you through the entire buying process. We understand that furniture can be a really expensive investment so we offer financing options for people who would like a more flexible way to obtain what they need for their home. No matter what you choose, our friendly staff will do their best to help you make your home look and feel the way you want. 

What Makes a Den?

What Exactly is a Den?

The term den is used to describe a few things. While some people make think of a group of bears sleeping through the winter in a cave when they hear the term, others may think of a room in their home. I have been to several homes and listened to the people who owned them talk about their den room. In my experience, which is admittedly small in the grand scheme of things, I have always seen dens that looked pretty much like any other living room. Now, one thing I have noticed is that from region to region, the stuff inside the chamber may be different. I was told by someone who lived in the north that a den is a room that held the central fireplace. In California, I observed that the den was practically the same as the living room. 

The term den is supposed to encompass any spare room in your home used for private pursuits. I guess this would mean that you could call a library, study, spare bedroom, man cave, office, family room, or even a theater room a den. With as broad of a word as it is, this means that you have a lot of freedom if you are looking to furnish one. 

What Could Go in Your Den?

Since you have a lot of leeway room, you could pretty much make your den into anything you wanted. Arts and crafts or sewing can happen in your den. Need a place to hide how intense you get when you are playing a video game? I think we have an answer to what room you may need to put your system inside. Whether its a place for work or one for fun, your den should be comfortable. And if you need a place to find new furniture for sale, I know of a store. 

Abilene Furniture Store

If you live in the Big Country area, and you need an item of furniture for your home, then Gallery Furniture Stores in Abilene are the place for you to find great deals on the sofas, bedroom sets, dining room sets, and even office desks for your home. They have so much to offer you that it might be in your best interest to take a look at their website by clicking here. 

What is Your Idea of Comfortable?

Comfortable is a Subjective Term

If you were asked what feels comfortable when it comes to home furnishings, it would be a matter of personal taste. Leather might be more your style while cloth may be another person's choice. That is one of the quirks of life; the fact that everyone doesn't like the same thing. In the long run, it's probably a good thing that everyone has different tastes and preferences. The world might be a mighty boring place if we all like the same things. Could you imagine the amount of creativity stifled if we all preferred only one thing? It's a little scary to me.

What Tickles Your Fancy?

When you go shopping for a new piece of furniture for your home, what qualities are you looking for? Do you prefer style over function, the complete opposite, or something in the middle of the road? I guess the first question should actually be what piece of furniture for sale are you looking to purchase. If a recliner is what you want or a sofa, for that matter, do you want a powered one or a regular one? Each one of them has their own set of benefits. When looking at dining room sets, you have to think about the wood finish or the color. Do you need an expandable table with leaves to insert? Bedroom sets have very similar options when it comes to finishes and color schemes, as well. Since it's all a matter of personal preference, it's totally up to you to choose what you want. 

Decor and accessories are another way that you can put your personal touch in the rooms of your house. How you choose to decorate your place has almost limitless possibilities. From what you buy to how you arrange it, the sky is the limit. Now, if only there was a good place to get it all...

Abilene's Top Furniture Store

Gallery Furniture stores in Abilene are a great place to go to find quality home furnishings for sale at discounted prices. The hometown atmosphere is free of pushy sales staff trying to rush you while you shop. Financing options are available and if you are interested, you can speak with a member of their staff for details. Shopping for items for your home shouldn't be a hassle and they help to foster a pleasant environment for you. Visit one of the locations in Abilene or click this link to see their website. https://www.piercegalleryhouse.com/en/