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DIY Miscellaneous

Spring Cleaning (and Organizing) Checklist

As the weather gets warmer and the animals and plants come out of hibernation, this is the perfect time to get ready to do some spring cleaning. Not only is this the best time to get rid of the dust and other debris from winter, but it is also a good time to open up your house and let some fresh air in. However, the spring cleaning process can also be daunting. If you find yourself wondering “how do I start spring cleaning my house,” check out the tips listed below.

Clean Room by Room

The best way to get your home clean for spring is to take it one step at a time. If you clean room by room, you won’t feel so overwhelmed, and you’ll get a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when the room is done.

The best way to approach the cleaning process in each room is to ignore things that have been recently cleaned and focus on items that haven’t been touched all winter. For example, if you

normally dust every room in your home and run the vacuum or mop the floors, then you don’t need to do these steps right now.

Instead, you should focus on wiping down walls and baseboards or cleaning your furniture. You can also take down any window treatments you might have and throw those into the wash or take them to the dry cleaner (whatever cleaning method is appropriate to get them clean).

Get Rid of Clutter

One of the reasons your house probably feels so dirty is because you have a lot of clutter. Spring cleaning is the best time to get rid of items that you no longer want or need. If the items are broken, you should throw them away. If they are still in good condition, you might consider donating them or getting things together to have a garage sale.

Give Everyone a Job

You are not the only person responsible for spring cleaning the house, and if you are wondering how do you spring clean fast, the answer is that you get help. Every member of the family can help in some way. Even young kids have the ability to pick things up from the floor.

To get the job done quickly and efficiently, make sure to assign jobs that everyone can handle and do well. Otherwise, you’ll have to redo the task, and that can slow the process down.

Take Breaks

While you may be focused on getting your spring cleaning done as soon as possible, you don’t want to burn yourself out. Make sure to take breaks every once in a while to grab something to eat and stretch.

You might consider setting a timer for 20 minutes and then taking a 3-minute break, or you can set the timer for 1 hour and then take a 15-minute break. You can even turn on the radio and work as long as the music is playing. Once the commercials come on, you can take a break.

No matter which option you choose, taking breaks is a great way to ensure you stay motivated. Spring cleaning is a big chore, but you shouldn’t work yourself to exhaustion to get everything accomplished.

Time for a Change

Spring is the time for change. If during your spring cleaning you notice that your furniture seems a bit dingy and won’t come clean, then it’s time to find some new pieces. Visit The RoomPlace and check out their huge selection of furniture. This is the perfect time to add something fresh and new to your home.

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Bedrooms Featured Mattresses

Mattress Buying Guide – The RoomPlace

Mattress  guide 1

When it comes time to purchase a new mattress, you’ll have a lot of different — and occasionally confusing – buying options to sort through. Regardless if you’re buying a mattress for yourself, your children, or anyone else in your family, you’ll have to make decisions about when to get rid of your old mattress, what size or type of mattress suits your family best, and then arm yourself with some basic mattress know-how to help you choose wisely.

Here’s a handy mattress buying guide that will simplify the purchasing process by giving you a little insight as to what type of mattress will work best for your particular sleeping needs.

Mattress guide 2

When and Why You Should Replace Your Old Mattress

Unsure if you should replace your mattress or not? If that’s the case, there are a few key points you should pay attention to. If you’re experiencing back pain, restless or uncomfortable sleep, or notice visible damage to your mattress, that’s a clear sign it might be time to buy a new one.

While the longevity of a mattresses varies depending on the materials used (for example, a latex or custom foam mattress will typically last longer than a pillowtop mattress), the average life of a mattress is 7­-8 years. If your mattress is older than 8 years, or too small for your growing children, or getting a little crowded as you toss about next to your significant other, you should consider upgrading.

Mattress guide 3

How Sleep Position Determines Mattress Type

Size, weight, and the position you customarily sleep in are all factors you’ll need to ponder before shelling out your hard-earned money for a new mattress. People who sleep on their back or stomach tend to favor a firmer mattress that offers exceptional support, while folks who like to cozy up their side frequently prefer a comfy, pressure-relieving softer mattress to cradle them.

And then we have “combination sleepers” and men and women of differing sizes. Combination sleepers, who change position throughout the night, can benefit from a memory foam or hybrid mattress that adjusts to the contours of their varying positions, while heavier sleepers will likely get better rest with a firmer mattress with lumbar support that supports their weight, while keeping them from overheating at the same time.

Choosing the Right Mattress Size

The mattress size you ultimately choose will depend on the size of the person or the number of people sleeping on it, if you’re sleeping solo or sharing, the size of your bedroom, and if your pets (cats, dogs, maybe even a snuggly rabbit or two) sleep with you.

From the smallest to the largest, these are the standard mattress sizes you’ll find in the US:

Size                      Dimensions

Twin                      39″ X 75″

Twin XL                 39″ X 80″

Full                        54″ X 75″

Queen                   60″ X 80″

King                       75″ X 80″

California King      72″ X 84″

So, a little common sense applies when deciding on the correct mattress size. A smaller person (or child) in a cramped space would probably do just fine with a Twin or Twin XL, while a couple, or someone who’s tall or tosses and turns while they slumber — like they’re on a rowboat on a turbulent ocean — might do better with a big ole California King.

Mattress Guide 4

Distinguishing Between Different Mattress Materials and Quality

As you’ve probably already gathered, mattresses can be constructed out of a variety of materials or combinations of different materials, and it’s important you understand the primary differences between them.

Here are some of the most common mattress core and comfort layers in use today, which you’ll run across while shopping online, or in person at a brick and mortar store:

Latex

Latex mattresses offer an incredible level of relaxation and relief from back pain, but their higher cost and heavier weight (often making them difficult to handle) sometimes puts people off. The main advantages of sleeping on durable, long-lasting latex (made from rubber trees) come from this spongy material’s ability to keep sleepers cool, while also keeping their spines supported and aligned.

Memory Foam

Mattresses made with memory foam (usually a better choice than polyfoam, which is less durable, and offers less support), absorb motion better than latex. A memory foam core also excels when it comes to molding to your body, and providing substantial joint and pain relief. One con is the fact that foam mattresses aren’t as cool as latex, and tend to sag and show depressions earlier on.

Innerspring

Also known as a coil mattress, innerspring mattresses — made out of steel coils — are found everywhere, and were the go-to sleeping surface back in the day, and are still very common today. The quality of this type of mattress depends on the number of coils and number of coil layers deployed to support your weight, as well as the materials (latex, gel memory foam, etc.) used for the comfort layers, which will of course affect the overall price.

Hybrid Mattresses

A hybrid mattress is any mattress that combines at least two different kinds of support systems. An excellent example of this is a mattress with an innerspring core with a foam or latex comfort layer. Hybrid mattresses, which are usually reasonably priced, are the ideal choice for people who want to preserve the feel of a traditional mattress, but still take advantage of the pain relief, motion reduction, and other benefits foam and latex offers.

Factors to Consider When Shopping for a New Mattress

While other mattresses choices are available, like pillowtop and gel foam mattresses, we’ve covered the fundamentals about mattress types, size, and construction materials, along with the pros and cons associated with the most common mattresses on the market today.

Of course, price, customer reviews and the quality of the warranty offered should go into your final mattress-purchasing decision. But with a little research and some common sense, you should be able to hunt down a mattress that’s right for you or your loved ones, guaranteeing that everyone gets a good night’s sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Design Tips DIY Featured

Styling your room has never been so easy!

 

The RoomPlace® has teamed up with Stylyze® to bring you Styleboards™, coordinated room concepts you can customize, right on the RoomPlace website. Style boards™ are curated room looks — in all your favorite styles; Contemporary, Modern, Traditional, and more! You can use the styleboard suggestions as-is to purchase a room you’ll love, or, you can customize Styleboards™ to your exact taste! You can also share your boards on Pinterest and Facebook for your friends to see. Stylyze® Styleboards™ deliver to you a fully integrated shopping experience for every space in your home, in-store or online!

Ever find the perfect sofa but quickly became overwhelmed with what accents and other furniture pieces were needed to create the perfect designer room? You are definitely not alone! We’ve all wanted our homes to look like the makeovers seen on TV! The RoomPlace has the way to make styling your space fun and easy — like a pro swept in and revamped your space!

How can I get started styling? Click on product on TheRoomPlace.com website and scroll down to the section that says “Complete Your Look”. You will see thumbnails of Styleboards™ that showcase your product in different looks. Click on the Styleboard™ that appeals to you. Now click on any product to edit the look and make it your own. Then add your items to cart, and get ready to set up your newly styled room!

Style, shop and share with hundreds of possibilities brought to life for your home. It’s like having an interior designer style your space, for free! Soon you can have an interior designer right in your back pocket too! Our convenient phone app is slated to launch this winter so you can style wherever you go!

Categories
Design Tips Home Decor Room Makeovers

4 TIPS FOR CREATING YOUR “YOU” SPACE

Dreaming of your perfect haven? Well, don’t book your flights quite yet. There’s a room in your home, right here in Chicago or Indianapolis that has the potential to provide you with sweet serenity on a daily basis.

We’re talking about your new “You” Space, which is likely, right now, one of the following: a spare bedroom, office, extra living or family room, or simply a room that no longer serves you the way it used to. Transforming an under-utilized space into your ideal home sanctuary isn’t as difficult as you might think. And, you totally deserve it.mars-white-room-new_v1

Here are our founding four principles for the perfect “You” Space:

1. Function

Creating the right room begins with planning how you’ll use it. Will you recline and read under gentle light, or scream at the top of your lungs at the game on the big screen? It’s easy to think a good leather sofa will solve any room conundrum (and that’s quite possibly true), but to get the most out of your sanctuary, be sure to put some thought into what types of furniture, lighting, and electronics will be needed to create your purest zen moment—whatever it looks like.

2. Space

This is a room you’ll be spending a decent amount of time in. As you decide on your room layout and begin to select furniture pieces (see: luxurious sectional), be conscious of the size and space that will be left around those items. Think of it as leaving yourself a little room to breathe. With too many objects or too much clutter, you’ll run the risk of feeling overwhelmed instead of decompressed. Clear floor space equals clear head space.

3. Stuff

On the flipside of Tip #2 is the fact that the furniture in the room is what makes it functional and expressive. So, whatever you do choose, make it something you absolutely love. One way is to even splurge on a fireplace since it’ll continue to make you happy month after month. When it comes to decorative elements, take the initiative to cycle through schemes and trinkets when they’ve lost their appeal to keep your space fresh and inspiring.

4. Comfort

Even if you plan to use your “You” Space as a productive lair, you’re going to need something big and comfy to nap on every once in a while. That’s where we come in. From daybeds and sofas on sale (even the leather ones!) to sectionals and fireplaces, The RoomPlace has what you’re looking for in a variety of styles, colors, and materials.

Come check out one of our Chicago or Indianapolis locations, and take advantage of our incomparable customer service. Visit our stores or shop online at www.theroomplace.com.

Categories
Bedrooms Cleaning & Organizing Design Tips

Catalina Kids Bed Collection: Every Kid (And Parent’s) Dream With Multiple Configurations & Storage

Sometimes gifting your kid with a new bedroom set is more a gift for you than for them—especially if their new bedroom set has storage aplenty for all of their toys, books, magazines or art supplies. We have just the thing to solve all of your storage woes—the Catalina Kids Bed Collection! With so many configurations, you’re sure to find the right kids storage bed for your child in Chicago and Indianapolis.

The first option to consider for you new kids bed with storage underneath is the size—twin or full? The Catalina collection comes in both sizes.

TRP Catalina Bed WhiteTRP Catalina Bed

Constructed of pine solids and birch veneer sides, the Catalina will see your child through many cozy nights of sleep.

If bunk beds are more their speed, you don’t need to look further than the Catalina Twin Bunk Bedroom set. With tons of storage options and a deep black finish, this set is as classic as it is practical.

TRP Catalina Bunk Bed Black

If one child needs more room than the other, you can always opt for the Catalina bunk bed which has a full mattress on the bottom bunk and a twin size up top.

Catalina Bunk Bed White

The Catalina collection comes in both white and deep cherry—both excellent options to complement your assuredly stylish Chicago or Indianapolis home. Stop in to The RoomPlace today to pick out your favorite kids bedroom set!

Categories
Bedrooms Cleaning & Organizing Design Tips Living Rooms

3 Design Ideas for your Chicago Loft

We’re not alone in our love affair with lofts. This housing option offers bright, airy aesthetics and adaptable space. It’s a beautiful blank canvas for owners and renters, and it provides a fun range of design opportunities to experiment with. As a top furniture store in Chicago, we offer smart solutions to refurnishing your space. The RoomPlace team investigates how to make the best use of your loft space.

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Design Tips Home Decor Living Rooms

11 Fashionable Sectional Sofas for Small Living Rooms

Sectionals are one of our favorite kinds of compact furniture that offers the perfect seating option for rooms with size constraints. Whether you’re dealing with an Indianapolis home that is 100 square feet or 1,000, The RoomPlace has the perfect sectional for you.

Matrix marries technology and comfort. This bold 7-piece set offers the perfect reclining sectional sofas for small spaces. Adjust the headrest and recliner to suit your needs and get cozy with the sumptuous upholstery.

matrix

San Marco is the perfect way to make everyone happy. The button-activated recliner on each sectional means that every lounger gets the seating experience they want. No arguments!

san marco

 

 

Torricella shows that furniture for small living rooms can still be sophisticated. The contrasting fabric and Nu-Leather upholstery is peppered with grommeting to create that timeless look. This transitional piece will enhance classic and contemporary interiors.

monroe

 

Monroe offers multiple looks in one space-efficient design. Adjust the headrests to create a new style as it suits you — rest assured the comfort of this sleek piece will always remain constant.

galaxy

 

 

Galaxy is proof that simple doesn’t mean boring. A crisp silhouette, contrast stitching, and striking leather upholstery will be a design staple for years to come.

sectional

 

 

Lawson creates a comfortable, classic aesthetic. The plush cushions, generous arm rests, and rich leather exudes country club chic

sectional brown

 

 

Preston stands apart from small sectional sofas for small spaces thanks to its big personality and size. Enjoy the comforts of storage space, cup holders, and reclining action with this piece..

Preston

 

 

Kara was made for relaxation. The wide seating profile and lush cushions feel like a cloud, and the bold red upholstery will add a pop of color to your space.

kara

 

 

Enzo brings sleek European design into the comforts of your Indianapolis living room. Clean lines, a bold silver base, and crisp NuLeather completes this luxe look.

enzo

 

 

Nolan is perfect for entertainers in Indianapolis. Storage consoles, reclining features, and generous armrests make this the ideal accent for movie marathons or game nights.

nolan

 

 

Lexi would make Frank Lloyd Wright proud. The dramatic silhouette will feel like a piece of art, and the compact design and adjustable headrests sets it apart from other modern sectional sofas.

lexi

 

 

Modern, classic, transitional, contemporary — These are just a few of the designs you’ll find at The RoomPlace. Take a look online to find your other half!

 

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Design Tips DIY Room Makeovers

What Does your Home Office Say About You?

Anyone who’s ever been fortunate enough to have a home office all to themselves (or even to share) knows that the right furniture can make or break your concentration and productivity. For instance, if you don’t have enough drawer space for storage—where do all of your papers end up? If the answer is “anywhere and everywhere,” then it might be time for a complete office overhaul. Read on to learn what other aspects of your office furniture says about your work habits, efficiency and personal style.

home office

Sleek lines and crisp details means you’re a no-nonsense worker.

A contemporary home office like the Garrett inspires productivity with its multiple flat surfaces and minimal bells and whistles. While some Chicago folks enjoy working with various knickknacks or photos decorating their space, someone who occupies their home office only for work will enjoy the limited distractions contemporary office provides. The natural material also inspires an earthy feel and connects the room to the outdoors in an effortless, strategic way.

office

A traditional-inspired office means you have a flair for multi-tasking.

With more traditional pieces like the Marshall, your home office style is more decadent and decorated than purely functional. You enjoy the ornate and sophisticated aesthetic of old-world decor, but you aren’t beholden to any old-world ideals that your office need only be for work. With the varying shelving levels, you can surround yourself with all manner of decorative embellishments—photos, awards, or plants just to name a few.

A modern office means you enjoy harmony in your workspace.

white office

Modern office furniture like the Claire is making a comeback in a big way—and for good reason! Its marriage of multiple textures and straight lines is perfect for those of us who enjoy bringing balance to all of our rooms. As a stylish and functional piece, hip and modern office chairs like the Clair Swivel Desk Chair add a hint of unexpected personality in a space otherwise devoted to work in your Chicago home.

If you’re ready to see what other magic you can work in your home to make your personality stand out, check out some of our other furniture blogs about goin’ traditional and decorating your new Chicago home. Put all of our tips together and come see our design loving staff for stylish furniture sets that can deck out your entire home!

Categories
Design Tips

Get the Look: Frank Lloyd Wright with a Twist

Frank Lloyd Wright wasn’t just a pioneer of architecture and design—did you know he was also a native Illinoisan? You can still visit his Oak Park home today right outside Chicago and take in the Prairie style for inspiration. Before you head out, though, we’ve compiled some tips you can use to achieve the modernist look in your own home but with a RoomPlace twist. Keep reading after the jump to learn how!

 

  • Clean Lines are Key
    Before the modernist movement really came into play, most furniture was still fairly traditional with swooping lines and embellishments. When Wright started designing furniture with his team, he wanted it to really fit with the clean architecture of the homes. The result was defined, simple lines with clean edges.

sofa room design

Lucky for us, the modernist movement is still alive and well—many furniture designers are still drawing inspiration from Wright’s famous contributions to architecture and design. You can replicate this look at your own home with something like the Enzo—this set takes the same idea of low, clean, straight lines and updates it ever so slightly with contemporary arm rests.

Enzo

  • The Marriage of Textures and Hardware

Wright’s famous style was all about the fusion of natural elements with the artificial—his chairs being no exception. The material in Wright’s chair here coordinates with the wood used to craft the bookshelves, coffee tables and other wooden structures in the room.

chair

The cushion color and texture are especially eye-catching because the colors in the room are mostly warm browns and reds. The cooler blueish tone is able to pop in contrast to the warmer tones.

You can mirror this same idea with the Ally accent chair, shown here in blue to match the referenced Wright chair. But if your home deploys cooler tones throughout, you can select a warmer fabric like green or purple.

blue chair beige chair

Harnessing the classic style of an iconic designer is no small feat—let the experts at the RoomPlace in Chicago and Indianapolis show you how to transform your home from drab to fab with a few simple tricks. Come in and chat with us today to get started!

Categories
Cleaning & Organizing Design Tips Living Rooms

4 Tips for Buying Pet Friendly Furniture from The RoomPlace

Newsflash: Your pets and your home decor can coexist peacefully! With these buying tips, you won’t have to sacrifice any aspect of your home sweet home from beautiful, elegant furniture or snuggle time with your favorite feline or canine companion.

Be a Matchmaker

A black upholstered sofa might make a dramatic impact on your space, but the white fur that clings to it has a way of deadening the effect. Select fabric that either matches the general shade of your pet or features a bold pattern. This will distract from the pesky stray hairs that will inevitably follow when you have a pet in the home.

Focus on Durability

Microfiber is king among pet friendly fabrics for sofas. This synthetic fabric is tightly knit and not easily ripped, torn, or scratched. Leather is another durable option for pet resistant furniture. While it isn’t completely bulletproof – repeated cat scratching will take its toll – a piece like the Odyssey will see your canine companion through its rebellious puppy years and into mellow adulthood.

rendezvous

Create Limits
Furniture can serve as a creative way to create boundaries for your pet. Ottomans, benches, and occasional tables are the perfect way to artfully prevent your pup from straying into a do not enter zone, saving you from an eyesore of a fence or pet crate. When your pup isn’t around, you can simply move the pieces to suit your needs. Make sure that these pieces are upholstered in the dog friendly furniture fabric we mentioned above.

Train for Your Furniture’s Sake

Even the best pets can get a little rambunctious sometimes. In general, pet owners will want to learn how to keep dogs off furniture, as this will minimize the risk of any unexpected accidents. Also regularly trim your cat’s claws to eliminate kneading damage.

Gearing up to augment your home with new furniture? The RoomPlace team can provide guidance on the best option for you and your pet. We’ll help you find the perfect match!