5 QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE BUYING A SOFABED

Whether you live in a small condo or apartment, medium sized home or even a big house with an extra guestroom a sofabed is a must have item for any home.  You never know when a sofabed will come in handy or when their will be one guest too many with no place to sleep.  The sofa bed functions as your every day family sofa but quickly transforms to a bed when needed. The multi-functionality of the sofabed is what makes it the perfect piece in any home. Even if you feel you'll never use your sofabed it doesn't hurt to have it for those just in case moments?

When you think of a sofa bed most people automatically have imagines of the horribly uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous pull-out futon style (I know I've got my hand caught in one before) but sofa beds come in many styles that are growing in popularity.  More comfortable selections include the 'click clack' fold-down variations where the back of the sofa folds down to become a sleeping area usually in the size of a double bed or my personal favourite the drop-end sofa bed where the bed pulls out from a draw - such as the Serendipity and Inca.

These five questions will help you narrow down what type of sofa bed you're looking for that will match your wants, needs and lifestyle perfectly.

1.How Many People Will You Have Over?

The 'Carter' Swivel Arm Single Sleeper

The first question you should ask yourself before choosing a style, size or feature in a sofabed is how many people will be sleeping over at any given time and how often will it be in use.  If you're someone who always has your family members or friends over for a the weekend then you'll want a bed that sleeps two people comfortably such as a larger size double or queen size sofa bed.  If you know that guest rarely come over and/or you're limited on space and you just want something for that 'just in case moment' then choosing a smaller size single sofa bed or double should be no problem.  

2.Space restrictions

Measuring your home is a must for any type of furniture shopping, especially when you live in a small space where every inch counts.  Know your measurements before you go out to shop! this includes your door way clearance as well so they're are no surprises when you get home and it can't fit through the door. Knowing your measurements before hand makes sofa shopping headache free. Not only will you be able to tell the sales person exactly what your looking for, you'll also be able to make your decision without multiple trips between your home and the store.

Standard Bed Measurements:

Single -- L75" x W39"

Double -- L75" x W54"
Queen -- L80" x W60"

  

3.What Style Are You Looking For?

The 'Inca' Click Clack Drop End Sofabed

Although you're shopping for a sofa bed this is it's secondary feature, the main purpose will be as your living room sofa.  The first thing to do is consider what style of sofa you would like and if your room can accommodate it. If you know you love sectionals or you're looking for a modular set or your home can only fit a love seat then you'll need to find a sofabed that comes in that particular style. This is useful because you'll be able to determine what type of sofa bed you'll be able to get depending on the style of sofa you like. If you're not a fan of drop-end sofas for example then you're going to want to make sure the type of sofa you're interested doesn't come with that type of style. 

4.Could I Picture Owning This Sofa For Years?

So now that you've finally made it to the store and you know exactly what you're looking for and what size you'll be able to accommodate in your home it's time to test out your sofa.  You wouldn't buy a dress or a suit unless you were sure it was a perfect fit, so why should your sofa be any different? Before you leave the store make sure you've sat down, lounged like you would at home and laid down on the sofa.  Ask yourself if you could you picture watching TV on it daily? or if it's something you'd want your guest to sleep on? 

The 'Serendipity' Sectional Drop-End Sofabed

Next make sure you play with the mechanism.  Have the sales person show you how to pull out the sofabed or any other features it may have like a reclining back or removable arms.  Then test it out yourself! This is something you're going to be doing a million times if you find it annoying or complicated or hard to adjust to then that is probably not the sofa bed for you.   

5.Have I Done My Homework?

The 'Valencia' -- Click Clack Fold Down Sofa Bed

Comparison shopping is so easy now a days due to the internet. Before you head out simply browse the websites of the stores you're interested in. If you've already decided on a style see which one carries it at a cheaper price.  Or maybe one website has the style you like such as the tufted style on the right but it's not a sofabed while shopping around you see that Modern Sensibility carries the 'Valencia' -- same style but with a sofabed feature. If you don't know what's out there you'll miss out on a deal or the sofa of your dreams!

HAPPY SHOPPING!!
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ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SHOPPING ONLINE

Today as the online shopping grows in popularity more people are turning to online shopping for all their needs. Clothes, shoes, products, even groceries can now are purchased via the internet. A lot of pros have come from this; no waiting in lines or in traffic, you can shop from the convenience of your home in your pjs, easier to do comparison shopping, discounts and you can shop at ANY time without restrictions. Online furniture stores are also increasing in popularity, and will continue to increase as the internet grows. Many people are choosing to skip the trip and purchase their sofas and other home furnishing from the comfort of their home. With that said, here is some food for thought before you shop online.

ADVANTAGES:

- You can search for exactly what you’re looking for quicker. There are many online stores who specialize in a certain type of sofa or style that you may be looking for and a quick google search will bring you to that site. If you love knowing the newest styles, or having unique pieces then online shopping makes it easier to do so. 

- Instead of driving around wasting gas or spending hours on the bus in travel time you can visit all the stores that you’re interested in at once. This eliminates time going from store to store to see what is available and at what price.

- Easier to find discounts on the sofa you’re looking for by “Googling”, going on Ebay, Amazon and many other websites out there offering deals. Online stores usually offer online specials as well, and there are multiple websites dedicated to sharing these deals with you.

DISADVANTAGES:

- You usually have to wait long periods of time to receive your sofa. Sometimes, this can even take up to a month or longer if being shipped from overseas. There could be delays on the delivery, or miscommunication and you can’t go to the store or get in contact with someone face to face.  Usually, there is no one to ease your frustration about any delays that occur.

- Shipping costs on your item can be extremely high in comparison to what you paid for the sofa, sometimes making the purchase not worth it.

- Sometimes looks can be deceiving. You don't get to test the product before you buy it. What might have looked beautiful to you in picture might not live up to your expectations once received. Then what?

- If it’s an online store that doesn’t have a local store in your area, returning the sofa will be a HUGE hassle. Make sure before you purchase online that you are clear on the stores return policies. Make sure that no matter how good the deal is that you have the option to return if need be. You wouldn’t want to spend 500+ dollars on furniture you can’t bring back.

- Another factor to remember about returns. You will have to pay the charge for shipping it back, repackaging, and stocking in most cases, unless it’s a manufacturing problem.

- People worry about fraud or theft with credit cards purchases. Make sure every website you shop from is security verified secure and protected and has this information displayed clearly on their website. Also, read the privacy policy on the website to see what they will do with your information. Do anything to make you feel secure, and know you're dealing with a reputable business. If something doesn’t feel right it probably isn’t. Hit your home button and restart your search. 

MY OPINION:

I think online shopping is great. I’ve recently caught the online shopping bug and do most my shopping online. As a new mom I don't always have time to go do the store. I love the convenience of being able to shop at 2 in the morning  and the ease of comparision shopping and knowing that i'm getting the best prices. 

Buying furniture online is also great for that exact reason, multiple furniture stores at the click of a button. However, I think getting the feel for your sofa is VERY important. At Modern Sensibility we always encourage everyone to come to the store and sit on the sofas to see if they like them or not. Many people are pickier than others and seeing the furniture online may seem like a good idea to them at first, but then they receive it and it’s a big disaster. Now, add the frustration of exchange/returns on a sofa you’re not happy with spells bigger disaster! I think that’s the only drawback. Other than that, online shopping is a fun convenient way to shop. My only advice is be safe, be smart and make sure you’re buying from a reputable website. Do your research just like you would any other store.

HAPPY SHOPPING!

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GET ORGANIZED: 15 TIPS FOR A MORE ORGANIZED HOME & LIFE

 "Being organized will give you more free time, contribute to a cheerful nature, and add to the peace and security of your home." ~ Deniece Schofield

Not all of us are fortunate enough to have a full time maid service or can hire 'molly maid'. With hectic work schedule and day to day life sometimes the organization of our home and ourselves becomes last priority as we get too up in the hustle and bustle of every day life. 

Have you/do you:
-ever misplaced your keys while rushing to get the coffee ready in the morning?
-ever forgot to pay a bill because you didn't know where the paper was?
-have a stack of lose papers, magazines, letters piling up with no where to put them?
-Look at your closet and say, "I have nothing to wear" when it's packed with clothes?
-wasted minutes digging into your huge handbag only to realize what you're looking for isn't even there?

Did you answer yes to all or any of these? Then the list below will help you organize your home, family and life.

15 Ways To Organize Your Home

1. For your entry way mirror buy dry eraser pens. You can write messages to yourself or reminders for family members in the house with different schedules. 

2. Make your lunches, put your car keys in a specific space, lay out your clothes and put everything you need for the next day in a specific area the night before. This gives you time to sleep in for an extra half hour to an hour, and not feel rushed in the morning. 

*This tip helped me organize my mornings so much better. I use to feel completely unorganized and rushed while still in a sleep daze trying to figure out where everything was. 

3.To organize your handbag: buys colourful pencil cases or pouches to store your receipts or chargers and cords so they're readily available to you.

letter organizer

4. Fill the gas tank the day before so you won’t have to worry about getting gas if you are running late the next morning. 

5. Always plan out your trips! Google maps/GPS is your bestfriend. I cannot tell you how many times I get in the car tell myself I know exactly where I'm going only to end up making the wrong left turn and ending up half an hour behind schedule. 

6.  The best way to keep organized is to never procrastinate! Why do tomorrow what you can do today.  The longer you put anything off the more it takes up space in your life.

7. Stock up on plain pretty vases and decorative boxes and wicker baskets. This is a good option for de-cluttering your home and also works great as an accent piece.

*If everything looks stylish and tidy you'll want to keep it clean.

8. Instead of doing one huge clean up on the weekend do mini cleanups throughout the week. I remember when I was younger and I use to watch Big Comfy Couch, everyday they'd do the 10 second tidy and my brother and I would rush around the house putting our toys away for those 10 seconds. If you take 5 or 10 minutes out of your day and clean up a mini area of your home, watch how quickly the work is reduced on cleaning day.

9. Between old tax returns, electronic manuals, children's yearly report cards and all the other documents you don't throw away but continue to grow yearly a filing cabinet, or filing system becomes extremely important.

10. Go through your closets and draws remove worn, stained, torn and outgrown clothing to keep drawers uncluttered. Then sort through the ones in good condition that you don't wear. Ask yourself:
    - when was the last time I wore this?
    -does it still fit? 
    - is this still my style, and do I have anything to wear it with?
    -do I really need five of these?

* A fun idea is to get a bunch of your girlfriends together and have a swapping party. If your mothers with children do the same for your children's clothing. One mans trash, is another mans treasure!* 

11.The space underneath your bed is the most valuable storage area you could ask for. Not only is it FREE space, but if organized well you can hold a lot of stuff under there unknown to anyone else but you. 

12. Put wastebaskets in every room and place several unused trash bags at the bottom of each one. This will eliminate countless trips to retrieve new trash bags and give all family members a place to throw away their trash. 

13. The bigger the bathroom counter top doesn't mean the more things need to be stocked there. Try and keep your bathroom counter free of clutter and most things except everyday necessities out of sight. 

*Purchase a bed skirt so you don't expose the contents underneath your bed.

14. My pet peeve in the kitchen is not being able to find anything after the dishes are washed. When it starts to get out of control again I remove everything from the cabinet and re-organize. The perfect way to keep your kitchen clutter free is to give every item(plates, cups, cutlery, pots, pans, etc) there own shelve or draw. A place for everything and everything in it's place. 

15.Help your kids get organized too! Make it a fun routine for them. Instead of yelling why is your room so messy teach them how to keep organized. Every night after bath time but before reading them a book and tucking them into bed let them put away their toys and activities for today, so they can look forward to a new day. Having a bookcase like the one on the right is a colour way to help them put away and find what they need later. Also toy boxes, and large colour plastic bins are great for children's room. These lessons will help you children well into adulthood.

 


Good bye days of wishing you had Molly Maid! 
Hello Simpler Organized Life! 
 
I'D LOVE TO HEAR HOW YOU ORGANIZE YOUR HOME!!
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HOW TO CREATE A WELCOMING AND INVITING SPACE

Entertaining guest is always fun and exciting. With the holiday season upon us it's time to start planning and organizing for our family and friend gatherings and Christmas dinners. The planning that goes into setting up your home before the guest have arrived might be nerve racking for some as they decide whether or not their home is "inviting" enough. Once that is out of the way and you're happy with how the house has turned out you can now relax and enjoy your company. Here are 5 worry free tips to a more comfy and inviting home:

TIP 1: CREATE A CONVERSATIONAL ENTRY WAY

-The first thing that people see when they walk into your home will help create conversation, and lead them to want to explore the rest of the home.  Make a statement in your entry way whether that is with personal family pictures, a bold statement piece like a statue or unique painting. This helps sets the tone for the rest of the evening and gives your guest a mini introduction into your life.

TIP 2:  OPT FOR AN INVITING COZY SCENT

- Everyone loves a beautiful smell. Personally a person, place or thing that smells good, is always an A+ bonus to me. No one will want to ever leave a room that smells great. They'll be so caught up in the smell that this will automatically create a warm and comfortable atmosphere.

- Scents such as : Lavender, Vanilla, Hot Chocolate, Coconuts, Baby Power, Fresh Linen are perfect go to smells that can be found in scented candles, or even air fresheners. (I'd recommend febreze tropical scents as well, they are AMAZING)

-If you're having mixed company go for a smell that appeals to both sexes.

TIP 3: PICK A CALMING SHADE

-You want your guests to feel relaxed and at home while they are over. Many people do not realize or simply may not know the importance of setting the tone in your home by using colour. Choose calming shades such as ice blue, soft golds, orange, or lilacs.

- Accessories such as carpets, lamp shades, throw pillows, art work, etc. in "calming shades' are a good alternative If you don't want to or can't paint the wall.

TIP 4: MAKE YOUR SOFA THE PLACE TO BE

-Nothing I love more than relaxing on a sofa! You don't need to spend thousands of dollars to get a comfy sofa. All you need is to give the appearance of a comfy sofa, one that makes you want to lie back and kick your feet up(secretly, because you can't do that at someones home)

-All you need to do is add accent pillows, or one large soft comfy pillow or a suede throw that drapes over the sofa. The cozy feeling and softness of the material is a winner. This tip will get your guest every time!

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT YOU CREATE A

WELCOMING AND INVITING HOME? COMMENT AND LET US KNOW!

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DECORATING THE SENSIBLE WAY - ON A BUDGET!

Decorating on a budget can be fun, and it's a better choice anyways. Why pay a hefty price tag when you can put that money to better use and still get a stylish and affordable room?  Not all of us can afford a $20,000 room renovation, but you know what? You really don't need to spend that kind of money to achieve the "I spent enormous amount of money on this room" look or the "I'm stylish and up to date on current home decor trends" look. 

Style knows no price! Style At Home proves this best in their high and low article the feature monthly in their magazine. It completely blows me away when I look at rooms that are virtually the same, but one comes with a price tag of $20,000(yes for one room) and the other with the price tag of $4,408. 

Look below, can you guess which is which? Does it really matter?

source
(hint: the one of the left cost more)

  Eight Tips for Decorating On A budget:

Add Accessories

After looking at the same room day after day, night after night it does gets a little bland. Before you go out and blow all your money to satisfy your decorating itch why not work with what you already have. You can completely transform a room by simply adding different throw pillows, art work, creating an entry way in the hall way, or adding a lamp. Get creative! You'd be surprised how something as little as accessorizing can go a far way in transforming the feel and look of a room. It is also very inexpensive!

Go Window Shopping

So you're simply fed up with your current decor. Your 10 year old lumpy sofa, the sight of your coffee table, the stains on your carpet all make you want to flee to another room? then it is time to go shopping! It's best to start by window shopping to find your inspiration. Look at home decor magazines, expensive furniture show rooms and department stores that have room set ups. Get a feel for what type of theme you're going for and see how particular rooms make you feel. You can take pictures, rip out pages, or note specific items you may have seen; then walk on over to the stores that are in your budget and shop for something similar. Trust me you WILL find it(take a look at the picture above again if you're not convinced)

Set Your Budget and Stick To It

After you've decided what amount of money you can set aside to spend try your best and STICK TO IT. Don't go to a store that you know you cannot afford to shop at or look at a sofa way out of your price range hoping to score a deal. Set realistic goals for yourself; if your eying a sofa that cost a little bit more than your budget will allow see how long it will take to save for such sofa, if you can't find it cheaper then save up.  You don't want to regret your decision later when your house looks fabulous, but your bills are left behind.

Pick Neutral Colours For Big Purchases

Big purchase items such as a sofa can cost a fortune, since your sofa is not something you will be replacing in a year or so pick a sofa that matches with all colours. Grey, beige, white, black and browns are good sofa picks because even though your colour taste might change your sofa will be ready to adapt to any colour scheme. Then the next time you get that itch remember rule number one - accessorize!

Rearrange Your Room

Maybe you don't need to buy anything at all! Rearranging the furniture in a particular room can make it feel like a brand new room. Swap things around, bring items in from different rooms, move the sofa so your living room faces the opposite way, or clear away the clutter. You'd be surprised how refreshed you'll feel with your "new" living room setup. The positive side of this option is it cost you nothing at all. *happy dance*

Paint Those Walls

Another cheap decorating option is painting the walls in the room. A fresh coat of paint gives new feeling to a room and is the easiest way to dramatically change the look of your space. Read How colours affect the mood in a room" and then head to your local paint shop and pick up the colour of choice for ten to thirty dollars.

Revamp Those Windows

So you don't have time to paint? Another easy solution to get out of your decorating funk is to revamp your window treatment. Google window treatment ideas and take a look at all the different styles of curtain, drapes and trimmings you can have. Get picky about material you want, style, and texture. Add a sheer white drape under your favorite colored curtain and expose the white. This will instantly transform the room, and its as easy as putting curtains up.

Have Patience

The best advice I can give is to have patience.  Don't be in a rush to redecorate, take your time and plan what you want from this room so you won't have to do it again months later. If money is the number one issue, keep your eyes on sales and deals, compare prices online or wait for sample sales. Maybe start small and de-clutter the room, a clean home can instantly transform how you feel about that particular room. Overall, just have fun! Decorating should be fun, not stressful.

Share your budget friendly decorating tips with us on facebook or @modsensibility on twitter Or leave a comment below!

MODERN SENSIBILITY`S FALL SALE

Fall is a great time to introduce new pieces into your home. As the temperature drops and day light becomes short you know that winter is right around the corner. Winter is a a season when most of us go into hibernation, usually spending time between work and home. With so much time being spent inside you want to make your home as comfortable as possible - I know I do! -  maybe its a new sofa, a couple of chairs for the  extra seating you'll need for entertaining inside or a cozy new bed to snuggle up in. Whatever it is that will add that extra level of coziness to your home this winter Modern Sensibility wants to help you out by offering you our AMAZING fall sale!!

 

WHAT ITEMS DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR WISH LIST THIS FALL? 

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COLOUR 101: FALL COLOUR TRENDS 2012

 

Fall 2012: The Magic of Colour

"By playing to consumers' practical side with versatile neutrals, and boosting their confidence with bold, spirited hues, this skillfully balanced pallete has something for everyone. - Letrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institue

 
Pantone really got it right introducing these 10 fabulous colours. Usually in fall bright colours get retried as we introduce deeper more neutral tones but not this fall! Colour is still everywhere in stores. From French Toast to Rose Smoke all 10 colours are BEAUTIFUL not only for clothing but I'd love to see some of these colours played up in accessories for our homes as well. I love all of them and will be incorporating them into my wardrobe and home this fall - My favourites are Honey Gold, Rhapsody and French Toast. 

WHAT'S YOU'RE FAVOURITE COLOUR FOR FALL 2012 

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