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Sofa Or Sectional

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When considering redecorating a home or moving to a new place, choosing the right seating is always a dilemma. This design debate has people divided into two teams – Sofa or Sectional. Making the right choice is indeed a complexity and we are going to try to tackle this question head on, and be as analytical as possible to help you come to the best decision.

 

Room Size & Dimensions:

 

This is obviously one of the most important ones, but not for the reason you might think. Don’t always assume that if you have a smaller space then you can’t opt for a sectional. Depending on the nature of the space, a sectional might be a great idea. For example, in case of a small apartment that has the living room, dining room and kitchen in the same space, a sectional might be a great way to separate the spaces, giving the living room it’s own designated area. When you don’t have a lot of room, and you can’t divide up the different sections with walls, using furniture is actually a great way to visually break up the space into sections.

 

On the other hand, if you have a large space to work with, surely a sectional could work marvelously. It could be the focus of the room, giving you something to tie the rest of the décor in with. But don’t feel that because you have a lot of room, a sectional is the only answer: by putting a two or three seater sofa and two armchairs you can create a great entertaining space, with lots of seating and room to switch things around in the future.

 

When it comes to the room size, it’s more about how you put it together than the actual space you have. That’s why, no matter what, we always recommend you sit down with a professional, show them your blueprints and decide what works best. There is nothing worse than spending your money on a piece of furniture that doesn’t fit right.

 

Family Life:

 

Who you are and what you do plays a big part of whether a sectional or a sofa is right for you. Do you have a big family, with lots of kids or are you a single person who has a lot of friends over? A sectional is a very cozy and informal piece of furniture that can accommodate movie nights, sleepovers or dinner parties with friends. Or, on the other hand, perhaps it’s just the two of you and you prefer to snuggle up on a love seat. If you have kids, you also need to consider the finish of your sectional and get something that can be cleaned easily.

 

Style:

 

At the end of the day it all comes down to your style. Are you more laidback, go-with-the-flow? Or do you enjoy more of a formal setting? The sofa + armchair combination tends to set a more formal tone, having people sit in their own separate place when interacting. While a sectional provides a much more intimate experience. The sofa plus chairs is also a more versatile combination when it comes to décor because you can change the position of the individual pieces and still create a great flow. While with a large sectional, it’s difficult to get it to fit anywhere else than where it was originally meant to be.

Style also means what your personal design style is. What do you think looks better? In the end, it’s your home and you have to be the one that lives in it! So, follow your instincts and pick the option that looks best to you!

 

Purpose:

 

Take into account what exactly is the purpose of the living room where the sofa or sectional is going to go. Is it for watching TV? Entertaining guests? A sectional is perfect for watching TV as a family, because the angles work great and nobody is craning their necks. ON the other hand armchairs are much more comfortable for reading. While a medium sized sofa with a recliner or a couple of armchairs is an ideal solution for entertaining friends. When you know the primary function of the space it is much easier to decide which direction to go in.

Whatever you do, don’t be afraid to explore new options. And if you are still confused you can always consult with our team of designers at The Platinum House to help you make the right choice.

5 Common Mistakes Made While Furnishing A Home

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Everyone wants a picture perfect home where everything is in harmony, coordinated, styled and beautifully furnished. Having a home that you love and that other people admire comes down to having the right furniture in the right place. But furnishing a home can be a more difficult task than given credit to. Most houses don’t come with the perfect combination of furniture like in the catalogues. And if you choose to style your own home, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with the entire process.

 

To help you out during this time of need, here are a few tips and tricks so you don’t make these common mistakes when furnishing your home:

 

Missing Pieces: Filling In The Void

 

One of the most unpleasant situations when visiting someone’s home is not being sure where to sit. It’s obvious that the sofa is the protagonist of the living room, but if you like to host friends and relatives, do not forget to strengthen its presence with armchairs and ottomans giving people plenty of options to sit comfortably.

 

It’s also not only about seating, make sure that you aren’t missing the basics like a nice coffee table or side tables so people can put their drinks or plates down if you are entertaining. These will not only allow your guests to be more comfortable but it will also serve as a decorating piece for flower arrangements and accessories. Think about the usage of the space and pick pieces that fulfill your needs and the needs of those who will be using the space. If you don’t have people over often, opt for seating that is comfortable for your family. Also keep your options open with stools or small ottomans that can be moved around easily or tucked away when not in use.

 

The Importance Of Natural Light

 

Light is such an important part of a room: particularly in small houses, natural lighting is a strength that should be enhanced. If you have a smaller space, more natural light will make the room feel bigger and more spacious.

 

If, for whatever reason, there is little natural light in your home, use materials and colors to bring out the limited light. Use polished finishes and bright colors, or accent pieces with mirrors or metallic finishes that will bounce the light around. Try not to block windows with heavy drapes or furniture, choose sheer curtains or thin paper blinds that will diffuse the light all through the space, making it feel airy and idealistic.

 

Layout: A Place For Everything

 

Picking the wrong furniture for the layout of your space is a very common mistake. It can happen to the best of us, especially if you are working with an unusual shape, like a long and narrow space.

When faced with these types of challenges, try to use the furniture to allocate the available space into usable sections and avoid blockages or dead spaces. This will help give a defined purpose to each space and will allow for a natural flow between them.

 

Misfits: Square Peg, Round Hole

 

Arranging your furniture in a non-functional way will make even the best furniture look off and unappealing. The only way to really avoid this error is to plan in advance how your furniture will be distributed in the space and the dimensions of the furniture itself before putting it in the room.

 

You want to make sure that there is enough space to walk around each element and for there to be a harmonious balance between them. We recommend the use of a blue print to help you plan in advance and to make sure you use the correct measurements. If things don’t fit, there’s no way they will work!

 

Know Your Style, Don’t Just Copy

 

Of course, aesthetically speaking, you want your furniture to reflect your style and also to be in harmony with everything else in your home.

 

Be sure to be clear of what style you are going for before going out and buying furniture. Don’t be rigid about it, give yourself room to explore and change your mind, but stick to one thing so it all looks put together once it’s in the space.

 

In conclusion, think about what the space will be used for, let the light in and plan ahead! These are our tips to help you furnish your home in the best way possible so you will enjoy your home for years to come.

 

For more ideas and furnishing options, please feel free to get in touch with one of our talented interior designers on design@platinumhouse.ae who will make you decorating project a dream come true.

 

How To Pick The Perfect Couch

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How To Pick The Perfect Couch

When picking a couch for your home, it’s important to have a few things in mind. Consider the available space, the style of your home and the material.

Not all sofas are made equal. That’s why we’ve come up with these 4 things that you should consider to find the perfect match!

Shape and Size: The shape and size of your couch will depend mostly on the amount of space that you have available. If you have a narrow space, perhaps a sectional would be too cumbersome. However it might be perfect for a more square shaped room.

When it comes to the size of the couch, the big question usually is: sofa or sectional? Depending on the disposition of the space, a sectional might be a great idea! If you imagine a small apartment that has the living room, dining room and kitchen in the same space. A sectional might be a great way to separate the spaces, giving the living room it’s own designated area. When you don’t have a lot of room, and you can’t divide up the different sections with walls, using furniture is actually a great way to visually break up the space into sections.

On the other hand, if you have a large space to work with, surely a sectional could work marvelously. It could be the central focus of the room, giving you something to tie the rest of the décor in with. But don’t think that because you have a lot of room, a sectional is the only answer. By putting together a two or three seater sofa and two armchairs you can create a great entertaining space, with lots of seating as well as room if you want to switch things up in the future.

Material: What your couch is made of makes a bigger difference than you might think. Especially if you or someone in your family suffers from allergies. It is a known fact that fabric sofas have a tendency to harbour dust mites and mold in their fibers more readily than leather sofas.

Leather doesn’t let dust mites go through its surface because it’s not a woven material like fabric is. It’s a solid piece of material that is stitched together. Another reason to consider leather is that it’s very easy to clean. This makes it practically maintenance free.

Build: A very important aspect of picking a couch is the build. You want to make sure it’s robust and that will withstand the test of time. After all, you are going to be sitting on this couch every day for a long time, it needs to last!

Pick a couch that uses quality materials for its foundation, like wood. Wood is a very strong material that is bound to last you a lifetime if well taken care of.

Style and color: A Victorian style sofa, a chaise lounge, a big bulky sectional? Different sofas have different styles and you want to make sure that above everything else, it fits with your décor style and doesn’t look out of place.

Remember that you can always tweak things like the upholstery of a sofa, or the hardware and accents if you like the frame it has but not the color. Don’t be hasty and buy the first thing that catches your eye. Be patient and really look around to find the best marriage of all the qualities you are looking for in a sofa.

Picking a sofa is a lot like finding a partner or that perfect job. You need to know what you want, ask a lot of questions and know exactly what qualities you are willing to compromise over others. And at the end of the day if you are still in doubt, The Platinum House is always here to help.

 

Why Leather

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Choosing what material to buy your couch in is definitely not an easy choice. With so many factors that go into making the decision, here’s why the leather sofa is our personal favourite.

  1. Easy Maintenance

One of the best things about leather is how easy it is to maintain. It doesn’t stain easily and by following a few simple guidelines, you’ll be able to have it in good condition for a long time. Give it a good deep clean once or twice a year and wipe it down every so often and you’re set!

  1. Hypoallergenic

It’s unbelievable the amount of stuff that collects in a sofa over time. Not only dust, but hair, food and mold among many other things. Your sofa might look clean, but if you were to open it up and take a look inside you might be quite surprised with what you find!

Leather doesn’t let dust mites go through its surface, you could even say it’s anti-allergen because it’s not a woven material like fabric is; it’s a solid piece of material that is stitched together. So, if you, or someone in your family has allergies caused by dust mites or pet dander, consider switching out your fabric sofa for a leather one. They are stylish, comfortable AND hypoallergenic! It’s a win-win for everyone in the family.

  1. Durable

Here is a material that, if of high quality, ages well and tends to last a long time. In fact, it’s not an uncommon occurrence to find that the hide gets comfier and prettier as time goes by! Like a good wine or cheese, leather just gets better with time.

  1. Versatile

For us, one of the better things about leather is that it’s a very versatile material. It goes with everything and can fit with every style. It’s a material that can go modern, retro, classic or rustic. No matter what you are envisioning for you home, leather can help you achieve it.

So, whether you are looking for a couch for your family home or just for you, leather is a great choice if you are looking to invest in a piece of furniture that will stay with you for years to come. It’s durable, versatile and has basically zero maintenance.