Questions To Ask When Buying Furniture

When furniture shopping, particularly for larger pieces, it is a good idea to go through a checklist of questions before purchasing. This checklist can be used as a guide to ensure you are getting quality furniture at a reasonable price. Read on to learn what to look for and what questions to ask when buying furniture.

Will This Piece of Furniture Hold Up Over Time?

 

Whether you are buying a sofa, a dining set, or a bed frame, you want to make sure that you are making a solid investment. When it comes to buying larger pieces, making sure that it will hold up over time will ensure you get the most bang for your buck. When buying a piece of furniture, you should consider who made it, who sold it, and what materials it is constructed of. If this information is not readily available to you on a website or from a salesperson, then it is best to be wary of this deal.

Compared to Other Furniture Retailers, Is This A Fair Price?

Even if you feel like you found the deal of the century, it is always a good idea to check competitor prices to ensure that you are not overpaying for a piece of furniture. You can also check to see if a store does price matching. You could end up saving a lot of money and still give business to your favorite store with price matching. When price matching, be careful that you are matching the same products. Knock-off furniture may have a cheaper price tag, but high-quality furniture will always stand the test of time and look much nicer in your home. Pay special attention to the quality of the piece that you are looking to buy, and don't be afraid to ask salespeople questions about the furniture you are interested in buying.

What Would Interior Designers Say?

You don’t have to be an interior designer to think like one. Sometimes a piece of furniture can be perfectly functional, but not fit in with your home at all. Try to aim for both good functionality and design, as furniture can make or break a living space. For instance, if you have less square footage to work with, you might buy a loveseat for your living room rather than a 3-piece sectional. Another example would be if most of the furniture in your home is a certain color. If you have a white couch and a white bookshelf, adding a brown table may look out of place for your particular space. Another thing to consider is the shape of your furniture. If you want a modern look, go for angular pieces of furniture. Design tip: round dining tables are great for smaller spaces and give the appearance of extra room. If you have a rounded part of the room that you would like your furniture to go, then go with circular furniture or furniture with rounded edges. With all of this being said, at the end of the day what matters most is whether you are happy with your purchase.

Is This a Reputable Furniture Shop?

Buying from a trusted and respected store can increase the odds of getting a good deal for high-quality furniture. The best way to find out if a furniture store is reputable is to read customer reviews, as well as finding out how long they have been in business for. A newer store may have only positive reviews, but an established long-standing business with good reviews is an even better sign that they are running a fair business. Another sign to look for when scoping out furniture stores is whether or not they respond to negative reviews. This shows that even if something went wrong with your purchase, your concerns would be heard and addressed. It is also a good idea to be aware of a store’s return policy before shopping there.

If you are looking for a reputable business in the Houston area that carries both high-quality and affordable furniture, then Bel Furniture should be on your radar. Now that you know what questions to ask when buying furniture, you are equipped to find the best deals possible. Shop bedroom, living room, dining room, home office furniture, mattresses, and more. With Bel’s wide selection of furniture, you can furnish your whole home for a fraction of the price without sacrificing quality.

How to Furnish an Apartment on a Budget

Buying an apartment is an exciting milestone. Whether you are a recent college graduate or have been working full time to afford your own space, an apartment is a true step towards adulting and will test how you live on your own and handle budgeting. If you recently started renting an apartment or like to change up decor often, then you may be wondering, how to furnish an apartment on a budget while also paying for rent, groceries, utilities, and other necessary items. To help you during this transition, Bel is here to offer some tips to amp up your apartment and make it feel like home without overspending.

1. Measure Your Apartment Layout

 

The first thing you should do before looking for furniture is to take measurements of your apartment. Knowing the measurements of the rooms in your apartment, or the studio’s floor plan will help you better understand how the furniture will look in your apartment. This will ensure that you are getting properly sized furniture. If this step is missed, you risk getting a piece of furniture that is either too large or small for its intended area or can potentially mess with the overall layout and ambiance of the room.

2. Get Multipurpose Furniture

Multipurpose furniture is a great option for someone on a tight budget. For example, if you do not want to spend a good portion of your money on a bed you won’t use, then look for a well-made futon, daybed, or sofa sleeper. Since these are multipurpose pieces, they can easily be used as a couch during the day, when guests come over or turned into a bed when you are ready to go to sleep. This is especially helpful for people who live in studio apartments since it will make the most out of the existing floor plan. For the living space, ottomans or coffee tables that have storage will keep you from purchasing extra shelving. Extendable tables that can be used for a breakfast or dining table will also be useful for space purposes and will reduce having to buy two tables.

3. Shop During the Sale Season

If there is a particular piece of furniture you like that is more expensive than what you budgeted for, you can either prioritize some of the other items on your list or you can wait until there’s a sale. Wishlist items such as quality dining room sets, sturdy bed frames or entertainment worthy TV stands are typically priced better during sales, especially during an overstock sale. This is where you will find the most savings since there is an abundance of inventory that a furniture store needs to sell off to create space for new items. Although you can buy cheap kitchen sets online, you can switch them out for a higher quality set during the sale season or keep the nicer set for when guests come over or to be used during special occasions.

4. Choose Low Price Accessories 

 

It’s the little things that turn a space into a home. Since you are most likely to buy neutral-colored furniture because it is less expensive, use colorful and patterned throw pillows to brighten up a room. Not only are throw pillows great for decorating, but they can also be used for additional head, neck, or back support. To liven up the walls in your apartment, put up some framed art and use wall shelving to organize your books or to display treasured items. Another way to make your apartment feel like home is to add a rug. This will cover up some of the hardwood floorings and make your space cozier. Shower curtains, while necessary for bathrooms without shower doors, can also be used to tie in the color of bath towels or add a pattern that complements the space. Also, don’t forget to buy some lamps for the living room and bedrooms if you don’t already have light fixtures.

Budget like a Pro

Now that you know how to furnish an apartment on a budget, no need to hire a professional interior designer. Let your creativity flow, and if you are a visual person, check online sites or visit a Bel Showroom location for some decor inspiration. We offer finely crafted furniture for a variety of layouts and styles at affordable prices that will fit anyone’s budget. Check out our website today or for more furniture tips, check out our other blogs for more.

What is the Best Office Chair for Sciatica Pain?

Sciatica is a term for back pain that is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve in the body. When pressure is put on this nerve, the lower back can become uncomfortable and lead to other pain issues with your hips, buttocks, and similarly down each leg which inevitably hinders everyday work and other activities. A common problem of sciatica pain is from sitting in the wrong office chair all day at work. If you have experienced or have lower back pain and have not switched out your office chair, continue reading. Below we will further discuss what the qualities of the best office chair for sciatica pain are for both at work and in-home offices.

Why Having The Right Chair Is Important

Chronic pain such as lower back or neck pain could be the result of sitting in an unsupported chair for long periods of time. This is especially true if you are not taking any stretch breaks or going for a walk throughout the workday. It is important to remember that what may be helpful for others when it comes to pain is not always the best solution for your pain. Much like how each individual has particular interests, having the appropriate office chair that accommodates your height, weight, and pain areas should be priority when searching for a quality, supportive chair.

Ergonomic Office Chairs

For individuals suffering with sciatica pain conditions, getting an ergonomic office chair will help relieve tension, provide overall comfort, and increase efficiency throughout the workday. The purpose of this kind of chair is that it allows the ability to move with your body’s natural curves as opposed to against it. Additionally, there is a wide range of ergonomic chairs to choose from that can be adjusted based off someone’s needs. In certain traditional office chairs, a person may have to adjust their body’s position to the chair rather than adjust the chair itself to find comfort and reduce the pressure put on their backs or other pain areas. This is also true with nonadjustable armrests. Having an office chair with adjustable armrests that are capable of raising and lowering to be the same height as your desk will help alleviate pressure from your back, keep your spine naturally aligned, and decrease shoulder and neck strain. Since an ergonomic chair is manufactured to align with the body, it promotes good posture and allows for healthier physical and mental health. For individuals suffering from sciatica pain, an S-shaped backrest with waterfall edges is best since it lines anatomically with the spine to relieve tension.

Seat Height & Height Adjustment Basics

Seat height and height adjustment are equally important qualities for office chairs. Most traditional office chairs have a lever for seat height adjustment that lets the chair raise up at an average of 16 to 20 inches and goes down. This is a basic necessity that should generally be found in all office chairs. It is essential to remember that in order to keep a good posture, you must be able to sit in a chair where you can have your feet flat on the floor. If your legs are hanging and are not able to be flat on the floor, then your body will be forced to find a different position or solution to get comfortable.

Seat Depth Preferences

Another advantage that ergonomic chairs offer is adjustments to the seat depth. The importance of having an office chair with seat depth adjustment is that it can modify to the upper leg length for both short and tall people and helps with achieving good back support. It will also help in distributing an even amount of weight across seat cushions. Ideally, you should look for an office chair where your back is flush against the chair, but leaves about 2 to 4 inches from the chair’s seat and the back of the knees to keep a constant flow of circulation going.

Lumbar Support & Backrests Requirements

Lumbar support through height and depth is important to find to relieve sciatica pain. Without this extra support, the natural inward curve of the lumbar spine can flatten out, and apply a great deal of strain on the lower back. Additionally, having lumbar support that can easily adjust and is height adjustable is good for the torso since this area of the body is different for each individual. Similarly, the backrest should adjust to your weight and height. If the backrest is separated from the seat, it should be able to adjust in both height and angle. On the other hand, if the backrest is attached to the seat, the backrest itself should be able to angle forward and backwards and should come with a safety locking function that prevents shifting or leaning back too far in an uncomfortable position. Allowing adjustments on the back’s angle will help recline with ease without adding pressure to the spine.

Perfect Padding & Swivel

If you are suffering from sciatica pain, the amount of padding is key. Whether you prefer firm or softer chairs, look for a chair that has enough padding that will provide comfort, but not too much where the chair is overly stiff and applies pressure to the glutes. Likewise, finding an office chair with swivel ability will restrict straining when reaching for items around the desk. If you are working on top of a carpeted area, the wheelbase of an office chair that has a 360-degree-swivel is important to glide smoothly from place to place.

Ease Into Comfort

Now that you know what qualities make up the best office chair for sciatica pain, ease into comfort with a variety of office chairs from a traditional chair, executive office chair, or more padded options that Bel Furniture has to offer. Don’t forget to check out our website for finely crafted furniture or our blog for more information on furniture and tips.


Further Reading:

• Hybrid Mattress vs Memory Foam: The Pros and Cons
• How to Arrange Area Rugs

10 Ways on How to Keep Your Sheets on Your Bed: DIY

When we start getting ready for bed, we are looking for complete relaxation, and ultimately, a great night’s sleep. Instead, we can sometimes have a problem with our fitted sheets riding up and off the bed at night which has the potential of causing us to lose a comfortable night’s sleep. Avoid the hassle of waking up each morning to find your sheets off the bed again or having to put your sheets back on every night before going to bed. Here are 10 helpful DIY tips on how to keep sheets on the bed.

1. Binder Clippers

Binder Clippers are helpful and convenient items that can typically be found throughout your home. Other than using them for stacks of paper and bags of chips, they can be used for keeping your sheets on the bed. To use binder clips, grab hold of the corner of the sheet and clip it onto the top edge corners of the mattress. If you are also having issues with keeping your mattress pad in place, you can clip the pad to your sheet as well. After this is done, simply tuck the bottom part of the binder clip between your mattress and box spring.  

2. Suspenders

Suspenders are another great option. The purpose of suspenders is to create enough tension on the corners of the sheets so they won’t ride off your mattress. This can be done by clipping them on any one of the corners of the fitted sheet. You can either buy different kinds of suspender clips that includes one to three clips and range from metal to plastic locking clips, or you can make your own suspenders.

To make suspenders, all you need is an inch or thicker of elastic strap and safety pins. Measure approximately 6 inches down on either side of the sheet and use a safety pin to keep it in place. After this is done, measure the distance between the two safety pins you placed on each side of the sheets. This gives you the measurement of how long your elastic should be stretched up to. Make sure to cut the elastic shorter than this measurement, allowing for a tight stretch. Cut four elastic straps for each corner of the mattress and then secure the elastic with safety pins.

3. Safety Pins

Safety pins alone can keep your sheets in place, especially if it is only a minor annoyance. When using safety pins, place them either along the corners where your sheet keeps coming off or along the side of the mattress. If you put safety pins along the line of tension and keep the hooks at the bottom, it will help reduce bends in the pin. You can also place the pins perpendicularly of the tension in order to prevent tears. If you have thin or fragile sheets and don’t want the fabric to tear, grab some scrap cloth you have on hand as a way to double up the fabric before using the safety pins.    

4. Deep Sheets

If you own a thick mattress, a plush pillow top mattress, a hybrid or coil mattress, and your sheets have a hard time staying on, it could be an issue with the size of sheets you own. These types of mattresses are taller than standard ones so you cannot use those kinds of sheets on a nonstandard mattress. While standard sheets fit mattresses that are 7-14” thick, deep sheets measure 15” deep and extra deep pocket sheets can range from 16-22”. This reverse is also true if you are using deep fitted sheets on a shallow mattress. Even though this does not guarantee your fitted sheets will stay on, it does help to have the correct-sized sheets for your bed.    

5. Double-Sided Clips 

Double-sided clips can be used on all four corners of your sheet. For this, all you have to do is string the double sided clips together with a strap. Doing this will ensure that the sheet firmly remains in place and will not ride up from the mattress.

6. Velcro 

Sewing velcro or getting velcro with sticky adhesive on your mattress and sheets will further help keep your sheets firmly put. Make sure to keep the rough side of the velcro on the mattress while the softer part is on the sheet. Sew on the velcro that will be on the sheet so it will not come off in the wash. This will help keep the mattress and sheets together.

7. Stretchy Bands

Stretchy bands are similar to rubber bands but these have the ability to fit over the top and bottom of your mattress. These kinds of bands are available online, at household item stores, or at large retail establishments. Depending on the size bed you have, will determine the size bands to purchase. If you are using this approach, stretch out one of the bands and slide it onto the upper side of your mattress, then go to the other side to fully pull down the band over the mattress. The band should approximately be about 1 foot down the mattress. Next, do this same method with the bottom band. Make sure to keep the locking mechanisms of the bands on the sides of your mattress to avoid poking you at night. Then, put back on your fitted sheet over the bands and click the knobs that the bands come with into each locking mechanism.

8. Non-slip Rug Corners 

The same way you use non-slip rug corners to keep your living room rugs in place could also be used for your sheets. Simply place one non-slip rug corner under each corner of your mattress and then put the fitted sheet on. The adhesive on the rug corners allows the sheets to stay in place rather than slide off the bed. 

 9. Drawstring Sheets

The use of drawstring sheets allows you the ability to tighten the sheets underneath the mattress. If your sheets are deep enough to cover your mattress and can still fold underneath some, then this option can work great. Make a small cut in the seam of your sheets where the elastic is and attach a safety pin with a long cord or shoelaces feeding it through the elastic channel, and out the other side. Pull the strings together and make an easy to adjust the knot.

10. Rough Sheet

Using a rough sheet underneath a softer one will help from slipping. Usually, if you use silk or thinner, smoother sheets, they are more likely to slip off the bed compared to sturdier materials like cotton. To fix this issue, place a rougher sheet-like flannel underneath your fitted sheet. This addition will keep the top one from slipping off.   

Hybrid Mattress vs Memory Foam: The Pros and Cons

A third of our life is spent in bed. When it comes to sleep, comfort should be a priority. If you are not comfortable in your bed, you are going to have a difficult time either falling or staying asleep throughout the night. Knowing what needs to look for when purchasing a bed, whether you are on a budget, have chronic back pain, or are looking for something for you and your partner, will determine the kind of mattress that will be right for you.

Currently, two of the most common mattress types are hybrids and memory foam. Learn more as we discuss hybrid vs memory foam to help you figure out which of the two is better suited for your sleeping needs.

What is a Hybrid Mattress?

 

While traditional innerspring mattresses are made using interlinked coils covered with a top layer of wood or padding, a hybrid mattress takes the traditional mattress and combines it with a more contemporary approach. Typically, hybrid beds have individually pocketed springs and one or more layers of foam to decrease the coil’s ability to prod out like in a traditional mattress. Since these coils are able to move seamlessly independent from one another, it aids in reducing motion transfer. A comfort layer made out of memory foam, latex or another kind of foam is also added in a hybrid bed and is about 1.5 inches deep. Cooling materials such as cooling gel are put inside a hybrid mattress to slow down the body’s warmth, preventing the mattress from getting hot. On top of this, a pillow top made from foam, cotton, wool, fiberfill or latex, helps with adding an extra layer of comfort. This provides for a better quality night's sleep.

Pros of a Hybrid Mattress

Better Contour - Compared to a traditional innerspring mattress, a hybrid mattress offers better contour due to its added comfort layer and individually wrapped coils. This addition allows for greater support and mobility. 

Good Breathability - As opposed to a memory foam mattress that can offer a warmer night’s sleep, a hybrid mattress sleeps cooler because of its cooling materials. It allows for more breathability and is good if you have a naturally higher body temperature and are prone to being warm or live somewhere with a hotter climate.

Reduces Sinkage - Unlike a memory foam mattress that molds to your body, a hybrid mattress reduces this level of sinkage and gives you more of the feeling like in a traditional mattress.

Has Bounce - The coils in a hybrid mattress allows for more bounce and is easier for people who need extra help when getting in and out of bed.  

Budget-Friendly - Along with a variety of firmness options, hybrid mattresses are great for people on a budget. On the other hand, a memory foam mattress can get a little bit pricier.

Cons of a Hybrid Mattress

Heavy - Hybrid mattresses tend to be on the heavier side and are more difficult to move around when compared to a memory foam mattress.

Not Good For Couples -  The motion transfer on hybrid beds could be irritating for a couple who shares a bed, especially if one partner moves around more during the night.

High Motion Transfer - With the wrong construction, hybrid beds can have high motion transfer which is not good for a light sleeper or someone who is looking for a slower response.

Pros of a Memory Foam Mattress

Easy to clean - Memory foam mattresses can be easily cleaned by wiping the mattress down with a damp cloth.

Keeps Spinal Alignment in Check - If you have issues with your spine, either from using the wrong mattress or pillow, a memory foam mattress may be the best option for you. Body weight is evenly distributed on this material and helps with overall spinal alignment. 

Less snoring - In addition to spinal alignment, memory foam helps with sleepers who snore since the even distribution of weight allows for better breathing at night.

Motion Isolation - If you or your partner tends to move around at night, memory foam mattresses can be a good fit since it decreases motion isolation letting both of you sleep comfortably.

Good for Light Sleepers - Because of the memory foam’s slow-response foam, it will not disturb light sleepers allowing for an uninterrupted night’s sleep.
    
Best contour - This kind of mattress is recommended for people who are side sleepers who deal with issues relating to back pain. Since memory foam is not a harsh material and has the ability to mold with your body, it will not add pressure to sensitive areas but will offer some relief. 

Hypoallergenic - Memory foam mattress models are great for people with allergies since they are hypoallergenic making them resistant to dust, dust mites, and other allergens typically found in a mattress.

Cons of a Memory Foam Mattress

Allows Sinkage - Memory foam’s ability to mold with your body can also make a person feel engulfed in their mattress, but having pocketed coils in your memory foam mattress will reduce this feeling.

Can Get Hot - Memory foam tends to retain a person’s body heat giving you a warmer night. If this is a problem, make sure the memory mattress you purchase is open cell or gel-infused to reduce heat.

Bounce Restrictions - If you have trouble getting in and out of bed, then you might prefer a hybrid mattress. With a memory mattress, there is less bounce and slower cushion response.

Off-gassing - A new memory foam bed can sometimes result in off-gassing, giving off the chemical manufacturer’s scent. Fortunately, this smell will fade over time. 

Better Nights Are In Your Future

We want to help find the right mattress for you. At Bel Furniture, we offer a variety of mattresses from memory foam, gel foam, and hybrid. In this blog, we have compared hybrid vs memory foam mattresses so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs. When you buy from the Bel Mattress Company, you get a 180 Day Sleep Guarantee to be sure you made the right decision with your mattress. Sleep peacefully throughout the night. Check out our wide selection of mattresses and our blog for everything you need to know about furniture.

How to Arrange Area Rugs

Everybody knows that area rugs are a beautiful way to add some personality to a home. However, it can be difficult to know exactly what will look perfect in your room, and how to arrange area rugs to look the best they can be. Check out our guide below.

What Size Rug Should I Have?

While the size of your rug depends from room to room, a general rule of thumb is that bigger is better. A couple of inches is all the difference between a rug pulling a room together and making it look disjointed. If you find yourself unable to choose between a small rug or a large rug, as a rule of thumb, you should always go with the larger rug.


You want to make sure that your rug extends underneath key pieces of furniture in the room. This will ensure that the room has an uninterrupted flow. While the amount of the furniture that is on the rug depends on how open the floor plan is and personal preference, you should try your best to make sure that at least the front legs of the furniture, particularly large pieces such as dining tables, coffee tables, and couches, are placed on the rug in order for the look of the room to remain consistent.

What About the Shape?

Area rugs come in a large assortment of different shapes and sizes. Rectangular rugs are most common in living rooms and dining rooms, for several reasons. Most of the furniture in these large spaces tend to follow a general rectangular shape (such as dining tables and long couches.) However, this rule is certainly not set in stone. Circular rugs can add a unique flair in any room, and especially look fantastic in entryways and smaller spaces. Just remember to be conscious of the available floor space you have.

Which Material?

Rugs come in a whole assortment of different materials, and the type you want depends on a number of factors. First, you should think about how much traffic that room sees. For high traffic areas, you don’t want to choose a rug that is easily damaged and destroyed. This is especially true in entryways where individuals will be walking on them with shoes still on. Low pile materials work best in these areas, as they are easily able to hide tracks and will not see lasting damage. For areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, natural fibers may be a better option. They are soft and pleasant under your feet. However, you must always remember what the activity level in your individual home is. If you have a busy home with children and pets running around and making messes, you may consider having rugs where stains are easily taken care of. If you live in a low-activity household with adults (that are not prone to spilling drinks and food!), then a more expensive, softer rug may be within the realm of possibility for you.

Choosing a Pattern

While size, shape, and material are all incredibly important aspects to choosing the correct rug, the color or pattern is the most immediately apparent aspect. You will first want to decide on what color palette will complement the existing decor in your room in order to tie all the elements together. If you’re not sure which pattern you prefer, start by taking a look at the colors you’re interested in, or colors that already exist elsewhere in the room. You could surprise yourself. Many individuals start off thinking they want a certain pattern, but find themselves loving the opposite. For some individuals, they don’t want to have to worry about all of this and instead hire an interior designer. If you want to take on this mission yourself, follow these tips to find the perfect rug:

Make sure that your pattern fits the rest of the room. If the room feels busy with patterns already, a more subdued rug may be the best option.


While you want to make sure that your rug matches the room, you also want to have interest. If you find that your room lacks a certain flair or “pop,” an adventurous rug is a great way to add that interest into your room and create a fun focal point. Consider a boldly-patterned rug for a big impact.


If you are worried about stains from children or pets, consider intricate patterns for your rugs. These patterns are better at hiding stains than their solid-colored counterparts.

Bel Furniture is here to make all of your home decor dreams come true. Now that we’ve educated you on how to arrange area rugs, check out what we have for sale. Don’t forget to check back monthly to see more information on homeownership and decor.

Best Cat and Dog Proof Furniture

There are few of life’s joys more pure than the bond between a human and their pet. Our furry friends accompany us through all of life’s trials and tribulations, standing loyally by our side as we venture into each new leg of life. While we may treasure the games of fetch and warm cuddles after a long day, there are parts of being a pet parent that aren’t ideal. Depending on the breed and cut of your pet, the struggle with pet hair may feel like a never ending battle. Even the best behaved animals can accidentally rip apart a prized piece of furniture with one wrong move of their clawed feet, and don’t even get us started on the stains. At Bel Furniture, we want to help pet owners enjoy their furry friends without stressing out about the less desirable aspects of sharing their home with their companions. Look below for our guide on cat and dog proof furniture.

Choose Pet Friendly Materials

When you’re sharing a home with your pet, you need to consider them when deciding on which fabrics you want to adorn your space with. While velvet and silk couches look sleek and beautiful, they trap pet hair and are scratched easily. Instead, you want to consider furniture with tight weaves that is easy to clean. These fabrics include:


Leather: Leather and faux leather may be the most pet proof fabrics. It is nearly impossible for pet hair to get caught in a leather sofa or chair, and simply sweeping semi-regularly and cleaning up messes with soap and water will keep leather beautiful in your living room or family room for years to come.


Microfiber: Pet owners of all kinds swear by microfiber. Microfiber is soft to the touch while not collecting pet hair in the same way that many other fabrics do. It is also incredibly durable and easily cleaned. Compared to most woven materials, microfiber is fairly stain resistant and it is designed to repel liquids.


Faux Suede: If you cannot bear to part with the aesthetics that more traditional fabrics offer, one of the smartest choices for pet owners is faux suede. It offers the aesthetic appeal of suede with a much easier clean-up should a pet accident occur.

Make Smart Color Choices

If you cannot keep pet hair completely off of the furniture, you should at least make it less visible. Be strategic about the colors you choose to decorate your home with. Ideally, you should choose fabric colors that match your pet’s fur color. This way, the fur will be less visible during more heavy shedding periods. If you don’t wish to adhere to this rule, you should at least attempt to avoid light fabric colors. No matter what the color of your pet’s fur, stains are going to show more clearly on lighter colors. Everything from urinary accidents to muddy feet from a rainy day are easier to conceal on darker fabrics.

Protective Covers

If you are still concerned about pet hair on the furniture, an easy way to cat and dog proof furniture is to invest in protective covers. These covers come in a number of different fabrics and styles in order to suit your individual tastes. Keep in mind that using a cover will conceal your furniture, so if you are particularly attached to the aesthetic appeal that your couch offers, this may not be ideal. For those who don’t wish to purchase a full cover, blankets and throw rugs may also assist in decreasing the accumulation of pet hair.

Keep Pets Off Your Furniture

While it will not completely eliminate hair and other pet-related damages, keeping your pets off of the furniture will help you keep your space clean. If you take this route, be sure that you offer a dog bed, cat tree, or other item that can serve as your pet’s favorite spot. Just like humans, animals crave comfort and need a soft space to relax and sleep. Providing enrichment items will also help you keep your pets entertained enough to not ruin furniture. Bones and chew toys help prevent dogs from chewing on tables and sofas, and a well-placed scratching post will let cats scratch without ruining your artisanal living room set.


Bel Furniture is dedicated to providing a home every member of your family will love. Check out our current sale for amazing deals that can’t be beat, and remember to check our blog regularly for more tips and tricks on how to keep your home looking fantastic.

Upholstery Price Guide

You’re sitting on one of your favorite sofas when you turn and notice that there is a huge tear right through the middle of one of your seat cushions. How long has it been there? What do you do now? Many of us have lived through this situation before, and it can be paralyzing to figure out what happens next. At Bel Furniture, we’re here to help you with an upholstery price guide as we navigate you through the reupholstering process.

What Does It Mean to Upholster Furniture?

Upholstery is the practice of fitting padded coverings onto furniture. While it typically refers to couches and sofas, any piece of furniture that has a seat on it can be upholstered. Upholstery is typically performed on pieces of furniture that have incurred wear and tear, need fabric replacement, or have other adjustments that need to be made to the cushion part of the fabric. Upholstered furniture offers a lot of cushions with foam, and they are always enclosed in either fabric or leather. Once they are enclosed, there is a steel or wooden frame in which springs are attached that allow the cushions to be arranged as needed.

How Much Does Upholstery Usually Cost?

The cost of upholstery depends on the piece of furniture that will be upholstered, so it is difficult to come up with a definitive upholstery price guide. If you are lucky, a piece of furniture may only need to be cleaned and not completely replaced. Prices for upholstery cleaning range between $60 to $300. For the items that do need to be completely upholstered, you will generally pay between $150 and $1500 depending on different factors. The average cost of upholstery work generally turns out to be about $650.

What Factors Play Into Price?

There are several different factors that play into how much it will cost to reupholster a piece of furniture. These include the type of furniture, the fabric used, and the amount of labor involved. In general, small pieces are less expensive to work on than large pieces, and furniture that is unadorned will be less costly than furniture that has been embellished. You may also save money by bundling a number of different items of furniture together into one job. There are also delivery fees associated with reupholstery, but sometimes you can save money by bringing your furniture to the upholsterer yourself.

When Should I Pay For Upholstery?

Reupholstery has its benefits. For one, it is an eco-friendly way to cut down on the amount of old furniture that is left in landfills. However, as previously discussed, it can be quite expensive. When deciding whether or not you should pay for upholstery or buy a new piece, ask yourself these questions:

How old is the item? If the piece of furniture is over ten years old and the only sign of wear and tear is in the cushions, it may be worth it to keep the furniture for longer. Good quality furniture can be difficult to come by, and while it may seem expensive in the short run, furniture that has a long life may end up saving you money in the long term.

What material is the frame made of? If the frame is made of hardwood or another high-quality material and held together with dowels and glue or screws, then it may be worth reupholstering. These materials hold up well to the work that upholsterers do.

How much do you like the furniture? Even if the piece of furniture does not fit the above criteria, you may consider upholstery if you love the item. If it is a unique treasure and you cannot bear to part with it, go ahead and get the upholstery repairs done.

When Should I Buy New Furniture?

Most of the time, buying new furniture is the better option because the cost of upholstery can be more expensive than buying an entire new piece of furniture. While it can be difficult to say goodbye to an item that has been in your home for a long time, Bel Furniture has several excellent couch and furniture options. You can discover your options below.

Space Saving Furniture

No matter what type of home you live in, space saving furniture allows you to decorate your home in a way you’ll love while also tastefully clearing your home of excess clutter. This combination of fashion and functionality can easily be implemented into your household, no matter what your personal tastes are. At Bel Furniture, we have compiled a helpful list of creative items that look great and keep your rooms tidy.

Storage Beds

No matter what size of mattress you prefer, there is a storage bed that is available for your needs. These beds typically have drawers built directly into them, allowing them to act as both a sturdy bed frame and as a dresser or nightstand. These are perfect for holding items such as nighttime wears, extra linens, or books. The number of drawers depends on the model you choose and the size of the bed you have, so you can be sure that you are getting exactly what you need. Check out this beautiful queen storage bed that we have available at Bel Furniture. If you are looking for a bed for the younger members of your family, you may want to take a look at this adorable twin-sized lofted storage bed. The possibilities are endless!

Sofa Beds

Another option for space-saving beds is to purchase a sofa bed. Converting from a couch to a twin or full-size bed, sofa beds are the perfect solution for individuals who live in a small space but want to offer their guests a comfortable place to sleep. If you don’t have a guest room in your home, or if you expect to entertain a large number of guests, replacing your couch in the living room with a sofa bed will offer your guests a comfortable place to stay without taking up much extra space. Even if you do have a guest bedroom, there are many other reasons to purchase a sofa bed. Sleepovers for the kids become much easier when there is another bed to sleep on. Movie nights can also become much more comfortable if you choose to turn the couch into an extra bed. Take a look at this klik klak sofa bed available in gray and brown.

Murphy Beds

Murphy beds are the ultimate space-saving beds. They allow you to pull your bed down from the wall when you need to go to sleep, and then simply place it back into the wall when you need to get up in the morning. While they require extra effort to install into your home, they can be a great addition to a kid’s room or a guest room.

Extendable Dining Tables

If you regularly enjoy hosting dinner parties or otherwise like having a large dining room table but also wish to save floor space, you may consider investing in an extendable dining table. Extendable dining sets are an easy way to give you more room in your dining room. They’re able to be changed from seating three to four individuals to up to ten depending on the model and how much room you want them to be. Extending the table is relatively easy and can be done in less than a minute.

Storage Coffee Tables

Clear clutter out of your living room with storage coffee tables. These innovative tables come in a multitude of different styles that allow for extra storage space. The first style that storage coffee tables come in is a coffee table that has shelves built within it. If you choose this option, be aware that the items you’re storing are going to be visible to those who are in the room with you. If you have items that you don’t wish to be displayed, you may instead want to consider the coffee tables with a lid that can be lifted. These tables generally have more storage space and their items are concealed by the lid of the table. If you don’t need as much storage or don’t want a coffee table, consider getting a storage side table that offers the same usefulness but on a smaller scale. Storage side tables are nice as they can be placed in living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and anywhere else you may need extra space. We love this rustic storage coffee table.

Benches with Shoe Storage

One of the best spots to save space is right when you walk in your home. Adding a bench with shoe storage to your entryway is the perfect way to keep your entryway looking clean while storing your shoes. This dual-functioning piece of furniture allows you to sit down to remove your shoes before simply placing them into storage until the next time you leave the home. They also provide you a place to store other items that you don’t want to bring all the way into your home.

Console Tables

Another way to clear out space in your entryway is by investing in a console table. Console tables give you storage space immediately upon walking into your home while not taking up very much space. Depending on the size and the design of the piece, you can place everything from umbrellas and purses to large coats and other outerwear onto them.


At Bel Furniture, we are dedicated to offering you the best in home decor. Stop by one of our thirteen locations today and we will help you find space saving furniture that is both beautiful and functional. Shop with us today!