Dining Tables Designed for Entertaining

Every home has a designated space where people gather to share meals and discuss the events of the day. Some home floorplans keep the dining room separate, while others extend the dining room into the area off the kitchen, making a more open floor plan.

Other homes have a specific dining room that is separate from other rooms or areas in the home, but still accessible. Whichever way your dining room comes into play, its design should bring out the combined comfort-factor of food, friends, and family.

But don’t dismiss the dining table as just a place to gather for meals. Interesting options for style, shape, and design can make your dining table a piece of furniture that sets the tone for the entire space.

Classic Dining Table Shapes

Round and rectangular are classic dining table shapes that fit almost every dining room. Rectangular tables, such as this one from the Solana collection by Hooker Furniture, can accommodate a lot of guests. Warm tones and simple lines give this table timeless appeal. Two included table leaves let you extend the table, so you can have a quiet dinner with your family but also easily host a lively dinner party.

Round tables are great for smaller dining rooms and hosting small, intimate parties. Because they are usually smaller, their rounded shape allows conversation to flow easily around the group, they create an environment that is friendly, warm, and intimate. They are great for playing board games or cards since their rounded shape forms a common center area that’s easy for all players to reach.

The casual style of the Oyster Bay Calerton Round Dining Table by Lexington gives you the casual look of a seaside cottage that says “come in and relax a while.” Its vintage style blends easily with all styles of furniture, from traditional to country. The additional leaves give you the option to entertain more guests on special occasions and holidays.

A more traditional style is perfect for formal dinner parties. Rich wood finishes and carved legs are the hallmarks of traditional style. However, lest you think traditional is boring, the Kilimanjaro Expedition Table from Tommy Bahama draws its inspiration from famed explorers and adventurers. Even the name sounds exotic and alluring.

A beautiful dining table automatically commands attention in your dining room. Rectangular, round, large, or small, your dining table needs to be functional as well as attractive. The right dining table can make a dinner party at home an event equal to, or better, than any at a five-star restaurant.

When you invite people into your home to share a meal, you want to make them comfortable, but it doesn’t hurt if they are a little impressed. Whether small and intimate, or extended to its full length, the perfect dining room table will create the impression you desire.

Learn more about Baer's Furniture's A+ Better Business Bureau Rating. Follow Baer's on Twitter for more design inspiration.

9 Reasons to Choose Leather Furniture

It’s true that when you decide to furnish your home with leather furniture you are making an investment. But this is an investment that pays dividends. Leather reigns supreme for many reasons, all of which add up to comfort, style, aesthetics, and more. Perhaps this is why leather is both the most traditional and most frequently chosen material for furniture. Below are reasons why this unique material is a perennial favorite.



1. Durability: This means that you can get years of use from your investment in leather furniture. Leather retains its strength and durability for decades and its looks only get better with age.
2. Longevity: Durability’s partner. With the right care and maintenance, a quality leather sofa can last for many years.

3. Comfort: Leather adjusts to your body as you sit or lie upon it, so it is always nice and welcoming. The material doesn’t break down, so you don’t get the sagging or drooping that can lower the comfort level.

4. Maintenance: Leather is easy to clean, it can be as easy as running a damp cloth over it once a week. Dry with a soft cloth and you are done. If needed, you can vacuum your leather furniture using the soft brush attachment before you wipe it down. You should condition your leather sofa every 6-12 months with a good leather conditioner. Make sure to ask your Baer’s furniture representative any questions you have about cleaning your leather furniture.

5. Luxury: Naturally elegant, leather furniture carries an air of luxury and class more than any other material.

6. Versatile: It never goes out of style and can fit into almost any type of décor. Regardless of style or color, your leather sofa work with your design. Its look can easily be changed with accessories such as pillows and throws.

7. Kid Friendly: See durability and maintenance above. Yes, these features make it kid-and-pet friendly. Stains wipe off and it is resistant to tearing.

8. Hypoallergenic: Leather doesn’t accumulate pet dander, dust mites, and other allergens, unlike fabric.

9. Budget: Your investment in good quality leather furniture will last for years. Its color and shape lasts longer than fabrics, and wear and tear adds to its appeal.

Both traditional and contemporary leather furniture is available. If you go the traditional route, a leather couch will add elegance and luxury to your space. Add brass and gold accessories for a regal look. If contemporary is more your style, pick one of the more vibrant colors such as red or purple to get the impact that is hallmark of modern design. No matter what style you choose, each leather piece is unique in nature and will add value, beauty, and comfort to your home.

Learn more about Baer's Furniture. Follow Baer's Furniture on Instagram for more design tips.

What Mattress Style Suits You? Revolutionary Technology Can Help You Find the Perfect Memory Foam Mattresses

Getting a good night’s rest can depend on many factors: your stress level, the room’s temperature, or your mattress. To really get a good night’s sleep, you need a memory foam mattress that gives you the support you need. A mattress that is too firm can take your spine out of alignment, one that is too soft won’t give you proper support. Both of these situations can result in you waking up achy and sore. That’s why a memory foam mattress might be the perfect option for you.

How Do You Know If You Are Sleeping on the Right Mattress?

If you wake up and feel lower back pain that goes away in 15 to 30 minutes with a little stretching, you are sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t give you the right support. When you sleep on the right mattress, you feel no pressure, it’s almost as if you are floating on clouds. A memory foam mattress conforms to your body as you sleep, giving it the support it needs, right where it needs it.

Mattress Testing Technology

You could test many mattresses by lying on them to see if they are right for you. This entails lying in several positions for at least 15 minutes each. Why 15 minutes? That’s about how long it takes your body to relax. And remember, you’d have to do this on every mattress you try in every store you visit. Even if the carry the same brand, the mattress can be slightly different. 

However, there is technology to help you make your decision. The patented Kingsdown bedMATCH diagnostic system uses information about how you sleep, 18 statistical measurements, and more than 1,000 scientific calculations to help you find a mattress that will provide you with optimal support and pressure relief.

First, a Baer’s sales associate will ask you questions about how you sleep: on your back, side or stomach. They’ll also ask if you have any specific issues: neck pain, back pain, and so on. Once this information is entered into the bedMATCH diagnostic system, you lie down on the bedMATCH test bed for approximately 3 minutes. This is where the science and statistics come in.

Using these measurements and your information, bedMATCH determines how much support you need from your mattress. It then gives you color-coded recommendations with a list of every mattress available from Baer’s that is in line with your profile. You can then lie down on each hybrid or memory foam mattress on the list and choose the one you like best.

Visit the Baer’s Furniture showroom near you to try this revolutionary technology and find the mattress that will give you the perfect night’s rest you crave. Follow Baer's Furniture on Twitter for more design tips. Read about the Spirit of Life Dinner in honor of Baer's Furniture.

Baer’s Furniture Reviews: Creating the Best Customer Experience

Customers will always remember if your customer service is really great. And they’ll tell their friends, who will tell their friends, and so on, and so on… you get the picture. And today’s savvy customers expect the best when they enter a Baer’s Furniture showroom: the best brands, the best prices, and the best customer service. It’s all a part of creating the best customer experience, a key component of Baer’s Furniture’s successful business strategy.

The customer experience at Baer’s Furniture is pleasant from beginning to end, as Lorraine Bobel found out first hand. 

“… On entering Baer’s we were greeted by Taylor who was very pleasant and encouraged us to browse and was there to answer questions for us without being overbearing.” Bobel explained “… Taylor negotiated a sale price for us.” Bobel was even more impressed by the quick and efficient delivery of her furniture “… delivered in great condition plus the delivery men were fast and efficient. …” This is how you create relationships that turn into repeat business. “We were very pleased with the store's selection and especially with Taylor's professionalism and are looking forward to doing business with him and Baers Furniture in the future.”

Read Lorraine Bobel’s full review here.

Customer Experience Is More Than a Buzzword at Baer’s Furniture

Customer service has become almost another arm of a business’ marketing department. Why? Because sales associates, customer service reps, and in the case of Baer’s, in-house interior designers are the face of the company in the eyes of the consumer. Great selection and great prices will only get you so far, top-notch customer service will take you the rest of the way. At Baer’s, the job isn’t over once the sale is completed, it is just beginning.

As Trevor Persaud remarked “Very good selection of furniture with lots of custom options. … Lisa is a great sales associate before and after the transaction.”

Read Trevor Persaud’s full review here.

Everything about a company reflects on everything else. Once the furniture has been purchased and ordered, it still needs to be delivered. And at Baer’s, customer service extends to furniture delivery, as Joyce Gagnon found.

“The driver and his assistant were right on time, very courteous, careful and pleasant.”

Read more of Joyce Gagnon’s review here.

How a company handles a mishap can make all the difference, as Curtis and Barbara Powers found.

"My experience with the salesman, Darryl Lewis, was great! The delivery men were great too...But, the piece was damaged.” However, how a business handles these issues is a part of the customer experience that can be turned around. The Powers spoke with customer care and got fast and courteous results. “They are reserving me a replacement … So far, I’m impressed and will recommend Baer’s.”

Read more of Curtis and Barbara Powers’ review here.

 Baer's Furniture names Jerry Baer president and CEO and elevates additional family members in a management shift that assures customers will get the same quaility and customer service they've come to expect. Baer's Furniture has a BBB A+ rating.

How Often Should You Buy New Furniture?

You know when to replace your milk or change your oil, but how do you know when to replace the furniture in your home? It is sometimes difficult to decide when to replace that old “comfortable chair” that isn’t really all that comfortable anymore.

While they are not as obvious as the ones you find on your groceries, your accessories and furniture also have expiration dates. However, few people know what they are. Most people think that furniture pieces should last 20 years or more. Below are some tips for when to buy new furniture.

Is It Broken or Worn Out?

This seems obvious, but how many people do you know who are still living with furniture that is past its prime? If your dining room table has broken recently, it is time to replace it. You can repurpose the chairs if you like them. Or vice versa, if you find that you have broken chairs over the years, you can keep your table and either replace all the chairs, or just a few of them with new chairs that go with your style.

For living room chairs and sofas, consider whether or not the cushions are flattening. Are you sinking into it? Is the upholstery worn? All these are reasons to consider replacing these items. On average, you should expect to replace your sofa every 7-15 years, depending on wear and tear.

It’s time to replace your mattress if you are waking up tired, achy, and sore; if it has lumps, bumps, or is sagging; if you are sleeping on the couch because it is more comfortable; and if you don’t remember the last time you bought a new mattress. Mattresses have a lifespan of about 7 years. A new mattress not only improves how you sleep at night, it improves your quality of life.

Are You Redecorating a Room?

Are you changing your guest room into a home office, or vice versa? This is a clear-cut case of needing something new. You may have some pieces already in mind for the spare room, but chances are you don’t have a spare bed or desk with an office chair hanging around. Take into consideration what you already have, and choose new furniture that goes with the style. If your guest room and office are doing double duty, be sure to choose simple furniture that doesn’t crowd the space.

Quality furniture can last a long time, but you can still refresh your décor by changing out accessories such as pillows, rugs, and tablescapes. Or add a small accent table. If you have a large art collection, you can move the pieces to different places in your home. A Baer's Furniture design professional can help you make minor changes that will have a big impact on your home's decor.

Everything has a lifespan and furniture is not exempt from this. Usage, children, and pets can take a toll on the pieces you use every day. There comes a time when it is best to let it go… and go shopping.

Find something special for your home at a Baer's Furniture near you. Learn more about Baer's Furniture and their A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

What's Your Bar Stool Style?

What was once a simple wooden stool has evolved into a versatile seating option that adds character, texture, and color to your bar or kitchen design. Choosing one that fits your style and space can be more of a challenge than you would expect, after all, it’s just a stool, right? When you first start out to find the perfect bar stool you may realize that there really are so many things to consider: material, height, back or backless, upholstered or not, swivel or stationary … the list goes on. Choosing one that perfectly fits your design and space can be difficult, so below are some tips for determining your bar stool style.

Find Your Height

The very last thing you want is to have a stool that causes you to cram your legs up under the table. It’s just uncomfortable. The most common sizes available are counter height, bar height, table height, and extra tall. Choosing the right height will determine whether or not you and your guests will have enough legroom to sit comfortably. The goal is to have anywhere from 9 to 13 inches between the top of the stool’s seat and the bottom of the counter top.

Choose Your Style

Take a look around your bar or kitchen and determine if you want your new bar stools to blend in or stand out with the décor – color, style, or materials – already used in the space. Also, think about function. If the bar stools will be placed next to a kitchen island or in a narrow hallway, backless is a good choice. This gives you the option to tuck them out of the way. If you bar stools are the focal point of your eating space or kitchen, choose easy to clean surfaces such as wood, metal, leather, or even microfiber. The Kingstown Dunkirk Swivel bar stool is a laid-back, stylish bar stool with a cane back and arm panels to provide comfort.

In addition to considering where you use them, you should think about how you will use them. This will help inform your decision. If they will mostly be used in the kitchen, select stain-resistant upholstery or wood. The Oyster Bay Merrick Swivel Bar Stool by Lexington Furniture features a high back and swivel seat that gives you mobility and comfort. It is perfect for a high table, counter, or bar.

Below are some styles to consider:

• Sophisticated coastal – refined yet casual living that references the coast
• European Grandeur – Understated elegance and sophistication featuring modern interpretation
• California Mediterranean – a fresh look at the laid-back lifestyle
• Hollywood Regency – chic and glamorous updated classic

It’s perfectly fine to mix and match styles. Metal stools will add interest to a bar or kitchen that is predominantly wood. And a wooden bar stool can add a hint of nature to a modern, high gloss kitchen or bar. 

Read about the Spirit of Life Award dinner in honor of Baer's Furniture and their ongoing commitment to the community. Follow Baer's Furniture on Twitter for the latest news and design inspiration.

The Evolution of Tommy Bahama Home Furniture

Tommy Bahama Home furniture is known for its sophisticated interpretation of inspired island living. And for many, its design sensibility is the epitome of Florida style. The brand makes experiencing the casual comfort of island living as easy as entering your own home. It evokes a sense of intrigue and romance by fusing eclectic design elements, exotic natural materials, and rich finishes.

Tommy Bahama is quite likely the only brand whose name instantly evokes a place and lifestyle. They may also be the only brand whose mission is simply to inspire the world to relax. The furniture line is well represented at Baer’s Furniture, who with 16 locations is unequivocally the Florida Headquarters for Tommy Bahama Home as well as being the world’s largest dealer of this furniture.

Tommy Bahama’s Florida Focus

There are many ways that Tommy Bahama Home furnishings pair well with the Sunshine state. It is a brand with design sensibilities as varied as the state itself. Within Florida, you have the distinct design styles of South Beach, the Gulf Coast, and North Coast – each with their own individual vibe that shares an overarching theme: a lifestyle that is a little more casual, a little more relaxed, and a little more laid back. And Tommy Bahama Home has different collections that accommodate all these things.

Tropical Highlights

Demographics have played a large role in the evolution of Florida’s design style. The days of pink flamingos and aqua hues are long gone. Florida’s modern design, as expressed in Tommy Bahama’s style, evokes a classic tropical beauty that is completely fresh and modern.

Of course, this type of evolution doesn’t happen overnight. It used to be that you would cover an entire sofa in coral, while now that color is used more mindfully as a nod to its origins in Florida design, but without overwhelming. You’ll find it in piping, throw pillows, or area rugs. Mindfully applied, the bright, Florida colors work well with the British Colonial and Pan-Asian influences found in Tommy Bahama’s designs.

The Ocean Club and Island Fusion lines feature simple but sleek Asian influences that are both timeless and ultra-modern. The hardwood finishes evoke Polynesian tropical forests, but the clean lines and shapes feel fresh and new. Many people opt to furnish their entire home in Tommy Bahama. Their versatile designs make this possible.

Constantly-Evolving Design

The designs change and evolve as often as Florida itself. Tropical design may seem to go in and out of style, but it never goes away completely. Instead, it is reimagined to remain timeless and relevant. Good design is good design and transcends the trends.

To find the widest selection of Tommy Bahama Home designs, from the many furniture collections to tropical inspired accessories, visit the Baer’s Furniture showroom near you. 

Baer's Furniture announces leadership changes that bring fourth generation family members into the executive ranks. Read more about how the family furniture business has flourished over four generations.