What to Look for in a Leather Reclining Sofa

There’s nothing like kicking back and relaxing in a comfortable sofa at the end of the day. But finding the perfect recliner isn’t always relaxing. If you’re looking for a recliner that is "just right," as Goldilocks would say, then read on. Here are some tips on what to look for in a leather reclining sofa.

What to Consider When Shopping for a Leather Reclining Sofa

The first thing to think about when shopping for a leather reclining sofa is:

• Who will be using it
• Your floor space
• Your personal taste 

Give It the Sit Test

Since a reclining leather sofa is destined to become the focal point of your family room, you’ll want to take time to compare your favorite models by lounging in them as you would as if you were at home. Try it out for five minutes or more, this will give your body a chance to relax and sit more naturally.

When looking for leather, beware of vinyl chairs. Sure, new, improved vinyl materials may look and feel like leather, and cost less, but they are not leather. Vinyl is less pliable and can crack. Check the label on the recliner and buy from a reputable furniture store to be sure you are getting real leather.

For example, the Astuzia Five Piece Reclining Sectional Sofa from Natuzzi Editions upholstered in top grain leather is the perfect centerpiece for your family room. The three boxed-edge cushions provide comfortable seating while padded headrests on the back add contemporary style, and the power reclining mechanism allows you to relax at any position you desire.

Choose the Size and Placement of Your Leather Reclining Sofa

Reclining sofas tend to be large, bulky, and a challenge to maneuver. Be sure to measure the doorway of your home and of the room where you want to put the sofa before you set out on your shopping trip. This will save the frustration of falling in love with the perfect reclining sofa, only to find out that you can’t get it inside your home. Follow the old adage and measure twice, just to be sure.

Allow at least 4 inches between the wall and the recliner, unless you’ve chosen a wall-hugger or zero-clearance model. As the name suggests, a wall-hugger model doesn’t need an empty space behind it. An oversized recliner may need more than the average 4-inch clearance, so keep this in mind when shopping for your leather reclining sofa. Also, remember to leave enough space in front of your sofa so that the footrest can pop out without bumping into the coffee table.

This recliner buying guide gives you an understanding of the different types of recliners and the features you have to choose from. It also gives you additional guidance on how to shop for this vital piece of family room furniture. Keep in mind that your comfort is paramount. Once you have your leather reclining sofa in your family room, you should be able to relax and sink into your new recliner, never wanting to leave it.

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8 Interior Design Tips to Create the Perfect Space

Tackling interior design for your home can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. While there may be no set “rules” when it comes to defining your style, everyone can use a few tips when putting a room together. Following these tips will help you do anything you want with your space.

Plan a Space That Suits Your Life

The interior design process begins with space planning. This means blocking out interior areas, taking note of traffic patterns, and planning furniture placement with those elements in mind. Before you even decide what furniture to put into a room, evaluate a room’s functional deficiencies and how they can be overcome to meet the needs of you and your family.

For example, your living room may boast huge windows that let in plenty of light, which is all to the good. This may, however, limit your wall space and TV placement. Choosing the right media console and furniture placement will help solve this problem. In a room with limited space, the Bali Hai Pelican Cay Media Console by Tommy Bahama Home gives you a multi-functional piece of furniture that houses all your media components. This lets you place your media in a central location in the room and gives you plenty of space for seating.

When planning your space, ask yourself what do you need in your space? How does it make your day easier? Sometimes it means Marie Kondo-ing your space, and sometimes it means adding a few perfectly chosen pieces.

Create Your Vision

I say create your vision because it is your home, so it should reflect you. Your space plan should support your aesthetic and allow it to be functional. Taking a global approach will help you create a cohesive design. Rather than just choosing a piece of furniture or a paint color, think about the story of your entire space. Pick a color or style to bring the look together, and then add pieces that give it life and texture.

Choose Materials That Stand the Test of Time

Big pieces, such as your sofa or dining room table, need to stand the test of time. Choose well-made furniture with solid wood construction. Good quality furniture has a feeling that’s different from poorly made furniture. Whether you go for something traditional, or something more eclectic like the Artistica Trunk Segment Round Dining Table With Glass Top, make sure the construction is solid and the materials are quality.

Choose Contrasting Elements for Dramatic Flare

Combining different shapes, patterns, materials, and textures can enhance their intrinsic properties. This may seem counterintuitive. If you find yourself gravitating towards similar patterns and colors, that’s okay. It’s what’s you like, but if you are not careful, they may end up having the same visual value.

Creating an interesting space is all about contrast, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose something you don’t like. Juxtaposition allows you to appreciate the differences in color, shape, and materials. For example, if you like geometric patterns, you can’t use all squares. Try a circle to make the squares stand out more.

If you like a bold pattern, make sure the other elements in the room are quieter. This will make your stronger pattern stand out. Too many bold patterns can make a room too busy.

Choose Details to Layer Mindfully

Now let’s talk about the supporting players in design. It’s so easy to fall in love with so many products, but they can’t all fit in your home or your design. These details support and amplify your design, so be mindful of what you choose. When choosing accessories consider: do they meet your goals for the space? If not, they may not be the right ones.

Show Your Personality with Unique Items

It’s your home, so it should be personalized to you and your family. If you have heirloom furniture, travel mementos, and family photos, be sure to include them in your design. This gives the space originality, authenticity, and uniqueness. Whether it’s your grandmother’s Tiffany lamp or a vintage find, go ahead and keep them in your plan. Even if you are going simple and modern, incorporating something unusual and quirky will make the room more interesting.

Keep It Focused and Balanced

Every space has a focal point, but don’t let this distract you from creating a balanced design. In fact, if you work on balance, you may not have to deliberately make a focal point. Start with the room’s architectural features such as doors, windows, and archways, and add pieces until the room feels balanced.

Edit, Edit, and Edit Again

As with any work of art, review and edit until you get it just right. Add and take away until you get the effect you want. Give the space some breathing room by incorporating negative space into the entire design. Don’t be afraid to get rid of things.

Whether you do it yourself or hire an interior designer, keep these tips in mind. An interior designer can help determine which elements are weakening each other. They often know when to take away or add to get the aesthetic you want.

Learn more about Baer's Furniture. Find more design inspiration and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz.

Does Leather Living Room Furniture Ever Go out of Style?

Whether your home is contemporary, modern, or traditional, leather furniture adds homey, timeless, and understated luxury to your interior décor. Perhaps this is why leather living room furniture never goes out of style. From buttery caramel to rich Bordeaux, leather living room furniture comes in cozy colors that add depth and beauty to any space.

Warm Up a Room with Brown Leather Furniture

Soft, buttery caramel brown leather instantly warms up a space. The walls are a soft shade of cream, and the Natuzzi Editions tan sofas are incredibly inviting. You can add pops of color, such as yellow or coral, or keep it neutral with gray pillows and green throw. The contemporary style hugs you with comfort while the sleek lines and exposed block legs add depth and sophistication.

Leather furniture is traditionally dark, so adding light neutrals such as cream, grays, or greens with pillows, throw blankets, and paint on the walls helps bounce light around the room and add contrast. Natural elements, like fresh flowers, live plants, and botanical prints complement the leather's smooth grain.

Leather Furniture for a Transitional Living Room

If you have a transitional style living room, you may think that leather furniture isn’t for you. A mix of natural textures, including the Candace Chair by Bernhardt, liven up this living room. The cream-colored rug and glass and metal coffee table enhance the space’s elegant appeal. The sleek contemporary lines combined with traditional elements create a charming transitional feel in the space.

Designed to be as comfortable as they are attractive, transitional leather furniture coordinates well with micro-fiber upholstered furniture as well as traditional wood furniture. If you wish to give your space a more contemporary feel, accessorize it with abstract or geometric patterns. Plenty of throw pillows and houseplants keep the look relaxed and cozy.

Choose a Leather Accent Piece

If you’re not ready to commit to purchasing a leather sofa for fear it will dominate your space, start with an accent piece such as an accent chair, ottoman, or bench. These pieces will not only introduce you to the benefits of leather furniture, but will also give your space a carefully curated feel when mixed with pieces upholstered with fabric.

For example, the Elton Desk Chair from Monarch Fine Furniture by Century adds eclectic flair to any space. It adds a contemporary vibe to a room that features traditional design elements. The frame is crafted from beech solids and features walnut veneers. The padded seat and back are upholstered in light brown leather. Antique brass finished metal arms wrap around the back, bringing lightness along with a unique style to the space.

Leather is no longer a neutral hide, and many homeowners choose leather furniture dyed in shades from green to blue to yellow or red. If you prefer your leather furniture on the colorful side, treat it as a neutral. You can add accessories to either highlight or minimize the color. The colors you use around your leather furniture will depend on the theme or style you want the room to reflect, as well as the color of your sofa.

When you see all the different ways leather living room furniture can make a room comfortable, cozy, and stylish, it’s easy to understand why leather furniture will most definitely never go out of style.

Learn more about Baer's Furniture. Get furniture shopping tips from Baer's Furniture exec.

Baer's Furniture Reviews: Find Quality Furniture, Customer Service, and More

I recently ran across an article filled with tips on buying furniture. While there were several great tips (look for sales), the one I found most useful was the caveat to go for quality. That means shopping at a furniture store known for offering the best prices on name brand furniture. Never mind that your brother’s girlfriend found the perfect sofa and recovered it herself.

When looking for the best furniture store in your area, check out the online reviews before you step a foot outside your house. These will save you time and effort by letting you know which stores you should visit and which ones you should avoid like the plague.

Check out the reviews below to see what I mean.

When Quality and Price Align

“Baer's gets it! They match my eclectic aesthetic perfectly! … always of high quality and priced right. … The staff is all great!”
-Tania Murray
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“The whole experience was great. … The delivery was on time and also done very professionally. We couldn’t ask for a better furniture shopping experience.
-Murl Casey
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“We went to buy a pair of lamps. Found them and a bedroom set to use them with. Selection is good with some things that are just drop dead georgeous. … Salesman was helpful and took his time working with us. …”
-Stan Luber
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“… I’ve purchased from Baer’s Furniture a few times now and regret the other few times I tried saving at the discount stores, especially on everyday heavily used items. I’m a fan of Baer’s and will be back to see Stacey in sales. She is so helpful, especially coordinating items and keeping budget in mind.”
-Brian Verble
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When Customer Service Goes the Extra Mile

“The customer service was excellent!! … I’m a satisfied customer...”
-David Devore
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“Our salesman Rick Story was one of the best salesmen that I have ever encountered. He gave my wife and I very valuable decorating advise in helping us buy the right furniture for our space. …”
-Alan Wein
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“… Our consultant Javier Pardo was courteous, professional, and very informative. He was instrumental in making our dream come true. The next time we are looking for furniture, Baer's will be the first place we look.”
-Mike Boykin
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“Love our new furniture. It's even more beautiful than I remembered in the store. … An overall great experience starting with our salesman, Frank Waller …”
-Kathy Krichilsky
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Prompt, Professional Delivery Seals the Deal

“… This is our 3rd delivery from Baer’s and I would not buy furniture anywhere else. Great company and great associates.”
-Paula Bedy
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“Spectacular service! Team Leader Norman and his crew exceeded our delivery expectations. Great delivery time notifications, on time!, and very friendly. All delivery company’s should learn from this team. Thank you for completing a great furniture buying experience. We will be back!”
-Andy Keck
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“Communication for delivery was the best I’ve seen in all the years of having things delivered. … They were fantastic. … Will recommend Baer’s to everyone I can.”
-Thomasina Odette
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Once you’ve done your research, grab your measurements and inspiration board and get out there. There’s a whole world of furniture shopping waiting for you.

Read Baer's Furniture reviews to learn more. Baer's Furniture exec gives you furniture shopping tips.

​Spring Clean Your Interior Décor

​While the Florida weather is more often summer-like than spring-like, we still think of spring as a season of new beginnings. The term “spring cleaning” still has merit, as we have left the holidays behind and begin to think about reorganizing and decluttering our homes. Spring is a great time to give your indoor space a makeover. Here are 7 ways you can spring clean your interior décor.

Get an Upholstered Headboard

You don’t have to repaint or wallpaper your bedroom to refresh its style. Upgrade the centerpiece of your space – the bed – by adding a new headboard. Choose something classically elegant, like the Ariana St. Tropez Upholstered Panel Headboard by Lexington. It’s straightforward and sophisticated style gives your bedroom the uplift it needs.

Splurge on Bedding

While you’re upgrading your headboard, why not splurge on new bedding? The bed is essentially the centerpiece of your bedroom, so make sure it looks the part. It’s the first and last thing you see every day, so make sure it’s a spot that inspires you.

Add a Statement Furniture Piece

Liven up your living room with a new piece of furniture. Add a little texture to the space with the Century Elegance Hyacinth Swivel Chair. The rounded arms are in line with this season's trend for rounded furniture elements, and it’s a chic way to bring this curvy trend into your home.

Throw Down an Area Rug

Even though Florida has virtually no winter compared to more northern climates, we still have a growing season. And as the bougainvillea put forth their colorful blooms, you can add color to your space with a new area rug.

Reorganize Your Bookshelves

When was the last time you checked out your bookshelves? Are they gathering clutter along with dust? Have they become home to all those random tidbits and knick-knacks? When your bookshelves become overcrowded, they create a ton of visual noise. And, they no longer fulfill their function of keeping things neat and organized.

Change Your Curtains

They do it all the time in the Oval Office, so why shouldn’t you try it in your home? Changing your curtains can make a big difference in your space. The texture, style, and color you use can create a completely different mood.

Revamp Your Coffee Table

Bring some glam into your living room with a new coffee table, such as the Orleans Rectangular Cocktail Table by Bernhardt. Then overhaul your coffee table books. A table this pretty wants to be shown off, not covered up. You don’t have to get rid of all of them, just minimize the collection. Use a few to create height and display a collection of vase or ginger jars. Bring in extra color with some fresh flowers, it is spring, after all.

When you are done with your spring revamp, reward yourself by relaxing in your new space and enjoying its fresh, new vibe.

Get more design inspiration and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz. Learn more about Baer's Furniture.

Are Leather Sectional Sofas Out of Style?

The living room is probably one of the most important rooms in a home. This is the place where you gather for cocktails when entertaining, or put your feet up while drinking coffee on a lazy Sunday morning as it slips into afternoon.

It’s essential to have seating that does it all – effortlessly allowing for extra guests and offering cozy comfort to family members. A sofa with a few chairs is a classic choice, both stylish and symmetrical, but sometimes you need a little bit more.

Every once in a while you hear that leather sectional sofas are out of style. I am not here for that. A leather sectional is the perfect place for lounging, watching TV, reading the paper, and did I say lounging? Although past choices in sectional sofas have ranged from dowdy to downright unwieldy, today’s versions are much more chic and sophisticated, ranging from sleek and streamlined to versions upholstered in leather.

Leather Sectionals Are Space-Saving Sanctuaries

A casual alternative to a sofa, a leather sectional instantly creates a laid-back vibe. It gives you plenty of seating, depending on its size, you can seat many more people than you could with a conventional sofa. A leather sectional sofa such as the Grandview Four Piece Traditional Sectional by Bernhardt gives you the ultimate in comfort and support as you settle in and watch the big game or a favorite movie.

Arranging furniture in an open floor plan can be tricky. The solution? A leather sectional sofa. Placed correctly, it can break up an open floor plan. It’s structural shape and broad size helps create distinct “rooms” in the larger space. The shape perfectly fits into a long multipurpose space, delineating the living room, dining room, and kitchen.

And if you’re thinking, I can’t have a leather sectional, I don’t have enough space, think again. Its symmetry lets you tuck it into a corner, making it a great option for a room where wall space is scarce. It provides both form and function to small living rooms. These days, a leather sectional can go anywhere. It can help maximize seating options in smaller spaces.

How to Style Your Leather Sectional Sofa

Styling a leather sectional isn’t very different than styling a regular sofa, but there are some nuances. These tips below will help you style your leather sectional to perfection.

Mind Your Rug Size

When pairing a rug with a large piece of furniture, bigger is usually better. Look for a rug that extends beyond the boundaries of the sectional. This will make the space seem bigger. If you have a smaller rug that you’d like to use in the room, layer it on top of a large rug made of sisal, jute, or some other natural fiber.

Pick Your Coffee Table Wisely

If your rug extends beyond the sectional, your coffee table shouldn’t be so big that it extends beyond the rug. However, you should make sure the coffee table is big enough so that everyone who is sitting on the sofa can easily reach it.

Choose Your Throw Pillow Formation

Some say to place decorative throw pillows at the right, left, and center of your leather sectional. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that. I like to throw caution to the wind and pack the thing with pillows. Whichever route you take, be sure your pillows are large enough to handle the sofa’s extra bulk.

Add a Console Table, or Not

If your leather sectional is free-floating, think about placing a console table behind it for a decorative flourish. It will also help visually anchor the leather sectional to its place.

Keep in mind that leather sectional sofas can be more versatile than they seem at first glance. They work as well in large spaces as they do in smaller ones. Far from being out of style, choosing a leather sectional sofa can make a glorious statement in your home.

Find more design ideas and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz. Get shopping tips from a Baer's Furniture executive.

Create Romance with Your Bedroom Décor for Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is the day we celebrate romantic love. Over the years this day has come to be celebrated across the globe. Those of you who are cynical might blame great marketing and advertising, but the rest of us understand the allure of a day that celebrates love. For those who believe in love, or want to even just for the day, here are some tips on how to create a romantic bedroom on Valentine’s Day.