Casual Outdoor Dining or Relaxing Retreat?

With so many styles and brands to choose from, buying outdoor patio furniture can be a difficult decision for many homeowners. There are several things to consider even after you take into account the amount of available space on your patio or deck.

To help you choose and to whittle down your choices, you should first decide how you plan to use your outdoor living space. Do you see your outdoor space as a quiet retreat to relax and unwind, or do you envision an outdoor gathering area to entertain family and friends? Or perhaps a combination of the two?

A quiet getaway

To create a quiet retreat, choose couches and chairs with soft cushions that are easy to get comfortable and stay comfortable in. Since these cushions will primarily stay outside, be sure to choose durable fabrics that are easy to clean and can stand up to the elements. Outdoor cushions should hold their colors without fading in the sun and dry quickly when they get wet.

Soft outdoor armchairs, sofas and love seats, rockers, footstools, and chaise lounges are all good options to create a relaxing atmosphere. Decorative throw pillows in coordinating colors and homey accents will help to pull the look together.

Entertaining al fresco  

For entertaining and casual outdoor dining, look for tables with ample space to lay plates, glasses and serving dishes. Dining chairs should be straight-backed or at least offer firm support so guests will be comfortable eating and drinking while seated. Low coffee table seating is better for serving drinks and casual snacks compared to full-course dining.  

Traditional dining tables or tall, café-style tables and stools are both good choices and can be found in styles ranging from contemporary casual to chic and sophisticated. To help serve or stow glassware when not in use, choose an outdoor drink cart or serving tables with built in cabinets.

Many homeowners will choose to create an outdoor living space that is a combination of a quiet retreat and casual dining area. If space allows, create distinct areas for outdoor dining as well as more casual seating where your guests can relax and unwind.

Shade is important regardless of how you intend to use your space. Consider adding an umbrella if shade from backyard trees is insufficient. There are many different types of umbrellas to choose from that will fit any outdoor space and decor. For example, a cantilever style umbrella is a stand-alone umbrella that can swing into place whenever you need shade.

To keep your outdoor furniture looking its best, keep it covered when not in use or store inside away from the elements. When cleaning, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions as some outdoor furniture will require special care.

Outdoor living at its best

Whether you are looking to create a relaxing outdoor retreat or a casual dining experience for your friends and family, Hennen Furniture has the style and comfort you are looking for.

Come browse our huge collection of patio sets and accessories at our patio store. At Hennen’s, we offer all the best patio brands and outdoor living furniture including Seaside Casual, Tropitone, Homecrest, Breezesta, and Woodard. Our sales associates can help you create the outdoor living space of your dreams. Come see us at Hennen Furniture today!

6 Things You Didn’t Know About Leather Furniture

The classic look and feel of leather will never go out of style and is a great choice for any home. But many homeowners shy away from purchasing leather furniture for reasons that are simply not true.

It’s time to break through the myths and give leather furniture a good long look. Here are six things we bet you didn’t know about leather furniture.

1. Leather furniture is a great choice for families with young children or pets.

Quality leather furniture is far from delicate and will wear better and last longer than fabric covered furniture, making it an excellent choice for all types of families. Genuine leather wears like iron, growing richer and more supple over time. Look for genuine leather if you know your furniture will see a lot of hard use. 

Real leather wears so well that in many cases the leather will outlast the padding underneath. To extend the life of your leather furniture, choose pieces with removable cushion covers whenever possible, so the padding can be replaced when needed.

2. Genuine leather furniture is a smart investment.

While genuine leather furniture will cost more initially, it will last 3 to 4 times longer than fabric covered furniture. And since the look of leather never goes out of style, the leather couch or chair you buy today could easily be passed down to the next generation.

3. The price of leather furniture is based on the method used to dye the leather.

The quality and ultimately the price of leather furniture is based on the method used to dye the leather. Pigmented leather is the most economical option. The dye is applied directly to the surface of the leather along with a protective coating. While the end result looks great and is budget friendly, the leather will not have the buttery soft feeling that most people expect from quality leather furniture.

High quality leather furniture uses a process called dyed in the drum. In this process, the color permeates the entire piece of leather for a lasting finish. Sometimes an aniline coating is added as a protective sealant to prevent staining, but this can make the leather stiff. Leather left untreated is the best choice if you want your furniture to have a buttery soft texture.

4. Caring for leather furniture is easier than you think.

It is true that leather furniture requires slightly different care than fabric furniture, but it is not as difficult as you might think – no more complicated than following the care instructions for cleaning your flat screen television.

To keep your leather furniture looking its best, wipe it down regularly with a soft dry cloth to remove dust. You can use a regular vacuum to remove dust and debris from crevices just as you would any other piece of furniture. You should also apply a leather conditioner once every 6 – 12 months. This will keep the leather soft and supple and will prevent it from drying and developing cracks.

If you have a spill, clean it up with a dry cloth. You may use water for sticky spills, but use it sparingly. You should never use household cleaning products on leather furniture.

5. Leather is comfortable and cozy year round.

Leather is not cold in the winter, or hot and sticky in the summer. Genuine leather is a natural material, which means it breathes. Worried leather will not be cozy enough in the winter? Leather can actually absorb your body heat in 12 seconds, so you will be warm and cozy no matter what the temperature is outside.

6. Leather can heal itself.

Sometimes leather can develop minor surface scratches, but unlike wood these scratches can be buffed out using a microfiber cloth and a leather conditioner. Leather is a natural material, so with a little extra care these scratches will heal over time.

All the brands

Hennen Furniture offers all your favorite and high-end leather furniture brands. Whether you are looking for leather recliners or sectional couches or a new desk chair for your home or office, we are sure to have what you want in stock with many styles and colors to choose from. Visit Hennen Furniture today and take a look at leather.

Keys to a Relaxing Widow's Weekend

When your significant other is a hunter, it is common for them to spend a weekend away with their friends during hunting opener. While they are gone, make sure you make the most of your time alone by following our tips to a relaxing weekend!

Curl up on your couch

Your living room is normally a place for watching television and sometimes even your dinner table. With your counterpart gone, take some time to relax on the couch. Pick a show that you never get to watch, read a book, or take a nap. The choice is yours!

Check out our living room set ups that would be great for relaxing!

Surround yourself with calming colors

Warm colors are often associated with stimulation. Step out of your red kitchen and move into a room with cooler colors.

Blue is the color of both the sky and the ocean and has proven to be a calming hue. Green is also said to lessen depression and is both a soothing and refreshing color. It reminds people of a walk through the park or other calm activities. Click here to read more about color associations.

Photo from Flickr.com

By adding an accent pillow or throw blanket in blue or green to your living room, you can increase your relaxation!

Light a scented candle

Along with color, scent also plays a key role in relaxation. Scents like chamomile, lavender, and vanilla, are among those said to play a role in relaxation. There are many other smells that can also help you relax. Scents are now used as a remedy for sleep and stress reduction.

Photo from Flickr.com

Use these tips to make the most of your time as a hunter’s widow.  Frankly, you can’t go wrong combining your couch, relaxing colors, and some delicious scents. Visit a Hennen’s near you to see what we can do to help make your home a comfortable and relaxing one!