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Furnish Your Home Office: Making a Meeting Space for Clients

Home office spaces are on the rise across the country. While some entrepreneurs decide on having a workspace out of the home, others see a home office as a way to save on costs while still being available to do things for the family throughout the day. Typical home office furnishings usually include an office desk and chair so you can sit in front of the computer and take phone calls. There may also be a wall unit or bookcase to hold folders, books, and binders used in your business operations.

Yet what about having furniture for clients? You may operate a business where clients occasionally meet to discuss projects. You may also want a meeting place for business partners to discuss certain promotional events or product lines. Consider pub tables and stools as a convenient way to add seating in a home office.

Pub Tables as Work Surfaces

When you are considering furniture pieces to add more surface space to fill out documents and go over brochures, a regular table may not be appropriate for a home office that doesn’t have its own designated space. A regular table in a home office that is part of a living room, dining room or kitchen can eat up space and limit walking room by changing the floor plan.

Instead, consider a pub table as a great work surface. A pub table has a higher profile and usually comes in a more rounded shape. It offers enough room for two people to work without being too large, unlike a regular table where a person has to lean over to reach across the table to pass books, documents, and files. In addition, when the pub table isn’t in use, it can act as a simple bookcase to hold binders, potted plants, magazines, or knickknacks. The table is also small enough to be tucked into a corner and out of the way when not in use.

Stools to Provide Extra Seating

When providing seating for clients and partners, sofas aren’t always the best choice in a home office environment. Some clients have problems getting off of deep-seated sofas as they have to sit on the edge of the cushion to sign paperwork at low coffee tables or get up to go over documents at higher desks. If you are placing a pub table into the home office space, consider completing the look with stools that are the right size for the table.

The pub stools are designed with a higher seat so a person simply steps up into it. You could go with a backless stool, a stool with a back for added comfort, or even one that swivels if you plan to turn in the seat to gain access to books or papers on nearby shelves. A stool can also make it easier for people to slip out of the seat versus trying to get up off a deep couch. The stools can also be used in other areas of the house when the home office is not in use, such as at kitchen islands or wet bars.

Pick the right furnishings that work well with the size and floor plan of your home office. Pub tables and stools won’t take up much space in a home office while they can also be used in other areas of the home. Check out our selection of pub tables, stools, and tables on our website, we are confident you will find something to work in your home office.

Smaller Homes Mean Smaller Furniture

It is easy to become distracted by all the buzz around the tiny home craze, but when considering a small dwelling, you must think realistically about the furniture you would put in your petite home. It is often helpful to create a theme for your home based around one or two pieces of furniture and applying that theme to a tiny home can be challenging depending on what style you want. The following are a few ideas to get you started on creating the best tiny home space for you.

Down-Sized Furniture

Cluttered homes are a thing of the past. Downsizing your belongings helps you optimize smaller spaces and figure out what you can and can’t live without. Smaller sofas, tables, and dinettes are getting their time in the limelight as these beautiful furniture pieces still offer style to the home without feeling stuffed into the space.

Expandable 

Expandable pub tables are the absolute perfect solution for a flexible space. They are a fantastic option for a home that requires more seating for dining times but generally wishes to take up less space. Expand the table for non-dining times to create that compact space you enjoy and simply pull out the table for the extra seating space at dinner time.

Couples

Pub tables can be the perfect solution for a couple’s home which does not require a large dining space but rather desires a unique and intimate area. Like the classic bar setting, a cozy couples bar table creates that romantic, out-on-the-town atmosphere. This fun option brings date night right into the comfort of the home.

Vintage Styles Are Still the Rage

Placing vintage furniture throughout the home continues to be a popular trend with green benefits. People are recycling old pieces of furniture and giving them a new life and a new home. A lot of vintage or made-to-look vintage, furniture, is smaller by design, so it makes it easier to incorporate the pieces into your smaller home. Check out our vintage styles online and start creating your theme today!

Picking the Best Furniture for Your Patio Entertaining

Patios and backyards are meant to be enjoyed during the summer months. They make great entertainment areas for guests and outdoor eating places for the family. Whether it’s you’re your routine dinner time or you are having your neighbors over for a quick BBQ, the atmosphere is everything and making the area a comfortable place to eat is important. Finding the right furniture can be tricky but at California Stools, Bars and Dinettes, we’ve got you covered for just the right fit!

Typically, when we think of patio furniture, we imagine loungers, sofas and low chairs sitting in the main space or a simple round metal table with an umbrella set near the barbecue pit. But this outdoor furniture does have its drawbacks because some people don’t enjoy sitting so low or laid back on their loungers, low chairs or sofas. The round patio tables with the center umbrella get a bit boring because everyone has one, and the furniture isn’t suitable for patios that have a roof cover.

Make your patio one-of-a-kind as well as comfortable with pub tables and bar stools. Perfect for the outdoor bar area, this patio furniture sets you up higher, letting you be at the same height as people standing on the patio so you can have better conversations without constantly looking up at their faces. Pub tables come in all shapes and sizes from small round tables to larger extendable square tables to provide the right amount of seating for you and your guests.

Get cozy and comfy with round or square bar tables providing seating for two when you have a limited amount of space on your patio for seating. Having a backyard barbecue or garden party with lots of guests? Then extend the pub table to add 4 more additional eating places. Expandable pub tables are ideal when you want a short table, so you can do other activities on the patio as you can later enlarge it to accommodate all your guests. In addition to regular and expandable pub tables, you can select counter height pub tables and bar stools when cooking at the outdoor kitchen or bar height pub tables for the outdoor bar.

Don’t forget to select the bar stools that go perfectly with the pub table of your choice. From modern to traditional styles and designs, pub tables and bar stools can fit in perfectly with the exterior theme of your home. When you are looking for new patio furniture, skip the regular garden and retail stores. Instead, come to California Stools, Bars and Dinettes to get the pub table and bar stools that will help you enjoy your patio and backyard throughout the summer.

 

Ideas for Updating Your Entertainment or Living Room

Is it time for your living room or entertainment room to get a few updates before summertime? Consider a few budget-friendly fixes that can be done in an afternoon, to get the look you desire without feeling like you need to completely remodel the space. There are several quick fixes and there are some more involved changes that will take some time, but either way, it can be fun and inexpensive.

A new coat of paint is an inexpensive option and can change the feel of the room instantly. Even if you only paint one wall, adding a bit of color can be fresh and inviting and may give the impression the room is larger. Whites and neutrals will blend and allow your accessories and décor to stand out. Consider white walls and some bright colored pillows to evoke a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.

Upcycled or reclaimed pieces of furniture can save you a lot of money and simultaneously add some character to the space. Be sure to consider function before getting rid of any current furniture, the last thing you want is to replace your couch with an uncomfortable trendy one only to have your family protest because they miss the durable soft couch they had grown to love. Sometimes just adding some new throw pillows can brighten your couch and revive the space. Movie watching is better when you have a couch and chairs you can snuggle into and relax from the daily grind, so trade in that uncomfortable seating and find something that suits your lifestyle.

Another uncomplicated way to liven up your area is to simplify the clutter and remove pieces of furniture that go untouched or just exist to fill the room. Remove books that haven’t been opened in years and tchotchkes that are only touched when you dust. Clearing out the clutter opens the room up and removes distractions, then your guests can focus on that beautiful piece of art you are so proud of, or the new couch you want to showcase.

Perhaps that ugly bookshelf in the corner would pop if you painted it white, or the coffee table you’ve been meaning to sand and stain has become an eyesore. Old furniture can be reborn with a quick coat of paint or if you have the time and resources, a good sand and stain. No need to rush out and buy new, reinvent what you already have, and you’ll be surprised with the results!

 

Kitchen Furniture for Small Spaces

The search for furniture to outfit your small kitchen can be challenging. When considering the task, it’s good to remember that space is as important as design. There are many creative solutions for small spaces and the kitchen is no exception. Often the kitchen is considered the heart of the home; it’s where people gather to eat, visit and celebrate, so comfort and function are crucial factors to consider when shopping for your furniture. The options are endless, but a few simple pieces can get your space set-up for eat-in cooking and dining.

Limited space for seating is typically an issue in smaller kitchens, which is why considering a banquette might be one way to offer seats for diners. Banquettes can be positioned in a corner of the room which would allow the table to be pushed up against that corner, it will then open the room up for additional furniture if necessary. The bench seating can include storage under the seats if your cupboard space is limited.

Folding and moveable tables and chairs are great alternatives if there just isn’t enough room to have permanent furniture. They can also provide dining space for extra guests that you don’t normally entertain day to day. Putting tables and chairs on casters makes moving them in and out of the kitchen easy and hassle-free.

Bar stools and footrest stools can be added for higher table tops and bench style seating. They don’t take up a lot of space and can usually be stored under the countertop or table.

Sometimes small kitchens don’t allow room for much in the way of kitchen furniture, in which case a simple bar made from a slab of wood or metal would be perfect on a wall. It wouldn’t take up much room, could run flush with a wall and still give diners a place to enjoy a meal.

There is an assortment of alternatives to the traditional kitchen furniture available on the market, and once you measure the space and consider the functions of what goes on in your kitchen, it’s fun to add your own creative solutions that mirror your personal taste.

 

3 Simple Spring Home Party Ideas to Entertain Your Guests

As the warm weather rolls in, your backyard will begin to show off its beauty with lovely flowers, full bushes and trees regaining their leaves. It is the perfect time to show off your yard by hosting a spring home party. It allows you to get out of the house, re-acquaint yourself with old and new neighbors, and have an entertaining time. Use these 3 simple and easy spring home party ideas to please your guests.

Giant Jenga Game

When it comes to outdoor fun, playing a board game that has been supersized can get your guests laughing all through the day. Consider creating a Giant Jenga game using large blocks of wood painted in fun colors. Then set the boards up on a flat surface and watch your guests stand in line to play.

Dance Instruction Party

Whether you are outside in the sun, or inside if a spring shower crops up that forces everyone inside, you can entertain your guests with a dance teaching party. Choose a dance that will get the bodies moving, such as salsa or the Macarena. You can hire a dance instructor to teach an hour group lesson.

Garden Masquerade Ball

This is fun entertainment when you are hosting an evening or night party. Invite your guests to dress up. You can even make it into a game where people have to guess who is behind the mask. You can offer a prize to the person who has the right number of guesses.

Always consider bringing the natural elements of your landscape into your spring home party. From fresh-cut flowers as people can make their own centerpieces and decorations to pool parties and the warm days, there are countless ways to invite family and friends over to your home this spring so they can have an entertaining time.

Tips on Renovating Your Kitchen to Make It Feel More Open

When it comes to kitchen renovations, many homeowners like an open concept to the room design. You want to bring in more light into the space or to be able to see into the living room and the dining room. You may also want to have a way to speak and entertain guests while cooking meals. Check out the following tips about renovating the kitchen to make it feel more open. 

Place in a Large Wall Opening 

You may decide to have a larger door opening leading from the kitchen. If the wall doesn’t have a door and it isn’t a load-bearing wall, you can cut out a large opening, much like an interior window without the glass, so you can see through it as you place a small counter piece into the opening. You can also do a large interior opening next to the door with a small half counter. 

Have See-Through Cabinets 

If you have upper cabinets above an island or counter space that are blocking the view into another room, consider placing in see-through cabinets. You still retain the cabinet space you need for dishes and other kitchen items, yet the front side and back side of the cabinet has glass doors. A see-through cabinet can also allow for more light to enter the kitchen. 

Improve Room Flow 

A reason that the kitchen area may feel small is that there are too many things taking up the available space. You can make it feel more open by adding shelving to hold pots, pans, small appliances and spices to free up counter space. You can purchase a smaller kitchen table if the existing one is too big for the room. You may also decide to place the refrigerator into a wall inset to have more floor space. 

Evaluate the kitchen to determine places where you can renovate it to create a more open room. Make it functional and beautiful for your meal-cooking needs. 

Making Your Kitchen Furniture Match Your Design Theme

After winter, many people begin planning spring and summer home renovations. The kitchen is normally a room on the remodel to-do list, as you may be upgrading the appliances, placing in new flooring and counters, or making the room bigger. Once you have all the renovations completed, it’s time to decorate the space so it matches your design theme. Yet you may be wondering how to match your kitchen furniture into the theme as well. 

Match by Color 

Perhaps the easiest way for your furniture to match your design theme is by color. Look at the main colors and accent colors in the kitchen space. Then select furniture that has the same colors either on the cushions or in the materials. 

Match by Home Style 

Your home style can play a huge factor in helping to select the right kitchen furniture. If you have a nautical design theme, you may select kitchen furniture with a distressed appearance to make it look like it was weathered by the sea. If you have an industrial design with exposed brick, steel girders or wood rafters, you may select kitchen furniture — such as glass tables and metal chairs to go with the steel girder theme — that match this design. 

You may decide to simple match your furniture to the materials in the kitchen space. So if you have walnut cabinets and counters, you can go with the same walnut shade with your furniture. You may also match your kitchen furniture materials with your appliances. If you have steel appliances, you can select steel furniture that matches the same color. 

There are many ways to match your kitchen furniture to your design theme. Select the best way based on how the kitchen is designed, the materials that are used, and the colors that are throughout the space. 

Picking the Right Stools for Your Dining Table

Having enough stools to please everyone that is sitting at your dining table is a must, especially if you plan to host a lot of dinner parties for coworkers and friends. Yet having stools that are too tall can cause people to feel uncomfortable. Their legs can become wedged in the tight space and scrape against the bottom of the table surface. Also, it can be hard to move the stool back from the table when standing up if there isn’t enough space as the stool could be too wide. 

Sizing the Stools for Dining Tables 

Dining tables come at a range of heights, from 28 inches to 31 inches. Most people are comfortable when there is about 9 inches to 12 inches of space between their legs and the table top. This measurement can vary depending on the size of the person sitting at the table, as children may need a higher stool. In addition, the thickness of the tabletop and the table curtain can also impact the size of the stool. 

Dining stool heights can average from 17 inches to 20 inches high (counter and bar stools can be from 24 inches to 30 inches from the seat of the stool to the floor. So if the dining table is 28 inches, you want a stool that is around 18 inches. 

When measuring the tables and stools, remember to take the measurements from under the table to the top of the stool’s seat. Take into consideration the table’s apron, if it has one, and any padding that the stool might have that can change the measurement. 

Whether you decide on a round or square stool seat, keep in mind that the width and depth of the seat will also impact the number of stools you have at the table. The best way to decide on a stool is to sit in it and see how comfortable it feels. Then you can be rest assured that you are getting the right one for your needs. 

Using Pub Tables to Entertain Guests and Family

When you have guests or extended family over at your home, you want them to have an entertaining experience. Not only do you want to have games for them to play and music to dance to, you want to provide the perfect seating to relax, have a drink, and eat a meal. Pub tables can be used in your home for entertainment purposes. Here are several things you can do with your pub tables. 

Home Theater and Entertainment Room 

Pub tables are the perfect addition to a large home theater room, entertainment room or game room. You can provide places where people can sit and watch sports games on the large television screen or add addition seating and table space by the home bar. People can also sit at the pub table with their drinks while waiting for their turn to play at the pool table or the dart board game. 

Indoor Outdoor Spaces 

If you have a covered porch area or other outdoor living space, a pub table can be a great addition to the area. You can place it by the outdoor kitchen to provide a seating and an eating area. When the sun sets, you can light a fire in the fire pit and watch the flames while laughing and talking with your guests. 

Kitchen Nooks 

If you have a breakfast nook in your kitchen, a pub table can be the perfect size to fit into the space versus having a larger kitchen table. This layout is ideal for couples who are downsizing when the adult kids have moved out as they are looking for a smaller home. 

Open Floor Plans 

When you have an open floor plan between the kitchen, dining room space and living room, a pub table can be the perfect furniture to define eating spaces. You can have a small pub table next to your kitchen island to have extra meal prep space. You can also set up the pub table as an extra place for the kids to study as they have the right amount of room for books and study material without cluttering up the living room. 

There are a wide range of uses for pub tables, including turning them into end tables in the living room, a side table in the entryway to hold your keys or purse, or as a home office desk. Look at your home and consider the places where a pub table could be an exciting new addition to the space.