This year instead of heading to a fancy restaurant for Valentine’s Day, why not show your significant other your romantic side and have an intimate meal at home. A home cooked meal is not only cheaper than a fancy restaurant, but it is a great way to earn brownie points with your significant other as it takes a lot of time and effort.

If you are planning on hosting a Valentine’s Day dinner for two at home, mood is everything. Don’t just toss the dinner down on your regular dining room table and start to eat. Make sure you create a romantic, intimate setting. It is a great touch for Valentine’s Day.

If you are unsure how to transform a traditional dining room table into a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner for two, here are some suggestions on how to make that transformation.

Use Solid Colored Linens

Most people don’t use table cloths or linens because they easily get dirty and can be a hassle to clean. On this romantic holiday, pull out those table cloths and linens and use them. They will help transform your regular, practical dining room table into a romantic table for two.

When using table cloths or linens, make sure you use solid colors. While prints and patterns can be used, it might not have the desired effect you want it to have on the room. Solid colors add an elegant touch to the dining room and that is exactly the look you wish to achieve.

Add Candles to the Table

Candles are a must have tabletop accessory for romantic dinners. It just would not be the same without them placed in the center.

Most people choose to use long, elegant wax candles, but any candles will work. If you are concerned about eating around an open flame, there are battery-operated flameless candles that flicker and glow just like real candles.

Another thing to consider when using candles is to make sure the candles of scent-free. A heavily scented candle can ruin a dinner, as the scent is too overpowering.

Pull Out the Good China and Silverware

It is hard to create a romantic setting if you are eating off of paper plates or using tarnished silver forks. Take the time to pull out the good china and silverware set and use them for dinner. It will make you feel like you are eating at a fancy restaurant, when in reality you are dining right in the comfort of your own home.

Even though the stuff you put on the table and the silverware you use is important, the most important element of a romantic dinner is the table that is being used. Find a wonderful table for your Valentine’s Day dinner for two by shopping at California Stools, Bars and Dinettes.

It’s time to get new bar stools for your kitchen island or peninsula. If you use stools a lot, then you know how difficult it can be to find the prefect seats.  Not to worry. Here are a few tricks to finding the most comfortable and stylish bar stools for your kitchen.

Consider Your Space

It can be easy to fall in love with a certain style only to find out too late that it doesn’t fit your space.  Remember, if your kitchen is small, you want to go for a sleeker stool, while larger kitchens can handle bulkier seating options.  Here are a few things to consider when out shopping:

• To swivel or not:  in a tight kitchen you may want bar stools that swivel to make getting in and out easier. A swiveling stool also makes it easier to talk with others around the room.
• The Backing: backs are more comfortable if you plan to use your stools a lot for eating and working at the counter. However, they do take up more space and can look out of place if squeezed into a cramped area.
• The number of stools needed:  bar stools generally take up more space than standard kitchen chairs found around a table. Be sure to leave about 28 inches from the middle of one stool to the middle of the next.
• Round or square:  round stools use less space than square ones.  Larger areas can easily handle square stools with backs; smaller spaces usually look best with round stools.

Consider Who’s Using the Stools

Who will be using your bar stools the most?  Children will likely need adjustable height stools with foot rests for comfort.  Shorter adults too may feel more comfortable with a footrest to eliminate dangly-leg syndrome.

Find Stools That Fit

Choosing a stylish stool that looks good in your kitchen won’t mean a thing if it is uncomfortable. One of the biggest things buyers overlook is the height of the stools they purchase.  Be sure to pick a stool that is about 11 inches shorter than your countertop or home bar.  This will allow those sitting there to be able to comfortably work on a laptop and eat without bending over or stretching to reach the counter.

Consider Your Style

Replacing old bar stools can be a lot of fun.  With hundreds of styles to choose from, you can use the opportunity to create a whole new look in your kitchen.  Think about your home style when shopping and pick stools that complement the rest of your décor.

Looking to upgrade the look of your dining room and kitchen space? California Stools, Bars and Dinettes is having a Winter Sale at all three Bay Area locations. We are clearing out are floor samples so we can bring in our new 2016 furniture lines from all the manufacturers you know and trust. Yet we aren’t just tossing the floor displays away. We are offering them to people throughout California as you can take advantage of deep discounts on dinette sets and bar stools.

Find 15% to 60% Savings on Select Furniture

Get that perfect dinette set you always wanted to replace your existing set, to expand the dining room furniture you already have as your family grows, or to give as a house warming gift to a new couple. You can find a savings of 15% to 60% on dinette set floor samples. Just come into the show room, pick out the dining room table and chairs you want and have it delivered or just take it right out with you. You will enjoy the dinette set as much as the savings to your wallet.

Don’t forget to check out our large selection of available bar stools. We are offering 15% and more on bar stool savings. You can always use more seating in your home as these bar stools are versatile chairs that can be placed by the wet bar or used as extra seating along the counter. Having an extra bar stool or two stashed away for family gatherings or parties will allow you to have enough places for everyone to find a seat.

Get the Dining Furniture While You Can

Winter is always the perfect time to start rearranging the dining room and kitchen furniture to create a brand new design and function for the eating spaces in your home. Unfortunately, what you really might need is simply brand new furniture. The holidays haven’t been kind to your existing dining room set, bar stools and chairs. Scuff marks, scratches from utensils, and loose legs can mar the beauty of your furniture and cause the items to become unsafe. Don’t just deal with it when you can come to California Stools, Bars and Dinettes to take advantage of our Winter Sale.

These savings won’t last long and neither will the floor samples. You will only have this brief opportunity to save money and get the dining furniture you need before it is gone. So get to one of our three Bay Area locations and browse through our floor samples for the right dining set and bar stools for your home. Once you see the 15% up to 60% savings you can get for beautiful and durable furniture, you won’t shop anywhere else.

You just bought your first home, and you are deciding on the right furniture to place in each room. California Stools, Bars and Dinettes can provide you with a wide range of options based on your particular needs as we offer dining room furniture, bar furniture, and kitchen furniture for your dining and entertainment needs. While getting the dining room and the wet bar perfect for your family, the kitchen area may be the hardest room in selecting the right tables and chairs.

Kitchens come in a wide range of sizes and need to have the right traffic flow for cooking without creating obstacles. When placing in furniture, you don’t want to disrupt this flow by adding too many pieces or too large of a kitchen set to where you have to move the furniture about daily just to have room to cook. Yet you still would like a nice sitting area in the space so everyone can sit down for a nice family dinner. Here are several ways in selecting the right kitchen furniture that will fit perfectly into your first home.

Consider the Primary Use of the Kitchen

Yes, it is a kitchen so it will be used for cooking. Yet kitchens have evolved over the years to becoming multi-functioning spaces. It may also be the home office, the child’s study area, and a place for entertaining dinner guests. Deciding on all the purposes allows you to have a basic idea on what types of furniture to purchase.

For example; if you plan to talk and entertain guests in an open floor plan where the kitchen can be seen from other living spaces and a large counter is used as a separator, you may want to purchase kitchen stools. The kitchen stools can give extra seating for people to relax, have a drink and eat a snack while watching you cook.

Another thing to consider is if you have enough space to place in an additional small table as a food preparation area. By having a separate table, you won’t have to fight for space at the regular kitchen table if the kids decide to do their homework before dinner or the spouse is finishing up on some work reports. Breakfast nooks may also be ideal as you can increase the seating with a bench so your family has their own place to do work before or after the meals.

Measure the Space to Narrow Down Furniture Choices

While you may want every type of kitchen furnishings offered at California Stools, Bars and Dinettes, you may quickly find out just how much space is eaten up by the furniture you place into it. Use a measuring tape to measure out the space that is available. One tip is to use masking tape on the floor to mark the spaces where you want to place the tables and chairs.

Doing this strategy will give you a visual reference of where you want the furniture as you can change your measurement figures in case you need to select a smaller table, fewer chairs, or a larger dining set. Once you have the measurements and have the taped areas as reference, you can sketch out the space. There are several types of software and apps available that will give you a 3D computerized representation of your home. Then you can place in virtual furnishings into the floor plan. Decide on how long of a table you can have, the right position to place it, and the number of sitting spaces for everyday meals and for special holiday feasts.

Selecting Furniture Styles

Selecting furniture styles will usually be on the final part of your furniture selection task. Yet the style can have a big influence in setting the mood in the room. You can select a more rustic style to match the woodsy, country feeling, or select a more modern piece if you are going for a minimalist, industrial look. The types of materials you select for the furniture will also dictate the style you are looking for as glass tables offer a more elegant appearance while wood inspires a relaxing and warm atmosphere.

Sometimes taking photographs of the rest of the furniture in your house can help in selecting a style when you go to the furniture store. If your first home has an open floor plan where the kitchen can be seen from the living room or dining room, you may want the kitchen furniture to complement the other furnishings, or even provide a contrasting element to show how it is a separate space of its own even in an open floor layout.

Trying out Furniture is Essential

Don’t forget this last step of the process. Trying out the furniture by coming to California Stools, Bars and Dinettes will allow you to see for yourself how different family members are seated at tables or kitchen stools. Imagine standing over a table as you are chopping vegetables or stirring pots to select the right height. Then sit on the chair to determine the comfort level you desire. You may desire an upholstered chair if you have certain back problems, or a wooden chair for extra body support.

Keep in mind that different family members will have different comfort levels when it comes to sitting at chairs and eating at tables. So take their opinions into consideration and pick out the kitchen furniture that appeals to every member of your family. If you are having problems finding the right kitchen furniture for your first home, then let the friendly staff of California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes give you a hand.

We have three different store locations in the Bay Area as our warehouses are fully stocked with kitchen furniture in the style and comfort level you desire. Whether you want to select a full kitchen set or mix-and-match different kitchen furniture pieces, we can help you narrow down your choices and locate the stools, tables, chairs and benches that will fit perfectly into your budget.

Selecting a dining set is important for not just the holidays, but for any day where you want to sit down for a nice, relaxing meal with the family. So you want to have just the right pieces of furniture that offers the appropriate amount of space without severely hampering the flow of foot traffic in the room. You also have to consider personal style, as the range of shapes and materials for dining sets can give you numerous options.

When people call California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes, they are always curious on the right ways in deciding on the best dining table and chair set. We recommend going over the size of your home to narrow down your choices, and then move on to the functionality and decor style of the table and chairs to get the one that fits perfectly into your home.

Determining Size

It’s time to break out the tape measure. Here at California Stools, Bars, and Dinettes, we recommend first measuring the amount of available space not only from walls but also other pieces of furniture. You want to leave enough room for people to comfortably walk between the table and also the chairs. This aspect is important since some table legs and pedestal tables will cause chair backs to stick out farther than a person realizes when pushed underneath the table.

Basically, a good distance to leave between a wall and your dining set, or the dining set from other furniture up against the wall, is about 42″ up to 48″. If you have a hard time imagining a table in the space, just fold up an old curtain or sheet in the size in different table lengths and put it in a variety of places to get a better visual picture.

Think about the number of people who you want to be sitting at the table. Each person should have about 24 inches to sit comfortably without bumping bodies or arms against the person sitting next to them, and an additional 12 inches for people sitting at the ends of the table. These measurements will allow you to select the right length and width. Basic table sizes and the number of people who can sit at the table while leaving enough room include:

• Sitting 4 people: 30″- 48″ long rectangular table or 36″- 48″ round table
• Sitting 6 people: 72″ long rectangular table or 60″ round table
• Sitting 8 people: 96″ long rectangular table or 72″ round table
• Sitting 10 people: 120″ long rectangular table

While round tables can be larger to sit 10 or 12 people, keep in mind that it becomes more difficult for your family to reach for items on the table top during the meal. It can also make people feel too far away from others sitting across from them to have a nice conversation.

Accommodating Extra Family and Guests

You want a table that is the right size for daily gatherings. Yet you may also want one that easily accommodates the occasional dinner guests or family gatherings. There are many possibilities without getting the longest table possible that will make the room too crowded.

If you are just looking to add more seating while having enough table space, then benches can increase the number of people at the table. They are also ideal for young children and the elderly who may have problems lifting out of regular chairs or using certain types of mobility devices such as wheel chairs. The benches can easily be slid underneath the table when not needed or used in other areas of the home as additional seating.

If you need more table space on occasion, then tables with collapsible leaves are another option. The leaves can be put in place during the holidays when there are extra guests and removed during normal meals.

Selecting By Shapes

There are numerous shapes to tables to fit into your decor design as well as add a bit more functionality to your dining set. Traditional rectangular tables may remind you about the times when sitting with the entire family as a child. Yet people today are also opting for other shapes due to their functionality and beauty. Round tables encourages conversation with everyone facing each other, while octagonal offers length without the sharp table corners that kids and the elderly can bump into. Square tables are starting to catch on as people are looking for a bit of a romantic feeling in their dining room design.

Also Consider Table Materials and Maintenance

At California Stools, Bars and Dinettes, we have a wide range of dining tables in San Jose. We offer wood dining sets, glass dining sets, and laminate dining sets. We also provide chairs with rollers.

This variety should be kept in mind when selecting the right chair and table in your home. If you have thick rugs in your dining room, then you may want to select chairs that don’t have rollers. Wood tables can add warmth, but will need a touch of maintenance if you have pets and kids that will scratch the table top or chair legs. Glass and metal dining sets are ornate and elegant. Yet these dining sets will require extra cleaning to remove smudges and fingerprints that will appear more easily on the surface.

Take Your Time and Shop in Person

It’s easy to fall in love with the first dining room set you see online and then hate it when it arrives in your home. Instead, you will have an easier time selecting the right dining set by actually visiting the showroom and sitting at the table. Here at California Stools, Bars and Dinettes, we have 3 Bay Area locations for people throughout California as you can stop in to see the table you want. You can have a better idea when sitting at the table if it will accommodate every member of your family, if the chairs fit your comfort level, and whether you have enough room to sit and relax.

If there is one room of the house that you do not want to look dull and lifeless it is the kitchen.  It is the hub of the home. All of the action happens here: homework; meals; entertaining; even relaxing with a hot cup of coffee in the early morning fog.  Eventually everyone ends up in the kitchen.  That is why it is so important to create an eye catching style that you will want others to see.

Is it time to transform your kitchen into a fun, stylish and inviting space?  Don’t panic!  Creating the kind of kitchen that people will want to gather in doesn’t have to be expensive – and it doesn’t have to entail a long drawn (and messy) renovation.  It is possible to have a stylish kitchen with these very simple design tips:

Use Color to Set a Mood

Color is an easy and inexpensive way to set a mood.  Painting walls is a quick way to give that dull kitchen a whole new look.  Neutral colors can open a closed in and stuffy feeling space, giving the entire room and fresh feel and more inviting atmosphere.  Adding splashes of color with accessories is a great way create a fun and lively style.

Adding something as simple as bright aqua bar stools can bring a dated kitchen back to life. For a more modern and bold look, consider using metal chairs or bar stools in a complimentary color to add a little life to the room.

For those who prefer a more subtle look to their kitchen abode, add a flare of sophistication by replacing standard chairs with leather covered ones or a more ornate kitchen table.

Whether you opt for neutral colored walls with a splash of color in your kitchen accessories for a bright and bold look throughout is up to you.  Just remember that the color palette you choose will set the tone for the type of style vibe your kitchen will emit.

Create Your Own Style

Designing a stylish kitchen does not mean the same thing to every person. While a young and modern professional couple may opt for glass countertops and metal chairs to grace their kitchen, a family may go for a more practical kid-friendly style.

Forget all of those beautiful kitchen layouts you have been checking out on your favorite blogs and renovation magazines.  Take the time to consider your own likes, dislikes, and needs when designing your kitchen.  If little fingers will create a streak mess on glass tabletops, opt for a wooden table that better reflects your stage of life right now.  Maybe a more comfortable, country-style or distressed look is what will work best for you.  That’s okay. T here are plenty of table styles; chairs and bar stools to choose from to fit your needs and turn your kitchen into a stylish room everyone can enjoy.

Make the Space People Friendly

The kitchen is the centerpiece of the home. Whether you are entertaining a few friends; hosting a large family get together; or simply enjoying pizza with the kids, you will want to create a style that is people friendly.

Islands and peninsulas are very common these days and for good reason: they are both practical and stylish.  Large islands offer plenty of prep space, as well as somewhere for people to gather while you continue to work on your menu items.

Kids can do their homework at a well placed island while you fix dinner and friends can sit there and chat while you keep an eye on the stovetop during a diner party.

Adding comfortable chairs; height appropriate bar stools, and a place to sit and relax will not only look good but entice people to enjoy the space –and your company.

Mix and Match Textures

Creating a stylish space does not have to cost a fortune.  Adding a few well placed accessories can sometimes transform even the dullest kitchen, adding a flare of style.  Mixing and matching textures within the room is a great way to add interest.  This can be done by placing colorful table runners or placements at each setting or changing seat covers to add an artistic touch to the room.  Leather is a solid standby material for chairs and stools; while cotton and even silk can be used as chair coverings for a completely different look and feel.

Tabletops too can reflect your personal style and taste.  If you are going for a country-like setting, consider  incorporating a rough wooden tabletop into your kitchen design.  Tile or granite tabletops look sleek and metal tabletops offer a more urban and modern look.

Mixing and matching textures within the kitchen can offer a uniqueness to the room that not only reflects your personal style, but generates interest and appeal.

Create  a Cozy Nook

Who doesn’t enjoy a cozy little nook to enjoy their morning coffee or celebrate a candlelit diner for two?  If space allows, create a private seating area that you can enjoy either alone or with someone special.  Add a piece of your favorite artwork to the walls and choose a table and chairs that are both practical and stylish.

Add a Statement Piece

There may be no better way to add a touch of flare to a kitchen than adding a statement piece that grabs the eye – and attention.  For families a large table that seats 12-15 people may be exactly the kind of statement piece you are after. A more modern approach may be to look for unique and interesting tables, chairs or even bar stools that people can’t help but notice.  A unique style; fabric, color or even building material can all add to the overall look of your kitchen, making it feel like an entirely new space. Trying out interesting and original kitchen furniture can be a great start.

Turning a drab kitchen into a stylish space that you will want to entertain in doesn’t have to be difficult. Simply taking the time to add a few accents; change the color; or buy furniture that highlights your personality can all go a long way to creating the modern, sleek, sophisticated or family-friendly space you crave.  Make your kitchen the centerpiece of your home with these simple tips.  You’ll be surprised at how simple it is to transform a lifeless kitchen into one that is full of vitality.

It is easy to become distracted by all the different types, sizes, design, shapes and functions of home furniture out there. To stay a little more grounded and consistent with your home furnishings, it is often helpful to create a theme for your home based around one or two furniture pieces. The following are a few ideas to get the you started on creating the best home space for you.

Bar and Counter Height Pub Tables

Incorporating a bar/counter height pub table into your home is a different and fun option. Like in restaurants or bars with similar furnishing, this type of set-up encourages sociability, conversation, movement and casual dining, all in the comfort of your own home. Their functionality and aesthetic appeal provide convenient, accessible and compact space.

Round

            Round tables are the ultimate shape for discussion. To bring everyone together, opt for a round pub table. They create a great space for walking up and standing around or for placing sitting stools.

Expandable 

            Expandable pub tables are the absolute perfect solution for 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.

Four Person

The counterpart to the couple’s bar/pub table option is the four person or family style option. Like the couples table, this counter height table creates the feeling of being out at a restaurant with the perk of staying in the home. Opt for a round or rectangular style table that is a little larger in order to accommodate the whole family.

Bar Stools

To furnish a home bar, counter space, or pub table, bar stools are a fantastic and obvious option. Pairing the right bar stool with your counter or bar space will compete your beautiful and functional space. Plus, bar stools can be found in a variety of designs, materials, shapes, etcetera for the ultimate personalized look!

Metal Bar Stools

            Opting for a metal bar stool has a handful of perks, one primarily being outdoor use. Metal is a great weather suited material. Additionally, there are many beautiful designs that can be incorporated into metal stools. Overall, a versatile choice!

Upholstered

            Upholstered stools are great for seats that will be getting a lot of use. Based on pure comfort, padded and upholstered bar stools are on obvious choice. They can additionally add a splash of individual style with the variety of colors and designs the upholstery comes in.

Backless 

Backless bar stools bring a whole new element of sophistication and modernity to your home. While barstools already take up less space than traditional chairs, backless stools are even more subtle with their ability to be completely slid under bars and counters. They are sleek and include metal, wooden and upholstered options!

Swival

This fun option is fantastic for increasing the maneuverability of your home area. Swivel stools make getting in and out of the space easier and encourage conversation because it becomes that much easier to shift positions to talk to one another.

Wooden

A simple wooden option is always a sure pleaser. Wooden stools are generally suited for all types of rooms and come in a variety of beautiful and hardy materials including oak, cherry, walnut, ash and mahogany.

Modern Kitchen Chairs

Have some fun with your living space by incorporating a modern look into your kitchen. Sleek designs and popping colors are a great way to add some spunk and character to your home. Modern kitchen chairs come in a variety of fun shapes, sizes, designs, materials and colors and truly bring that unique taste and character your home might be craving.

Kitchen Dinette Set

Similar to the pub tables, kitchen dinette sets can be the perfect option for the home hoping to promote intimate gatherings while simultaneously saving space. They serve as the perfect dining area, cozy breakfast nook or homework space. For homes that don’t need an extravagant, large dining room table to seat a large group or family, a kitchen dinette set is easy to manage while serving the needs of the space and size of family you have.

Designing and furnishing a home can be much simpler when there are only adults living in it. The only things that need to be considered are comfort and style. However, kids bring in additional elements to the picture that are important to consider. The main ones include durability, safety and convenience. Luckily, there are ways in which you can select furniture and styles that will not only make your home a kid friendly space, but also maintain the style and comfort enjoyed by everyone else in the home.

Rounded Corners

Kids can be rambunctious and wild, often not considering how running and jumping around in tight spaces can be dangerous to both themselves and the furniture. But the reality is kids are going to bump their heads, knees and toes and run into furniture no matter what. For these situations, rounded corners are always a good idea along with round tables or upholstered furniture. This could look like an upholstered ottoman for a stand-in coffee table or a rounded coffee table itself. Overall, avoiding furniture with rough, sharp and pointed corners that stick out can save many a boo boo and even a trip to the ER for stitches.

Durable Fabrics

With kids you have to think durable – what kind of furniture can you get that will put up with the harsh wear and tear and prolonged abuse kids are going to bring to it? With this in mind, choosing the right fabric and upholstery is a must. There are various types of durable fabric options including microfiber, wool, leather, vinyl, and denim. Microfiber especially seems to be the most popular option among families because of its stain resistance, variability in textures and colors, and manageable cost. More expensive options include leather, which is again very durable, easy to clean (if done immediately and correctly) and can give a more sophisticated look to your home. Whichever you choose, just make sure it is tough.

Avoid Glass and Other Fingerprint Material

As far as coffee tables and other countertop surfaces go, avoiding material that shows sticky fingerprints can save you a lot of constant cleaning. While there is nothing wrong with glass in particular, you will have to consider investing in a large supply of Windex. Instead, consider laminate and granite countertops. These surfaces are easily cleaned, don’t harbor bacteria, and come in various colors and styles.

Removable and Washable Fabrics

After you have chosen the right fabric to suit your home, considering how it can be cleaned is an important factor. Not all furniture has a removable option, but for pieces that do, it can be a quick and extremely easy way to clean up spills, stains, or any other general dirtiness that comes with use. Slip covers are great for both mixing things up and for quick and easy clean ups. They are easy to wash and if you go with white, bleaching is an easy fix option.

Sectionals

The popular consensus among families seems to be the sectional couch. This piece of furniture is great for various reasons. It is both spacious while not taking up a lot of space. Its wrap around style makes it the perfect wall flower to the family living room. Additionally, it provides many seats for the whole family plus friends to either cozy up on together or spread out. Throwing down some big floor cushions is another popular option for families with restless and playful kids and also provides additional comfy and easy seats.

Storage and “Multifunctional” Furnishings

If your kids love making the living room into their playroom but you don’t want it looking like one all of the time, utilizing furniture storage space is a great option. For example, use a storage ottoman that hides away toys when necessary in a subtle and convenient way. Also consider tables with built in drawer space or room underneath to easily slide bins and baskets of things under. Avoiding additional storage units on top of the furniture already in the living space will make for a less cluttered and better organized kid and adult space.

Additionally, this type of furniture is often multifunctional. Going with a storage ottoman as opposed to a standard storage container provides an extra durable and comfy piece of furniture to act as a footstool or a seat. Other multifunctional and storage saving options include built in bookshelves and built in storage benches. Baskets are also attractive and storage friendly options and can be slid into and around many areas!

Realistic Accessories

When you are furnishing a house that is kid friendly, it is important to be more realistic than artistic. Not to say that these two traits can’t exist together, because they certainly can! This applies more to choices that you know can’t be compromised with kids around. For example, decorative pillows are lovely, but throw pillows are better with kids and they can be both stylish and practical. They don’t call them “throw” pillows for nothing! Instead of choosing the intricately hand stitched and beaded decorative pillow, go with the more durable (there is that word again!) throw pillow that is going to be able to take on abuse a lot better. Being realistic with accessories may also look like moving the $1,000 vase to a more secure place up high and replacing it with something a little less destructible such as decorative drift wood, clunky wooden bowls, sturdy candles or books.

Darker Colors

While creams and other off whites look sophisticated, they aren’t the ideal colors for homes with kids because as you can imagine, they are going to show stains and scuffs easily. Instead, go with darker colors that hide these imperfections better or go for all white because it comes with the bleaching option.  For actual kids spaces consider choosing “bright-dark” colors such as reds and navy blues. It adds both a spunky kid flavor and also shows scuffs and stains less.

Sometimes it is the little things that make a difference and in a restaurant, one of those can be your selection of furniture for a restaurant. When choosing commercial furniture for your restaurant, it is important to consider a handful of factors that can greatly affect what furniture selection does and doesn’t do for your restaurant.

Quality over quantity

While choosing cheaper furniture can be an attractive option, you have to think of the bigger picture and what cheaper furniture means in the long run. Inexpensive furniture is inexpensive for a reason and with as much wear and tear as it will surely get, going all in and getting quality furniture is going to be your best option. No matter if it’s bar stools, restaurant booths, restaurant tables, or restaurant seating, don’t skimp on this one!

Comfort/Customer Needs

Make sure you consider and understand who your customer demographic is and what their needs are. Do this based on the cuisine you serve, the price, themes, etcetera. Will your customers be concerned with cushion softness and height or design? Do you need to be able to place a booster seat on the chairs if it is a popular family restaurant? How accommodating are seats for all shapes and sizes of people? Making your customers feel comfortable is extremely important for restaurant owners when it comes to customer service.

Aesthetic

It most likely goes without saying, but how your restaurant furniture looks is an important factor to consider. Here, however, it is important to not negotiate aesthetic with comfort. Ideally, you come to a happy medium with the right furniture. Once you have decided on a color set and theme of interior design, stick with it. Don’t try to include too many colors and designs or else it will begin to look cluttered, hectic, and overwhelming which is not what you want your customers to be concerned about.

Set the Mood

When selecting furniture it is important to consider what the intention of the restaurant is. What kind of mood do you want to set? Social? Elegant? Casual? In restaurants, moods are greatly impacted on the furniture available. A round table encourages discussion while long tables suggest a more serious, elegant atmosphere. Additionally, tall cocktail tables encourage moving around and socializing. Before you pick aesthetic, consider what the fundamental shape and design of the furniture suggests.

Maneuverability

Depending on the space you have, furniture can either help or negatively impact how the restaurant feels and flows. If you have a small space, choosing furniture may be a bit of a Tetris game. While you want to fit as many people in your space as possible, consider if people will be able to move around easily or if it will be too crowed and jammed. This goes for both customers and employees. Also, if you want to be flexible on seating, consider if you will be able to move around tables in order to accommodate smaller or larger parties.

Optimize Space

On the opposite spectrum of making your space maneuverable, you also need to consider having too much space. If you are working with more space than you need, you can choose furniture that creates the illusion of having a filled space. This doesn’t necessarily mean having giant thrones for chairs, but you can play with the height and width of furniture with extra space. It also gives you a little more room to play with additional decorative furniture.

Meet all your commercial restaurant furniture needs by visiting a California Dining and Barstools location near you! We offer a wide selection of furniture, including dining room sets, dinettes, pub tables, restaurant chairs, barstools, and other quality restaurant furniture supply products to the restaurant industry and hospitality industry for commercial use.

Summer weather just begs for home parties with friends and guests dining and drinking the night away. If you are in the mood for hosting dinner get-togethers and other summer entertainment in your home, you need to have the right equipment to quench your guests’ thirsts. Home bars are ideal as you can serve your guests specialty drinks while controlling the amount of liquor that flows from your bottles. Picking out the right home bar can be a bit confusing as there are a large variety of bars on the market to fit your style and preferences. Here are a few tips to choosing the best home bar for whatever summer entertainment you plan to dish out.

Decide On Whether The Bar Will Be Indoors or Outdoors

The best way to decide on the type of bar you need is to decide on the specifics about placement. Will the bar be indoors in a living room, open kitchen, dining room or den? Will it be placed outside in an outdoor kitchen or as part of an outdoor living space? By deciding on where the bar is placed, you will understand if you need a bar made out of materials that can withstand the outdoor weather and won’t fade from the sun’s ultraviolet light. You also can figure out the style to the bar as you want it to complement the area where it will be placed or make it into an interesting focal point where people can gather.

Figure Out Seating Placement

Seating allows people to feel like they are at a professional bar setting at their favorite watering hole. Yet it can also cause a big traffic jam during the large gatherings as people can’t get in their drink order as you try to please everyone. So consider whether you will have seating by the bar or have guests use the couches and chairs available in other parts of the space. Then think about the number of seats you want. While you would love to have a lot of people to entertain with your drink mixing skills, you don’t want to have tons of chairs taking up room after the party is over. Having the right amount of seating for everyday use is also ideal to keep the area neat and organized.

Will The Bar Have A Sink Or Faucet

Plumbing aspects become important when you are looking to have a full service bar with a sink to wash glasses and a faucet to give a person some water if they have had a bit too much alcohol for the night. These elements will dictate the placement of the bar as you will have to run lines for hot water and cold water for the faucet, as well as drainage lines for the sink. Always take this into consideration regarding the placement and style of the bar, as you may not want to run extra pipes through some areas of the home.

Types Of Drinks You Will Serve

The types of drinks your guests will want can dictate what types of items you will need to stock in your bar, as well as the amount of space you will need to house all the items. If you will be serving mixed drinks, you will need space for blenders, juicers and other preparation equipment. That means your bar will need to have the right amount of counter space for the equipment, and the right amount of under-the-counter storage during the occasions when the equipment is not in use. If you are serving beer, a mini kegerator might be an ideal solution as you have to consider the amount of shelf space to accommodate it in your home bar. Don’t forget the other accessories such as mini fridges and ice makers as the more items you have, the bigger the home bar you will need.

Don’t Forget The Drink Ware

Nobody serves beer in wine glasses or cocktails in beer mugs. Your glassware will decide on how the bar will look with spaces to store mugs, hanging racks for wine glasses and other storage nooks for cocktail glasses. Since you have figured out the types of drinks you will be serving, it will be easier to decide on the types of glasses to store on the bar and the number of glasses to have. Then you can pick out the best home bar that will give you the right amount of space for all the accessories.

Pick Out Your Unique Style

Do you have a traditional decor style, like modern themes, or have a personality somewhere in-between? The styles to home bars are endless along with matching bar stools that will bring the look together into the perfect decor that turns your bar into a conversational piece in the room. Home bars come in many shapes and styles, as you can purchase rectangular bars, round bars, bars with tiered serving levels and other styles. You can also have open bar shelves, sliding doors, or cabinet doors to securely keep all your liquor away from young, curious hands. Whether you want a bar where you can take center stage during the party as you become the bartender or a wet bar where people can serve themselves, there are tons of different home bars to select for your home.

Summer Entertaining Just Got Better With Home Bars

The right home bar for your home is out there. To get an idea about the style and functionality of the bars that are available, check out what is offered at places such as California Stools, Bars and Dinettes. You can get an idea about the bars that may fit into your preferences and the low prices that are offered. Then you can sit down and create a list of the types of things you are looking for in a bar, such as the amount of shelving you want, open or closed bar shelves, protection from adverse weather for outdoor bars, the shape of the bar, the amount of seating and other important features. Once you have figured out what you want in a bar, you can then narrow it down by price.

During the summer, people everywhere will host dinner parties, after-dinner parties and all night celebrations. Having a bar can cut down on the amount of time, and the mess, for people who have to walk from one room to the next to just get a drink. Let your guests have the time of their lives as they are served drinks by their perfect host. Look to having the best bar in your home as it will be an investment well worth getting for your space.