Your Dynamic Dining Room: Decor for 2018-2019

We’re nearing the end of 2018, and you know what that means: now’s the perfect time to think about renovating your home for the New Year! And since we’re on the eve of a family gathering or two, wouldn’t it make sense to turn our gaze to that most hallowed of holiday living spaces—the dining room?

Round, Rectangular or Drop Leaf: Your Dining Room Table

You have a vision in mind: your friends and family have assembled to enjoy a meal with you in your home or apartment. What does that dining room table look like exactly?

Here at 5th Avenue Furniture, we’re imagining this could be a rectangular dining table—giving you ample room for at least 5 guests or family members. As you spread out and prepare to feast, you’ll take note of the faux marble or richly finished veneer at the base of the piece.

Alternatively, you may be envisioning a more intimate gathering for 2 or 3, ideally suited by a round counter height table. Inject a bit of Old World glam in there, and feel yourself all the more cultured for it.

Your Seating Arrangement: Upholstered Side Chairs & Benches

Next to your table, you’re obviously thinking about the seating you’ll include. Depending on the number of guests you expect, and the style you already have going in the room, you have a few different options here.

As a general rule, we always recommend upholstered side chairs—both for cushioning, and aesthetics—at the head and foot of your dining table. On the sides, between a seat or two, a dining bench is ideal—allowing your guests to choose the seating that calls to them most.

The Perfect Dining Room Server: Stylish, and Always Available

Now you may be asking yourself, what else could I possibly need (besides an extra hand to help with serving). And suddenly, you’ve answered your own question!

A dining room server, although often overlooked, can be invaluable to you when the time comes to see yourself and your guests equipped with plates, silverware and all the extra utensils you always forget about.

Go with a style of dining server that complements your existing decor, and watch how you rake in the praise. 

Why not make your dreams for your dining room a reality? Swing by 5th Avenue Furniture in Detroit, MI, to renovate on any budget.

Your Fall Guide to Outdoor Heater Safety

Now that autumn is here with a nip in the breeze and changing colors on the trees, you need not stop the party on your porch, patio, or deck! Outdoor furniture options include portable, super-efficient outdoor heaters, some approved for indoor use if your porch isn’t heated. Just like alfresco tables on the sidewalk at a fine downtown restaurant, your heaters will help you be the host with the most, literally for all seasons. So keep enjoying your twilight time over appetizers and drinks outdoors with these practical tips to make sure your outdoor heater use is always a fun experience.

Outdoor Heater Operating Tips

First, choose an outdoor heater with the power you need. The key abbreviation in all this to measure your outdoor heater’s ability to warm you is actually not temperature degrees but British Thermal Units, BTUs for short. Scientists define a BTU as the energy something burns to heat a pound of water by one Fahrenheit degree, or the energy of one burning match. Well, our outdoor heaters burn a heck of a lot of “matches” and much more safely. A typical midsize outdoor heater creates about 40,000 BTUs; smaller ones 10,000 to 35,000.

Next, do a bit of math to choose the BTUs you need. How much space do you have to heat? Is it for one small dining table, restaurant style? An enclosed space such as a screened porch? Or a wide span like a backyard deck? Now, the math: to determine your ideal BTUs, take the cubic feet of the area and multiply it by how many degrees you want to increase the temperature. A factor affecting this is if your area is windy.

Will you be using your outdoor heater strictly outside or in an enclosed space not quite indoors? This is crucial for your household’s well-being. Electric patio heaters are safe in all these environments. Gas heaters are strictly outdoor because of the danger of carbon monoxide poisoning, and even then make sure the space is well supplied with air flow.

How much are you willing to shell out to heat your outdoor gatherings? A 40,000-BTU natural-gas heater costs about 48 cents per hour to run while a propane model burns $1.70 at that rate.

Make sure the outdoor heater has enough space around it (clearance) so as not to inadvertently light anything on fire. For your typical heater, again, 40,000 BTUs, that’s usually about 3 feet all around. Check your heater’s instruction manual to see if it requires more.

A valuable feature on your outdoor heater is a tilt switch to automatically shut off the heat in case the device is knocked down. It’s still hot so it’s dangerous but this reduces the risk of fire or injury.

It almost doesn’t need saying but it’s important: NEVER leave children around an outdoor heater unattended. Its emitter screen and dome are dangerous to touch.

Choose Well and Enjoy

For your outdoor furniture needs including UL-listed, safety-tested outdoor heaters and fire pits, our Detroit, MI furniture store is always at your service so you too can choose well after doing some research, and then enjoy the change of seasons outdoors with your friends in the utmost comfort.

Four Reasons You Need the Right Bed and Mattress to Get Enough Sleep

Go-getters are fond of the saying “if you snooze, you lose.” We disagree, and not just because we happen to sell bedroom furniture and mattresses! The amount of sleep you need is directly related to your age and lifestyle.

These are the sleep times necessary based on age:

• Newborns/infants: 12-18 hours
• Toddlers/preschoolers: 11-14 hours
• Children/teens: 8.5-11 hours
• Adults: 7-9 hours

First the Bad News, Then the Good

Are you meeting YOUR sleep requirements? Here are four reasons you should put a lot of thought into your bed and mattress so you get the recommended amount of sleep every night according to doctors and researchers. First, the negative. We know it sounds like scare tactics but they’re true. Here are two health consequences if your bed and/or mattress are not right for you so you’re not getting your Zs:

• Lack of focus and alertness. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatigue is related to 100,000 car accidents per year in the U.S.
• Long-term health problems. Heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes are a lot more likely if you suffer from a chronic sleep disorder.

Wow. That got grim fast, didn’t it? On a lighter note, here are two reasons why getting sufficient sleep is paramount for improving your day-to-day life:

• Improve daily awareness. Getting the proper amount of sleep directly correlates to faster learning, enhanced memory, and overall problem-solving. Stay on top of your game, at work and in the rest of your life.
• Stay beautiful. That old line about “beauty sleep” is for real! You get better skin quality, such as fewer wrinkles and bags under your eyes.

We are not saying you need to sleep like a koala (22 hours a day), but the sleep experts do think it is critical the you and your loved ones are within the guidelines mentioned above. The question isn’t “can I afford to improve my sleep cycle?” The question is “can I afford NOT to?”

Take Care When Choosing Your Bed and Mattress

Therefore, whether you love panel headboards, canopy beds, or a sleigh bed dominating your bedroom furniture, make sure you get a size roomy enough for you and maybe a partner. America loves queen beds, but maybe a king size is better for your frame. With advances in memory foam mattresses the options are limitless, from models that keep you cool under the covers to gel infusion to lessen motion disturbance. Maybe you need the softness of a Euro top on your mattress while its firm pocketed coils and foam center literally do the heavy lifting, taking over from your muscles so they can recover from their day’s work and your mind is free to literally dream, the deepest and actually the most healing form of sleep.

If you are tired of being tired, maybe it’s time to wake up. OK, you still with us? Good… because 5th Avenue Furniture is here to lend a hand. If you need assistance with finding the right fit for your needs, don’t hesitate to stop by our Detroit, MI store soon!

Furniture Arranging and the Art of Feng Shui

Feng shui, pronounced “fung shway,” is the Chinese concept of placing objects such as furniture in advantageous places to make the most of cosmic energy (chi) in a given place. Whether you accept this premise or not, it has produced harmonious, practical design results worth having a look at. So here are some fun examples of how feng shui can add interest to the arrangements of your home furniture in various rooms.

Righteous Feng Shui Living Rooms

If you are using your living room as you ought to, really for living, then according to feng shui its energy is “yang” (masculine) because there is much activity, including new people and lively conversation. With that in mind, the arrangement of your living room furniture should draw and concentrate the right kind of energy.

With the space you have, how can you and your guests get the most out of feng shui with the furniture here? Placement of your living room sofa makes a big difference. It should have a wall behind and be in the “command position,” meaning when you are sitting on it you can see the door but the sofa should not directly face the door.

Once you’ve got your sofa arrangement settled, remember that according to good feng shui, a living room is brighter than a bedroom, preferably with sunlight but lamps will do. Mirrors in your living room are considered bad luck, but potted plants attract good chi. Also, relevant to furniture, try to arrange it so it has “four corners,” a square or rectangular configuration. This is supposed to draw good people to you.

Peaceful Bedroom Arrangements

In feng shui philosophy, because your bedroom is more of a private space, its energy is “yin” (feminine). It is one of the home’s three main focuses in feng shui, the others being the kitchen and front door. Ideally it should be in the rear of your home. When it comes to your bedroom furniture, make sure your bed doesn’t face the door, but it can’t be on the same wall as the door either! Likewise, a mirror facing your bed is bad feng shui. Avoid placing plants in your bedroom. The head of your bed should be against a wall for a feeling of security. Make sure it is not under a window, in order to avoid disturbance to your sleep from chi or more commonly noise from outside.

Productive Home Office Feng Shui

Your home office is a yang space so it should be as far from your bedroom, a yin space, as possible. Pick decor such as accent pieces and mementoes that make you feel appreciated and successful. As for your home office furniture, like the sofa in another yang room, your home office desk should be in the command position, in which you can see the door but are not directly facing it. Avoid having your home office desk face a wall, but if you must do so, have some inspiring art to look at!

The south side of your home office has fire as its feng shui energy, to do with fame and reputation, so warm colors such as red are lucky while blues and images of water are bad.

The office’s north side has water and metal for its feng shui energy elements, concerning career and your life’s path. Pictures in black or white frames are recommended.

Your room’s southeast corner is to do with prosperity and abundance. Therefore choose images for it associated with those things.

Finally, avoid cluttered spots in your rooms as these block the flow of chi.

Feng shui’s big disclaimer is that you won’t see dramatic changes in your life by rearranging your furniture, only subtle improvements.

For your home furniture needs stop by our Detroit, MI store.

A Novel Interior Design Notion: A Living Room Without a Sofa!

While of course we at 5th Avenue Furniture think our living room sofa and loveseat selection is numero uno, just maybe you want something radical for your space. Sometimes it’s a matter of limited square footage. Or maybe you’re just an artistic iconoclast, being contrary as a way of life. Perhaps you DON’T want a sofa or loveseat just because everybody else has them! You know what? That’s okay. And you won’t have to sit cross-legged or lie on the area rug if you don’t want to. Here are some cool suggestions for your unusual, sofa-less living room.

Living Room Bench and Chair Combos

Maybe flexibility is what you’re looking for in a living room so sofas aren’t for you. No problem. A few strategically placed, funky-design living room benches and plush chairs of any size are comfortable and fun to rearrange for a party or to gather around the big-screen TV for movie night.

Chairs Plus Ottoman Equal Chic

Another design tip is to gather a few accent chairs around an oversize ottoman for some me time with your laptop and morning coffee or small-group conversational space that’s not intimidating. Sit a spell, put your feet up, have a drink, and enjoy!

A Living Room Daybed!

If you’re really keen on economizing your floor space in style, and a living room futon is too college-ish for your taste, never fear. A smartly designed daybed may be just the thing, particularly if you live in a studio apartment. Your room will look well put together rather than improvised. Throw in a trundle bed and you can even put up a friend overnight without springing for a sleeper sofa. A living room daybed may seem to be cheating on the no-sofa challenge here but technically it’s not a sofa so we’re good.

For dynamic living room furniture ideas, whether they include a sofa or not, stop by our Detroit, MI store.

When Should You Replace Your Mattress?

The longtime conventional wisdom has held that you need to replace your mattress every 10 years, because even the best mattress from us won’t last forever simply due to normal wear. But this is only a guideline; you may need to replace yours a little more often. How can you tell? Here are some signs you need to shop for a replacement mattress, which is also an opportunity to upgrade, enjoying the latest developments in memory foam such as airflow and temperature control.

Worsening Allergy Symptoms

Do you have allergies? If they’re getting worse and it’s not allergy season, consider that your 7-year-old mattress might be to blame. Even in the cleanest homes, gradually your mattress accumulates dead skin cells and your skin’s natural oils, which don’t trigger or aggravate allergies but attract something that does: dust mites. And actually these tiny critters aren’t making your immune system go haywire, interfering with your breathing: it’s their droppings! If vacuuming, steaming, and flipping the mattress don’t do the trick anymore, replace it immediately so you can breathe properly at night again, giving you the 7-9 hours of sleep per night that you need.

Sagging Mattress

Your mom was right: don’t jump on the bed! But of course children find it so much fun. Once your mattress’s firmness is compromised, forget it. If you can see the indentation from your body well after you arise, dump the old mattress pronto and start shopping.

You Wake Up Feeling Sore

More subtle than sagging, chances are the first sign your mattress is no longer doing its job is your body’s nagging, lingering pain the next day. That’s because your muscles are telling you they can’t go to sleep when you do. On a good mattress, they completely hand over your body’s support so you can enter the deepest sleep, when your body rebuilds, and, incidentally, when your mind dreams (REM sleep, meaning rapid eye movement).

When it’s time to replace your home’s mattresses, stop by 5^th Avenue’s Detroit, MI store.

Decking Out Your Kids Room for the New School Year

While we may be entering the Summer of ’18 (and what a warm one it’s been!), before you know it your kids will be grabbing their knapsacks and lining up down the street for the school bus. A lot can happen in a couple months. The question is: will your kid’s room furniture be smooth enough for your son or daughter come September?

Whether your kid’s in grammar school, middle school high school (or even college) you should be thinking about updating their decor (if they haven’t already started making demands) at least once every few years. The best place to start, undoubtedly, would be children’s beds.

Cool Beds for Kids of All Ages

The crux of it: kids grow up fast--so fast that they outgrow their beds faster than you or they even realize sometimes. And that’s just talking about size. Who do you know, kid or adult, who’s still into the same styles 5 years later? When you’re shopping for your children, think years ahead, at color schemes, kids bedding, headboards and everything in between.

One of our favorite design trends in kid’s beds these days: the full panel storage bed. When you give your kid a secret stash, their imagination goes wild, as their bedroom suddenly becomes a whole lot cooler (and somewhere they’re more likely to hang out and study). 

Cheap Bunk Beds for Kids and Sleepovers

More than extra storage, who doesn’t love the classic bunkbed? As American as all those Saturday morning cartoons we once watched on TV (long before the iPhone), a new boy or girl’s bunkbed is a great idea for any child’s bedroom—giving you a centerpiece to furnish the rest of the space in a way that’ll simply be cool.

When’d you think you’d ever see a bunkbed and work station combo for sale? Our kids today be hustling. But that should excite you! Your highschooler won’t be too cool for a twin bunkbed and futon, and they may even thank you for it. 

Grab a Children’s Computer Desk and Chair

At the end of the school day, your kid’s going to need to do his or her homework somewhere. Why not meet them halfway (without any algebra) by grabbing a themed computer desk and chair that’ll make their lives easier? Give them all the space they need, at a desk that’ll inspire them to do their best.

Singlehandedly, a spacious computer desk can get your kid focusing on their homework like nothing else (and they’ll appreciate it, too).

5^th Avenue Furniture Wants to Deck Out Your Kid’s Bedroom

It’s that easy. Just stop by our discount furniture store in Detroit, MI and we’ll hook you and your kids up with the coolest kid’s bedroom furniture on the market.

Stroll Up on the Best Sofa Brands and Sales at 5th Avenue Furniture

When you’re cruising down the streets of Detroit, Michigan, you can’t afford to second guess a glance at our 5th Avenue Furniture store. Bringing you the finest brands, at prices you won’t find anywhere else, we furnish local homes and apartments on the cheap. Check out our incredible selection of Furniture of America and Millennium by Ashley and imagine upgrading your interior decorating in a single purchase. Dig our affordable dining room tables, adjacent to the banging master bedroom of your dreams—covered in bedding and savings so smooth you’ll swear they were silk.

All the Best Brands of Furniture, on a Budget

You know your furniture—you know what’s fresh and comfortable—so you know that 5th Avenue Furniture carries the most popular brands, like Ashley, Homey Design, Simmons, and McFerran Home Furnishings. Lounge in mid-century or contemporary designs, customizable down to style and color. Our designer brands come to you discounted and available at the most competitive of prices on the market. It’s easy to jazz up your living room furniture, by speaking with one of 5th’s friendly upholstery professionals.

Affordable Bedrooms Sets for the City Lifestyle

You’re on the go, and you just want to see our deals on bedroom furniture sets—which we fully respect. You can get a personalized queen sized bed, on sale, and set up in your bedroom, all by shopping at 5th Avenue Furniture. We offer you everything, from your discounted nightstands to your lingerie chests, answering as many questions as you may have. Once you walk out of a deal at 5th Avenue Furniture, you’ll be sleeping in splendor and luxury. You can take advantage of our specials and coupons on dressers and designer vanities, whenever you want.

Furniture Delivery for Cheap at Livernois Avenue

Whether you’re glamorizing your dining room or your kid’s room, everything that you order here on our website, or purchase in-store on Livernois Avenue, can be shipped and delivered where you’re living in the vicinity of the City of Detroit, Michigan. 5th Avenue Furniture is always coming up with the best deals, on the cheapest futons, loveseats and furniture brands around.