e2alei, Author at Leisure Lounge

Daybed Decorating Ideas

Posted on January 31, 2018 by e2alei

Wikipedia defines a day bed as being “used as a bed as well as for lounging, reclining and seating in common rooms.”

We define a day bed simply as a living room décor essential!

Why?

Apart from the above-mentioned activities one can perform on a day bed, such as lounging with a good book or catching forty winks in the late afternoon sunshine, day beds are able to effectively tie all of your living space décor elements together.

So, while this article is titled ‘day bed decorating ideas’, we’re also touching on the decorating you can do around your day bed to effectively integrate it into your living space…

Fine-tune the Floor

The first thing your living space will need is a rug.

Colour choice will depend greatly on the style and colour scheme of your day bed, as well as the general vibe in your living space.

So, if your day bed looks something like this Deluxe Daybed, you’ll want to match its regal monotone appearance with a rug that has a bit of detail on it.

If you prefer more eclectic-styled furniture in your living space, like this funky Rococo Daybed, choose a simple monotone rug that won’t draw the attention away from your gorgeous daybed.

Windows and Walls

Do we have a few decorating hacks for you!

Firstly, if you’re open to changing the colour of your living space’s walls, consider matching them as closely to your rug as possible. Wooden floors? Light blues work exceptionally well on the walls to contrast against the natural browns – trust us!

Secondly, when choosing curtains to perfectly accompany your daybed, hang them higher up on the wall than normal.

Why?

This gives the appearance of much larger windows, which helps to make the room feel a bit bigger.

Consider Your Cushions

Scatter cushions really only serve one purpose – to look good (or to make a daybed look better).

The cushions you choose will either make or break the look you’re trying to achieve.

So, use the 80/10/10 rule when choosing cushion colours.

80% of your cushions should match or closely match the colour scheme in your room.

10% of them should be a neutral colour like white, cream or grey.

The final 10% of your occasional daybed cushions should be finished in colours on the opposite side of the colour wheel.

To Throw or Not to Throw

It’s a tough decision to make – to use a throw or not.

If you do decide to use a throw, guests won’t be able to see your stunning daybed!

We recommend covering your daybed with a throw when not entertaining – this will protect the fabric from sun damage and keep it clean.

Just before your visitors arrive, simply fold up the throw and hang it over the daybed’s side.

This way, people who are sitting on your daybed know that they can grab the throw should they begin to feel a little chilly.

Side Table Essentials

The final element your daybed will need to cement its place in your living space is a side table.

Consider matching your side table to the style or finish of your coffee table (if you have one in your living area), and place it to the one side of your day bed.

Decorate your daybed side table with knick-knacks that sort of match the colour of your scatter cushions, and be sure to place an interesting book with lots of pictures for guests to flick through while relaxing on your daybed!

Daybeds: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on September 4, 2018 by e2alei

What do you get when you cross a couch, a bed and a chaise longue? The answer is the increasingly popular daybed! Think about summer afternoons lounging in the sun with a good book, or an emergency place for your guests to sleep when they visit you unexpectedly. Daybeds are the piece of furniture that add a touch of bedroom relaxation to your lounge, while still looking classy.
Daybeds aren’t really a modern invention. There are antique ones in existence that go back as far as China’s Ming dynasty (14th to 15th century)! You know what they say: true style is timeless!

What Can I Do with A Daybed?

Daybeds add a measure of extra comfort to a lounge setup. While they can easily function as ordinary couches, give or take a few extra cushions, they also offer the space to recline without having to rest your neck against the couch arm. When you’re done sitting up, you can just stretch out and take an afternoon nap.

Then, of course, when you have guests over and it’s not advisable for someone to drive home at the end of the night, or you have unexpected visitors from out of town, daybeds make a perfect sleeping solution for accommodating guests comfortably. You can browse our daybeds at this link.

How Do I Style Daybeds?

As a rule, a daybed in any set-up adds a touch of relaxed informality to the decorating. Even the more baroque designs tend to tone down the look and feel of a lounge, into a more welcoming and approachable space. Perhaps this is a case of function dictating the aesthetic impression. Take this into account when considering a daybed in your lounge.

Because daybeds tend to be a bit bulkier than regular couches, they tend to draw attention to themselves. Daybeds are not usually selected as the centrepiece of your living room, rather an accenting option that serves multiple purposes. A day bed will work better placed off to one side, matched with a rug that contrasts and complements its colours and upholstery. If you have two lounges, then the daybed would be better positioned in the TV room or den than in the dressier lounge where you receive guests.

Having said all that, there are as many daybed styles as there are lounges to accommodate them. Take a look at our range of couches to find the one that suits you or contact us to discuss your options.

Designing a Spring-Inspired Living Room

Posted on September 1, 2021 by e2alei

With spring in the air, you may be feeling inspired to change your living room interior with the change of season. Spring is a great style to invest in; it is perfectly fitting during the warm months and bright and cheerful during the colder, darker months. Leisure Lounge know exactly how to transform your living room into a spring-inspired haven for you and your family.

Creating the Perfect Spring Living Room

Here are just 5 ways that you can create the perfect spring-inspired living room. For more home interior tips, visit our blog page.

1. Add Some Cosy Linens

Nothing says Spring more than some fresh, light and pastel linens. Spruce up any area by making it lighter using a runner or throw. Dark wood on tables can be given an instant pick-me-up with a simple table runner in a cream, ivory, duck egg blue or grey, whilst couches can be transformed with a simple throw blanket in a spring-inspired shade.

Now Read: 5 Rules to Follow When Decorating a Living Room

2. Add Some Plants

If you are wanting a spring-inspired living room then it makes sense to have some nature scattered around wherever possible. Think tall standing plants in the empty corners that need filling, bouquets of flowers on surfaces and other pot plants on shelves. Indoor plants really do brighten up a space and will really tie your look together.

3. Add in Some Mirrors

This is a quick fix to make a dark room appear lighter than it really is. Adding in a few mirrors reflects the light that is already in the room and creates a brighter, more open feel. If you don’t have large windows in your living room letting in the spring sunshine, fake the illusion of a brighter room by adding mirrors.

4. Choose the Right Tones and Colours

If you are aiming to design a spring-inspired living room, then you will want to avoid dark colours; this includes wall paint, curtains, furniture colour, wood finishes and on décor. Aim for a light foundation such as cream, white or grey for the walls, floor and furniture and then add splashes of other colours on the curtains, throw pillows, art and other décor items. Aim to use only light tones to keep things fresh and spring-like.

5. Choose the Right Furniture

The furniture that you choose can make or break the overall appeal of a room. As mentioned above, spring style will feature light colours and splashes of pastel. Therefore, you will want to find furniture that ties in with the colour scheme. Think lightwood for tables and shelves and pale upholstery.

Customise Your Furniture with Leisure Lounge Today

If you are wanting furniture that look like they were made for your living room, look no further. Leisure Lounge offer a variety of furniture options that can be customized to your requirements and specification. For more information, contact us today.

Now Read: 3 Ways to Know if Your Home Needs Slip Cover Couches

Divine Decorating Tips for a Dreamy Lounge

Posted on September 1, 2020 by e2alei

If you are looking to design the perfect dreamy living room, you need a plan on how to get there. Unfortunately, you can’t go out and start frantically purchasing every divine lounge item you come across because, more often than not, these items don’t come together at the end to create the dreamy lounge you are aiming for. Our Leisure Lounge team have put together a simple guide on how you can decorate your ideal living room with these 5 simple decorating tips.

5 Tips on How to Decorate a Dreamy Lounge

The 5 tips in this blog post will help you decorate your lounge to achieve the dreamy aesthetic you have been fantasizing about for years.

Decorating Tip #1: Make the Most of Your Space

A dreamy lounge is definitely not cramped. It is important to start your decorating process off by finding a lounge layout that optimizes your area and gives the room the most amount of space to work with. Sketch a few possible layouts, to save yourself the strain of moving furniture repeatedly, and find a layout that best suits your lounge’s purpose. If you regularly entertain, you will want to prioritize how much seating you can fit in, however, if your lounge is somewhere you like to unwind, you should prioritize comfort by ensuring your couch is the perfect distance from the cosy fire and the television.

Decorating Tip #2: Invest in Your Couch

The couch is arguably the most important furniture item in your lounge; therefore, you want to invest in one that you look forward to lounging on for years to come. The wrong couch can instantly affect the dreamy aesthetic you are trying to achieve in your living room, so avoid rushing into a purchase and instead take your time finding a couch that is comfortable, as well as appropriate for the style you are going for. Browse through Leisure Lounge’s couches here.

Decorating Tip #3: Accent with Coffee Tables

Accent tables are a must for any living room, as they are not only practical for placing coffee mugs or wine glasses on, they can also add some personality and serve as a focal point. Often placed in the centre of the room, consider having some fun with your table by finding an interesting shape or design. Whether you choose classic vintage or modern glass, find a coffee table that complements the dreamy aesthetic you are trying to achieve.

Decorating Tip #4: Add an Ottoman

Ottomans have a variety of benefits when added to a lounge. Not only are they great decorative pieces for those spaces that need to be filled, but they also act as extra seating. Find a dreamy design that is comfortable and visually appealing to place amongst your other furniture. Have a look at Leisure Lounge’s ottomans to get some inspiration.

Decorating Tip #5: Accessorize Last

Now that you have finished the hardest parts, it is time to have some fun by finding divine accessories that add the finishing touches to your dreamy lounge. Make use of throw pillows, rugs, books and art to add personality and give your lounge the dreamy decorative pieces it deserves.

Get Your Dreamy Lounge Furniture from Leisure Lounge Today

If you are looking for top quality furniture for your home, visit Leisure Lounge today. With customizable items, furniture can be made to suit your living room’s requirements ensuring that it is the perfect addition to your dreamy lounge. Call us today with any queries or questions, or to request a quote.

Now Read: 5 Benefits of Scotchguarding Your Furniture

Drab to Fab: How a Headboard Uplifts Your Bedroom

Posted on September 15, 2020 by e2alei

A headboard has the power to change the overall look of your bedroom in an instant. With our bedrooms often serving as our ‘safe space’, it is normal to want a change of scenery, however, full bedroom make-overs can be expensive. Leisure Lounge believes that making small changes to your room, such as adding a headboard, can be just as effective and requires minimal effort.

3 Ways a Headboard will Improve Your Bedroom

In this blog post, we cover 3 ways that your bedroom will be instantly uplifted when you add a headboard.

1. It Prevents Wall Damage

Nothing makes a room drabber than a dirty wall. It is perfectly natural for people to sweat during sleep. This sweat then soaks into pillows, which then are pressed against the wall, creating dirty smudges. You may also lie with your back against the wall. Both of these actions result in dirty walls that will instantly decrease your rooms aesthetic. Keep your wall perfectly clean by instead investing in a headboard to protect it.

Now Read: 5 Reasons Why You Should Choose a Slipcover Couch

2. It Adds a Personal Touch

There are so many different styles of headboards that complement different bedrooms. Elegant brass headboards compliment a romantic, classic interior design, whilst buttoned material-clad headboards are more modern look. Consider your rooms overall style before you purchase your headboard, as you want to ensure that the two are complementary. For a little bit of extra décor, you can hang fairy lights, or if the top has a solid ledge, add some photo frames.

3. They Enhance Comfort

Relaxing back in bed after a long day’s work is the best feeling. Upholstered headboards add additional cushioning for extra comfort. Enjoy being propped up watching tv, talking to your partner or getting lost in a book, without leaning back against a chilly wall. Upholstered headboards don’t just look elegant and classy, they are extremely comfortable too.

Get Your Headboard from Leisure Lounge Today

If you are looking for a way to instantly uplift your bedroom, Leisure Lounge has a headboard perfect for your bedroom. Contact us today or visit our website to browse our headboard range and find the perfect new addition to your home.

Now Read: 5 Benefits of Scotchguarding Your Furniture

Five Ways to Use an Ottoman

Posted on August 14, 2017 by e2alei

Named for its origins in the Ottoman Empire (present day Turkey), the ottoman comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, making it a versatile piece of furniture, indeed! Whether you’ve got one kicking about the house that you’re wondering how to use, or you’re in the market to buy an ottoman, read this…

As a Footstool

Nothing better than putting your feet up after a hard day’s work…and an ottoman like this is perfect for the job! Get comfy on the couch, prop your feet up on a padded ottoman with a cuppa, and feel the health benefits – reduced inflammation, improved circulation, and slimmer looking pins!

As a Coffee Table

The ottoman-as-a-coffee-table trend’s been around for a while, and we still love it! Nothing says luxe like a leather ottoman used this way, whilst fabric ottomans can make a bold design statement. To overcome the ‘bounce’ caused by the padded upholstery, place a large wooden tray on your ottoman to accommodate drinks, snacks or decorative items.

As Extra Seating

Providing a place to sit was the original idea behind the ottoman, after all! Back in the Ottoman Empire, ottomans were placed against a wall to provide back support; but for occasional seating when guests pop by for a quick catch-up, a freestanding ottoman will do. In contemporary lounge settings, ottomans look great placed opposite a couch, in place of an armchair. This works particularly well in small living areas, where it’s important to preserve that open plan flow which helps a small space feel larger.

As a Cocktail Ottoman

The Leisure Lounge Nguni ottoman makes a striking side table on which to place your cocktail tray containing decanters, glasses, cocktail shaker and related paraphernalia. Don’t forget the nibbles!

As a Storage Unit

Some ottomans, like this deep-buttoned Leisure Lounge ottoman, provide a sneaky storage space for linen, blankets, throws and cushions, even books or children’s toys! Not only do they look grand when placed at the foot of a bed, or in a corner nook, they’ll keep any living space neat and tidy!

Furniture Print and Design Trends Emerging in 2020

Posted on March 15, 2020 by e2alei

2020 -a new year, a new decade and a chance to start over with your home interior. This year is about being bold, taking chances and being daring, whether that means taking on a new hobby or opting for a more eye-catching furniture print, it is all about trying something new.

5 Furniture Prints and Designs Popular in 2020

There are plenty of emerging furniture print and design trends that you can use to transform your home and make your furniture the conversation starter of all your gatherings. Here are 5 furniture prints and designs that will improve the overall image of your home and leave it 2020 ready.

1. Abstract Patterns

Bold, sweeping abstract patterns are coming back into style for home furniture fabrics. Find a pattern that is made with colours that compliment your home’s style. For example, a stark, neutral living room will be perfectly complemented by bright, abstract print on the couch. This will give the room a brighter feel and direct the eye of guests to the seating.

Now Read 5 Modern Bathroom Looks that We Love

2. Keep it Earthy

A popular 2020 trend in homes are materials that are earthy, in the way they look and what the materials are made of. This can be wool, cotton or leather and in various shades of browns, greens and greys. These tones and materials complement rooms that embody similar colours, decorative pieces and style.

3. Embroidery

Embroidery has been around for years, however, it is making a major comeback in home furniture patterns. This suits bohemian and romantic styled homes. Picture floral patterns, feminine colour combinations and unique designs that will guarantee compliments from all your guests.

4. Furniture as Art

A trend that we love is the presence of the artist on the print. This involves loose brush strokes, paint daubes and large, attention-grabbing designs created by an artist. This print is typically bolder than the previously mentioned designs, however, it complements modern homes perfectly. Rooms that have a more bare and minimalistic look great with a dramatic furniture print to liven things up.

5. Floral Design

We love the floral design and are thrilled to see it making its way onto furniture. This design looks great on single statement chairs and brightens up a room, giving it a spring feel all-year-round. Opt for subtly neutral colours or go bolder and incorporate a bright colour.

Get Your Custom-made Furniture from Leisure Lounge Today

It can be difficult to find a piece of furniture that is ideal for what you planned for your home, which is why the Leisure Lounge wants to help you. Work with us to create the perfect custom-made furniture for your home. From materials to print design, we can create the picture in your mind. Call us today for a quote or to discuss your ideas.

Now Read 4 Tips for Buying the Right Sized Furniture

Get the Look: Autumn Table Settings

Posted on May 10, 2017 by e2alei

There’s a bite in the air and nights are growing longer – Autumn is undoubtedly here! While we might be dining outdoors and having braais less, colder days don’t mean the end to entertaining – just take it indoors with beautiful dining furniture and stunning Autumn table settings! We’ve got expert tips to help you pull together a perfect fall tablescape…

Darker Autumn Days: Light Your Dining Room Right

Autumn means days are getting dark earlier and the season brings a different quality of light. This is the perfect opportunity to create a warm and cosy dining atmosphere using lighting:

Swap bright down-lights for lamp light for a less harsh and more golden light
This is the perfect season for candles! Have a long narrow table like this Hemmingway dining table? Place a runner up the middle and arrange candles at intervals
String fairy lights across the mantle or around statues and indoor plants for a whimsical autumn feel.

Decorations and Dining Table Settings

Get creative with your settings! Your table should reflect the best elements of the new season – the colours and bounty of nature:

Choose reds, oranges and rusts as your base colours for table cloths and serviettes.
Add a sense of seasonal magic and contrast against heavy browns and reds, by adding elements of silver or gold. For example, layout gold candlesticks and napkin rings
Put blankets on chairs if there’s a chill or if you’re dining outside
Pick seasonal flowers for your centre piece! Proteas, Amaryllis and Dahlias also come in autumnal shades that will complement the overall theme
Gather pine cones or use small pumpkins as fun and inexpensive centre pieces!
Keep guests comfy and cosy in luxurious dining chairs, like these…
Enjoy after-dinner coffee on your slip-cover lounge suites, like this Casablanca couch. These are easier to clean and it’s an easy fix to change chair colours depending on the season.

Here’s Why You Need a Sleeper Couch

Posted on January 29, 2018 by e2alei

We survived the December 2017 holiday period, phew!

Did you have a holiday period hosting guests and stepping over extensive Christmas beds set up in your lounge?

Perhaps you had a holiday without much family around, where days of binging on Netflix and sugary snacks was how you saw the new year in.

Either way, we’ve got three reasons why you need a sleeper couch in your living space before the next holiday period rolls around…

You’ve Got Visitors Staying Over

You know how it goes. Whether you like it or not, you’ll be expected to host people over the June holidays and year-end festive season.

Whether it be just for lunch, or for a week thanks to your brother-in-law choosing the cheapest accommodation option (your house), chances are you’ll have to organise sleeping arrangements for one or two people.

With a sleeper couch like the Kenton in your lounge, your guests can go from sitting to sleeping in a matter of minutes – and they’ll have the television to entertain them through the night so you don’t have to!

Thanks to its generous width, the Kenton sleeper couch is able to sleep two average-sized adults comfortably.

You’ve Been Kicked Out of Bed

Gentlemen, we’re talking to you here!

We know the struggle; the dogs, cats, and even the African Grey decide to spend the night on your bed, leaving you just enough space to lie on your side with a cat’s bum in your face while you try to get to sleep.

Let’s face it – the tribe has spoken, and the island is just too small for the lot of you.

With a sleeper couch like the Ottoman Sleeper in your home, you’ll be able to rest easy in the living room while your significant other deals with the animal farm in your bedroom.

You Like a Good Movie Marathon

Picture this:

You arrive home late from work on a Friday night; it’s raining and the wind is threatening to uproot your entranceway pot plants.

Your significant other hasn’t taken anything out for dinner, which usually means take-outs are in order.

With a sleeper couch like the Bianca Sleeper positioned directly in front of your television, coupled with take-aways and a warm blanket, you have the makings of a perfect couch-cuddle movie marathon evening.

What’s more, should you fall asleep during the third Lord of the Rings, you won’t wake up with a crick in your neck come Saturday morning!