calgary home office furnture

Creating Cozy Spaces On Large Decks

~ Naomi Pederson

I always dreamed of having a large deck to entertain on.  I thought of all the parties I could throw and all the people that would fit on my large deck.  Finally, I was able to get a home that had a large deck off the kitchen.  I was delighted but soon realized that sometimes decorating a large space can be harder than decorating a small space.

At Showhome furniture we know that it important to balance things out, pick good furniture and define spaces in order to create the maximum entertaining space for your time and money.

deck furniture layout ideas

When I designed my deck, I found it easier to break my space up into different zones.  I had the eating zone and the sit back and chill with friends zone.  Sticking to just two different zones allowed me to also have enough room to move around and look out at the view even when there were many guests over.

For my eating zone, I opted for a gazebo kit to frame in and shade my guests while we ate and conversed.  If you live in a very windy location like a few of my sisters, you might not be able to get away with a box kit and may have to hire someone to come and build you a permanent structure that is windproof.

I learned the hard way when I lived in Southern Alberta near the foothills, that you must build according to the needs of your location.

For the visiting area, I just got a good quality sectional, a rug and a coffee table.

No living space inside or out is complete without accessories, and since we were creating an outdoor living space, I made sure that my deck was loaded with plants or different shapes and colors.

One thing I did not do, but many have is to add a fireplace or fire bowl because even though my deck was large, I wanted to leave lots of space for mingling guests and running children (who are often in large numbers at our gatherings).

What I did do though was add a lot of different candles and lighting to my space.  The mixed lights let me enjoy our deck even when the evening grows long and dark.

Whatever your deck size, decorating it properly is a must in order to realize it full entertaining potential.

 

Decorating a Small Space

~ Showhome Furniture

Once you’ve decided what roles your space needs to fill and outfit it with the appropriate furnishings, you’re on your way. Then the look you want can come after you’ve ensured that the different elements work for you. If you don’t want your room’s size to limit what you can do, purchase furniture that meets your needs and then add customized elements like free-floating shelves or odd-angled bookcases. It helps to work with a designer who can visualize the great ideas you have and pare them down on paper so you can get an idea of the end result before you go shopping for your major furniture pieces. That way, you save money by making wise design decisions without the influence of impulse buying.

Versatile furniture that serves dual purposes or that folds away when not in use allows your rooms to act as if they were more expansive. For example, in a small bedroom you might want your nightstand to actually be a desk, or you may need your nightstand to function as a dresser. Purchase a piece of furniture that allows you to do the most: make sure there are drawers to hide things, a sturdy surface, and that you can get what you need during the night.

Small spaces do better with excellent organization. Maybe you’ll have to pare down your belongings. Hiding things (such as power cords, cozy blankets, office supplies) will make your room look less cluttered. Consider attractive baskets or wheeled crates stored in the unused space under beds and tables.


When square footage is at a premium, creative use of wall real estate can save the day. Raising artwork to increase the apparent height of a room can provide space for hanging racks, narrow shelves, fold-down tables etc. Judicious use of mirrors can create an illusion of greater space and bounce light around to illuminate dim corners.


Although space may be limited, you should be able to enjoy the beauty and tranquility of what you have. Even tiny spots can be comfortable and inspire you to enjoy the time you spend in them.

Creating a Home Office

~ Showhome Furniture

Even if you don’t have a job that requires you to work from home, everyone should have one (or more) little corners set aside in their home for creating, working and dreaming. This can be a reclaimed secretary that holds pride-of-place in your living room, or a small desk tucked under a window at the end of a hall. It can even be a space that you have to share with others and other functions from time to time, like part of the dining room table or a counter in the laundry room. These spaces help your home function as it should.


All of us have correspondence we need to take care of and having a place and system for mail, bills etc is crucial to our people of mind. If your house lacks a formal office, you might find that your bedroom offers you the peace and isolation you need for creative writing. By casting a critical eye over each area of your home, you will likely find spots that will work for your family.I In limited space, you could use a fold down desk, or a rolling table. Bookshelves are great in almost any room, not only for favorite reading material, but to help keep records, files and current projects all in one place

You don’t have to be a super organized person to enjoy like a measure of order so that you don’t become a stressed-out disaster. Choosing furniture pieces that are both beautiful and functional (and scaled to your space) will ensure your office space meets your needs. If you liven it up with favorite finds and eclectic decor pieces, you’ll find yourself enjoying being there even if you don’t enjoy what you have to do.