Outdoor Furniture: History and Evolution

Summer is officially in full swing (not that it feels any different to us South Floridians), and that means spending more time outside soaking up the sun! But what’s the fun in getting your tan on without the right outdoor furniture? After all, sunbathing on that dilapidated blue/tangerine plastic beach chair you got in 1984 isn’t going to get you any kudos for style.

Outdoor furniture has come a long way since its 18th-century roots. It all started with the rocking chair. Since air conditioning hadn’t been invented yet, many people would sit out on their porches for some fresh air. And since nobody had thought to make furniture specifically designed for outdoor use, most people would simply drag their inside furniture outside. Unfortunately, the popular wrought iron furniture of those days wasn’t exactly comfortable, let alone suitable for the outdoors. The wooden rocking chair, on the other hand, was a much better alternative: It was comfortable, could be easily moved around, and was (relatively) more durable than other furniture pieces at the time.

The rocking chair eventually evolved into the porch swing, which could seat several people at once. By the 1930s, furniture makers were making chairs geared for outdoor use. Lawn chairs in particular became the craze among consumers. There was obviously a huge market for outdoor furniture, and thus a new industry was born.

The first waves of outdoor furniture after the initial boom served their purpose, but were also cheesy-looking, overly complicated, and flimsy. (Ever tried folding up one of those old three-part beach chairs? You could lose a finger!) Thankfully, technology and common sense intervened, and today we’re blessed with stylish, durable outdoor furniture that’s both useful and easy to use!

Seriously, some of these designs are comparable to some of the chicest furniture you’ll find indoors.

Black Chaise Lounge

A more comfortable take on the traditional lounge chair. This lightweight chaise features an aluminum frame for sturdiness. The included cushions make it comfortable enough to lounge, sleep, read, or whatever else you like! The woven wicker makes this piece extremely durable, so don’t be afraid to relax on it after a quick dip in the pool.

Palm Chaise

For those with more modern taste. This is yet another twist on the traditional lounge chair; the Palm Chaise features a detachable canopy to help shade you from the sun, allowing you to relax even more comfortably. The attached casters also make this piece easily transportable.

Wilson 4-Piece Patio Set

Part of the fun of the outdoors is that they’re different from the indoors; it’s a change from the norm. That’s the whole point, really. But if you still need a little bit of indoor convenience while lounging outside, this is your best bet. This set can seat up to three people. And it even comes with a table! You can’t really ask for much more from an outdoor furniture set.

Selinet Brown 7-Piece Patio Set

Feel like having some friends over? This one’s for you. Durable frame. Lightweight. Seats up to six people. Stackable chairs for easy storage. Wicker for durability. Oh, and that table top? Tempered glass. Need I say more?

Roland 3-Piece Patio Set w/Round Table

For more intimate moments, there’s the Roland set. It’s perfect for sharing a drink, having a snack, or just catching up with a friend. The chairs are stackable and the table can be folded for easy storage.

Splash Shower

Sun a little too hot for you? Ready to head back inside? Use the outdoor Splash Shower to cool or rinse yourself off and avoid tracking sand into the house. The copper showerhead and soap dish can withstand outdoor conditions, and the attached teak polywood platform is perfect for getting out all the excess sand on your feet.

And it doesn’t end there! Check out these pieces and more at www.ElDoradoFurniture.com and make sure you’re ready for some summer fun! Don’t forget the lotion!

Narratives are for entertainment purposes only and frequently employ literary point of view; the narratives do not necessarily reflect the opinions of El Dorado Furniture, its officers, or employees.

Have a comment or topic suggestion for the author? Shoot him an e-mail at vcapo@eldoradofurniture.com.

Sources:

Houser, Tom. “The History of Patio Furniture,” Ezine @rticles Website, http://ezinearticles.com/?The-History-of-Patio-Furniture&id=596200 (accessed June 21, 2010).

Need a Lift? -- Power-Lift Recliners

A few weeks ago, we brought you some hands-on time with one of our power-lift recliners. This week, we thought we’d give you a more in-depth look at these pieces.

If you’ve been paying attention to your television lately, you may have caught a glimpse of El Dorado Furniture’s new TV spots. One of these spots focuses on our selection of power-lift recliners.

While these special recliners can be used by virtually anyone, they are especially convenient for the elderly, infirm, or disabled who may need assistance when getting up.

In the past, these individuals generally had to avoid more comfortable seating (such as recliners) because they can be difficult to get in and out of. But thanks to power-lift recliners, they can enjoy the comfort of a luxurious recliner without worrying about needing assistance. The touch of a button opens the recliner to your desired position; the touch of another button gently closes and lifts the recliner until you are upright, allowing you to effortlessly get up. The recliner will remain in the upright position until you’re ready to sit back down, so you’ll be seated gently and comfortably in no time!

As an added benefit, power-lift recliners are just as comfortable as traditional recliners. They can be used for everyday activities like watching television, listening to music, or just relaxing and lounging.

Unlike dedicated medical equipment that favors functionality over comfort, the power-lift recliner manages to combine comfort, functionality, and ease of use into one stylish furniture piece.

Check out a hands-on demonstration of one of our power-lift recliners by clicking here.

Narratives are for entertainment purposes only and frequently employ literary point of view; the narratives do not necessarily reflect the opinions of El Dorado Furniture, its officers, or employees.

Useful Furniture: Guest Beds

Houseguests. We’ve all had them at some point. Your cousin from out of town who’s visiting for a few days. Your sister and her husband who need a place to stay while their house is fumigated. That one friend who had a little too much to drink at the party and can’t drive home.

Houseguests (particularly the unexpected kind) keep us on our toes, especially if we don’t have room for a guest bed. Luckily, there are several versatile furniture solutions that can help ensure that both you and your guests are comfortable during their stay, no matter the size of your home.

Sofa Beds

The perfect solution if you’re tight on space or just appreciate efficiency. The sofa bed inconspicuously parades as a fully functional sofa by day, and transforms into a comfy bed at night. Many sofa beds are made using quality materials like 100% genuine leather, so you and your guests can enjoy the ultimate in comfort and luxury while sitting and watching TV. The hidden pull-out mattress makes the sofa bed perfect for a living room, den, or home office. Just like regular mattresses, sofa bed mattresses come in a variety of sizes.

Futons

Like a sofa bed, but smaller. In the past, futons were most popular among college students living in dorms that didn’t have room for much more than a few essential pieces of furniture. Once notorious for their flimsy construction and cheesy design, futons have evolved into a legitimate addition to many furniture collections thanks to their comfort, style, and functional design. Many even have hidden storage compartments for pillows and other items. Futons fit well in a living room, den, home office, or bedroom.

Daybeds

The daybed is appropriate for those who have very little room to spare and don’t mind putting it all out there. The daybeds is small, so you can place it virtually anywhere. It’s essentially a guest bed in its simplest form, but can be used as a couch as well. Many daybeds now include trundle units, effectively turning them into pseudo-bunk beds for two.

Rollaway Beds

If you have no room left in your home, the rollaway is a good solution. Rollaway beds aren’t as stylish as the aforementioned beds, and they serve just one purpose, but they’re convenient, folding up for easy storage inside a closet. Rollaway beds also come in a variety of sizes.

Get a better look at each of these pieces on our site by clicking here!

Narratives are for entertainment purposes only and frequently employ literary point of view; the narratives do not necessarily reflect the opinions of El Dorado Furniture, its officers, or employees.

The Benefits of Sleep and How to Get Them, Pt. 2

Last week, we looked at some of the benefits of a good night’s sleep. This week, we’re focusing on what you can do to ensure you get that quality sleep.

Sleep is a surprisingly complex activity; a number of factors can affect the quality of your sleep. Your age, physical health, lifestyle, and mattress are just some of those factors. Because of this, there is no single, surefire way to ensure a good night’s rest. But here are some things you can do to help improve your sleep, so you can reap its rewards. Always check with your doctor before making any lifestyle changes.

• Only use your bed for sleeping and the other “s”-word. Like most people today, chances are you have a TV and maybe even a computer in your bedroom. While this isn’t the most ideal bedroom setup, it can still be conducive to sleep, so long as you’re not watching your favorite soaps and checking your e-mail from your bed. The bed should only be used for sleep and sex. Once you’re in bed, give yourself at least 15 minutes to fall asleep. If you’re not sleepy after 15 minutes, get out of bed until you are, but avoid stimulating activities like watching TV or reading an exciting book.

• Sleep and wake up at the same time every day. Keep a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends. It’s tempting to stay up late or sleep in on the weekend, but just an hour change in your sleep schedule can disrupt your entire sleep cycle. Your body adjusts to your sleep schedule at a rate of one hour per day. So if you usually wake up at 6:30, but decide to wake up at 8:30 on the weekend, your body will need two full days to re-adjust. Is two days of bad sleep worth two hours of sleeping in?

• Have a bedtime. The term “bedtime” shouldn’t just refer to the moment you get into bed and turn out the light. We all have things we do before settling in for the night. Doing those same things every night will let our bodies know that it’s time to start winding down. This nightly ritual should be performed about 30 minutes prior to going to bed. Whatever your ritual is, do it every night to let your body know it’s time for bed.

• Exercise. Daily exercise provides innumerable health benefits, and that includes a good night’s sleep. Try to exercise every day, but not within three hours of your bedtime as this will make it harder to fall asleep.

• Get some sun. Expose yourself to some sunlight every day. The sun’s light helps the body’s internal clock keep track of day and night. So the next time the sun’s out, step outside for a brisk morning walk, or at the very least, open the drapes to let some sunlight in.

• Darken the bedroom. Darkness helps regulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps you fall and stay asleep. Just like sunlight lets the body know it’s day time, darkness signals night. Don’t undermine your body’s internal clock by fooling it with artificial or unnecessary light. Close the drapes and turn off all the lights when you’re ready to sleep.

• Change your mattress. One commonly overlooked factor in sleeping conditions is actually the most important: The mattress. Mattresses can be a fairly big investment, and as such, we expect them to last for years with minimal maintenance. While a good quality mattress is built to last about five to seven years, you may need to change yours before that time. As we age, our body’s needs change. Because of this, your mattress may feel comfortable, but it’s not actually giving you the support your body needs. This can lead to trouble sleeping at night, and pain when you wake up in the morning. To find out more about how your mattress can affect your sleep, check out El Dorado Furniture’s Mattress Buying Guide, where you’ll also learn about our exclusive Comfort Scale, which makes it easier than ever to find the perfect mattress.

Narratives are for entertainment purposes only and frequently employ literary point of view; the narratives do not necessarily reflect the opinions of El Dorado Furniture, its officers, or employees.

Sources:

"Need a New Mattress?" The Better Sleep Council Website, http://www.bettersleep.org/Ease/evaluate.asp (accessed May 17, 2010).

Stibich, Mark, Ph.D. "Top 10 Ways to Get a Good Night’s Sleep," About.com Website, October 30,2008, http://longevity.about.com/od/lifelongenergy/tp/sleep_hygiene.htm (accessed May 17, 2010).