According the the American Furniture Manufacturers Association, consumers should do the following when shopping for furniture:

• Identify your personal style. Is it casual, contemporary, country, traditional, eclectic, rustic, transitional, tropical or Asian? If unsure look at the items around you to see how they reflect your personality – your wardrobe, your car, your magazines and favorite movies.
• Examine your preferences. Make a list of your favorite colors, textures and patterns. Do you prefer bold colors or pastels? Solids, stripes or plaids? Soft, light fabric covers or rich tapestries?
• Consider your lifestyle. Do you plan to have a family or already have children? Pets? Are you planning to move soon?
• Prioritize your purchases. Decide which items of furniture you want or need most, and buy those first. Then build around them.
• Determine your budget. No matter how much or how little you want to spend, you can find good values that suit your style in any price category.
• Budget your time to suit your shopping style. Do you enjoy doing lots of research and browsing, or are you an on-the-spot buyer? Shopping for furniture can be as easy or involved as you want it to be. Our website can help you either way. The Internet is a great way to gather information, get ideas, look at pictures, answer questions, read consumer furniture shopping guides, and find just what you need.
• Explore available resources. Look to home programs, books, magazines, catalogs, Web sites and furniture showrooms to provide inspiration. Keep a scrapbook of furniture styles you like. Some of our favorites are Elle Decor, Better Homes and Gardens, Martha Stewart Living, Southern Living, Midwest Living, Country Home, House and Garden, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, and HGTV.
• Take advantage of free services. Many furniture stores such as ours offer such benefits as interior design consulting, room planning guides and product brochures.
• Trust your own judgment. Buy what you like, and don't be afraid to be bold or different.
• Have fun and enjoy the process. Furnishing your home to express your personal style can be one of life's greatest and most enduring pleasures.

If you are shopping for a new sofa or couch, the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) and the American Furniture Manufacturers Association make the following recommendations:

• Color will be the first element to which you respond.
• When you find a style that appeals to you, try it out for comfort.
• Bounce up and down on the cushions. Make sure it feels right (comfortable) to you.
• Wiggle the arms. Do they hold firm, indicating good workmanship?
• Lift the frame. Does it feel heavy and sturdy?
• Examine the fabric. Are the seams straight? Does the fabric line up properly? Does it feel pleasing to the touch?
• Check the price. Quality sofas are available in all price ranges.
• Measure it. You don't want the sofa to overwhelm your room, but you also don't want it to be dwarfed by other pieces.
• For fire safety reasons, look for the gold UFAC tag, indicating that the sofa manufacturer certifies it is made in accordance with UFAC methods designed to reduce the likelihood of upholstered furniture fires from smoldering cigarettes.
• After you've done all your checks, the most important thing is to follow your heart. If you love it, then it's right for you.

Additional Tips to help you shop for living room furniture If you are decorating or remodeling your living room, The American Furniture Manufacturers Association makes the following recommendations for living room furniture shopping:

• First consider your lifestyle. Do you have children?
• Determine your budget.
• In addition to a sofa or other major seating piece, you'll probably also want a chair or two to accommodate guests.
• You will need occasional tables such as end tables and a cocktail table.
• An entertainment center or wall unit is a must for all the electronic equipment, TV, DVD, etc.
• Measure your space carefully to determine what furniture you can comfortably accommodate.
• Lamps are a must for a living room.
• Accessories are essential to put the finishing touch on your space.
• Most importantly, enjoy yourself.

• Decide what best expresses your personal style
• Determine your budget.
• Measure your space to see what pieces you can accommodate.
• A well-equipped bedroom generally consists of a bed, a nightstand or two, a dresser or chest and a mirror. Many of today's bedrooms feature an armoire, too.
• The bed is generally the focal point of the bedroom so you'll probably want to select it first.
• When shopping for pieces that aren't upholstered, such as dressers, chests and tables (known as "casegoods" in the furniture world), find out what they are made of – is it hardwood or softwood? Quality pieces are available in both hard and soft woods.
• With any wood pieces, an examination of the construction will reveal a lot about the quality. Lift a corner. Does it feel heavy and sturdy? Check out the corners. Do they feel strong and secure?
• Open and shut the drawers. Do they open and close easily? Do they fit snugly? You want to make sure they don't sag.
• Examine the finish of the piece. The finish should be smooth, without cracks or bubbles
• Check the hardware, e.g. handles and pulls, they should be secure and strong with no rough or sharp edges.
• And after you've made your major furniture selections, remember to add accessories such as lamps, photo frames, rugs and wall décor.
• Most importantly, enjoy yourself.

If you are decorating or remodeling your dining room, The American Furniture Manufacturers Association makes the following recommendations for dining room furniture shopping:

• First decide on the tone of the room. Do you want formal elegance or casual comfort?
• Decide on a budget.
• Measure and evaluate your space to see what pieces you can accommodate.
• Basic pieces for a well-equipped dining room are generally a table and chairs, a china cabinet for display and storage and a sideboard or buffet for serving and additional storage.
• The dining table and chairs serve as the centerpiece of the room – this is a good place to start.
• When shopping, look underneath the table to see how it is supported – four legs, pedestal, trestles – you want something that will be comfortable for you and your guests when seated.
• Dining tables are generally constructed of wood, metal or natural or cast stone, often with a glass or stone top.
• Most materials also are offered in a variety of finishes, from light to dark. Examine the finish by rubbing your hands across the top and sides.
• Be sure to take a seat in the dining chairs and sit back for a while. Wiggle the backs, legs and arms. Do they feel sturdy? Are they comfortable?
• Once you've selected your major furniture pieces, move to the finishing touches: accessories. They will help you create the right ambience.

Would you like your new furniture to last? Keep it away from windows!

Keep an unopened bottle of clear soda water or seltzer on hand for carpet spills even tough ones like wine, animal urine, or food.

If you have an in-house artist who goes outside the lines onto painted walls or wallpaper (if washable) use a multi purpose lubricating oil to remove. Spray oil onto space, use a clean rag to wipe area.

To brighten cozy spaces or tone down rooms with high sheen add texture to the space. Smooth, glossy materials like leather and glass add light to a area. Rougher textures like wool or natural woods, absorb light making your area seem soft and casual.

Furniture plays an important part in our lives and in our homes. That is why it is essential to care for our furniture to ensure its longevity and cleanliness. By using a little common sense, a little patience and some elbow grease, our home furnishings will last several lifetimes. Here are a few basic tips to keep our home furnishings looking their best:

Cleaning -

• Because dust can be abrasive, always dust with a soft lint-free cloth that is moistened with polish. Never use soap and water on wood furniture.
• Use the same type of furniture polish consistently, as furniture can appear streaky if oil- and wax-based polishes are mixed.
• Wipe in a circular motion to loosen old polish, and buff until it's dry for a perfect finish.
• A natural bristle paintbrush can be used to dust intricate designs in wood.
• Vacuum upholstery (and rotate cushions) once weekly to avoid fabric problems. You also can use the round brush attachment to clean wood furniture.
• Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Keep them handy for future reference.

Longevity -

• Avoid exposing wood furniture and upholstery to continuous direct sunlight to avoid fading and other damage.
• Protect your wood furniture from humidity by using an air conditioner in the summer and a humidifier in winter. Place furniture at least 12 inches away from temperature extremes such as heaters and air conditioners.
• Use coasters, pads and other protection against spills and other stains.
• Gently lift, open and close doors, lids and drawers.
• Do not allow cats and dogs on furniture, as they can be extremely abrasive to furnishings.

Everyday Use -

• Sit only on structures designed for that purpose.
• Do not place hot items on a finish that will melt away or stain.
• Beware of water from spills and condensation on drink glasses that can cause damage to coatings.
• When moving a piece of furniture, do not drag it, move it from its strongest part.

• To prevent cuts and lacerations, do not put your hands or fingers under the mechanism to operate the chair. Only the occupant should operate the chair, and never attempt to open the chair by pulling on the footrest.
• Sit down in the chair slowly. To avoid tip-over, do not throw your weight against the back of the chair. Move the chair into the reclining position slowly, making sure that no children or pets are in close proximity. Do not allow children to play on or around a recliner, particularly if it is in an open position.
• Close the recliner completely before getting out of it.
• Never sit on the footrest when it is open, or allow children to do so.
• To eliminate the risk of tip-over, do not sit on the arms or footrest of the recliner.
• Only one adult should sit in a recliner at a time.
• Watch for pets who may choose to lie down underneath the chair.
• When moving your recliner, be sure it is completely closed. Pick the chair up by the arms; never pick up the chair from underneath.
• Be sure the chair is constructed so there is no more than 5 inches opening between the seat and the leg rest to eliminate the possibility of a child becoming trapped in the opening. Older chairs may not meet this voluntary standard that was adopted in the late 1980s.
• When shopping for a new recliner, look for the gold UFAC tag ensuring that the manufacturer has agreed to meet construction criteria suggested by the Upholstered Furniture Action Council. The voluntary UFAC program has been credited with contributing to a nearly 80% reduction in the number of upholstered furniture fires started by smoldering cigarettes.

Home Sweet Home has taken on new meaning for today's consumers, and as Americans increasingly turn to their homes as havens for enjoying their family and friends, they are looking for these comfort zones to not only be comfortable and inviting, but safe and secure as well.

To help ensure that Home Sweet Home is also Home Safe Home, the American Home Furnishings Alliance offers the following ABCs for safe home furnishings:

• A is for awareness, which can help prevent accidents in the home.
• B is for bunk beds, a good choice for children 6 and older, but not recommended for children under 6.
• C is for cribs, the best place for your baby to sleep. Make sure slats or spindles are no more than 2 3/8 inches apart and that none are loose or missing. The mattress should be firm and fit snugly in the crib.
• D is for drawers, great for stashing your stuff, but terrible as a stepping stool. To prevent tipover, never allow children to climb in drawers or open more than one at a time. Automatic drawer stops, which keep drawers from falling out on unsuspecting feet, are often a good feature, especially if children are in the home.
• E is for entertainment center, the perfect place to house your new TV. Just be sure it's the right size so that the TV is properly supported and won't fall forward.
• F is for falls, a leading cause of injuries and deaths in the home. Particularly vulnerable are the elderly and young children. To lessen the likelihood of falls, eliminate clutter, be sure rugs have slip-resistant pads, keep electrical cords out of walkways and clean up spills immediately.
• G is for guardrails. Bunk beds should have guardrails on each side of the top bunk, with the side against the wall or opposite the ladder running the full length of the bed. The other rail should be secure and sturdy and should extend at least 5 inches above the mattress.
• H is for height, which you should consider in bookcases and dressers. If the piece is taller than it is wide, you may want to secure it to the wall to prevent tipover, especially if young children are in the home. And bookcases should never be overloaded, particularly on top.
• I is for ideal. Remember that the ideal furnishings for your home are not only comfortable and beautiful, but safe as well.
• J is for joiners. It's a good idea to check periodically to make sure all screws, bolts, brackets and other joiners on your furniture are tight and secure.
• K is for kids, who love to play but who should never be allowed to play or climb on furniture, especially on bunk beds, dressers or open reclining chairs.
• L is for lids and latches. Toy and storage chests should have safety latches that prevent the lid from falling freely or slamming shut on fingers or a child's head. Lids should not lock automatically. If you have an older chest without a safety latch, contact the manufacturer for a replacement latch, or remove the lid.
• M is for matches, which should be kept away from children. Children playing with matches or lighters are the second leading cause of fires in the home, behind cooking accidents. Careless smoking is the third leading cause of fires.
• N is for nighttime, when it gets dark. When the sun goes down, lighting should come on. Use a variety of floor and table lamps, as well as ceiling and wall fixtures, to ensure that your home is well-lit so people can move around safely. Candles are a nice touch for evening, but use caution near upholstery and bedding.
• O is for old, which could be dangerous. Be sure older pieces of furniture do not contain lead paint that is flaking. Also check for sturdiness and stability.
• P is for pathways, which should be clutter free and well-lit, both inside and outside the home. Furniture should be arranged to allow easy walk through.
• Q is for quality. Buy the best you can afford – for safety's sake. Quality furniture, regardless of price range, is manufactured with safety in mind.
• R is for recliner, a comfortable seat, but one that requires caution. Only one adult should sit in a recliner at a time, and children should never be allowed to play on or around a recliner. To prevent cuts and lacerations, do not put your hands or fingers under the mechanism to operate the chair.
• S is for supervision, for which there is no substitute. No matter how safe the products in your home are, small children should always be supervised by a responsible adult.
• T is for temptation, which should be avoided. To prevent tempting your children to climb on furniture, do not place enticing objects on tops of dressers or bookcases.
• U is for UFAC, the Upholstered Furniture Action Council. When buying new upholstered furniture, look for the gold UFAC tag ensuring that the manufacturer has agreed to meet UFAC's construction criteria. The voluntary UFAC program has been credited with contributing to a nearly 80% reduction in the number of upholstered furniture fires started by smoldering cigarettes.
• V is for vigilant, which is what you should be when it comes to home safety.
• W is for windows, which provide a wonderful view. But furniture, especially children's beds, should not be placed near windows where children can climb or fall out.
• X is for X-ing out accidents in your home. Following these simple ABC tips will lead you on your way to safety at home.
• Y is for yawning, leading us to...
• Z, which is for the great ZZZs - you'll catch when you know your family is safe at home.