A lot of people don’t know the relation between colors and the mind, body and emotions. Unconsciously, each color affects the mood and state of mind differently. Some colors boost happiness, others give a sense of comfort. Therefore, restaurants, spas, hotels and other hospitality businesses must be very careful with the use of colors in their decoration.

Why is color psychology important in hospitality environments?

Hotels, restaurants, beaches and other hospitality businesses try hard to please their visitors to make them visit again. In a restaurant, for example, the quality of food affects a lot the impression of the client in the business, but what also plays an important role is the state of mind the client is in the first place. An unpleasing mood generates a negative review. And one thing is sure; businesses don’t want their customers to leave their premises disappointed or unhappy. For this reason, the interior designer chosen to plan the space of the hotel, restaurant, spa or any other hospitality business must set on the theme and the experience the place wants to convey and choose the right colors accordingly.

Yellow, even though it is the hardest color for the human eye to process, it promotes happiness, and is associated with warmth, optimism and cheerfulness. Yellow can also increase the metabolism and give energy. It is a smart choice to use this color in the breakfast areas in a restaurant or hotel.

Blue is the color of calm and serenity. Studies showed that this color lowers blood pressure and heart rate. It is also the most productive color. Blue is an excellent choice for offices, bedrooms or even spas to keep visitors calm and relaxed.

Red, as opposite to blue, raises the heart rate and blood pressure. This color is known to stimulate emotions and energy, and also to promote appetite making it a great choice for restaurants.

Orange, just like red, is also an appetite stimulant. This color gives a warm and fun feeling. Orange could be a perfect color to adopt for a vitrine space for its ability to grab passersby’s attention.

Green is the color of nature. It gives a feeling of serenity, tranquility and health. It is also an appropriate color for concentration and relaxation. Therefore, it can be a good choice for spas, patios and garden furniture.

Purple gives a rich, luxurious and calming feeling. It is a good choice for a lobby to keep a positive feeling about a hotel. However, this color must stay away from restaurants, as it is an appetite oppressor.

When designing, hospitality businesses must be aware that there are no standard colors for restaurants, hotels or spas. It all depends on the theme and personality to project. What should also be taken into consideration are the materials of the furniture used in a space. If a business is targeting high class society, it would be appropriate to use luxurious rattan furniture instead of plastic ones. In addition, restaurants, spas and hotels furniture must match the surrounding whether outdoor or indoor. The choice of outdoor furniture for hotels, beaches and restaurants requires knowledge in the materials to use to maintain their good shape and condition in all types of weather. Metal, aluminum and rattan outdoor furniture are the best options to equip a garden or patio.

In conclusion, knowing what each color represents before planning the hospitality spaces is very important. Using the wrong color can be determinant for the business itself, as it can affect negatively the mood of the customers, and their experience. Businesses must not neglect matching furniture with the surrounding space and using the right material for the garden furniture.

Source by Manuel S

Shipping containers, also known as intermodal containers, are large metal boxes made to house goods as they are transported by land or by water. They commonly come in lengths of 20 feet or 40 feet but there are containers as short as 8 feet or as long as 56. A typical container measures 8 feet in width and 8 feet to 9.5 feet in height. They are usually made of corrugated weathering steel and have doors at one end. Shipping containers have helped to advance commerce's globalization by making it possible to transport goods over long distances and different transport modes without unloading and reloading.

Because of their durability, intermodal containers lend themselves easily to reuse, and not necessarily for shipping. Used shipping containers for sale are not uncommon. Some well-worn units are retired by shipping companies, and others put up for sale after a single use.

One common reason individuals or businesses buy such containers are for storage. Their large capacities and ability to withstand weight and the elements make them ideally suited to keeping furniture and other stored goods safe.

The modular structure and durability of shipping containers also makes them great housing material. A great number of inventive builders and architects have put them to use in residences ranging from single modified containers to larger homes made of several units to complexes consisting of small living spaces.

Because they can be stacked on top of each other, such containers have been used as the main building material in unusual but quite practical hotels. West London is home to the very first shipping container hotel, made in 2008 from eighty-six modified containers, at a cost about 10 percent less than normal hotels and a speed of construction about 25 percent faster.

Besides being used to create places to live in, intermodal containers have featured in the construction of offices and retail spaces like stores and a huge mall in the Ukraine, not to mention a museum which is regularly taken apart to travel around the world.

In Japan and Rotterdam, large modern sculptures are made out of shipping containers, and in London containers stacked three stories high form a cheerful, modern children's center where kids go to play.

In a variety of ways, shipping containers don't outlive their usefulness once they are done transporting cargo. Whether as humble storage, cozy living space or spectacular art, they can be given a new lease on life.

If you are interested in shipping or intermodal containers, you may check out http://containersfirst.com .

Source by Andy James Brown

The era that gave us mass-produced furniture and the opportunity to "experiment" with our decor is making a come-back in the lush set designs of AMC's hit show, Mad Men. From Pete's chic apartment to the Draper's domestic dream home, everyone seems to be buzzing about mid-century modern, and rightly so.

With whispers of clothing lines coming out based on the fashions from the show, and online forums filled with questions about where to find Dan Draper's office furniture, the trend towards mid-century modern is firmly in place. Mid-century modern furniture – your grandmother's furniture – is classic, cheap, and easy to find if you know where to look. Outside of it being handed down from your relatives when you moved out of the house to go to college, you can find these "antiques of the future" in thrift shops, estate sales, antique auctions and online at sites specializing in mid-century modern .

Mixing these classics with your existing decor is easy. In fact they look fantastic and add a lot of character when mixed with other styles. Furniture of that era is smaller in profile than many modern alternatives, so works really well in smaller spaces. You can even reupholster these pieces to match your color scheme and still do it for less than the cost of new furniture.

Danish Modern

The most abundant and easy to find mid-century modern is Danish Modern, or Danish Teak as it is sometimes known. As Mad Men Set Director Amy Wells points out, when asked about her work on set. "I want to make Mad Men look real, as if the people really have those pieces. It's important that they be imperfect, not iconic. A lot of people had Danish modern at the time because it was reasonably priced, and much of it still exists because it was so well made. "

Some designer's names to keep your eyes open for would be Finn Juhl, Hans Wegner, NO Moller, Arne Jacobsen.

Finn Juhl was the first modern Danish furniture designer to be recognized internationally. He created a new style of Danish furniture that embraced form as much as it did function. The world noticed, earning Juhl the unofficial title of Father of Danish Modernism. You can see more credenzas and mid-century modern furniture examples for sale.

Top 10 collectible pieces of mid-century modern to start your collection

Eames Lounge Chair Wood (LCW)

The husband and wife team of Ray and Charles Eames really are American Modern Royalty. Together they made advances in manufacturing methods for mass-producing furniture. Their Lounge Chair Wood is iconic of their work.

Nelson Platform Bench

Designed by George Nelson, the Director of Design for the Herman Miller Company, the Bench has a light airy quality to it while maintaining the warmth of the wood. Nelson was also known for his advances in creating modular furniture and shelving for both office and residential.

Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table

Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese-American designer and sculptor. His sculptural sensibilities can be seen in his most famous furniture piece, this coffee table designed in 1954 for Herman Miller remains a timeless piece of design.

Eero Saarinen Tulip Table and Chairs

Finnish-born architect and designer, Saarinen was the father of the "Jetson's" look. He is most famous for his Tulip table and chairs. Coincidentally became the basis for the seating on the original Star Trek series.

Eero Saarinen Womb Chair

Saarinen was also well-known for this piece of design as well. The womb chair was said to have been designed for Florence Knoll, who challenged him to create a piece of furniture that she could curl up in.

Marcel Breuer Wassily Chair

The Wassily chair is notable because it is one of the first chairs to incorporate bent tubular steel. First designed for Wassily Kandinsky, the chair widely gained popularity and has been mass-produced ever since.

Mies van der Rohe Barcelona Chair

The Barcelona chair was designed by Mies van der Rohe for the German Pavilion at the Barcelona Exposition in 1929. The fluid lines of this chair make it a classic that is as fresh today as it was then. Mies van der Rohe's signature is on the frame of each original piece.

Arne Jacobsen Swan Chair

The Swan chair was designed for the lobby of the Royal Copenhagen Hotel in 1958. The chair, manufactured by Fritz Hansen, was innovative at its time because it was entirely made up of curving synthetic material covered with upholstery.

Eames Lounger

This chair epitomised the height of status and luxury for a long time. Designed to be as comfortable as an old baseball mit, the chair certainly lives up to expectations.

Finn Juhl Model 45 Armchair

This chair typifies the Danish design sensibilities. Beautifully proportioned, elegant sinewy frame and the warmth and comfort of wood and leather.

Source by Melanie Carlson

As mentioned in the previous post, right now is the best time to invest in electronic renovation. As much as furniture, design, and upholstery are all great, they're too expensive to renovate right now correct? Wrong.

According to recent hotel articles and posts, right now it is the BEST time to invest in things such as hotel furniture, case goods, and upholstery as well. Why? Because of the economic climate.

Right now nobody is really making any money, and the first thing the economy hits when it plummets is hospitality. Things like hotels, restaurants, and services. People cut back on these luxuries to save money. Instead of vacationing, they spend those hours working for more money. Instead of going out to eat in restaurants and feeding money back into the economy, they go grocery shopping in attempts to save as much money as they can.

Then the economy starts hitting other highways of businesses. One of these businesses is eventually the makers of hotel furniture, hospitality furniture, and businesses of that nature. Because of this, they lower their prices and thus, making it "more affordable" for the hospitality industry to afford these new renovations.

The factor that offsets this entire scheme is the fact that many businesses right now say they cannot afford to renovate. They say that they cannot afford to spend money on revamping their business right now. That makes sense right? Why would you spend money upgrading your hotel when its barely floating on the revenue stream you are getting from just being in business? My answer to that is how can you afford not to. With prices lower than they have been in a while, and giving your business an opportunity to catch up to the rest of the hospitality leaders, while giving your business a huge temporary competitive advantage, the investment might pay for itself.

Source by Evan MM Leong

I know that everybody thought at list once about having his own bar at home so here are few tricks to find the perfect bar furniture. There are many different types of existing bar stools which will allow everyone to find the perfect product! These few categories are Swivel, Leather, Metal, Wood, Backless, Modern and Contemporary bar stools.

Now, before to purchase anyone of them, few details must be reviewed. All these information are available in the answers of these questions:

– What style are you looking for?

– How often will you use them?

– Will you eat and drink sitting on them?

– How much space do you have?

– Are kids going to use them too?

To take the final decision it’s important to think about few things. If you are going to use your bar furniture often, you will want to select leather or metal bar stools which are easy to clean and durable. As anything else, when we want something to last for a long time we must invest some time in it to make it happen. It means that when choosing the leather material, we have to buy care products and use them on these bar stools at least once every year. The color is also a very important parameter and a proved fact is that dark colors will always last longer. If the space at home is limited, swivel and/or backless bar stools will become the perfect match. When kids are around, making sure that your sits have a back and comfortable arms to not let them fall from it! For the style, define the space where the bar will be set and then the style to create (colors, shape of each furniture: modern, classic, grunge), then choose accordingly!

Once the stools are selected the next step will be the bar table! The heights of the bar table must be associated with both bar stools and bar tables. As a rule, follow these guidelines to purchase the right stools:

– 24-26 inches are designed to be use with counter or tabletops that range from 36 to 39 ½ inches high.

– 26-31 inches are considered to be the standard bar height and are used with counter and table heights of forty inches or more.

To provide perspective on the differences in bar height tables and a standard dining room table, you can also consider these numbers:

– The bar height tables average is forty to forty-two inches tall

– The standard dining room and kitchen tables are generally around 30 inches tall.

A good trick to not have to worry about all of that is to go for adjustable bar stools which can be set to the height to match your bar table! These useful tricks are made to help you choose the right bar furniture.

Source by Julien Davoust

Having a bit of old world Italy in your kitchen can give it an elegant but comfortable feeling and there's no better way to accent your Tuscan kitchen décor than with old world bar stools. Now, I'm not talking about buying some uncomfortable old stools from the 17th century – I'm talking about new bar stools in an old world style.

Bar stools add a bit of informality to the kitchen and everyone loves eating a light meal or snack while perched on a stool. They are perfect for afternoon guests and for the kids to do their homework on. Not only that, but if you choose them carefully, they can act as a decorative element that enhances your overall décor.

When choosing old world bar stools, you want ones that match with the colors and theme of your Tuscan kitchen décor. Is your kitchen more on the rustic side? Then choose wooden stools with a rush seat. Is it more elegant? Then you might want wrought or bent iron stools. If you have a fabric seat, make sure you get a color and pattern that matches the room – most bar stool stores offer a selection of fabrics and you can easily get something that matches your décor.

The other consideration when choosing bar stools is the height and number of stools you need. This is dictate by the size of the table or bar that you will be using the stools for seating at.

The general rule of thumb is that you need 10 to 13 inches between the seat of the stool and the bottom of the counter. This is what a person will need to feel comfortable sitting at the counter. Of course, it's not practical to bring the stools home and measure them so what you do is measure from the bottom of the counter to the floor and then when you are in the store, you can measure from the top of the stool to the floor and subtract the two numbers to find out if the stools are a perfect fit!

Another thing you want to think about when buying bar stools. While you might be tempted to buy as many as you can so you can seat more people, there is actually an optimum number of stools that can fit at one table or bar. You want to be sure there is 25 to 30 inches of space from the middle of 1 stool to the middle of the next. This is what will be most comfortable for your guests, so it is best to purchase the number of stools that will allow for this seating.

Buying old world bar stools to match your Tuscan kitchen décor can be a great way to get good seating that adds to the decorating theme in your kitchen. Just follow the rules above and you're sure to find stools that fit perfectly into your Tuscan kitchen.

Source by Lee Dobbins

Buying discount bar stools is a good idea if you are looking to make inexpensive racers and here are some good examples: Vibrant Red And Chrome Drafting Stool with a chrome foot ring and high density polymer seat for only $ 63.28 from Buy.com and the Asbury 2 -in-1 Adjustable Height Stool from Ace Hardware for a low $ 32.

The very best discount barstool option for adapting into a racer would be the Chrome Bar Stool Height Drafting Stool with Tractor Seat from Walmart for just $ 48. For a western style stool there's a Winsome Saddle Seat in Walnut from Sears that's a steal of a deal at $ 35, or something similar but in Beech Wood is the 24 inch Beech Wood Bar Stool from Walmart for under $ 39.

Keeping to wood options, here is still the Winsome Linea in dark espresso that Sears sells for just $ 53 and is a good ridding stool because of the broad square seat and sleek design. The Home Styles Bar Stool is not just for the home, it can used on the road as well because it has solid hardwood curved seat and swivels, all for just under $ 50 at Plow and Hearth.

If you really need to save some money on the barstool for your racer then try some used bar stools that you can find at a flee market, garage sales, street auctions, EBay or other used furniture sites. If you don't want to build your own racer check for used racers like the ones I found – a barstool racer for $ 1300 in Kansas City or a rolling chassis for just $ 400 to get you started … there's lots of great used deals out there.

Source by Alex Gapper

The sofa cum beds have evolved as an important commodity for modern domestic establishments. But, what is a sofa cum bed? This is a functional furniture that is basically a seating setup but can be unfolded as a bed when needed. Hence the name “sofa cum bed” is allotted. Space savvy units are the need of the hour and hence, the craftsmen are coming up with the new innovative ideas every day. With this, the practical pieces are becoming stylish that get adjusted to any decor.

Benefits

If you are a small apartment dweller, then instead of struggling and failing to create a guest room; you can deploy these in your living area and relax. Few sofa cum beds are available with the storage space as well. These could be a perfect companion for you if you wish to hide a few stuff.

And the list continues…

By owning these units, there is no need for investing in beds and sofa separately; you save a considerable amount of money. Moreover, these are as comfortable as a bed, so relaxation too remains unaffected. Even in the case of any emergency, these units can provide sleeping space for your family and close acquaintances.

Types of Sofa Cum Beds

There are many types and styles available for these units including-

Pull Out Sofa Bed

The most preferred entity is the pull-out sofa bed in which the bed and its frame is folded with the base of the sofa and kept cloaked below the seat. When you pull out the bed, the arms and back of sofa become headboard of your bed.

Futon Sofa Bed

This is simply a fold-down design. You have a thick cushion draped to the frame. The back usually folds down which creates a flat surface along with seat cushion. You get an abundant variety in these as there are removable arm units and non-removable arm units. There are some designs in which the back is doubled to provide additional space.

Convertible sofa beds

These have a look of a normal standard sofa but can be converted into single, double or even bunk beds. A comparative complex mechanism is followed for the conversion of bed from a sofa.

Types of material

There is a varied range of material from which a sofa cum can be fabricated. But quality sofa cum beds are manufactured from the hardwood of oak, alder, maple, teak, etc. There are two main materials that are widely preferred. They are-

Wooden Sofa Cum Beds

Mostly a wooden unit is preferred as hardwood is durable and at the same time, provides elegant look to your decor. Usually, the wooden units are opted by the individuals who have their interior themed contemporary. These sofa sets look like a standard set but can be pulled out as a bed. These come in various sizes and themes so that it can blend in with the current decor of your area.

Metallic Sofa Cum Beds

Although there are a lot of metals available, mostly wrought iron is selected. The reason behind is this particular metal can be moulded into almost any shape and size. The neat looks of the unit provide a contemporary theme to your area. Unlike others, wrought iron never rusts and have modern, stylish looks.

Lastly..

Whether buying an entity with wooden or metal framework, the major point of concern should be the fibre. These fibres are responsible for the comfort of your units. Ensure that the fibre and linens used are comfortable.

So, if you are planning to get a new furniture unit, you can consider these units to fetch an optimal piece. Have a nice day!

Source by Garvit Mehta

A bar is supposed to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. After a hard day's work, it's a place that a person is supposed to be able to unwind conveniently with a couple of drinks and possibly make idle conversation. Of course, there are people who transact business in bars but those are the exception. The majority of customers go there to relax and I don't think there is anyone that loves to seat on hard stools in a bar while sipping his or her drinks-I don't! However it's common enough to find such bars, a problem easily rectified with stool cushions.

A lot of commercial bars typically feature bar stools with round seats; as such, the appropriate cushions would be round bar stool cushions. In order to cut cost, several bars feature wooden topped round bar stools rather than cushioned stools. While I believe there's nothing wrong with that, it shouldn't be at the expense of the customer's satisfaction! How much can cushions cost? Despite their minimal cost, round bar stool cushions make a lot of difference in keeping a bar's clientele coming back. By the way if the bar you frequent as a customer does not have round bar stool cushions, change it!

There are basically two ways of getting round cushions. There are ready-made cushions available in stores all over and the second option is having custom made round cushions. There are advantages and disadvantages to these two options. The ready-made cushion is usually cheaper but restricts the choice of fabric and can also be difficult to find the best fit for your sits. The custom made bar stool cushions are usually more expensive (especially if sewing is not your strong suit), but they last longer, fit perfectly and can be easily matched with the other draperies in the bar.

When making custom stool cushions, ensure that memory foam is used rather than regular foam that easily gets flattened. Also in order to make the cushions stay, an elastic band should be fitted round them. Additionally, the cushions should also feature strong "grips". If buying ready made round bar stool cushions on the internet, ensure that the issue of size, fitting and cost are properly ascertained before making a purchase. Now, watch your client numbers grow!

You will be amazed by the elegance and style that these little things can add to your bar! They don't cost much but your profits may blow up through the roof! Trust me when I say that adding cushions to your stools will transform your bar in a much warmer and welcoming place!

Source by Jessica M Delino

Barstools can be perfect for other areas besides a restaurant, bar or a kitchen in your home. They have this unique height that actually makes them an ideal piece for a variety of rooms.

1. Bedroom. Bar stools are a great choice for your bedroom. If it happens to be a small bedroom, it may be better yet! One idea is to have it eye level in front of a sit down vanity where you can see yourself easily in the mirror. They are even easy to store.

2. Game Room. If you have a bar in your gameroom, of course you can use them there. You guests just may stay longer if they can relax on a comfortable stool around a game table. Well, if you don’t want them to stay longer, you can use another type of seating!

3. Kitchen. Having these stools in your kitchen can definitely make it a fun place to be. Children love to sit on bar stools because they are high up and makes them feel grown up. Should you have unexpected guests, they can easily pull up a stool while you set the main table, etc. A perfect place to use bar stools is also at your kitchen island. Children can watch TV or do their homework or have a casual meal.

4. Bathroom. Bar stools are ideal for the bathroom, especially for families with young children. Preparing for school pictures and other special important occasions can go smoothly; all you need to do is sit your kid up on the bar stool and then work your magic. This way, your child won’t get tired of standing and you won’t have to bend over to fix his hair. You both win when you use a bar stool.

5. Den. Backless Bar Stools and Bar Stools with Backs – Backless stools fit right into any decor as do the ones with backs which give more support. Choose whichever you feel is the most comfortable. Everyone has their own opinion on this, course. Either one can make a great addition to any style room.

6. Family Room. Swivel Bar Stools – Can be quite stylish and fun to sit on. They offer true comfort and are quite stylish.

7. Enclosed Patio. Leather Stools – Many barstools are constructed of thick leather and/or durable grade vinyl and a heavy metal frame. Both children and adults alike enjoy sitting on these stools. In my opinion, they give any room a much more relaxed look and feel.

You can find quite a selection of counter stools. Some have very simple designs; others are made to look like tall dining room chairs. The materials that are available for counter stools include laminate, wood veneer, genuine wood as well as metal.

Do you know a good place to purchase barstools? If not, simply do a search online for restaurant furniture or restaurant tables to either find a store near you or an online store.

Once you purchase a few to add to your home’s decor, you will see the dramatic difference they make.

Source by Justine Jordan