Tag: dining room

  • How to Get Your Home Ready for Autumn: 5 Simple Ways to Create a Cosier Space

    How to Get Your Home Ready for Autumn: 5 Simple Ways to Create a Cosier Space

    It’s official, autumn is finally here! There really is something about the beginning of September that brings with it a real cosy vibe. Shorter evenings, back-to-school routines, and colder days all make for more time spent indoors, and with that, comes a closer look at our interiors. We’re all about making the most of our homes, and at this time of year, that means making them work for the colder months as we say goodbye to our good friend, the sun, until some time next year. 

    The easiest part about redecorating for autumn is that it doesn’t involve a huge amount of work (or cash, for that matter). A few small changes here and there to your furniture, colours, textures, and layouts can all make your space feel warmer, cosier, and ready for the season ahead.

    1. Layer Up with Soft Textures

    One of the easiest ways to make your home feel instantly cosier is to introduce more texture to your space. Go for some soft throws, cushions, and rugs. These are a great way to add warmth without having to do any major overhauling of your style! 

    In the living room, drape a throw over the sofa, and complement it with some cushions in autumnal tones. Adding a rug underneath your coffee table is another great way to add a cosy touch to the room and make it feel more inviting. For bedrooms, switch up your bed linen to add some texture, and use a throw at the foot of your bed to tie it together. 

    2. Bring in Warmer Colours

    While summer tends to lend itself to lighter shades and brighter hues, autumn gives us the opportunity to start introducing richer, warmer tones to our interior décor. Some favourites for this time of year include earthy greens, warm browns, and rich rust shades, all alongside creams and deeper neutrals. These are great for creating an inviting, relaxed atmosphere in the home.

    Now, you don’t have to get the paintbrush and masking tape out to achieve this look. Instead, turn to accessories. Cushions, artwork, curtains, throws, and even rugs are great ways to introduce new colours without breaking the bank (or your back).

    3. Add Warmth Through Lighting

    As we say goodbye to the days of the grand stretch and lose out on summer sun warming the house well into the evening, it’s time to look towards lighting to replace the shortened daylight hours. If you’re a fan of the big light, good for you! If you’re not, you’re in luck. Creating layers of light with table lamps, floor lamps, and candles are a great way to make your space feel cosier, without relying on one bright overhead light when it’s time to wind down in the evenings.

    If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to adding lighting around the home, start by using floor or table lamps to highlight furniture and features you want to draw attention to (think table lamps on bedside lockers, floor lamps next to the sofa or armchairs), and add to that as needed with candles and ambient lighting.

    4. Take Stock of the Furniture You Use Every Day

    September really is a great time to look at the bigger picture. With the return to routine, we often start to notice when things aren’t quite working once we find ourselves spending more time at home. Sometimes that’s a sofa that’s past its best years, a dining table that is no longer suited to accomodate both dinners and homework sessions, or even a bed that’s not as comfortable as it once was. If you’ve started to notice little niggles like this here and there, now’s the perfect season to get on top of it all! This doesn’t have to be a lot of work, or take up a huge amount of time — just do a mental audit of what you’ve got going, and make note of what you’d like to change.

    5. Make the Most of your Spaces

    Focus on where you spend most of your time, and make sure to give those rooms a little bit of extra love. If you’re someone who mourns the loss of summer evenings on the balcony or patio, invest in some throws and maybe an outdoor heater or two so as not to lose out on your favourite space. However, if you welcome the retreat back indoors that comes with the season, then consider this a free-for-all to embrace the cosiness of spending time indoors. Make sure to consider how your furniture was laid out during the warmer months, and whether it still works now. If you’re having to squeeze more people around a table or onto a couch now that the outdoors are off the table, it might be time to think about re-arranging your set up.

    Ready for a New Season?

    There’s no better time than the beginning of autumn to give your home a little bit of extra attention. Whether you’re making small changes with colour and texture, or investing in a piece of furniture you’ll enjoy for years to come, the aim is still the same; curating a home you’ll want to come home to and enjoy spending time in.

    Psst, if a bigger refresh has been on your mind as of late, now is a good time to let you know that the Autumn Event is now live at Murphy Home, with great prices across our range of furniture and home essentials. Why not head to our website or visit one of our stores to check it out?

  • Summer Entertaining: 5 Furniture Essentials for Hosting at Home

    Summer Entertaining: 5 Furniture Essentials for Hosting at Home

    Whether you’re planning a family barbecue, inviting friends over for dinner, or just making the most of the longer evenings while we have them, summer is always a great time to have guests over. Now, while hosting isn’t about having a perfectly styled (and clean!) house, or a magazine-worthy dining room, it is about making sure your home (and dining room, magazine or not) can actually serve the people you have over. Most guests won’t ever notice if your cushions don’t match, or if the table isn’t set with elaborate cutlery. What they will remember is how comfortable they felt, how easy it was to relax, and the conversations had long after plates had been cleared away.

    If you enjoy entertaining, or maybe just want to do more of it, a few furniture choices can make a real difference to your set up. Here are five pieces that can help make hosting easier, more comfortable, and overall, more enjoyable for everyone!

    1. Make Room for Everyone

    We’ve all been there, and on both ends of the spectrum; someone brings along a partner nobody was expecting, people who had to cancel can suddenly make it, or for some reason, everyone seems to gravitate into the same space that’s just too small for the people in it (hint; it’s usually the dining room). All of a sudden, you’re trying to squeeze extra chairs in where there really isn’t the room for them, everyone is a bit too close for comfort, and you’ve got knees and elbows knocking. Happens to the best of us, trust me.

    This is where an extendable dining table really comes in handy. Instead of taking up valuable space that you might need day to day, it gives you the flexibility to create extra room only when you need it. Two of our favourites are the Catania, which extends from 1.8m to 2.6m, and the Lucia, from 1.3m to 1.7m.

    2. Keep Everyone Comfortable Around the Table

    Take a moment for me, and think back to the best dinner party you’ve ever been to. Or, consider the worst, and think about what stood out. Did people rush away the moment the meal was finished? Hopefully not — that’s definitely something you want to avoid. The most memorable evenings are the ones where people stay chatting for hours, sharing stores, and forgetting to check the time (but not forgetting to keep everyone’s glasses topped up!).

    Comfortable dining chairs make a much bigger difference than you might think. Supportive seating encourages your guests to linger, which really sets a dinner apart from a meal. Upholstered chairs or well-designed supportive seats can make longer gatherings that much more enjoyable for all involved.

    3. Keep Hosting Clutter-Free with Smart Storage

    One of the less glamorous parts of entertaining is the ardous task of simply finding somewhere to put everything. Serving dishes, bottles, candles, placemats, and cutlery all have to live somewhere before (and after!) your guests arrive.

    A sideboard is great in this situation; it helps to keep everything organised, and close at hand, without taking up space on your dining table or kitchen worktops. It also handily doubles as a serving station, which works in your favour.

    4. Make the Most of Outdoor Living

    With the summer we’re having, it’d be foolish not to make the most of it! When the evenings are long, and it’s actually pleasant outside, take advantage, and allow your garden, balcony, or patio to become an extension of your living space with the right furniture.

    A sturdy (and extendable!) outdoor dining table like the Lazio is the perfect setting for al fresco meals, especially when paired with the Modena chairs. A relaxed seating area, like our Modena Sofa is an ideal spot for evening drinks, catching up with friends, and enjoying the weather while we have it. If you really want to take it to the next level, add a few cushions, a blanket or two, and you’ll have a space people will never want to leave.

    5. It’s the Little Details That Guests Remember

    At the end of the day, great hosting isn’t about impressing people, and nor should it be. It’s about making them feel welcome, and more often than not, it’s the smallest details that contribute to this.

    Think about how people will move around your space, and make sure there’s room to chat without anyone having to squeeze past furniture. Keep a side table nearby for drinks (and some coasters, if you’re fancy), light some candles, and have some throws ready. These simple touches really help to make people feel relaxed, and that’s what people will remember long after they’ve left.

    Create a Home That’s Ready for Every Occasion

    If nothing else, remember that the best homes aren’t the ones that look perfect; they’re the ones where people feel comfortable enough to put their feet up, stay for another cup of tea, and lose track of time. Good furniture can’t create these moments on its own, but it can make them easier.

  • Your comprehensive guide to Wooden Dining Tables and how to care for them

    Your comprehensive guide to Wooden Dining Tables and how to care for them

    Dining tables are at the heart of the family life, and they are used in many ways in the home; as a place to eat, to study or to play games during a family gathering. The versatility of the dining table is one of the things that make it so attractive to home – even if it is not your initial thought.

    In this blog we will be taking you through different types of dining tables available here at Michael Murphy Home Furnishing based on the selection of wood we have on offer. And then we will tell you how to take care of your wood (not limited to dining tables, can be used for dining chairs, coffee tables, and so on!).

    The different types of wood we have are:

    • Acacia
    • Oak
    • Mango wood
    • Ash

    Acacia:

    While many wood furniture needs to be protected from liquids and may warp, acacia can handle regular moisture contact! Aside from looking beautiful, acacia is naturally antimicrobial and water-resistant. Acacia is dense and is over 20% more dense than oak! A lot of furniture being produced uses acacia for this reason. It reduces wear-and-tear. It also has many uses like chopping board and decorative plates due to its durability – people also use acacia for boats! Which is why we use acacia a lot for tables, such as dining and coffee tables.

    Dining tables in acacia:

    • Havana
    • Lex
    • Ellis
    • Catania
    • And so much more!

    Oak: We all know and love oak – it is probably one of the most common, tried-and-true types of wood. Oak is commonly used for flooring, panelling and of course, furniture. Oak is super durable and often cut in a way that will prevent warping! It has a distinctive look due to the way it is cut, so every oak-made product will be unique – which is a bonus! Dining tables made with oak:

    • Wave
    • Slate
    • Caravel
    • Haystack
    • Berlin
    • And many, many, many more!

    Mango Wood:

    You may be thinking… “Mango? Like the fruit?” Yup! Mangoes grow on mango trees. And we use mango trees to create mango wood. But why? Well, mango trees produce mangoes which we eat and drink. And when the tree is finished producing mango, it is cut down and used for timber due to its strong and durable qualities. Mango wood is naturally highly resistant to water due to its dense grains. The benefit of mango wood is that every cut is unique – similarly with oak, every piece is different. But the difference between oak and mango wood is that mango wood comes in a variety of colours depending on how old it is, how long it grew mangoes for and what the weather was like where it was grown!

    Dining tables created with mango wood:

    • Holland
    • Karma
    • Vintage
    • And so much more!

    Ash: Ash is deemed a great wood to work with. A lot of ash is produced in Ireland as it is our tallest native tree. Though ash is the most common type of timber in our country, it also gets diseases quite easily which is why we use so much of it in our furniture, tool handles and sporting goods, like hurls, due to its tensile strength. This means it can take impact which is why we use it the way we do! Ash dining tables usually contain no glue, screws or nails, and instead uses traditional carpentry techniques using wooden dowels in their place! Dining tables in ash:

    • Audrey
    • Tuva
    • And more customisable Bespoke options too!

    Taking care of your wooden furniture:

    There are many ways you can take care of your wooden furniture, most important being oiling. To ensure the enduring beauty and protection of your table, it’s highly recommended to start oiling as soon as it arrives. Oiling is straight-forward but significant to enhance and safeguard the wood – it is important to note that oiling your table won’t completely seal the table, as wood needs to breathe and release its own oils!

    You’ll need to get the appropriate oil for your wood type and 2 cloths. Begin by applying oil onto one cloth and gently rub it along the wood grain on the table’s surface. For larger tables, divide the process into manageable sections, while smaller tables can be oiled in a single go.

    After approximately 10 minutes, switch to the second cloth and wipe away any excess oil from the top before it becomes tacky. For the initial treatment, it’s recommended to oil your table 2-3 times, allowing around 4-5 hours between coats. Don’t overlook treating the underside as well. Subsequently, you may find that oiling the table’s top every 4-6 months suffices, depending on factors like exposure to sunlight and heat. By following these straightforward steps, you’ll ensure that your furniture maintains its splendid appearance and longevity for years to come.

    This dedicated care will reward you with a table that stands the test of time while retaining its allure and charm!

    We’ve also got a Revive & Care Wood Kit if you would like the extra security for your wood. It contains a wood cleaner, wood polish and fabric and leather cleaning solutions (for your dining chairs). This handy is designed to help you maintain and care for furniture at home – thus helping you to keep the appearance of your wooden furniture how you like it and ensure maximum longevity!