Mocka Buyers Guides
Are you searching for your next home furniture piece, but don't know where to start? Not to worry, team Mocka are here to help! Take a look at our range of home furniture Buying Guides below. These are designed to help you to select your next favourite piece, style the latest trend or update your existing furniture pieces - Take a read for yourself!
How To Choose A Dining Chair
Your dining room chairs can really make the dining room the heart of the home, especially if your dining space is part of an open-plan layout. Many homeowners take the time to carefully consider the dining room table they plan on purchasing, but the dining room chairs are just as important as the table. Comfort is Paramount for dining chairs Of course, dining room chairs have a function – to provide seating for your family and friends – which means that first and foremost they need to be comfortable. However, your level of comfort is a personal choice and different for each individual. Some families are happy to dine on chairs that don’t have back support, whereas others might prefer lounge-type dining room chairs. Whatever style of dining room chairs you decide to use, it’s important you consider all aspects of the chairs and how you will incorporate them into the layout of your home. We’ve written this guide to give you a checklist when choosing dining chairs for your home. We hope it helps consider every aspect of the perfect dining room chair for your space before you make a purchase. Consider the location of your dining table and chairs If you are choosing dining chairs, firstly consider where you plan on placing them. If you haven’t yet purchased your dining room table, you will need to do this before buying your chairs, so you know the dimensions of the table and will ensure you get chairs that fit underneath. Once you have the dimensions of the space at hand, consider where you plan on placing your dining room table and chairs. Chances are, if you’ve already thought about what table you’re purchasing (or already have it on order) then you have an idea about where you want to place it. Will you house the table against a wall? Or perhaps you feel that the centre of the room would work best? Maybe you will choose the chairs and table’s location based on the size of your room, or perhaps it will be chosen for the overall feel of the space. Whatever the reasoning, make sure you have a thorough understanding of where you want to place them. Next, think about how much room the chairs have to come out from under the table. It is important the chairs tuck smoothly below the table, as this will make the area look tidy when the dining room table and chairs are not in use. Remember that it’s more comfortable for the person using the chair to have enough room to easily get in and out of the table without scraping their knees or banging their hips on the furniture. If you feel there might not be enough space for your friends and family to comfortably sit down and get up, consider an alternative dining room chairs and table combination. Think about the height of your dining chairs Once you know where you are going to place your dining room table and chairs, think about the chair height you need. As a general rule, the standard height for a chair is approximately 47cm and the average height for a table is around 76cm. For the utmost comfort, it’s best to have a space of 30cm between the bottom of the table and the top of the chair. This will allow the person using it to have enough space to manoeuvre in and out of the seat. Also carefully consider your dining room table’s design. If there is a downward edge to your table, make sure you measure from the bottom of that, as this will be the closest point to the seat of your chair. If you miss this measurement you could end up with bruised knees! Consider how many dining room chairs you’ll need Are you someone who likes to entertain frequently? Do you have a big family? Then you might need eight or more chairs around your table. Or are you a couple without any children who like to eat in front of the television most nights? Then you possibly only need a table with four chairs. Be honest about how frequently you will use your dining room table and buy the right number of chairs to cater for your family and guests.Remember that it’s best to furnish your home for everyday use, rather than the one-off party you hold at Christmas. If you only have a large number of guests around for dinner twice a year, a 12-seater dining room table might take up a lot of space you can’t afford to lose. The size of your table may dictate how many chairs you can comfortably place around its edge. As a rule of thumb, leave 60cm (24 inches) in between each chair for a comfortable space. This will allow you the room to squeeze in extra chairs for special occasions, but the gap will look pleasing to the eye for everyday use. Here are some approximate measurements for square or rectangle dining room chair and table combinations:- A 183cm (72 inches) long table fits six people.- A 244cm (96 inches) long table fits eight people.- A 305cm (120 inches) long table fits ten people. How to choose a dining chair that is practical Once you know how many dining room chairs you’ll need for your space, it’s time to consider what type of dining room chair will work best in your home.If you have young children, you might want to choose a chair that is easy to clean. This could mean opting for dining room chairs that aren’t upholstered because they will be easy to wipe down if there are any spills. A chair that isn’t upholstered is often a good idea if you are short of room in your dining area because they are often narrower than traditional upholstered chairs.However, if you entertain a lot and often have guests sitting at your dining room table for hours on end, then you may want to choose upholstered chairs as they are softer than other styles and therefore more comfortable to sit on. If you find a style of dining room chair you’re in love with and it has arms, make sure its dimensions will work with your table. Specifically, there should be approximately 18cm (7 inches) between the top of the arm and the bottom edge of the table. This will allow guests to easily rest their arms on the chair without feeling cramped. Short on space? There are different design options to suit every dining area If you have a small dining area to furnish, get creative with the space and consider contemporary styles that are adaptable to smaller areas. For example, you could purchase some bench seats which allow you to seat more people on them than individual seating arrangements. Or you could purchase low stools that can be easily stored underneath the table and out of sight when they aren’t in use. You might also want to think about the moveability of your chairs, if you plan to shift them around your dining room. So, if you are thinking of purchasing a bench seat that you plan to push up against a wall, make sure it is a lightweight bench that can be easily moved. If you want to buy ten chairs but only plan on using six on a daily basis, you might want to consider choosing dining chairs that are easily stackable so you can store them when they’re not in use. In this instance, dining chairs that aren’t upholstered might be your best option, as they are often easier to stack. Take the time to consider the type of back support you want your dining room chairs to have. Would you and your family be happy sitting on stools without back support? Or do you tend to lounge at the table and chat for an hour after dinner? If the latter, choose an occasional chair with ample back support. How to choose the right dining chair colours for your home Once you have chosen the style of dining room chair you want, it is time to think about the colours and materials of the chairs. If you are choosing dining chairs that are upholstered, you will want to think about the colour of the fabric to make sure it matches the décor of your home. If you are furnishing a brightly coloured room, you might want to choose a neutral-coloured chair, so the colours don’t clash. Or if the room is overwhelmingly white, why not choose a light or dark grey to compliment the neutral tones?You could dare to be different and choose different styles of dining chairs to seat around your dining room table. The key to doing this is selecting chairs that don’t match but that still complement each other nicely. For example, you could choose a wooden-style chair that isn’t upholstered and then pair it with another wooden chair that is upholstered. Although the chairs being either upholstered or not creates a contrast, selecting two chairs made from the same type of wood will keep the look consistent.You could even select some occasional chairs with high back support to place around your table for everyday use, and then add a few low stools that can be stacked and stored, ready to be pulled out and added to the table when you are entertaining. By selecting two types of different dining chairs that are made from similar materials, you’ll keep the room looking aesthetically pleasing even when catering for bigger numbers. We are here to help you choose the right dining chairs We hope this guide to choosing dining chairs for your home has helped you decide what style will work best in your space. We know purchasing furniture is a personal choice and can sometimes feel overwhelming when you’re trying to picture every item in your space before you have the furniture in front of you. That is why we are here to help guide you through the process. If you are still feeling stuck on what dining room chairs to purchase, don’t hesitate to get in contact with our friendly team today, and we can assist you in making the right choice for your home.
Bedside Tables: A Complete Australian Buyers Guide by Mocka
Your bed might be the main furniture in your boudoir, but carefully chosen bedside tables can help to emphasise the beauty of your statement piece. If you want to furnish your bedroom in a way that makes an impression, take the time to consider what bedside tables you plan to install. Choosing the best bedside tables for your space will not only look aesthetically pleasing, but they can also provide much needed storage for your bedroom. Consider who will be using the bedside tables First things first – where do you plan to place your bedside tables? Will they be housed in your bedroom, a guest room, or your child’s room? Or perhaps you are purchasing them to go into a room you rent out via Airbnb, or a bed and breakfast you manage. The space will determine the type of bedside tables you might require. For example, if they are to go in your bedroom, they will probably need to be built to last and easy to clean as you will be using them every day. Therefore, wooden bedside tables might be a good option. If you are to place them in a guest bedroom, which is only used a few times a year, then you could choose a different sort of material, such as a glass tabletop. This can be more challenging to clean than a wood surface, but if it’s not used as frequently it shouldn’t matter too much. For a younger look, brightly coloured kids’ bedside tables might be a stylish way to compliment the upbeat décor of your child’s room. Of course, if the bedside table is for your child’s room, then you possibly only need one bedside table, rather than a pair. And because of grubby little hands, you might want a bedside table made from a material that is easy to clean, such as metal. A locker-style bedside table in this instance is not only funky in a kid’s bedroom, but a breeze to keep spotless.If your bedside tables are for hotel, bed and breakfast or Airbnb guests, you will want the bedside tables to be stain-resistant. A veneer finish might work well for a hotel, bed and breakfast or Airbnb guest room. This finish is both durable and stain-resistant. The different bedside table styles Once you have decided where you plan to house your bedside tables, it’s time to consider the different styles of bedside tables out there.For example, what size of bedside table are you after? Bedside tables range in sizes from nightstands to bedside cabinets.A nightstand is simply a small stand to hold the basic accessories. These accessories are generally a lamp and a small clock. Keep in mind that some nightstands are so small they won’t even hold a book.The next size up is a side table. These are often plain in design but often a little bit more functional than a nightstand. A side table normally features a top shelf, without any draws built into the bedside table frame. Therefore, it can hold the basics – reading glasses, a book, lamp and clock and that’s about it. This style of bedside table also wouldn’t look out of place in any other room in the house, which is a good option if you plan for the table to have multiple uses. (You could always move it to the living room and use it as a table to hold your coffee mug and remote control when not in use in the guest bedroom!) If you’re wanting a bit more storage space within your bedside table, then perhaps consider one that has shelves or drawers. Two or three bedside drawers can hold most of the essentials you need by your bed at night, while shelves are a good option if you want to show off an ornament to match your room, or create a space to add a plant for a touch of greenery.If space is limited, perhaps a bedside cabinet might be the right fit for your bedroom, allowing you to eliminate the need for bedside tables altogether. And you could always incorporate the cabinet as your bedside table, giving it a dual use.This will enable you to store larger items such as clothes, while being able to use the top surface of the cabinet as a place to put your go-to items you might need through the night – such as a glass of water.Bedside cabinets often work well paired with beds that are raised off the floor, as they are taller in height. Canyon Two Drawer Bedside Table One of the great benefits of having bedside tables framing your bed is that it helps to anchor your bedroom to the centre of the room.However, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to turn the design element of a bedside table into a functional piece of furniture.For example, if you are purchasing a bedside table for your child’s room, why not store their favourite toys in the drawers? Or use the shelves to place their storybooks on? It can be useful to have these items at hand when 6:30pm rolls around and you are halfway into the night time routine.If you are seeking a sleek minimalist look, you might choose bedside tables without added storage space. This can create a clean look, drawing the eye to the bed rather than the tables.However, if you need the extra storage, drawers under your bedside table can also help to store away some of the clutter that piles up during the day. If you want to stash the magazine you’re halfway through or find a place for your watch overnight, bedside table drawers are a great way to keep these items out of sight.Or if you’d like to use your bedside table as a space to hold your family photos, why not purchase bedside tables with shelves? This will allow you to house your favourite framed photos on a shelf beneath the main table surface, freeing up the area for a lamp while also giving a chance to display your family pics. How to style your bedside tables When considering how to style your bedside tables, the first thing to consider is their size. For example, it’s more aesthetically pleasing to the eye to have bedside tables that are roughly the same height as your mattress. If the tables are much lower or much higher than the mattress, it might look a little odd.You also probably don’t want to choose a bedside table that is deeper than around 60cm (measuring out from the wall) because it might make it challenging and uncomfortable for you to get in and out of bed. Remember, if you don’t need much storage then a smaller bedside table might be a better option if you want to make it easier for you to get out of bed in the mornings.When styling your bedside tables with accessories, a top tip is that simplicity often works best. Think two or three items, rather than five or more, as otherwise the bedside table will look too crowded. Try not to place anything fragile on the bedside table – such as a precious vase of flowers, as you could knock it over in the night while you’re reaching for a glass of water. Instead, opt for a stylish lamp that suits your interior design, a clock if you need an alarm in the mornings and a simple photo frame for a personal touch.When thinking about the layout of your bedroom, you might immediately assume you need your bedside tables to match as this is the most popular style. However, they don’t have to! If you find two different tables but they pair well together, then why not use them for a more eclectic look?You could always use two of the same bedside lamps to match the bedside tables together creating an overall uniform feel. Example of how to mix and match your bedside tables. Image features the Edmond Beside Table. Think about your overall colour scheme and style The last – but certainly not least – thing you need to consider is the overall interior design of your bedroom and home. What is the colour scheme?If you are embracing a beach-style theme, why not choose bedside tables that have a whitewash paint? This look works well with a casual beach or eclectic vintage style. If you are going for neutral tones, then perhaps a wooden bedside table with white elements might blend in seamlessly with your overall design. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your colours either. If you have a grey bedspread and lounge in your bedroom, you could choose a coloured bed frame and bedside tables to add some brightness to the room.Think about your overall style aesthetic for the room too. What kind of look are you going for? If you want an industrial look, you could choose bedside tables with wrought iron elements and then style the table with dark brown leather picture frames. If minimalism is more your style, perhaps embrace a black and white colour scheme and tailor your accessories simplistically with a slim vase holding some white roses for an added touch of elegance. Feel like embracing a modern look? Invest in some stylish lamps to place on your bedside tables to make a statement and frame your bed.Vintage décor is all the rage at the moment too. If this look reflects your personality, you could pair a wooden bedside table with some op-shop finds and have fun creating a whimsical style of yesteryear. How about Scandinavian style? The key to this look is to keep things simple, modern and functional. For example, perhaps consider installing lamps that attach to the wall above your bedside table. Not only will these be easy to access from your bed, but it frees up space on your bedside table to place ornaments and ties in nicely with the Scandinavian ethos.Whatever your style, colour scheme and interior design of your home and bedroom, there are bound to be bedside tables that match. If you are still unsure where to start, consider the style of your bed and work from there. Main points to remember when choosing the perfect bedside tables for your space When choosing your bedside tables, feel free to use this checklist below to ensure you purchase the right ones to suit your home.1. Is the bedside table roughly the same height as the mattress?2. Is the bedside table no more than 60cm deep?3. What lamps do you plan to use, and what are the dimensions of the lamps in comparison to your bedside tables? (To ensure they fit the tabletops.)4. What ornaments do you plan on styling the bedside tables with?5. Do you need extra storage space? If so, consider bedside tables with drawers.6. What will you need next to your bed at night? (For example, a glass of water, medication, clock, etc. Where do you plan to store these essentials?)7. What colour scheme is your overall bedroom and home and will the bedside tables suit this?8. What style/interior design look is your bedroom and home and will the bedside tables match in nicely with this aesthetic? We hope this above checklist will help you to find the right bedside tables to suit your look. Happy hunting for the perfect bedside tables We wish you luck with on the satisfying hunt for the perfect bedside tables to frame your bed. Don’t forget, we have a wide range of bedside tables to suit most bedroom styles. Take some time to have a browse and see if there is a matching pair of bedside tables to suit your look. Or perhaps opt for two mismatching ones for that more eclectic style.We are on hand to assist if you have any questions regarding our range of bedside tables or other furniture. Get in touch with us today and talk to a member of our friendly team to find the perfect bedside table for you. References: https://www.thespruce.com/decorating-with-bedside-tables-1976189https://eclecticcreative.com.au/top-tips-for-choosing-bedside-table/
Entertainment Units: A Complete Australian Buyers Guide by Mocka
Are you searching for the perfect TV unit for your home? It can be difficult deciding which one will suit your space but don’t worry – we have you covered. In this article, we will take you through how to choose the best space for your entertainment unit, what you should put inside it, what colour scheme will suit your décor and how to make your TV unit feel like it is the right match for your home. Perhaps you have recently moved into a new home, or maybe you just want to give your space a refresh. Whatever the reason, we will ensure this guide will help you to find the right Consider the location of your entertainment unit Before you begin browsing what entertainment units you would like to have in your home, it is important to consider where you are going to place it.Traditionally, an entertainment unit is placed in the lounge room as a home for your TV to rest upon. However, these days, your entertainment unit can be placed in many different areas of the house – including a home entertainment room, playroom or bedroom.You can choose to use your entertainment unit as a home for your TV, but you can also style it in multiple other ways which don’t involve a telly. For example, you can have the entertainment unit in the lounge room but rather than placing a TV on top of it, you could style it with small vases holding fresh flowers. Or perhaps you’d like to create a centrepiece for your family photos, using your new entertainment unit as the base.Another option is to keep your entertainment unit minimalist, without placing anything on top of it and instead simply using it for storage. To draw the eye to the entertainment unit, you could hang a large artwork above to emphasise the space. And of course, if you do wish to go the more traditional route but with a modern twist, you could always style your entertainment unit with your household objects and then mount your television to the wall in the space above it. Or if you’re planning on placing it in the playroom, why not use it to store toys and then mount the TV above, out of reach from little hands? Consider the size of your chosen room You will also want to ensure the size of the entertainment unit matches the size of the space. For example, if you are furnishing a large room and want the entertainment unit to be a centrepiece, then a larger unit might be the way to go. But if you are adding the unit to a room that is already quite cluttered, perhaps choose a more simplistic design with smaller dimensions, so it doesn’t seem as though it is taking up too much space. This type of unit will probably be in the background – rather than the foreground – so make sure you purchase the right entertainment unit accordingly.Think about the layout of your room too. Do you plan on changing the configuration of the furniture to fit in the entertainment unit? If so, do you have limited depth or height for the area the unit plans to be placed in? Keep this in mind when ordering your entertainment unit.Once you have decided on where in the house you plan to place the entertainment unit, it’s time to measure the space. Take the time to measure every dimension you need, including height, width and length. This will ensure you order an entertainment unit with the right measurements for your room.And one last note on design and dimensions - remember that an over-sized television on a smaller entertainment unit can sometimes look a little odd too, so consider how the size of your television correlates to the size of the entertainment unit you’d like to order. What does your TV unit need to hold? Now you have decided where in your home you plan to place your entertainment unit, it’s time to consider what you plan for the TV unit to hold.If you are placing the entertainment unit in the home theatre room, for example, then you will probably want to place entertainment-related equipment inside it. If you have a soundbar for your TV – an all-in-one speaker setup to deliver surround sound – then you need to ensure your new entertainment unit will hold it. If you or your children are frequent gamers, you probably will also want to be able to place gaming consoles in an area you can easily reach them.Playstations and other entertainment equipment can sometimes ruin the design aesthetic if they are left out on top of the entertainment unit, so ensure you measure all the equipment you want your unit to hold to guarantee it will fit it all. However, some people like to be able to see what’s in their entertainment units at all time, for easy access and as part of your furniture design. If this is you, then consider purchasing a unit that is open and comes without any doors or drawers. This style will suit a contemporary and minimalist home as the lack of doors on the entertainment unit suits this open-spaced living.Although if you are the kind of person who’d rather hide their clutter, then perhaps an entertainment unit that can be shut off with a door is more preferable. Closed drawers are also great for creating extra storage space and can be useful for holding items like DVDs and remote controllers. Mocka TV units do not have specific weight limits, but they are built to hold most standard TVs and accessories. If you have a massive TV that weighs a huge amount, consider getting it mounted to the wall by a professional. Not only will this be safer – as a secure mount will stop it from falling down on top of anyone – but it will also take the pressure off the home entertainment unit. Do you have a particular style or colour scheme you are trying to match? Once you have decided on where to place your entertainment unit, what you intend for it to hold, it’s time to consider the style and colour of the TV unit.The lowline style of entertainment unit is very popular at the moment because they are stylish and make a statement while allowing you to hide away unsightly cables easily. These entertainment units are perfect for smaller spaces because they are streamlined and the low profile of the furniture doesn’t clutter the room.If you are searching for a more timeless look then choose white for your entertainment unit. Keep the design simple and sleek, allowing the decorative home elements that you choose to style your unit with to pop. White is a fresh colour and works well in brightening any space – whether it’s your living room or your bedroom.Think about the natural light that comes into the room you are furnishing, as if you have a dark space then it might be best to stick with lighter hues to brighten the area. However, if you are working with a bright space then you might feel like adding in some darker wood colours to anchor the room. You can also pair white with wood to give your entertainment unit an extra design feature. For example, dark wood can give a retro feel to your space, while a lighter wood colour paired with white is more of a classic style. Wood elements on your entertainment units help to inject a bit of texture and character into your space. And if you love the wood effect, you might want to consider purchasing an entertainment unit that is entirely made from wood. A homage to the past, a wooden entertainment unit looks modern while touching on the heyday of the ‘50s and ‘70s. Wood can create warmth in a space and often this look won’t date. While reflecting on the style of entertainment unit you’re after, you might want to consider the legs of the unit, as well as the body. The industrial look might be more your style, in which case it’d be an option to choose a black powder-coated frame for the legs of your unit. If a contemporary look is more your style, why not opt for legs that angle out to the sides, creating a modern feel. If you are more of a traditionalist, then perhaps square legs would suit your home better.Whatever your style, remember that once someone is sitting down on the couch in front of your entertainment unit, they will be able to see the legs of the unit more closely, so it’s important that they match the design aesthetic of your home.Remember to keep in mind the style and colour scheme of your entire home so that your new television unit blends in seamlessly to the interior design elements you already have. Choose other furniture pieces to match your entertainment unit If you are thinking of revamping the overall look of a room in your home – or perhaps your whole house together – why not consider purchasing some other pieces of furniture to match your new entertainment unit? Perhaps a coffee table or console table would work well in your lounge room along with your entertainment unit? Or if you are purchasing the unit to place in your bedroom, why not think about pairing it with matching bedside tables or a new tallboy?Or if you are styling your children’s playroom, why not consider some kids’ tables and chairs or preschool furniture to match the entertainment unit? Summary It is worth investing some time into finding the right entertainment unit for your home. Research different styles and colours and consider how they will work in your space. Consider what you plan to use the entertainment unit for and where you want to place it. Most importantly, choose an entertainment unit that brings something new to your space, whether it’s to make a statement piece or simply provide a home for a new TV.Remember – the right entertainment unit can effectively draw attention away from the ugly blackness of a TV, creating a centrepiece while adding some design flair to your space. Are you still struggling to choose the right entertainment unit for your space? Get in touch with our friendly team today and we can have a chat about what might work for your home. Our team of professionals have a vast array of design experience and are on hand to answer any furniture-related question you might have.
