Blog Circle

5 WAYS TO HELP THE ENVIRONMENT THIS SUMMER

by admin

June 26, 2014

CONSERVE WATER IN YOUR HOME

Water is an important part of our daily life, we use it for cooking, bathing, washing and watering plants. Sometimes we misuse this important natural resource without even being aware. Reduce the amount of water you use daily by opting to take showers rather than baths, brush teeth without running water, take shorter showers and take showers with partners. Make use of water used in your kitchen to water your garden rather than using water from the tap. Making these changes may seem difficult at first but once you get used to them, your bills will reduce significantly and you will have played your role in conserving the environment.

USE RECYCLED BAGS

Summer is a season when people take it easy and celebrate the sun but a lot of shopping is always part of such activities. Each year billions of plastic bags form a significant portion of waste that unfortunately finds its way into our oceans, rivers and other unsuitable areas. They are not biodegradable which means that they become part of the environment and ultimately destroy our natural environment, as we know it. Recycled bags are inexpensive and reduce the risk or destroying our environment.

DRIVE A HYBRID CAR

Hybrid cars are not only fashionable but are the best cars to conserve the environment. They normally contain two engines, one electric and another gasoline. This means that they can drive an average of five miles per gallon, which in the end reduces amount of gasoline barrels consumed on a daily basis. Hybrid cars emit less carbon gases since they use less fuel, they cut costs and conserve the environment. When a hybrid car is not using its gas engine, its motor is almost silent which helps in reducing noise pollution. This summer as you drive to your destination, use a hybrid car to reduce costs and conserve the environment.

CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERING ABROAD

Make your summer holiday more fulfilling and worthwhile by volunteering to work in conservation related fields. Volunteering work abroad is a fantastic way to see some of the most unspoilt destinations and interact with the real communities in the world. Volunteering exposes you to fascinating animal species, ecosystems and enlightens you on conservation and research skills. It is an affordable way to see the world and offers credible work experience. You can travel to many destinations in the world as a volunteer including Africa, India, Central and Southern America and Thailand.

PLANT TREES

Most of the buildings you see today consist of wood in their construction and this means that we have sacrificed millions of trees to build our houses thus depleting natural rainforests. This has led to imbalances in the ecosystems and effects such as global warming. Planting of trees can help reduce the amount of carbon in the air, improve the appearance your home and provide a home for birds and other animals. Planting trees in your home also helps your family understand the value of conservation as each member take part and improve the value of your property.

5 Interesting Ways To Use Paper Bags

by admin

June 12, 2014

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Tips

We all accumulate hundreds of bags every year from shopping. Plastic bags of course, although bad for the environment, can often be reused several times before they break and in some places you can recycle them. Fabric bags can be used hundreds of times and for all kinds of different purposes besides shopping. But what about the humble paper bag? How can that be put to other uses?

Keeping vegetables fresh

Reusable paper bags are perfect storage containers for onions and garlic, helping them stay nice and fresh without the need to put them in the fridge. They’re also good with mushrooms – the paper absorbs moisture, preventing them from getting slimy, but doesn’t dry them out. A neat solution if you’re planning a risotto in a few days’ time!

Cleaning windows

This is a great trick for eco-friendly cleaning. Simply tear your (clean) paper bags into sheets, apply some white vinegar to them, and have at your glass. You should end up with lovely streak-free windows, and you’re also doing your bit for the environment.

Getting wax out of carpets

If you spill candle wax on a carpet, it can leave an unsightly stain, and like chewing-gum it can also be tricky to remove. When it’s on your clothing you can freeze the wax or gum off, but with a carpet that’s not possible. So what you do is, tear a piece off a paper bag and put it over the wax, then iron over it at a medium to high heat. The wax should attach itself to the paper and problem solved!

Make your own paper

It’s easy and needs very little equipment. First tear up an average-sized bag and mush it up in a blender with two cups of water. Once it’s all squishy, fill a large tub of water and put a wire-mesh screen inside it, just under the water. Pour your paste onto the screen, spreading it evenly and removing any large blobs. Take out the screen, letting any excess water drip away, and place it on a sheet of blotting paper, with another sheet covering the top. Then gently turn it over and tap the screen, so the paste falls onto the second sheet. There you have your paper. Next, take a final piece of blotting paper and put it on top, and use a rolling-pin to squeeze out any remaining water. Now you can leave it overnight, or iron the the top blotting paper to dry it, before writing on it the next day. It’s nice to decorate the paper, perhaps with flower petals or off-colouring – this should be done while the paste is in the water.

Composting

You already used them to keep your fruit and veg fresh, but paper bags also compost very well, so when preparing dinner keep one handy for your unused peelings, then chuck it straight on the pile.

Top Reasons Why You Should Buy A Motorbike This Year

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April 24, 2014

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Lifestyle

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If you’ve never owned a motorbike before, you might not realise how truly amazing they are to ride. You see; a lot of people focus on the negative aspects of two-wheel vehicles, and while they are obviously more dangerous, this doesn’t necessarily mean you should be worried. At the end of the day, so long as you drive responsibly and always stay alert, there’s no reason why you should injure yourself on the roads. With this in mind, spend the next few minutes reading through all the points I’ve made below, and you should come away with a better understanding of how fantastic it can be to travel around the country on a real mans machine.

Of course, if you’re not ready for this yet, there’s nothing stopping you from starting a collection of really cool models. Indeed, you can get hold of the Honda Fireblade model online for next to nothing at the moment. Sure, they won’t impress your friends quite as much, but at least you can dribble over them until you’re ready to make a real purchase. Anyway, here are some of the reasons why owning a bike is a good idea.

Motorbikes Are Fast

While they might only reach the same speeds as high-end cars, you’ll feel like you’re traveling so much faster thanks to all the wind resistance. That said; I obviously don’t advise you to break the speed limit at any time, but if you get chance to book a track day or something similar, you will soon see that traveling at over 100mph on a modern motorcycle can be a life changing experience.

Motorbikes Are Great In The Summer

You obviously want to avoid using your motorbike in bad weather if you can help it, and this is why so many people keep them locked away in the garage until the summer months. The great thing about a bike is that you can simply jump on it at the weekends and drive until you get bored. Many drivers in the UK head to places like Matlock Bath where riders from all around the country accumulate.

Motorbikes Are Reasonably Prices

You could spend upwards of £50,000 on a brand new superbike if you really wanted to, but there’s really no need. You see; most bikes don’t get used that much, and so buying second hand doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting a worn out old model. Indeed, I personally bought a BMW HP Sport last year for less than half of the original price, and it was in mint condition. After looking at the clock, I knew I had to part with my cash, as it had done less than 2,000 miles. This is not uncommon, so make sure you always look at the used market first.

Well, now we’ve got to the end of this post, you should understand a little more about why owning your own motorcycle is worthwhile. As I said at the beginning, don’t worry too much about the safety issues. What will be, will be.

Clever Ways You Don’t Want To Miss, That Anyone Can Fit An Office Into Their Home Today

by admin

April 23, 2014

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Business, Home Improvement

Are you at the end of your tether with the daily commute to your office? Many people are; it is an incredibly stressful experience that is suffered at the worst time of day. In the mornings, people are tired and could do without the hassle, and at the end of the day they are simply exhausted. It is a cruel twist of fate that the more jobs there are for people, the harder it is to get to them.

Maybe it is time to consider cutting the hours at the office and working more from home. Many people have made this change successfully and are living a happier lifestyle because of it. You can do it too. There may be a few obstacles to overcome, but it is well worth the effort. A stumbling block that most people come across is where to put a workstation at home? Space may be limited, but by being creative, the problem can be solved.

Let’s take a look at places around the home where an office can be squeezed in.

The loft. Have you ever been up there? The chances are that, if you are in an older property, there is a massive space waiting to be used. Upo there you will be able to install a complete office including filing cabinets, and a sofa from Multiyork, or another trusted retailer. The loft space will need to be insulated, boarded out, and have power and a telephone line installed. If you are lucky enough to have a large loft, there is no excuse to prevent you achieving your dream.
Under the stairs. Often there is a cupboard under the stairs that is full of junk. This is a useable space that is ideal for a one person office. A phone line can be installed and a computer desk to get you up and running in no time at all.
Spare room. If you have a spare room, I need not say more.
Landing. The landing is an awkward space that is often underused. There could be room for your desk up there as well as a comfy armchair to relax in during breaks.

Sometimes it is necessary to change the way your business is organised to make homeworking possible. Luckily there is a solution. Use the cloud wherever possible. If much of the work is based in the ether, very little equipment is needed at home, maybe only a laptop. Files can be accessed from anywhere, so they do not need to be stored or physically moved around. This obviously has massive implications for your home office. If all that is needed is a printer and a laptop computer, the issue of space no longer rears its ugly head.

Making the change to homeworking may be a little complicated until the system is in place, and a routine is figured out. Often, the benefits are so great that the entire staff of the office will make the move too. Employers are happy with the massive savings that are made by reducing the size of premises, or even doing away with them altogether.

The idea of working from home is compelling. Do you think it is a possible solution for you? You won’t be sorry you took the leap.

mark sebastian

Never Run Out of Blogging Ideas Again: Tricks of the Trade

by admin

April 13, 2014

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Blogging

Bloggers can sometimes struggle with coming up with fresh, new content; especially when they do this job day in, day out. You need to know how to constantly come up with content that your readers will resonate with, as well as make it unique, helpful, interesting, and engaging. It can be an awfully tough task, but the benefits of blogging make the whole process worth it! The goal of this post is to make sure you don’t run out of ideas ever again with some awesome tricks of the blogging trade. Let’s get started!

Look to Other Bloggers for Inspiration

If you’re a blogger, you probably read at least a few other blogs. Think about what makes you return to these blogs time and time again. How can you make the experience as enjoyable for your readers as it is for you? I don’t condone copying by any means, but you could take inspiration from their tone, sense of humour, or simply the way they give you easily digestible information. Try to put a new spin on some of their titles/blogs!

Social Media

By simply taking a quick look at the top social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, you’ll see what people are talking about and be able to talk about that kind of thing in your posts. Make sure you strike while the iron is hot in order to write some quality posts that will get people talking.

Take a Look at Your Old Posts

Take a look at your analytics to see the posts you wrote that did really well and work out how you could revisit them. It’s great, because you know your readers are definitely interested in these ideas. Think of how you can update and repackage posts to create fresh content.

Ask Your Readers

Why not ask your readers what they’d like to see more of on your blog? You should get a great response and a good idea of what people are interested in.

Brainstorm

Get yourself a nice hot cup of tea and find a comfortable place to sit down. Bring your laptop, a noticeboard, or simply a notepad and pen. For a quality noticeboard you can write your ideas down on and always be inspired, click here. Write down all of the ideas that pop into your head, even if they seem silly, small, or irrelevant – they might become relevant one day! You’re guaranteed to come up with at least a few great ideas that you can make great blog posts from.

Take a Look at Your Comments Section

Have a good look at your comments section and make note of the kinds of stories your readers share with you, as well as the kinds of questions they ask. Do their comments make you think of your post in a way you can expand upon it!

These tips will ensure you’re always producing unique, fresh, humorous, helpful content. Blogging can really help to get you known as an expert in your industry, and even help brand recognition for a business, so don’t forget to utilise this amazing marketing channel!

Image Source: Flickr

Convert Your Loft Into a Home Cinema in 2014

by admin

April 13, 2014

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Home Improvement

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Most people, unless they are very wealthy, find themselves short of space at some point. Maybe it is because their family is growing, or it could be that they allow a lot of clutter through the doors. Whatever the reason, they are left scratching their heads for a solution. An extension of some kind seems the most likely choice, but it is very expensive. A conservatory is a relatively inexpensive upgrade but is limited to its uses.

If you are looking for the room to build your own home cinema, the loft could be a solution for you. Since a cinema needs to be in darkness most of the time, there is no need to install windows in the loft, which could potentially save you thousands of pounds. Imagine being able to watch movies on a massive screen as they are meant to be enjoyed. Soundtracks that make your tummy rumble when the action starts. It sounds very enticing, but how would someone go about transforming the loft into a home cinema? Read on. For this upgrade, there is no need to apply for planning permission since the finished job will not be a habitable room. That makes the conversion so much easier.

Soundproof

The soundtracks to the movies you are streaming from the Eros movies site or another site online, will be very loud in your cinema, and you need it to be confined there. Loft insulation will partially do the job. Before laying any floorboards, make sure there is adequate insulation between the joists. Don’t pack it in too tightly or it will loose some of the insulating and noise cancelling properties. Just enough so it sits comfortably in the gap.

Insulation panels will need to be cut and wedged in between the roof beams too. This form of insulation comes in sheets that are easily cut to size using a handsaw. Make sure the underside of the roof is completely insulated.

Power

Socket outlets will need to be installed so the equipment can be plugged in. The electrician needs to install the wiring before any boards are installed. The home cinema speakers will need wires installed for them also. A light is going to be needed in the loft for changing movies and intermissions.

Boarding Out

Packs of loft boarding sheets are available in DIY stores, and these are perfect for the flooring. The underside of the roof can be boarded with hardboard or plasterboard, whatever is your preferred choice.

Once the loft is boarded out, put a thick carpet down on the floor to help absorb sound. For the walls, use soundproofing foam that is designed specifically for the job. You will have seen it before on television programs; it is the stuff that looks like thousands of tiny pyramids. It comes in sheets and can be found with an internet search.

Seating

I hope your loft hatch is big enough to get some appropriate seating through; Preferably a sofa. When those movies are playing you need to be comfortable.

Now the loft is ready to receive your high tech cinema equipment. You may find that, now your entertainment room is complete, you will notice your friends drop by a little more often than they used to. It is fun to watch movies together though.

How you can Find a Fun Hobby

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April 9, 2014

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Lifestyle

Having a hobby can give you something fun to do in your spare time, as well as give you something interesting to talk about with other people. You also get the opportunity to meet similar people with similar interests to you, so that’s a great bonus! By learning something new, you help to keep your mind alert and active, as well as maintain a long term interest in something that fascinates you. Why waste your free time surfing Facebook and watching TV when you could have a cool hobby?

What Interests You?

This might be a hobby that you always wished you could explore, but you felt you never had the time or money to pursue your interests. Ask yourself some questions to help you find a fun hobby:

What would I do all day if I had the whole day free?
Why do I love doing certain things?
Will I enjoy this activity?
Is it worth spending my time on this activity?
What would I do for a living if money wasn’t an issue?

Consider all Kinds of Hobbies

You should keep an open mind and consider all kinds of hobbies in order to find a fun one to settle on. Take a look at the walls of the post office and decide whether you’d like to begin stamp collecting, for example. Consider any other items you might want to collect, like coins, dolls, chocolate wrappers, or dinky cars. How will you get your hands on your collectables? Where will you display your collectables? Displaying your collectables can be important as this can make your collection all the more valuable. You may also like to show it at certain local events. You don’t have to stick to collecting though!

Discover Art

Art can be a wonderful hobby, and there’s nothing stopping you from creating a masterpiece like those on the walls of the Tate Modern. Gather together some oils, acrylics, and watercolours, or even try coloured pencils. If you want to get better, you could even take classes – but there are no rules when it comes to art.

Write Novels and Stories

There are certain writing challenges online and in magazines that you can get involved with to flex your writing skills. With practice you’ll develop new skills and get better, who knows – you could be the next Neil Gaiman!

Play Sport

Sport is a great hobby as you can get fit as you enjoy yourself. It’s also great for our wellbeing and socialising! There are many different sports to choose from; football, basketball, rugby, and cricket to name a few.

There are many more hobbies you could try out – you’re only limited to your imagination. Whatever hobby you choose, make sure you have enough time, money, and whatever else you need to keep it going (although we don’t recommend sacrificing valuable family time. Why not try it together as a family?).

Hobbies are perfect for those who want to broaden their horizons and become a more interesting, knowledgeable person – so get going!

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How to choose the right office furniture

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March 26, 2014

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Business

Whether you run your own business from home, or you manage an office for a much bigger company, the time usually comes when you need to order new office furniture. The choices available of modern office furniture are so many and varied that it’s a good idea to have a few restrictions before you start looking, otherwise who knows what fantastical furniture you could end up buying!

Restrict your budget

Throwing your entire budget at your office furniture may not be good for the near future. If you set a certain amount for the project, list the essential items, and stick to both list and budget, happiness will surely be yours. Better still, looking at furniture that can be used for more than one thing will give you more for your money.

How will it be used?

Multifunctional equipment doesn’t have to mean an all-singing-all-dancing photocopier-scanner-coffee-maker. It can be as simple and space-saving as a desk that contains a small, lockable filing cabinet, or one that conveniently extends to enable the office to be converted into a board room when needed.

Space, the not-so-final frontier

How much space you have really does dictate how much furniture you can have. Getting the measurements right can be tricky, and translating those into a catalogue of furniture is even harder. Scale drawing may seem like a ridiculous amount of effort for the sake of getting the right furniture, but they can be extremely useful, especially if you and your co-workers have a tiny office to play in. Additionally, estimating the space correctly will save having to send everything back later.

Get it right, now

Nobody really knows for sure where they or their business will be in a few years, but keeping the future in mind when you order your furniture gives you a slightly longer rein. For example, buying quality desks made from solid wood, and good ergonomically-designed chairs will save you money in the long term because you won’t have to replace them every couple of years.

Choose a theme, and stick with it

Themed furniture can encourage productivity amongst the people who work there, so bright colours with funky designs are great for bohemian or creative companies. Utilitarian furniture doesn’t have to be ugly, and can come with space-age style or be traditionalist and wooden. On the other hand, if it’s only you who uses the office, you can style it according to whatever you like, provided it does the jobs you need. It’s worth remembering, however, the very nature of ‘trend’ is inclined to change, so the designer pods or pebble-shaped breakout stools that look cool this year may not be so rad in two years time.

Get comfy, it’s going to be a long one

One of the most crucial aspects, certainly when choosing seating, is one of comfort. If you can’t spend around 8 hours a day in your chair because it makes your back ache, or if it’s a kneeling chair that causes your knees to crack and your hips to feel wonky, it doesn’t matter how cool it looks, the choice will be a bad one.

All in all, if you can take into consideration any number of these ideas, it should enable you to restrict your choices adequately to make a few excellent, long-lasting decisions on office furniture.

Author Bio – Sakina Murdock writes professionally about aspects of interior design, and is a regular contributor to and researcher on websites such as http://www.calibre-furniture.co.uk

The beginner’s guide to choosing the right audio cable connection

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March 19, 2014

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Blogging, Business

If you’re currently considering the purchase of a brand new music interface, the last thing you want is to get it home only to discover that you have the wrong cables for connecting it to your speakers or instruments. However, that scenario is one that is familiar to thousands of music lovers and musicians across the world. Whether you are a seasoned music professional or someone who is new to the technology associated with music, it pays to know the main types of cable connections. Knowing the terminology and the various alternative names used by different manufacturers will allow you to make an informed purchasing decision.

The 6.3mm jack

The 6.3mm jack is probably the most common used for musical equipment. It can also be referred to as a quarter inch jack, a guitar jack or a jack plug. It is most commonly used with electric guitars and amps, and it can be easily identified by its single black insulating ring near the tip of the connector – indicating it offers a single channel connection. They are also used as instrument cables and line level connectors, and their reliability and dependability make them a hugely popular choice with professional musicians.

The stereo jack connector

At first glance, the stereo jack connector is identical to the 6.3mm connector, yet it is capable of carrying two sound channels, and it can be identified by its two black hoops. This versatile type of connection can carry separate left and right channels – a capability that is delivered through a ‘tip, ring, sleeve (TRS) design. The ring and the tip are responsible for carrying the right and left music channels, and the sleeve acts as an earth. This type of connection may be referred to as a quarter-inch jack, a TRS jack, a balanced jack or a stereo phone jack, and it is commonly used for headphones, keyboards and mixing equipment.

The stereo minijack connector

The stereo minijack connection is probably the single most used connection for audio devices in the world. It is used on cell phones, MP3 players and most portable music devices. Also referred to as a 3.5mm jack, a one eighth jack or a headphone jack, the minijack connector has an identical arrangement to the stereo jack connector. It delivers a very reliable and portable connection that is capable of exceptional sound quality.

The RCA connector

The RCA connector was developed by the Radio Corporation of America, and it is most frequently used in home music equipment. It delivers a mono connection that is popular with DJ mixers for use with ‘tape in’ and ‘tape out’ connections. It can be easily identified by its red right channel and white left channel connectors, and it is sometimes referred to as an aux cable, an RCA plug, a phono plug and a cinch plug.

The XLR connector

The XLR connector delivers a balanced connection using between 3 and 7 pins or holes, 2 cm in diameter. Because the XLR connection delivers a combination of a balanced and secure connection, it is very popular with DJ mixers, but it is most commonly used as the connection for a mic lead. This connection was originally developed by Cannon Electronics, and that has earned it the alternative name: the ‘Cannon connector’.

The quality of connection is an integral component of music quality, so choosing high end audio cables from a respected cable company is very important. Cables of the finest quality will last longer, deliver superior sound and provide connections you can rely on, so spending a little more on premium products will represent a cost-effective purchase in the long term.

Author bio:

Malcolm Cox is a keen amateur musician who is a proficient guitar player. He has turned his love of music into a paying day job by writing about his great passion on various music websites based in the UK, using sites such as http://www.thecableco.com or research

Things to take into account when kitting out your café

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March 19, 2014

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Home Improvement

Things to take into account when kitting out your café

Kitting out your café with fabulous furnishings and wall decorations is one of the most exciting parts of the process. The tables and seating in your business denote its style, and certain looks are more likely to draw a particular type of customer.

It’s therefore important to take a number of things into account, including style, cleaning, and comfort, and most commercial furniture suppliers will have a range of items which fit these requirements.

Keep your customers comfortable

Comfy seating, such as well-padded leather sofas and easy chairs with low coffee tables give your customers the opportunity to wind down in a relaxed setting, enjoy an intimate chat, and perhaps stay a little longer to have an extra cake, or a coffee top-up. Crumbs can easily be vacuumed up, but more stubborn disasters such as black coffee or even a plateful of food can be problematic as some leathers require a special detergent. Fabric, however, can come with its own set of problems. When choosing this style of seating, it’s best to find a leather or even a specialised leather-look PVC that makes cleaning easier.

There are many moulded chairs made from a variety of plastics that are far more comfortable than the classic school-dining-hall designs. The funky colours and shapes can keep the place looking interesting, and they’re easy to keep clean. Nothing will be damaged even with an entire plate of lasagna covering every surface; a hot cloth with a bit of standard detergent can deal with the worst situations, and this can be crucial in a busy café.

Wooden chairs, too, can be more comfortable than you might think, especially when pairs with a comfy cushion. Cushions that can be tied onto the back of the chair may be pretty as well as practical, to prevent the floor from being covered in soft furnishings every time someone stands up, and washable fabrics and stuffings enable you to keep everything as clean and pleasant-looking as possible.

Lean on the most suitable tables

As with seating, tables have to be practical in terms of use and cleaning, and they should be stylish too. They also play a role in determining how comfortable and cosy your café is for your customers. Enormous chunky wooden tables that you might expect to find in a farmhouse kitchen may seat many people, but could make it hard for someone at one end to communicate with another.

Modular formats can be the answer, where the tables all fit together; or where they’re all square-shaped, enabling different sizes of rectangular shape to be created. One can provide two people with some intimacy and privacy; or several pushed together may give a party of folks the opportunity to eat together.

Measuring distances between chairs and tables can be useful, but when ordering from contract furniture suppliers, it’s a good idea to get a sample of each item so that you can judge the distances adequately. Nobody wants to eat their dinner with their chin below the surface of the table.

The furniture you choose for your café doesn’t just present your style to the world; it also determines types of customers, according to the opportunities it opens for them, and even affects how long they stay and whether or not they return, so choosing the right style can be crucial to your success as a café owner.

Sakina Murdock writes regularly about interior style and fashionable additions for home and business, and contributes to a variety of websites including http://www.furniturerealmdirect.co.uk.

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