Posts by Al Harlow
4 Proven Strategies for Bed Bug Free Facilities
While there is no single solution for bed bug control, there are some tried and true facts that are important to consider when preparing for the possibility of bed bugs. First and foremost is the acknowledgement that no facility is invulnerable to bed bugs. Bed bugs are not related to any degree of cleanliness or lifestyle.…
Read MoreQuick Tips to Finding the Best Special Needs Furniture Provider
If You Work in a HEALTHCARE FACILITY That Strives to Offer Independent Living to Consumers and Patients, You Already Know that FURNITURE PLAYS A CRITICAL ROLE. Furniture is not only essential for productive activities and organized dining; the furniture design itself can become an important element in the quest for real independence. So Why NOT…
Read MoreThe Best Kind of Heavy Duty Recliner
See Why a Heavy Duty Recliner, Available Only From a Contact Healthcare Furniture Provider, Has Features and Benefits That Make it Far Superior to Retail. Everyone in Healthcare knows that patients and consumers appreciate a comfortable recliner. There is something comforting about the ability to recline that makes patients feel relaxed. Aside from the obvious comfort of “putting your feet up,”…
Read MoreHow to Use Self Deck Upholstery to Manage Incontinence
INCONTINENCE is a difficult issue for caregivers and direct service providers. Making CLEAN UP EASY, preventing damage to patient skin and avoiding permanent furniture destruction is always a high priority. The contract furniture industry has recently given incontinence (and limited mobility) a lot of attention. One tried and true method of managing incontinence and general fluid…
Read MoreBest of Lounge Seating
How to Combine Style, Functionality and Cost for Lounge Seating.Recent budget cutbacks have reminded purchasers that there is still truth in the “you get what you pay for” adage. Buying quality furniture creates a longer buying cycle thereby minimizing the need for cash for future furniture projects – especially those needed to satisfy state and local codes…
Read MoreBack to Basics in Summer Camp Furniture
School is winding down and summer camps are gearing up. Camp directors are busy training staff, developing programs and sprucing up cabins and outdoor spaces. For those of us in the camp furniture industry, this is bunk bed season. Over the years lots of styles of bunk beds have come and gone but the tried and true work horse for summer camps is…
Read MoreBariatric & Standard Seating:Why Combining makes sense.
Why Combine Bariatric and Standard Seating? Bariatric Seating is a sly fox. Attractive and ultra-functional, bariatric seating effortlessly blends in with standard seating pieces to stretch both your options and your budget. When bariatric and standard seating is combined in a space, those looking for a little extra width in their chair will gravitate towards the bariatric options while…
Read MoreSpecial Needs Furniture
Common Sense Furniture Solutions for Use by People of all Abilities. For individuals with developmental delays and their caretakers, independence is a critical goal. For facility administrators, it is important to create functional work and living spaces that foster independence without making an individual feel singled out. Special needs furniture has become a dynamic furniture category that…
Read MoreBed Bug Solutions
Detecting Bed Bugs Early On Can Make All The Difference. The news headlines have said it all – bed bugs that were once thought eradicated are experiencing a resurgence throughout the world. The fact is that bedbugs are indiscriminate and will infest any area occupied by humans from the poshest palace to the most humble…
Read MoreWhat is Commercial Lounge Furniture?
Healthcare, business and government facilities are the largest buyers of commercial lounge furniture. Commercial (contract) grade furniture guarantees that furniture is manufactured to the highest industry standards. The end goal is high durability and longevity of the pieces. The contract furniture industry is also the best place to see new trends and styling. Commercial buyers often want…
Read MoreMOBILE BOOKCASES
Mobile bookcases are a sturdy, practical storage solution. Mobile bookcases are not only a great mobile storage solution, they are also an incredibly sturdy and practical storage solution for any loose items. Due to the demands on the supporting frame, mobile bookcases should always be heavy-gauge steel. The heavy structure can hold up to the…
Read MoreLigature-Resistant Furniture = Greater Peace of Mind
Perhaps the most heartbreaking and tragic situation that can take place in a treatment center is patient suicide. And while it is just not possible to prevent every attempt at self-harm, progress toward minimizing these acts is being made. One important factor in the fight against self-harm is to use ligature-resistant furniture. The Joint Commission defines…
Read MoreCAL 133
In particular CAL 133 requires that furniture be manufactured with fire barriers that will prevent the spread of flames. Some fire codes recognize the expense of CAL 133 compliance and insteadrequire CAL 117 compliance. CAL 117, or California Technical Bulletin 117,tests foam flammability but not the flammability of the fully assembledpiece. It is always essential to consult…
Read MoreSOLID PINE FURNITURE
Over the last few decades, solid pine furniture has fallen in and out of fashion. Today, pine furniture is designed to have a timeless appearance that will never fade again. Gone are the splintery and rustic furniture pieces that resembled weekend craftsman creations. (844) 961-4100 Get Quote Now Today’s pine furniture can take on looks from traditional to contemporary…
Read MoreCamp Mattresses
For camp directors, making sure that bedrooms are ready for the next group of visitors can be an endless battle. Once beds and storage pieces are in place, choosing mattresses that are the right cost, function, and comfort can be daunting. Many low price contract mattress providers offer mattresses that are attractive to the bottom line but often fall short of the durability…
Read MoreWe Stand by Those Serving the Most Vulnerable
The events of the last few weeks related to COVID-19 are creating pressure on healthcare providers of all sorts. Health & human services, behavioral healthcare, addiction recovery, and shelter providers will undoubtedly experience an increased need for programming as our country deals with the ongoing public health crisis. Our nation’s most vulnerable; including those at risk…
Read MoreUPHOLSTERED BENCHES
Upholstered Benches: A great choice when looking for versatile furniture for your facility! Contract furniture providers offer benches made to contract upholstery standards. As you plan your next furniture project, ask your provider about adding a bench to increase the flex of your other seating pieces. Contract standards ensure that you are buying furniture that is durable…
Read MoreMultiple-Use Furniture
When selecting furniture for a multiple-use facility, choosing furniture that is readily adaptable & ready for anything is essential. Folding and Stacking Furniture Folding dining tables and stacking furniture is a highly durable way to make any space multi-use. Modern day stacking chairs can be high-style and comfortable. When paired with folding tables, any space can be converted from…
Read MorePersonalized Upholstery Seating
PERSONALIZE YOUR SEATING…WITH THE DURABILITY YOU NEED! When tasked with buying seating furniture for your healthcare or group living facility, the choices available for upholstery fabric can seem daunting. The trickiest part of the ordeal is imagining the finished product. Internet shopping has done a great service in leveling the playing field when it comes to shopping for…
Read MoreTough Stuff Furniture
TOUGH STUFF! What’s in a name? Well in this case, the name says it all. Built of solid wood for years of heavy use, FURNITURE CONCEPT’S SIGNATURE TOUGH STUFF LINE is ONE of a KIND. Designed for heavy use environments like student housing, summer camps and health care, Tough Stuff is hands-down the industry’s most rugged and durable…
Read MoreCONTRACT FURNITURE
In my former life I would see ads for “contract furniture” and wonder what exactly “contract” had to do with furniture… …Turns out that Business fixtures is an industry in itself specializing in creating furniture for hospitality, healthcare, commercial and other non-residential applications. The “contract” component refers to the intended use for the furniture and the expectation…
Read MoreContract Trends for Furniture
This year promises exciting innovations in contract furniture trend designs & function. (844) 961-4100 Get Quote Now Function, form & Finances! The year ahead promises a wave of exciting innovations in contract furniture design and functionality, offering solutions that enhance both aesthetics and utility across various industries. As the contract furniture industry continues to…
Read MoreContract Furniture Trends
A Review of Contract Furniture Trends As they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Trends in the contract furniture industry saw some exciting innovation in the field of furniture designed for health care environments: With a growing aging population experiencing issues related to limited mobility and incontinence, manufacturers have begun looking closely at the design and…
Read MoreUpholstered Furniture: Understanding Fabric Cleaning Symbols.
What Do Those Upholstery or Fabric Cleaning Symbols Mean? W, S, W-S?? When maintaining upholstered seating for any facility, it is essential to understand proper cleaning methods for your upholstery type. Specialty fabrics and fabric finishes can easily be ruined (and all warranties voided) with the wrong type of cleaning. It is tempting to throw seat covers in the…
Read MoreFurniture for Incontinence-What to Look for.
When dealing with incontinence it is essential that urine not be allowed to pool. Experience comfort and dignity with our specialized incontinence furniture, designed for discreet support. Elevate your lifestyle with quality solutions tailored to your needs. kn Urine on exposed wood can not only cause long-term foul odors, but can also damage the wood and compromise the…
Read MoreFurniture for Incontinence-Making Upholstered Pieces Fluid-Resistant.
Furniture designed for consumers with incontinence can be made more effective with a fluid-resistant fabric deck. A fabric deck is an enhancement to a standard piece of upholstered seating. With fabric decking, fully upholstered furniture is made with a fluid-resistant piece of fabric under the cushions. To help you picture what this is, if you were to pick up the…
Read MoreFurniture for incontinence– Part 1
Caring for residents and clients with urinary incontinence can be frustrating for staff. Achieving sanitation requirements, managing client comfort and preserving furniture and flooring can be difficult priorities for a busy staff. Fortunately, there are ways to make dealing with indulgence easier through steps as easy as using furniture that is designed to make clean-ups less strenuous. In…
Read MoreFurniture: Understanding Your Delivery Options
When ordering items that are too big for standard package delivery, you may be faced with some unfamiliar furniture delivery options. There are Frequently Asked Questions about shipping options for furniture and other large items. Making yourself aware of these options help unpleasant surprises. (844) 961-4100 Get Quote Now Wading through a bevy of terms like “drop ship” and “LTL” can be…
Read MoreWhat is Your Workspace Style Like?
Look Around your Workspace setup. What Do You See? Traditional, Contemporary, Transitional…BORING? If you have a job that requires you to spend time at an office, chances are you spend more waking time at the office than at home. So, shouldn’t your office be as beautiful as your home? It has become easy to express…
Read MoreFurniture For Adolescent Treatment Centers Can Aid in Their Success.
Teenagers participating in residential treatment programs for addiction face a recovery process complicated by what is often a first experience living away from home. Empowering adolescents on their path to recovery, our treatment centers provide a supportive environment for growth and healing. While the separation from the familiar can be a necessity, residential treatment facilities often carefully…
Read MoreAnti-Contraband Furniture: No Place to Hide!
Traditional furniture won’t suffice in environments where safety is paramount. The need for anti-contraband furniture has become increasingly recognized, particularly in therapeutic healthcare settings where individuals may be at risk of behavioral outbursts or self-harm. This furniture provides a solution by offering secure storage options without hidden compartments, allowing for easy inspection and reducing risks…
Read MoreDoes Your Office Chair Support or Hurt You?
Ever get the feeling your office chair is more of a problem than a solution? Poorly designed office chairs have been blamed for decades of sore joints, backaches and headaches. A good chair is a big investment so make sure you have prepared your wish list before you shop.Most office chairs appropriate for the typical 8 hour work day…
Read MoreFurniture Finishes: How do I choose the right one?
Choosing the Right Type of Surface for Furnishings. Akin to the old “paper or plastic” question, furniture providers typically offer wood, veneer or laminate surfaces for case (non-seating) furniture. Choosing the right surface type for the finished piece can make a meaningful difference in the life span and beauty of the product. There are basically three types of…
Read MoreMaking Your FURNITURE LAST LONGER.
Gauging how long your furniture furniture Lifespan will last. Let’s face it, buying furniture is like buying new tires. Sure, it’s nice but not quite the satisfaction of booking a vacation or buying a new television – although often it is just as expensive. Ultimately, we all share the same goal of purchasing durable furniture that will maintain its…
Read MoreCreating Healing Environments in a Group or Health Care Setting
Creating Healing Environments. Hospitals need new packaging, brand new dress that bespeaks health and happiness rather than sickness and suffering, hope instead of despair….What is being done to create for the patient surroundings that make him want to live, that restore to him the old fight to regain his health? Exploring Elements of Healing Environments…
Read MoreSAFE, AFFORDABLE BED BUG Solutions: Thermal Luggage Treatment
In the battle of bed bugs there is a new tool in the arsenal – the Packsafe thermal luggage treatment. Instead of waiting to react to the sighting of a bed bug, Proactively preventing bed bugs and other pests from being introduced into a facility is now easy and affordable. Packsafe is the ideal tool for…
Read MoreFurniture Warranties: What Does it Really Cover?
WARRANTIES ADD VALUE to any purchase. The bigger the price tag, the more valuable warranties become. In general manufacturers are expected to stand behind their products. Any manufacturer worth purchasing from will offer protection for a period of time that covers manufacturer’s defects. When purchasing products that have multiple components like furniture it is important to understand that multiple…
Read MoreHow to Safely Clean Your Furniture
Today more than ever it is important that surfaces are well cleaned & sanitized. Seating, storage, bedroom and dining furniture represent the majority of surface areas in any facility. With its frequent use and high visibility, furniture is likely the most important focus of cleaning efforts. And, let’s be honest, furniture is an investment so…
Read MoreNow Is the Time to Enhance Safe Spaces for Patients
Demand for behavioral healthcare likely will continue to climb as a result of the coronavirus crisis, but concerns about the safety of health facilities have given pause to many people as they consider pursuing treatment. There never has been a better time for your organization to establish a fully functioning culture of safety. Creating a…
Read MoreSee How Easily You Can Transform Your Camp with Furniture!
In recent months, members of our Furniture Concepts team have had the privilege of attending some of the premier national and regional summer camp conferences. Conferences like the CCCA National Conference and the ACA National and Regional Conferences gather the leadership of many of the country’s most successful camp and conference centers. Administrators we have spoken to have been teeming with optimism…
Read MoreSmart Furniture Choices Promote Sustainability
The effort to promote eco-conscious living often neglects to incorporate smart decisions about the furniture we use every day. Making responsible choices about these essential products can make a world of difference for your immediate environment and for the planet. Sustainable furniture uses materials with low environmental impact and employs an enduring design. Moreover, furniture with durable construction will…
Read MoreINTERIOR DESIGN IDEAS for Your Group Environment Facility!
There is great truth to the adage “the difference is in the details.” Even an untrained eye can intuitively identify a well-design space. What Makes Good Design? There are many factors but perhaps most important are the details. The coordination of fabrics, Furniture style and accessories that makes a space inviting but maintains the practical objective of the room. For…
Read MoreWood versus Metal Furniture: Which is better for Bedbug Prevention?
As bed bug infestations have become more typical in the U.S., a debate has sprung forth over whether wood or metal furniture is a better deterrent to bedbugs. On the one hand,metal advocates argue that the natural graining of wood creates more spaces for bed bugs to nest. On the other hand, believers of wood furniture point out…
Read MoreMake Behavioral Health Common Areas Inviting and Safe.
Common spaces in healthcare facilities have undergone a major transformation, driven by a desire to establish a more welcoming experience for patients. In behavioral health and addiction treatment centers, the effort to create a healing and aesthetically pleasing environment also must maintain a focus on safety.Open concept community spaces can serve multiple functions — enhancing…
Read MoreIS THERE REALLY FREE SHIPPING for Your Furniture?
In today’s cut-throat business environment the lure of free shipping can be enticing. Having the ability to see bottom-line pricing without additional fees like shipping and delivery is, let’s face it, satisfying! The reality is that there is really no such thing as “free” shipping. When shopping, beware of anything free. If logic tells you…
Read MoreLigature-Resistant Furniture Meets Patient, Accreditor Requirements
A patient’s decision to enter a treatment facility comes with a great deal of anxiety for patient and family alike. One of the most important ways you can reassure these individuals is by demonstrating you have taken every step to create a safe healing environment. Ligature-resistant furniture becomes a must in this effort. Addressing National Standards Because…
Read MoreControlling Bedbugs for Group Living Environments
A Clear BEDBUG Action Plan is Critical. Pest control experts warn that the bedbug population will explode during the upcoming summer months – warm weather, summer travel and well-populated urban areas are all factors guaranteed to make bedbug populations spread and grow. Having a practical and proactive plan will reduce the anxiety and fear related to spotting first…
Read MoreUpholstery Vinyls, Why it’s Now a Good Option.
The perception of vinyl upholstery has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, evolving from a dated and uncomfortable material to a versatile and highly durable option for chairs, sofas, and upholstered furniture. Redefining Vinyl Durable Vinyl Chairs, Sofas & Upholstered Furniture Went from Eww! to Wow! Quick game. List the five words that come to mind…
Read MoreContract Fabric-eco friendly upholstery
Contract Upholstery Goes Green. Seeing the trends in consumer products like groceries and clothing, fabric mills have begun to offer a growing selection of “green” upholstery products. Green upholstery has taken on a variety of definitions depending on fiber content and methods of processing. In general, upholstery fabrics are considered green if they fall into one of the following…
Read MoreUse Design to Create a Healing Environment
High quality, evidence-based clinical care proves to be the most essential element for good patient/resident outcomes. Yet no facility should ignore the importance of the physical environment in promoting healing. A growing body of research demonstrates that the design features you select will make a major difference in either facilitating or impeding your clients’ progress.…
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