Furniture Concepts

Crate Style Furniture Has Taken a Major Fashion Step Forward!

Posted by Karyl Walker on Sun, Sep 24, 2017 @ 05:00 PM

Once upon a time in a far-away land, crate style wood furniture was trendy and fashionable.

So, maybe not a far-away land but certainly crate style furniture was popular in a past time. I recall the first time I saw crate style living room furniture at my cousin’s house in the 70’s. The boxy seating pieces were intriguing to me; clearly born from practical & rugged shipping crates but when outfitted with overstuffed cushions, the seating ensemble somehow achieved a comfy, homey look.

Today, crate style has trimmed down and taken a major fashion step forward into the present. 
 
The thick, boxy lines of crate of old have been replaced with a slimmer profile while still maintaining the practical durability that made the style appealing.
 
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Topics: Crate Style Furniture

Proving the Wood Crate Furniture Skeptics Wrong

Posted by Janet Voigt on Tue, Oct 29, 2013 @ 09:34 AM

When it comes to selecting furniture for group living, treatment centers, or hospitality nothing comes close to the durability of classic wood-framed furniture or what is sometimes called “wood crate style” furniture.

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Topics: Pine Furniture, durable furniture, Group Furniture Buying Advice, Crate Style Furniture, Barn Door Furniture, Wood Furniture

The Power of a Good Bunk Bed

Posted by Janet Voigt on Fri, May 03, 2013 @ 09:33 AM

As new college students are getting ready to move into their dorms and campers are getting ready for their summer fun, demand for furniture for dorms & quarters and summer camps is at its seasonal high.

Housing and camp directors are in the heat of last minute preparation for the expected masses.  As heads are counted, the most common panic-evoking realization is that there are never enough beds!  So when it’s time to order bunk beds in a hurry, where do you turn?

Searching the internet, it is easy to see that there are a vast number of sellers who offer wood bunk beds. 


BUT, WHAT MAKES A GOOD WOOD BUNK BED?
  -Many of the wood bunk beds in the market today are made overseas and imported for sale in the US.  At first glance many bunk beds have a similar look and advertise similar features.  In reality, there are many differences between from bunk to bunk starting with the wood itself. 
  • Many less expensive bunk beds are mass produced by one manufacturer and distributed by many retailers like Wal-Mart and Target. 
  • Often, no matter where you purchase your bunk beds they are made by the same source and just packaged under private labeling.
  • These “commodity” bunk beds are made with a softer wood that is typically not dried to the highest moisture standards. 
  • The more moisture in the wood the less durable the wood will be over time.  Kiln drying is the process used to make cut wood ready for manufacturing. Wood that is properly dried will have alower moisture content and will have less chance of splitting over time.

Get the Complete TOUGH STUFF! Catalog 

Additionally, many inexpensive, imported bunk beds are made with low profile lumber. 

  • Instead of using more durable lumber to create 4” posts (2x4 construction), import bed posts are made of 2” posts (1x2 construction) which create a far less beefy bed. 
  • For example, most wood bunk beds that are sold and distributed from overseas weigh in at a slight 120 lb. versus a high quality durable bed designed for group living that weigh in at 180 lb.!! 
  • The difference between those two weights is a great example of how two things can look similar but be entirely different. 

So when its time to order those last minute bunks within budget, it is essential to really understand what you are buying.
  • Durable, high quality bunk beds designed and manufactured for colleges and camps are available from contract furniture providers who specialize in high-use environments.
  • Don’t be fooled by claims of quality from mass produced, mass distributed beds primarily sourced from the same overseas manufacturer. 
  • The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tracks injuries and complaints from products like wood bunk beds has recalled over 445,000 bunk beds due to consumer injury. 
  • In addition, CPSC has had complaints of harm or injury from many other bunk bed manufacturers. 
When durability and safety are a top priority make sure to work with a reputable company like Furniture Concepts based in Cleveland OH who has a 25 year track record of high-quality wood (and metal) bunk beds.  Better quality does not mean high cost so take time to understand what you are buying and always ask for references.

   

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Topics: Bunkbeds, Tough Stuff, durable furniture, Crate Style Furniture, Barn Door Furniture, Contract Bedroom Furniture, Camp & Retreat Furniture

Why Crate Furniture is Still King

Posted by Janet Voigt on Thu, Mar 28, 2013 @ 09:10 AM

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Topics: molded plastic Furniture, Tough Stuff, durable furniture, anti-contraband furniture, Crate Style Furniture, Furniture For Incontinence, Behavioral Healthcare Furniture, Metal Furniture, Contract Furniture & Fabric: Making it Last, Camp & Retreat Furniture

The Power of Furniture Designed for Behavioral Healthcare

Posted by Janet Voigt on Tue, Feb 26, 2013 @ 01:50 PM 
 
Practitioners of behavioral healthcare know that their patients are at a 
greater risk of suicide and self-harm than any other patient population.

Safety is a primary concern of therapies used in any psychiatric facility. Behavioral healthcare furniture is important to managing risk appropriately to protect patients, visitors and staff. 

Furniture and components can be used as a weapon or a source of hanging or self-harm therefore, the right furniture that is designed specifically for behavioral healthcare and psychiatric environments is crucial to successful therapies and treatments.
 
Residential style furniture is typically first choice in behavioral healthcare facilities because feeling like “home” provides therapeutic support through offering patients a comfortable environment where they will be more willing to participate in healing. Since programs often require stays of 5 days or more, patients need to feel comfortable in their surroundings and allow themselves to settle in to their treatment facility as if it were their home. 

Sterile, institution-like furnishings can be a distraction to patients and can prevent healing. From the standpoint of safety, eliminating furniture and fixtures that can be broken in to shards that can be used as weapons, preventing contraband and preventing places that could be used for hanging are tall orders but necessary for the best patient results.
 

Some considerations for psych facility furniture for both juveniles and adults include the following:

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Topics: molded plastic Furniture, Health Care Furniture, Adolescent Treatment Centers, anti-contraband furniture, Extreme-Use Furniture, Crate Style Furniture, Behavioral Healthcare Furniture, Outdoor Furniture

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Furniture Concepts

For 20+ years, Furniture Concepts has remained committed to providing furniture Solutions for any type of group living environment. We sell only Business to Business in U.S.A. and Canada. Furniture Concepts is known for: Durability. Pricing. Deadlines. Customer Service... Learn More about us!

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