Blog - Inspiration

The bed is the focal point of your bedroom, so the bed frame sets the tone for the room’s overall look and feel. A bed frame can also support a box spring, keep the mattress secure, and prevent a box spring from scratching the floor. If you’re in the market for a new bed frame, read on for bed frame ideas, learn about choosing the right style for your room, the different types of material to choose from and other details that go into selecting the perfect bed frame for you.

Different bed frame materials

With a wide range of bed frame materials to choose from, selecting the best bed frame for your lifestyle can be a significant decision. Below breaks down the different types of bed frame materials and why they may work for you.

Upholstered bed frames

An upholstered bed frame can be inviting, cozy and feel luxurious. The soft, cushioned headboard offers extra support and comfort. Upholstered headboards come in various fabric types and colours, tailored to any design style. An elegant, grey upholstered bed frame, such as the Portia Queen Bed is neutral enough to blend with any design style. If you have a large bedroom and you’re looking to make it feel softer and more inviting, an upholstered bed frame is a great choice.

Wood bed frames

Wood bed frames are traditional, elegant and can make a major design impact. Wood bed frames come in various styles. For example, a sleigh bed frame works well with a classic design scheme. A four-poster bed frame can blend in seamlessly with various design styles, ranging from classic to modern. A spindle bed frame, such as a Nashburg style, can help you achieve a modern farmhouse vibe. A wood bed frame such as the Kate King Bed is an Asian hardwood frame finished in a smoky grey-brown colour that can fade into the background or be the main focal point.

Metal bed frames

Due to its metal construction, wrought-iron bed frames are known for their longevity. Whether you have a rustic, boho or traditional bedroom, a wrought-iron bed frame will fit right in. A metal bed frame, such as the Nashburg King Bed is warm and understated yet offers an air of sophistication.

Your guide to picking the right bed frame material

Knowing the design aesthetic you want to achieve is one thing, but understanding how you use your bed is another factor. If you're debating between a wood or metal bed frame, there are several factors to consider.

• Comfort: Both wooden and metal bed frames require plenty of pillows if you like to lounge in bed to read or watch a show because the headboard is often hard and unforgiving.
• Maintenance: A metal bed frame can be lower maintenance than a wood bed frame, and both tend to be easier to maintain than upholstered bed frames. Metal bed frames requires a simple wipe down, where you may need to properly care for a wood bed frame to ensure it lasts long. As for upholstered beds, the upkeep often includes vacuuming and spot cleaning when necessary to avoid any potential staining or sun bleaching.
• Durability: Metal bed frames are known for their durability and can hold a lot of weight, making them long-lasting.
• Style: Wood bed frames offer more style flexibility, as it’s easier to update the look, depending on the bedding and accent furniture you select.

Is a headboard right for you?

While not everyone chooses to have a headboard, headboards to offer additional comfort if you like to lounge in bed to read, watch TV or work. They also create a more refined look and anchor the space. As an alternative to a headboard, you can hang curtains or a tapestry behind the bed frame to add softness or wallpaper the wall to add visual interest.

All about platform beds

A platform bed is a commonly used type of bed frame. They offer a sleek, streamlined look and are easily identifiable by its flat base. Platform beds don’t require a box spring; you can simply lay the mattress on the bed. In addition, some platform beds have hidden interior storage, which is great if you live in a smaller space.

Platform beds are an affordable option to more expensive bed frames that require box springs. They also fit well in smaller-sized bedrooms. Platform beds are lower to the ground than traditional beds, which some people may prefer.

If you’re looking to invest in a new bed frame, visit thebrick.com for the latest bedroom furniture trends. Then, kicking-off the new year inspired to refresh your bedroom.

A coffee table is one of the main heroes of the living room. It can act as a table to eat and drink, a surface to style or a place to kick up your feet. Coffee tables make a room look and feel finished and add a much-needed design element. Selecting the right coffee table for your space means sizing it correctly, styling it in a way that works with your lifestyle and ensuring that it aligns with the rest of the room’s aesthetic. They come in many shapes and sizes, so read on to help you decide whether you select a round, rectangular or square coffee table.

Why are coffee tables necessary?

Coffee tables allow you to use your living area from a functional standpoint most effectively. For example, if your living space is more casual, a coffee table can be a surface to set food and drinks on when guests are over. Or, if your room is more formal, a glass coffee table can host a beautifully styled vignette. If you need more storage space a lift-top table, like the Landon Coffee Table with Lift Top, may be best for you. The Landon’s two lift-tops let you and your guests enjoy a meal or work on a laptop while relaxing in the living room.

How high should a coffee table be?

To make sure the coffee table is scaled appropriately for the room, the height should be two inches lower than the sofa or chair cushion. Likewise, the length of the coffee table should be approximately two-thirds of the length of the sofa.

How to decorate a coffee table

If you want your coffee table to have a designer look, the secret to styling is balance. Having lots of small knick-knacks will make it look cluttered while having large pieces can be overwhelming and heavy. Varying the items’ size and scale will create a unified, cohesive look. Blending short and tall items will provide the visual interest the table needs.

If it is oversized and square-shaped, such as the Watson Coffee Table, it is treated as a grid, so focus on styling each quadrant. This makes styling the table more attainable and organized. Follow the rule of threes for visual harmony by grouping items in three’s the different quadrants. Or, if the coffee table is rectangular, such as the Izaac Coffee Table, divide the surface into three separate sections.

If you want your coffee table to balance function and form, you can style one side and leave the other side empty to invite friends and family to set down a glass or dish. Using a tray is a great way to corral all the decorative accents while efficiently removing it when you’re entertaining. Placing your decorative accents in a tray also creates more structure and organization.

If you prefer a more minimal look, only display one or two oversized items, such as a vase with fresh flowers or a large decorative bowl.

How to choose the right coffee table for your space

Before selecting a coffee table, identify what functional needs it has to serve. For example, if you need more storage in your living area, perhaps a coffee table with lift-top would be the best fit. If you have young children, choosing a round piece, such as the Veranasi Nesting Coffee Tables will help prevent any injuries that they may get on sharp corners. The Elroy Coffee Table with Lift Top is another great option for young children, as it has fabric around the edge for a soft feel and a cozy aesthetic.

Incase you need additional floor space, selecting a coffee table with wheels is an excellent choice to roll it out of the way quickly. The Roanoke Coffee Table with Lift Top and Casters give the table effortless mobility.

It’s essential to make sure the coffee table coordinates with the existing furniture in the room, such as the entertainment centre, sofas, rug and accent tables. A neutral coffee table made of wood, stone or metal coffee table is a great selection to coordinate with the existing furniture you already have.

If you’re looking to invest in a new coffee table, visit thebrick.com for the latest coffee table trends. Then, start the new year inspired to refresh your living space.

While it seems like a dishwasher should constantly be cleaning itself, this isn’t actually the case. With every load you wash, food, grease, detergent and water residue builds up throughout the dishwasher. This grease and grime can result in an unpleasant smell, a dirty appearance and can even leave a film on your dishes. If the food and grime builds up over time, it can also damage the filter, resulting in expensive repairs or the need to buy a new dishwasher entirely. Keep this hard-working little appliance looking (and smelling) its best when you follow our dishwasher cleaning schedule.

Dishwasher maintenance quick tips:

• Use a high-quality dishwasher detergent and rinse aid to reduce the spots that can develop on the dishwasher’s interior of your dishwasher.
• If you live in an area with hard water, use a whole-home water softener to help prevent mineral build-up in your dishwasher.
• Leave the door open at the end of a cycle can help prevent mould or mildew from developing.

How Often Should You Clean Your Dishwasher

Regular dishwasher maintenance will keep your appliance running smoothly and efficiently. You can take small steps daily, weekly and monthly that will make your cleaning schedule easy to follow. Here’s how to clean your dishwashers parts to ensure it runs with maximum efficiency.

Daily Dishwasher Cleaning

Daily dishwasher maintenance helps prevent any long-term issues. First, remove any leftover food debris after the cycle finishes running. Any dishwasher odours are usually caused by food debris left in a dishwasher. To prevent food from entering the dishwasher, give your dishes a quick rinse before loading the dishwasher. Wipe the exterior of the dishwasher with a soft cloth or pick up a pack of our UV3 Stainless Steel Cleaning Wipes for a streak-free shine on your stainless.

Weekly Dishwasher Cleaning

Weekly cleaning gives your dishwasher a deeper clean. Remove and rinse the dishwasher filter by running it under hot water, and use a small scrub brush to scrub the screen and frame to remove food particles. Next, wipe down the inside door with a damp cloth or sponge, and scrub any grime from the rubber seal with a small scrub brush or toothbrush.

Monthly Dishwasher Cleaning

Every month, deep clean the interior of the dishwasher to keep it in optimal shape. This deep clean will remove trapped food, detergent residue and mineral build-up. To deep clean the dishwasher, you can use the dishwasher’s self-clean cycle. This sanitizing cycle runs hotter and longer than a normal cycle, which helps kill any bacteria food residue left behind. A self-cleaning dishwasher, such as the Frigidaire Built-In Dishwasher with Dual OrbitClean® Wash System has a stainless steel filtration system with a self-cleaning filter that eliminates food particles, keeping dishes clean.

If the dishwasher doesn’t have a self-clean cycle, don't fret! You can get a sparkling clean with an Affresh dishwasher cleaning tablet, which is a foaming tablet that fights residue and build-up, or create your own cleaning concoction using common household products. Simply put a small bowl of vinegar in the bottom of the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on a hot water cycle. Once the cycle is complete, sprinkle baking soda on the button of the dishwasher and run it once more for a sparkling, clean, odour-free dishwasher.

Often the most overlooked appliance to clean, keeping a dishwasher clean is one of the most essential appliances to clean regularly. With ongoing maintenance, you will keep your dishwasher in excellent shape for years to come.

Between the music, the meals and traditions, nostalgia is a prevalent emotion during the holiday season. Family meals passed down from generation to generation are one of the most beloved parts of the holidays as they symbolize togetherness, love and warm memories. Equipping your kitchen with the appliances make these dishes is one of the best ways to keep these traditions alive. We’ve compiled a few of our favorite classic holiday recipes and the appliances that will help with easy cooking this holiday season.

Classic Holiday Appetizer Prep

Kicking off your holiday celebrations with libations and appetizers is a perfect way to catch up with family and friends, celebrate the past year and toast to the year ahead. With the help of some small appliances, you can easily prepare some holiday nibbles and spend the rest of your evening enjoying the company of your guests.

Baked brie is a classic holiday appetizer that appeals to salty snackers and those with a sweet tooth, alike. With the help of a KitchenAid Double-Oven Range, with even-heat true convection and five burners, you can bake your appetizer while your main entree cooks to perfection in the lower oven.

Perfect your holiday appetizer presentation this season by following this recipe for baked brie.

Baked brie ingredients:

• 8-ounce round brie cheese, at room temperature
• 1/3 cup cranberry sauce
• 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange zest
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup hazelnuts, roughly chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Slice off the top rind of the brie and scrape out a small amount of cheese to form a shallow hollow in the center. Place the cheese in a small parchment paper-lined baking
2. Mix the cranberry sauce, brown sugar, vanilla, zest and nutmeg. Top the brie with this mixture and sprinkle the hazelnuts over it.
3. Bake for eight to 12 minutes or until the fruit is bubbling and the cheese melts.
4. Garnish with a rosemary sprig and serve with assorted crackers.

To create the perfectly chopped hazelnuts, enlist the help of the KitchenAid 7-Cup Food Processor, which can handle a variety of ingredients with precision.

Classic Holiday Entree Prep

Nothing brings cheer to the holidays like home cooking, and glazed ham is synonymous with Christmases past. But, for a restaurant-quality entree, ensure your oven range is up to date. A caterer’s oven, such as the Café 5.75 Cu. Ft. Commercial-Style 6-Burner Dual Fuel Range, has the spacious capacity, even heating and smart features to achieve restaurant-quality results.

Prepare a beautiful and delicious entree, like a classic glazed ham, by following this recipe.

Glazed ham ingredients:

• 1 (10-lb.) fully cooked whole ham (boneless or bone-in)
• 1/2 c. packed brown sugar
• 1/4 c. Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 c. apple cider

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325º. Place ham on a roasting rack set in a roasting pan and slice the top of the ham in a diamond pattern —cover with foil and bake between 2 ½ and three hours or until warmed.
2. During the last 45 minutes of cooking, prepare the glaze:
   • Whisk together brown sugar, mustard, apple cider vinegar and apple cider over medium heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a medium simmer and cook until reduced by half. Brush glaze on ham every 15 minutes until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 60°C.
3. Remove ham from the oven, glaze once more and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.

Classic Holiday Dessert Prep

If you have a sweet tooth, the holiday season is your time to indulge. We prefer classic holiday cookie recipes have stood the test of time and gingerbread men are one of those recipes. To ease the baking process, turn to a stand mixer, such as the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in a retro mint green hue, to efficiently bake dozens of gingerbread men. KitchenAid’s iconic design enhances your culinary epicentre with 10 speeds that knead and whip ingredients with ease and finesse.

We recommend double (or tripling!) the recipe to share with friends, family and coworkers.

Gingerbread men cookie ingredients:

• 1/2 cup softened butter
• 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup molasses
• 1 large room temperature egg
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2-2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• Frosting of choice

Directions:

1. Mix butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg and water.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients minus frosting and divide the dough in half. Shape each into a disk; cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 176°C. Roll out each portion of dough on a lightly floured surface and cut with a floured 4-in. gingerbread man cookie cutter. Place two inches apart on greased baking sheets.
4. Bake until the edges are firm, 8-10 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely - frost as desired.

As the holidays approach, equip your kitchen with the necessary appliances and some easy holiday recipes. Having these at your fingertips will begin your holiday season on a relaxed and festive note.

Whether you have a large family or choose to shop in bulk for a family of two, having an extra freezer can be extremely helpful when you have extra food you need to store safely. Home freezers can be a lifesaver during the holidays when you’re preparing to cook for a crowd and are an asset for the rest of the year, whether you like to meal plan, buy in bulk or just need some extra space for BBQ meats and popsicles for when summer rolls around. If you’re considering purchasing an additional freezer and need a place to start, our helpful guide outlines the different freezer types, sizes, and why you may need one.

Benefits of A Chest Freezer

A chest freezer is a deep freezer that opens like a chest and is either rectangular or cube-shaped. It’s used for stocking frozen food in large quantities.

Pros of A Chest Freezer

• Chest freezers are less expensive than upright freezers.
• Chest freezers have more usable space than upright freezers.
• Food has less risk of getting freezer burn because air doesn't circulate as much as it does in a chest freezer.
• Chest freezers don’t have a self-defrost system, so the temperature in a chest freezer is more likely to stay consistent .
• If you lose electricity, a chest freezer will keep your food frozen longer than if you have an upright freezer.
• Chest freezers usually use less electricity than upright freezers. Be sure to check the Energy Saver tags on the separate freezers to determine which are most energy-efficient.

Chest Freezer Cons

• It’s challenging to find food at the bottom of a chest freezer and it often requires extensive rearranging and searching.
• Food in a chest freezer can be hard to access by children or people who have difficulty reaching down to the bottom.

What A Chest Freezer Best For

A chest freezer is best if you have a smaller space but still need an extra freezer to account for the overflow from your main freezer. Or, if you are storing a large quantity of the same item, such as frozen tomato sauce, you won’t have to search for what you’re looking for extensively. Also, if you’re looking for a more affordable freezer, a chest freezer is often the best option for hunters or fishermen as a chest freezer tends to be the best bet for storing bigger items.

Our Top Chest Freezer Picks

• Midea Chest Freezer - The 10.2 cubic foot model has a D-shaped Quick Freezing system to cool down foods quickly, preventing spoilage. The mechanically adjustable dial controls let you customize your temperature, providing more versatility than your fridge’s freeze. Its balanced hinges let you keep the lid open at an angle and its convenient drainage tube makes this model easy to defrost and clean.
• Frigidaire Chest Freezer - The seven cubic food model has external temperature control, which avoids cold air release. It also has a power-on indicator light, so you can be assured that it’s keeping your food cold. The removable wire basket can hold small frozen items to keep them from falling to the bottom.

Upright freezer benefits

Upright freezers look similar to a stand refrigerator, have stationary shelves and compartments on the doors to store smaller items, and the interior shelves are usually adjustable to fit more oversized items. Some upright freezers are equipped with drawers at the bottom for additional organization.

Upright Freezer Pros

• Upright freezers have shelves, which makes it easier to organize the freezer contents.
• Upright freezers take up less floor space, as they are vertical appliances.
• Upright freezers often come in varying finishes.
• Taking a food inventory is more manageable, as the food is organized vertically.
• An upright freezer can more seamlessly fit into a standard kitchen layout.

Cons of An Upright Freezer

• Upright freezers can be more expensive than chest freezers.
• Upright freezers can run louder than chest freezers.
• The doors shelves can have a higher temperature than the inside of the freezer, resulting in temperature discrepancies.

What An Upright Freezer Is Best For

An upright freezer is best if you need to store various types of foods that you access regularly. An upright freezer is also great if you have children who need to quickly and conveniently access snacks or popsicles.

Our Top Upright Freezer Picks

• Brada Convertible Upright Refrigerator-Freezer - The 13.5 cubic foot upright freezer has a no-frost design, reversible door and multi-air flow, to keep the food staying fresh.
• LG 11.4 Counter-Depth Column Freezer - The 11.4 cubic foot upright freezer has zero-clearance hinges for a flush installation. It’s also equipped with cooling technology, organized storage and is ENERGY STAR™ Certified.

Whether a chest freezer or an upright freezer is right for you, both options provide extra convenience during the holiday season and throughout the rest of the year. You'll also be able to save money and time thanks to the ability to buy in bulk!

From a nursery to a place to fill out college applications, a child's room is a personal space that is uniquely theirs. While some pieces can last from the newborn days through the teen years, other items are age-specific. Providing your child with furniture that will adapt to their changing needs will give them a place to recharge, learn and grow. In addition, creating a space that blends timeless pieces with age-appropriate whimsy will result in a space they'll love spending time in. Explore kid’s room ideas, the must-have pieces for every stage and our picks for items that can grow with your child.

Infant Room Decor

Other than a crib, choose pieces that have more longevity. For example, a full-size dresser instead of a changing table will continue to fit into the room’s design as your baby grows up. Simply adding a changing cushion and changing table topper for your changing essentials is all you need to transform the dresser into a changing table.

Also, a stylish daybed, like the Arya Daybed, can be a life-saver during the early days of sleepless nights. It is streamlined to be tucked into a corner and can give you a place to catch some sleep if your baby is waking up frequently.

An oversized ottoman offers a host of benefits to a nursery. An ottoman gives you a place to rest your feet during late-night feedings, and you can also use it to change your baby’s diaper during the early months. Additionally, an ottoman, such as the Liv Ottoman with shoe storage, can serve as extra storage for the abundance of baby blankets you will inevitably accumulate. Finally, when your baby begins walking, they can use it for extra balance and to gain confidence.

And, as sweet as they are, babies can be messy and accumulate many things. So whether you build a custom closet, they can grow into or you have an ample amount of baskets and storage solutions readily accessible, having an organization system is vital for your relaxation.

Toddler Room Decor

In a curious and quickly developing toddler's room, avoid furniture made especially for children, such as a child-size dresser, toddler bed or changing table. Purchasing child-size furniture puts an expiration date on the pieces, and you will need to re-design the room several years later. Instead, investing in high-quality furniture and a full or queen size bed will give your child foundational pieces they can grow into. An exception is a child-size table and chairs, so they have a place to create their masterpieces. Toddlers learn through play, so they need a spot for creativity and imagination. Whether it is a tent, canopy or tiny house, a space that is theirs will give them ownership and a place to flourish.

Creating a functional space for adults will make your time in your child’s room more enjoyable. Whether it’s a cozy chair to cuddle up and read books, or a window seat with plenty of cushions, having a place to relax, read and cuddle with your child is one of the essential elements of the bedroom.

Pre-Teen Room Decor

When your child is exploring their interests and individuality, it’s important to incorporate elements in their room that express their interests. For a pre-teen’s room, taking an approach of selecting timeless pieces but accessorizing with their interests creates a space that will last long but will reflect their individuality.

Involving your child in the design process is essential, so they feel ownership in the space. Take this feedback into consideration — then edit down. For example, if your child wants an all-pink room, lean into it. However, instead of saturating all the walls in pink, opt for neutral wall colour and paint the trim and doors pink for a more understated look.

Your pre-teen will also need a place to do homework, and having a dedicated area in their bedroom will make it uniquely theirs. Investing in a high-quality desk and comfortable chair that will last them through their teen years.

Teen Room Decor

Between homework, sports, social events, work and college applications, your teen could probably welcome some downtime in their schedule. However, sleep is so vital to the formative teen years, so consider upgrading the mattress to a more appropriate version for an adult.

Also, with their desk system in place from the pre-teen years, assess any upgrades that are needed. This may include upgrading the chair to an ergonomic chair, adding a charging station or a whiteboard to help with homework or remote learning.

Designing a children’s bedroom where a child can still be a child but also stands the test of time is the key to ensuring a room will transition throughout their life stages. Investing in the right pieces and taking your child’s interests to heart will result in an age-appropriate space.