October 2018 — Comfort Works Blog & Sofa Resources

10 DIY kid-Friendly Halloween decor ideas

Posted on October 27, 2018May 5, 2025 by Hema

Halloween is lurking around the corner but you still have no clue on where to start looking for Halloween decor ideas?

Well, look no further! We’ve put together ten of our favorite DIY Halloween decor ideas that won’t break the bank.

And they’re all 100% kid-friendly so the little ones don’t have to miss out on the fun.

#1 Halloween-themed Candy Dispensers

Image Credit: Bhg.com

These cute candy jars are just the most adorable of Halloween decor ideas! It’s super easy to make as well, just grab a few empty jars lying about and decorate them with some felt and googly eyes, voila! Halloween-ready candy canisters.

#2 Itsy-Bitsy Yarn Spider

Image Credit: Bhg.com

Most people have qualms about spiders, but not this one. This super-simple-to-make, eight-legged cutie is definitely going to the star of your Halloween decor. They would be perfect for the mantelpiece or as decoration on the porch steps.

#3 Popsicle Stick Spiderwebs

Image Credit: Happyhourprojects.com

Basically, these little things are like Halloween versions of snowflakes. Not only do they make a great wall decor for Halloween, they are also perfect additions to Halloween giftbags. You can even make bigger versions and use them as coasters.

#4 No-Carve Hedgehog Pumpkin

Image Credit: Bhg.com

You just need some hot glue, felt and a ton of candy corn to make these darling little things. They look fabulous as decorations on the porch or even as a table centrepiece. What are you waiting for? Check out the instructions and get cracking!

#5 Cardboard Tombstones

Image Credit : Ehow.com

Create your own ominous and mysterious backyard grave with these few simple steps! And if you really want to go all out, place dry ice behind your newly-consecrated tombstones for the ultimate ghoulish effect.

#6 Spirit Lanterns

Image Credit: Eighteen25.com

Tired of the same old Jack-o-Lantern sitting on your steps? Why not change it up with these out-of-this-world spirit lanterns? Just four easy steps, that’s all it takes. You can use milk jugs of various sizes and place them about the house as well.

#7 Paper Pumpkins

Image Credit: DIYinspired.com

Need a easy-do Halloween craft ? Try this paper pumpkin decor. It goes well as a table centrepiece, mantel decoration and you can even make bigger ones to decorate the porch. You can even hang them from the ceiling as living room decor.

#8 Halloween Hair Pins

Image Credit: Handmadecharlotte.com

These delightful little things would be perfect for your spooky treat-bags. And they only take four steps to make! Stick them onto brooch pins and wear them around. You can even attach them to paper clips and clip them onto anything and everything.

#9 Spooky Potion Vials

Image Credit: Ehow.com

Add a touch of dark magic to your Halloween decor with these sinister potion bottles. It’s a breeze to create and they make chilling additions to the mantelpiece. You can even decorate salt and pepper shakers for a spooky feel at dinner-time.

#10 Halloween Twig Wreath

Image Credit: Bhg.com

Add this spooky wreath to your list of Halloween decor ideas. And it only costs under $5 to make! Just glue together some sticks from the yard and decorate them with cotton strands and plastic spiders. You can add paper ghosts to them too!

So that’s our top 10 favorite Halloween decor ideas that are both pocket and kid-friendly. Have any cool DIY Halloween decor ideas or crafts to share? Let us know in the comments.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Top 5 best online custom slipcovers review

Posted on October 21, 2018May 9, 2025 by Hema

No one seems to have time to head down to the store these days. Everything’s a rush, a blur. But, that’s why we have the Internet and what better way to use the Internet than to give your sofa a makeover with online custom slipcovers?

Yep, that’s right. You can get tailor-made custom slipcovers, online!

So, we’ve take it upon ourselves to scour the Internet for the top 5 best online custom slipcovers, just so you don’t have to.

Let’s check them out.

#1 Slipcovershop.com

Image Credit: Slipcovershop.com

Slipcovershop.com is a US-based company that makes online custom slipcovers for a wide range of home furniture, be it sofas, sectional components, dining chairs, name it and they’ve got it. Even pet beds covers!

But, it’s tricky when you need to place an order. Everything is in reference codes. You will need to do some research on the styles and cushion types before you can place the order. Also, there’s a lot of things happening on a single page so navigating can be slightly confusing.

However, they have a detailed measurement form on the order page that outlines even the smallest detail of measure on your sofa. One extra star for that. But, it would be great if they had a PDF of these at the end of the order, just for reference later.

Their range of fabrics come in every color of the rainbow, you just need to take your pick. My personal favorite is the French Twill Pink, a gorgeous, electric pink. However, they don’t offer piping or trimming and their pleat options are pretty basic.

Price-wise, their online custom slipcovers for a 3-seater start from USD 295, which is quite a steal. But, if you’re located outside of the US, shipping brings the price up to about USD 550 – USD 600 for a set of custom slipcovers.

Pros: Covers for a wide range of furniture and pet beds, detailed measurements, lots of fabrics to choose from, affordable

Cons: Tricky to order, you need some prior research.

#2 Needleandshears.com

Image Credit: Needleandshears.com

The cool thing about getting online custom slipcovers from these guys is that you get to choose the style you want to go for and they would show you the fabrics and the customizations that go with that style.

The site is really straightforward, with tabs directing you to things you would need, as a slipcover buyer. However, the ordering process is much less in codes and you can choose the options you’d like from the drop down menu to add them to the cart.

Their fabric options include lots of textured fabrics and their color options are nature-centric, solid colors. They do have piping options but their pleat options are either corner pleats or cottage ruffle pleats.

A 3-seater custom slipcover starts from USD 1108. And unfortunately, for those outside the US, Needleandshears.com don’t do international shipping. What a bummer.

Pros: Fully customized slipcovers, easy to use website, lots of textured fabrics, order online, relatively expensive

Cons: Limited pleat options, no international shipping

#3 Slipcovermaker.com

Image Credit: Slipcovermaker.com

This online custom slipcover shop allows you the option of copying your original covers. They take apart your original covers and use them as a template for your new covers. Custom-made slipcovers are only available for those in West Michigan.

The website mimics the layout of a blog so it’s really easy to find your way around it. Plus, the images are visually appealing and they definitely are a testimonial of the final product that you will be receiving from these guys. To order, just drop them an email.

As for the fabrics, the customers have to source the fabrics themselves, although they do have a great guide on how to pick the best fabric. As for customizations and pleat options, you can have any sort of customization under the sun, no matter how complex.

The price to slipcover a 3-seater starts from USD 600 but you’ll get to customize your sofa with your own choice of fabrics and any customization under the sun. Pretty reasonable actually, since the workmanship is exceptional.

Pros: Using your old covers as a template, easy to use website, free rein of customizations.

Cons: Bringing your own fabric, custom-made slipcovers only available in West Michigan area.

#4 Jennifersslipcovers.com

Image credit: Jennifersslipcovers.com

Jennifersslipcovers.com offers online custom slipcovers that you can fully customize, including fabric choices. The shop is a one-man-show (more of a one-woman-show, actually) with a slipcover artist with almost 40 years of slipcover experience.

You can’t really do much ordering on the site, you’ll need to drop them an email with your pictures and what you’d like your couch to look like. It’s pretty much a functional, rather than a visually-appealing site to place your order on.

You will need to bring your own fabrics but you have the pick of any skirt length, pleat, piping or other customization that you might want to add to your slipcovers. You can even mix and match fabrics to give your sofa a playful look.

Pricing is pretty decent, with a custom 3-seater sofa slipcover costing only USD 550 and you get to be part of the creative process from start-to-finish. Sounds pretty good.

Pros: Fully customizable slipcovers, mix-and-match fabrics, slipcover artist with over 40 years experience

Cons: Slightly confusing website

#5 Comfort-works.com

Essentially, we’re gonna throw ourselves in the spotlight for a bit. With us, you’ll be guided throughout ordering process, and all we need is just a few pictures and a couple of measurements. No matter where in the world you are, we’re there for your sofa.

The layout of the site is fairly simple, with all the fabric options on the product page itself so that you can test out the colors on the sofa in the screen and see how you like them. Once you have narrowed down your fabric choices, you can even order some fabric samples for them.

Our fabric inventory has about 70+ different colors and textures. I love the Shire fabrics, they’re so soft yet somehow sturdy. We’re working on adding more colors to all our fabric lines, but that’s a discussion for Rachel and the R&D team.

A 3-seater custom sofa slipcover starts at USD 549. You can also choose to customize your covers with our set of customization options. If you need tufting, our tufting kit should do the trick.

Pros: 70+ fabrics, order online, detailed measurements, easy to use website, dedicated team to help you with measuring.

Cons: don’t offer copying of old covers

Now you know the five best options for online custom slipcovers, go all out and give your sofa that makeover it so desperately needs.

Did we miss any of you favorite stores for online custom slipcovers? Let us know in the comments below.

How to turn your backyard into a calming haven

Posted on October 13, 2018May 9, 2025 by Michele

Whether you’re craving a quick getaway or a slow, laze-about holiday, you don’t have to venture far to make it a reality—one of the best places to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation is your own backyard.

Your space could be sprawling or compact, but whatever your set up, it’s not difficult to transform it into an everyday escape or even the ultimate spot to host dinners for friends and family.

Here’s how, in 5 simple steps:

Step 1: TAKE YOUR LIVING ROOM OUTSIDE

Image credit: Digs Digs

Think about everything you love about your indoor living room. Now, imagine having these very same elements in your backyard. Voila! You’ve just discovered what you need to create your very own outdoor escape where you can forget the world and take in the gorgeous views around you, all without having to leave home.

Step 2: DECIDE HOW YOU’RE GOING TO USE IT

Image credit: Swoon Worthy

Is your idea of unwinding curling up in a cozy nook where you can being quiet and still? Or Maybe it’s having family and friends over for long, intimate chats and barbeques. The first step to creating your perfect, at-home getaway space is to decide what you’d like to do with it so you can bring it to life with the right pieces of furniture and accessories.

Step 3: DESIGN FOR CALM

Image credit: Style By Emily Henderson

If relaxation is your goal, you’ll want to pick a palette that’s fresh and calming. Once you’ve got the right colours in mind, it’s time to think about adding warmth-giving accessories like lighting, cozy cushions and blankets, as well as lush greenery to the picture.

Step 4: GIVE YOUR SPACE PRIVACY

Image credit: TRENDIR

Depending on how close your space is to your neighbours, you might want to invest in a screen (or two), umbrella, trellis or even walls that will keep your space open but hidden from the view of surrounding homes.

Step 5: USE LIFE- AND WEATHER-FRIENDLY FURNISHINGS

One crucial (read: stress-reducing) element of carving out a calming space outdoors is to design it with furniture that’s made with fabrics and materials that can withstand harsh weather all-year-round, including rain, direct sunlight and snow that you can easily bring inside when the weather turns bad.

IKEA Ekebol Sofa review: The fancy industrial sofa

Posted on October 6, 2018May 5, 2025 by Hema

IKEA does sometimes come up with quirky designs (unfathomable, even) and one of them is the IKEA Ekebol.

The original design idea was for it to be a seating unit with ample storage space, a perfect choice for those with smaller living spaces.

I’d say they’ve definitely achieved this with the end product.

Setting first impression aside for a little bit, let’s look at the Comfort Works break down of the IKEA Ekebol.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Comfort
Aesthetics
Hackability
Price
Final Remarks

#1 Comfort

IKEA Ekebol Comfort — Image Credit: IKEA

The foam seat cushion is pretty comfy, but you can’t really say the same for the back cushions. After having the sofa for some time, you are definitely going to feel the wire mesh digging into your back.

But, if you’re a midday-napper, the IKEA Ekebol can offer a pretty decent napping experience. Also, the cushions can be detached from the frame and used as a makeshift pillow, which ups its versatility factor.

Overall, it’s a tad bit less comfy than an actual, traditional couch. But, for an out-of-the-norm, industrial “sofa”, it does a pretty decent job in terms of comfort.

#2 Aesthetics

IKEA Ekebol Design and Aesthetics — Image Credit: Pinterest

IKEA was gunning for an offbeat design that would be able to serve multiple purposes. Mission accomplished.

And although the plain, beig-ey Katorp Natural colour it comes in can be a tad uninspiring considering its utilitarian looks, you can easily spice things up with a sofa slipcover.

The little wedge of space to leave your mug on is a cute touch too.

#3 Hackability

IKEA Ekebol Hackability — Image Credit: IKEA.com

Hackability is definitely not the Ekebol’s strong suit. I mean, the 3-seater is the only product in the series.

However, it does have plenty of storage space. I imagine that the bottom storage panel makes cute bookshelf for your favorite reads. Especially if you’re into lazy, weekend reading session.

IKEA also has some tips. They suggest using the wire mesh to hang things from it, which is very doable and even practical for small spaces.

#4 Price

IKEA Ekebol Price — Image Credit: IKEA.com

A 3-seater IKEA Ekebol is USD$399. That’s the same price as the reigning IKEA comfort champion, the Ektorp.

In my head, it would make sense to invest USD$399 in a super comfy sofa rather than a decently comfortable, avant-garde type sofa, but it really all depends on the size of your space and the type of look you’re going for.

If an industrial, prototype-looking space is your cup of tea, the Ekebol’s price is very reasonable.

Final Remarks

The IKEA Ekebol is an interesting concept but IKEA could have executed the idea better.

For starters, they could have gone with storage spaces that were not-so- explicit. Maybe a pull-out drawer in the bottom panel would be nice. Or a pull-out bed, even. Some form of paneling, really.

Price-wise, the Ekebol is comparatively reasonable compared to other industrial sofa options from IKEA. Take the Delaktig we’d recently reviewed, for example. A Delaktig 3-seater is nearly twice the price of the Ekebol! That’s pretty steep.

In terms of comfort, I can safely say that 80% of the comfort was provided by the well-built foam seat cushion. It gives you great support, both when sitting down and stealing some shut-eye.

We’ve done the gritty bits for you, you only need to decide whether the IKEA Ekebol is a fit for your decor.

Got an old Ekebol that you’d like to refresh?

Refresh my Ekebol with couch covers