What happens on Black Friday?  Most retailers, like your hometown ColorTyme, open in the early morning hours to provide huge discounts on products for people who want to get a head start on their holiday shopping. Stores offer Black Friday specials, door buster deals, and other incentives to draw in shoppers.

Why is it called “Black Friday?”  According to Time Magazine, the term “Black Friday” was originally used to describe the Sept. 24, 1864, stock-market panic set off by plunging gold prices. It was then used by newspapers in Philadelphia the late 1960s as a way to describe the panicked rush of crowds at stores. Justifying the name came later, as many would regard Black Friday as the day retailers go into the black, meaning they show a profit, for the first time in a given year. By the 1990’s, the name stuck and Black Friday became an unofficial retail holiday nationwide.

How to prepare for Black Friday
1. Do Your Research: Look at store flyers or advertisements in your local newspaper the week before Black Friday. Know what time the store opens, what the specials are before you get there, and have an idea of what products you are looking for. All this will save you time and help you get in and out of one store and on to the next. Also, pick out your clothes according to the weather, as you might be standing outside in the early morning hours waiting for the store to open.

2. Get to Bed Early: Gearing up for Black Friday requires you to be well rested. The good news is, getting to sleep shouldn’t be a problem after eating a large meal of turkey and all the trimmings. Plan for at least 6-8 hours of sleep before you need to leave in the morning. For example, if a store you’d like to go to opens at 5 a.m., getting to bed around 9:30 or 10 p.m. would give you enough rest to be energized when it’s time to go shopping.

3. Have Patience: Remember that lines will be long whether it’s outside the store waiting to get in or waiting in the check out lane with your products. Also, keep in mind that there’s a chance you might not get the items you have set out to get due to the crowds who arrived before you and a limited product supply. It’s important to keep the holiday spirit alive and be cheerful while you shop. A good attitude will help make the day better for you and others around you.

Whether shopping on Black Friday is a yearly tradition for you or something you’ve never done before, we encourage you to take advantage of the specials this year. Talk to your local ColorTyme to find out what Black Friday deals they will have going on, and make sure to find out what time they open. We hope you have a fun and successful Black Friday!

1. Choose Furniture Carefully
In a smaller room, you don’t want to crowd the place with a lot of furniture. Consider using furniture that can do double duty. For example, you can use a small chest that also acts as a coffee table, or visit your hometown ColorTyme to find a sofa-bed for the room. Also, use pieces that are proportionate and don’t overpower the room. A love seat might work better than a full-size sofa, and you might also keep a couple of small wood chairs or barstools along the wall for when additional seating is needed. Extendable dining tables, folding tables and chairs are also great for clearing up some space when those pieces aren’t needed.

2. Lighting is Everything
Lighting can really open up a tight space. ColorTyme offers floor lamps that are space efficient and provide adequate light for a small room. An arc lamp with multiple arms is a good choice because it provides even more light than a single-bulb lamp, and the arms can be directed to areas of the room to make a “spotlight” effect. Wall sconces also are effective light sources and take up little to no space.

3. Think About Color
For the illusion of a larger room, use colors that are light rather than bright or dark (pastels, neutrals and white are all great color possibilities). Consider picking some furniture items for the room that are the same colors as the walls. This way, a bigger piece (like a large chest or armoire) will blend into the room and make it look wider.

4. Certain Accessories are Must-Haves
Whether it’s a dining, coffee or end table, a table made out of glass will keep the appearance of open space. Call your local ColorTyme store to see what glass tables are available to rent. You can also increase the appearance of the size of the room by adding mirrors. Mirrors will reflect light and color, opening up look of the room. Try mirror tiles or place a full length mirror on a wall and your room will appear be double its size!

5. Keep it Clean
It’s no surprise that clutter makes a room seem even smaller, so keep the space tidy and organized. It’s better to take something into the room when you need it and clear it out when it’s not in use than to stash it there permanently.

Whatever you need to update widen the feel of a small room in your home, ColorTyme gives you an affordable rent-to-own option. Remember, deliver and installation is included at no extra charge!