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How to Coordinate Furniture & Paint Colors

Whether you’re moving into a new living space or refreshing a room in your current home, one of the most difficult interior decorating problems you’ll have to solve is how to coordinate your furniture with the paint colors that you’re going to want on the interior of the house. If you’re having trouble figuring out how best to match your interior paint to your furniture, here are a few guidelines to get your creative juices flowing:

Bold colors bring natural and neutral furniture to life. If your furniture is neutrally toned, settling for white or beige walls may be safe for avoiding clashing color combinations, but the result is boring at best. Instead, venture out of your comfort zone and try something different, like lime green or royal blue to liven up the space. Injecting a little bit of color into an accent wall will breathe life into an otherwise bland living space.

Don’t forget the molding. Crown molding is an often underrated aspect of interior decoration. If your furniture is neutral and your walls are bold, keep your molding neutral to keep the visual aesthetics from becoming overpowering. Likewise, if you’d rather have colorful furniture and neutral walls, consider painting your crown molding an exciting color to add an accent to the room and complement your furniture.

You can’t go wrong with classics. If you’re nervous about incorporating bold colors in your home, bring in color through other ways, like throw pillows, vases or other small accessories throughout the room.

Pick a favorite and run with it. You can never go wrong with your favorite color because the more visually appealing a room is to you, the more satisfied you’ll be. After that, it’s a matter of picking accents and balancing the aesthetic with neutral white or off-white tones.

Embrace the unknown. Though a professional interior decorator will tell you that there are a lot of rules to the decorating game, the fact is that rules were made to be broken. You might surprise yourself with a pleasant combination.

With limitless options, decorating can be puzzling. If painting the walls is your biggest concern, contact a reputable contractor like Park City Painters who will get the job done right while helping you decide what fits your vision.

Tips to Consider When Purchasing New Living Room Furniture

Shopping for new living room furniture can be a daunting task for any homeowner. Furniture sets are a big investment, so you need to know exactly what you want and what will look great in your home prior to the purchase.

Follow these tips to make a clear choice in your transition to new living room furniture:

Do your research. Always compare prices online with various stores in the area. Knowledge is power and can help you to save on what you like. It is also important to know that the brand you are choosing is quality. Know what you are doing before you walk into the store.

Consider the shape of the room. One of the most important things you can before furniture shopping is to measure the size of the room and know what size furniture will fit. Measure the width and length of the doorways leading to the room. Use this information to determine the correct sizes for your new furniture.

Determine the type of material. Leather and microfiber are just a few of the different types of material available. In most cases, leather is durable and resistant, but it can show scratching easily. Microfibers have a nice suede look and feel to them and tend to appear stain proof.

Test out your purchase. An obvious but sometimes overlooked step in buying furniture is to make sure you have thoroughly tested out your purchase. Comfort is a major part of what new living room furniture is about. Bring your family along and make sure your new furniture set is one that everyone will enjoy.

Entertain guests this summer while making your new purchase as smooth a process as possible. For more information, contact the experts in living room furniture at Jarons Furniture Outlet today.

Buying Furniture on a Budget

One of the more costly components of owning a home is furnishing it, and if your pocket is already strained from your new mortgage payment or other home repairs, it can seem like a frustrating process. However, the good news is, there are ways to budget shop for furniture. Below are some tips to ensure you get great new pieces for your home while not breaking the bank:

Knowledge: Before you even step foot into a local furniture store, take a moment to gather your thoughts and ideas. Make sure you know exactly what you want, and which furniture pieces you need the most. If you don’t have either a mental list or a written list of what you need most, you will most likely find yourself buying pieces that you don’t necessarily need and therefore spending too much.

Unfinished Furniture: One route you can take is looking into purchasing unfinished furniture. Your local furniture store will most likely offer an array of unfinished pieces, and with a little bit of time and hard work, you could have a completely unique family or dining room, all while saving a little bit of money.

Buy Used or Discount: Primarily buying used or discount furniture instead of new will help you save as well. Your local furniture store may have some assorted used pieces, but you can also look for yard/garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores, or public auctions to find unique older pieces. A little restoration work and those pieces can look good as new!

Jaron’s Furniture Outlet has a selection of clearance furniture called “The Heap,” where everything is discounted 20%-80% off of our everyday low prices. Click here to learn more about our clearance center: http://www.jarons.com/clearance-center

Selecting the Right Furniture Style

Decorating your living quarters is no easy task. With so many various styles and finishes to choose from, diving into the variety of options at hand may seem overwhelming for any newcomer.

Fortunately, the unique factor about this entire process is that the creativity lies entirely in YOUR hands. What style fits you the best? Which style expresses you the most? What colors do you find most aesthetically pleasing? The following furniture styles will help guide you through this rather seemingly tedious process with ease:

Traditional: Stemming from early 16th century European ideals, traditional furniture was intended to mimic many of the royal elegancies from that time period. Known for its hand-carved and stained wood features, carpenters would deeply-carve pieces that radiate the utmost sophistication- after all, many royal families throughout Europe were noted for utilizing this style, and despite its early roots, many people are still found using this style today.

Modern: Offered as a refreshing break from the previous traditional styles, modern furniture marked the start of a new era of design. Heavily influenced by the concept of modernism post World War II, modern furniture originally brought abstract and distinctive styles into homes and apartments throughout the globe, contrary to the classical elements of its traditional predecessor. Instead of wood, a variety of steels and plastics were blended together, ultimately reflecting the breakthrough in technology around that time.

Contemporary: Popular in many urban areas, contemporary style contains many similar features to modern styles, with a twist. Virtually the same materials are highly regarded in both styles, but the idea of minimalism is what sets contemporary style apart. Contemporary design is meant to be simple yet sharp, which means the fewer pieces in a room, the better. Many furniture trends lie in contemporary design, so if you like to keep up to date with style, this may be the look for you.

While there are hundreds of more in-depth and specific styles of furniture originating from each culture in the world, the three described seem to be the most popular among professional decorators and homeowners alike. So, feel free to be creative and use any of these styles in the manner you desire, and take a look at our online store for some possible ideas. Happy decorating!

How to Protect Your Furniture

Furnishing your home is an investment which you hope will last for years to come. Furniture can suffer damage from everyday wear and tear from general use by our family and friends. It can seem like a fight to protect your wood tables and comfortable lounges from pets, children, food, and drinks. Even the sun can take a toll on furniture, causing certain fabrics and leather to fade.

Keep your furniture looking its best without forbidding it from the rest of the family. Read the following tips to protect your furniture from everyday life messes:

Use doilies and table runners. Your wood furniture needs to be cared for. Tablecloths, table runners, and doilies serve more purpose than just decoration; they protect against water rings, scratches, and burn marks left from hot plates. Make these items part of daily usage on tables.

Apply protective finishing. Some furniture comes with a stain-resistant coating, but if yours does not, buy some yourself. Stain-resistant finishes work wonders, are fast-drying, and protect wood surfaces that get a lot of use.

Utilize slipcovers. Slipcovers are an affordable way to protect your furniture from wear and tear, and can also transform the look of a room. The best thing about slipcovers is that they can be removed for washing.

Use throw blankets for your pets. Cats, dogs, and other pets can destroy your furniture by chewing, scratching, and leaving their hair behind. If your cat or dog loves to lay on your couch, use a throw blanket to avoid getting animal hair all over your couches. Buy or build a scratching post for your cats so they scratch it instead of your furniture. To keep them off of the couch altogether, buy a bed for your pet.

Keep your furniture looking good as new by following these protective tips. If your wood furniture has already suffered damage from water rings and scratches, it may be time for a new purchase. Click here to browse for cocktail tables and more discount furniture today.

Tips for Finishing Your Basement

Finishing your basement is one of the most worthwhile investments when upgrading your home. Whether you want to use your basement space for another bedroom, a man cave, or just a comfortable area to host guests, ensure the renovation goes smoothly by following these tips:

Check the code. Before you pound one nail, check with your local ordinance to find out whether or not you need a permit for your proposed renovation.

Make sure it’s dry. Prior to starting any project, make sure there are no moisture problems that could cause damage. Inspect the exterior walls and downspouts. Clogged downspouts can bring moisture into the basement. Also, check to see if you need replacement windows, as basement windows are more likely to leak from at or below ground level.

Protect your walls. Install furring strips on the wall to create space between the wall and any potential moisture that may collect on your walls over time.

Keep vapor out and warmth in. Consider using insulation that is completely enclosed in a vapor barrier. Polyurethane sheeting is great for keeping moisture out and convenient to work with, so you don’t have to deal with itchy insulation fibers.

Suspend your ceilings. If you need access to the electrical and plumbing systems in your ceiling, then suspended ceilings are your best bet. A drywall ceiling would require creating access panels.

Recess your lighting. Basement ceilings are typically low, so having recessed lighting will eliminate the need to hang fixtures from already low ceilings, making the room feel even shorter. Remember, brightening up the basement is essential if you plan on making this usable space. Basements without sufficient lighting can feel like dungeons.

Whether you need more space in your home or want to add to the value of it for the future, a finished basement is an attractive addition to any home. Remember to seek advice from professionals for projects that fall outside of your area of expertise, and start shopping for new furniture at Jaron’s Furniture Outlet!

Choosing Carpet: Critical Considerations

There’s a lot of things to consider when choosing carpeting for your home. You don’t want to select a carpet that clashes with your color scheme, or introduces the wrong textures. After all, it’s a big investment that you want to last (and look good!) for a long time. Below are some things to keep top of mind as you’re selecting your new carpet:

Be Careful With Trends: Trends come and go, so selecting a carpet based on what designers deem to be currently “in” or popular could turn out to be a bad choice. Eight trends later, you’ll be left with the same carpet that’s now dated and obscure. Stick with the true classic looks that will never go out of style.

Choose Neutral Tones: Brightly colored carpets may work for certain rooms, but if you have plans to redecorate down the road, be careful, as your options will be limited. Choosing neutral tones doesn’t have to be boring, especially when everything else around it is much more disposable than your carpeting. When it comes time to buy a new living room set, you’ll be glad you went with the tan carpet over the maroon.

Go Green: We’re all familiar with that “new carpet smell.” Did you know it’s actually volatile compounds (such as formaldehyde) that can degrade your indoor air quality? To be environmentally friendly and ensure the health of your family, select carpeting consisting of natural fibers and non-toxic dyes.

Padding is Important: Padding prevents your carpet from rubbing against your floors, and reduces the pressure caused by everyday foot traffic. Buying cheap padding for your carpet (or even worse, skipping it all together) will cause premature wear and tear. And as an added plus, it helps to sound-proof your home and keep it insulated.

If you heed the above considerations when buying carpeting, you’ll select a quality carpet that should last for years to come! For more information about Cincinnati Flooring options, contact Floor Coverings International at (513) 729-7499 today.

Dining Room Do-Over

With major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas still a ways off, now may be a good time to begin renovate your dining room before you welcome extended family into your home for the holidays. Below are some things to consider as you begin the do-over process:

Theme: The first step when renovating your dining room is to decide on a theme, and appropriate colors for that theme. Do you want something rustic, or do you prefer contemporary décor? Your style and theme affects everything from the color of your walls, floors, furniture, etc.

Furniture: Picking dining room furniture is the next step, as you shouldn’t paint or wallpaper your walls until you’ve got your furniture selected to make sure everything jives. You can choose to renovate or reupholster existing dining room furniture, or wipe the slate clean and buy a brand new set. You’ll need to consider how large of a table you’ll want and how many chairs can fit comfortably, whether or not the table has the option to expand, if you want a buffet and hutch, etc.

Flooring: If your dining room is currently carpet, you may want to consider making the switch to hardwood flooring. Hardwood floors give your home a sleek and luxurious feel, and you can always buy an area rug for under the table so the bottom of the chairs and table don’t scratch up the floor.

Painting: Now that you’ve got your furniture and flooring selected, it’s time to select a paint color that compliments both. You can chose to paint all of the walls, paint just an accent wall, or do a combination of paint/wallpaper. The possibilities are truly endless!

Light Fixtures: As you’re renovating everything else in the room, don’t forget about the light fixture. Elegant chandeliers can bring life to the room, and you might even be able to find a great fixture at a thrift store so you don’t have to break the bank.

If you begin the process now, come November, your dining room will be ready to be shown off, and your guests can truly dine in style!

Five Tips for Aspiring Business Owners

I started out in the furniture business in the early 90’s. A lot has changed since then, both in the furniture industry and in the business world in general. Jarons Furniture Outlet started as one store in Bordentown, NJ, and we’ve since grown to two brick-and-mortar stores as well as an online store. We believe value is the key, and we simply sell the best home furnishings at the most affordable prices.

I’ve learned a lot over the years about how to operate and run a successful business, and thought I’d share some of my tips with you:

Know Your Customer: While market research is an essential component of your business plan, if you don’t know who is buying your product, know their needs, desires and emotional reasons they want to buy, you won’t succeed. Talk to your customers, it is the best way to learn the information you need to succeed.

Set Attainable Goals: Having goals is an important part of being an entrepreneur. However, the goals you set should be realistic and attainable. Set small goals that lead you step by step to a larger goal. It’s important to look at the big picture, but the day-to-day operational goals are just as important.

Put The Right People In The Right Seats: Your job as an owner is similar to a bus driver. If you don’t put the right people in the driver’s seat, and the right person in the navigators seat, the bus may drive, but it won’t get anywhere fast. The people you hire should be a reflection of you and the image and reputation you want your company to have. While I am very actively involved in my business, because we have two locations, it’s impossible for me to be in Bordentown and Lumberton at the same time. I have complete faith in my staff at both locations to be friendly, knowledgeable, and welcoming to all new and returning customers.

Early To Bed, Early To Rise, Work Like Hell And Advertise: My uncle once said to me, ‘if you are giving away gold bars and no one knows about it, you won’t give many away.’ It’s so true: you must let people know you exist. Advertising is one of the keys to success, so never stop doing it. You may be frustrated by the results at times, but my personal philosophy is that I am going to keep letting you know I exist until you are ready to find me.

Do What You Love, Love What You Do: Running a business requires an enormous amount of personal energy, time, and passion. For me, you could say the furniture business is in my blood. My grandfather operated a furniture store in Philadelphia in the early 1900’s; my uncle opened his own store in 1979; in 1992 I opened the Jarons in Bordentown with my uncle and father; in 2012, I opened the Lumberton store. I love the furniture business, and am lucky to live my passion each and every day.

Interior Decorator Advice: Functional Furniture Arrangements

When you buy a new home, each empty room can seem overwhelming. Jaron’s Furniture Outlet can help you find furniture within your budget, but what happens when you get home?

Here are some furniture arranging tips from interior decorators Decorating Den Interiors:

The Vision

Establish a feel for the room. Maybe you want your bedroom to feel cozy, and your living room to feel open and airy. Knowing how you want the room to feel will help you place your furniture.

Determine function. If you’ll be using the living room for entertaining, you’ll need flexibility with your space and furniture choices.

The Steps

Find or create a focal point. The easiest way to arrange furniture in any room is to start with a focal point. In your living room, it may be your television or the fireplace. In your bedroom, it may be your headboard or a work of art hanging above your bed.

Assess the walkways. For your home to have an easy flow, your furniture shouldn’t create obstacles. Keep walkways between rooms clear.

Designer Do’s and Don’ts

Do allow about 20 inches in front of furniture for traffic.

Don’t forget about lighting. There should be a table or floor lamp by every seating area.

Do mix patterns and textures in your furniture.

Don’t make everything match. Colors should complement each other.

Decorating Den’s designers come right to your door, and create beautiful spaces that suit both your style and your budget.