Blog | Jarons Furniture Blog

Modern Home Renovation Tips

I know what you’re thinking—home renovations are too much work. But, if your home feels outdated and boring, a quick makeover will be worth the time and effort. Say goodbye to trends of the past with a modern update. But, before kicking off your revamp, read these essential modern home renovation tips.

Embrace neutral paint colors.

When it comes to a home renovation, it is crucial to update your paint. Depending on when the last time you gave your home a makeover, your wall colors may be faded or chipped. The professional painters in the CSRA say the best colors for a modern home are black, white, gray, beige, and tan. Neutrals give you more leeway when decorating your home. If you want to incorporate color, you can do it through your decor and accessories. Think area rugs, throw pillows, artwork, or even an accent wall, in earth tones.

Hang new artwork.

If you want to make a statement in your home, hang up a new piece of artwork. Abstract paintings in vibrant colors are guaranteed conversation pieces. The bigger, the better!

Cut the clutter.

Modern homes are all about the idea that ‘less is more.’ Decluttering puts you on the pathway to minimalism. Consider storing items you can’t get rid of in cabinets or multifunctional ottomans—out of sight, out of mind. You’ll have easy access to these items when you need them, but they won’t overpower the room.

Use clean lines.

Similar to contemporary homes, modern homes feature clean and simple lines. Your furniture, decor, and the architectural elements of your own should be made up of horizontal and vertical lines.

Consider an open floor plan.

There is a sense of fluidity in modern homes. Open floor plans help to achieve a natural flow from one room to the other. Use the same flooring in your living room, dining room, and kitchen area so all of the spaces tie together.

Invest in large windows.

Another staple of a modern home is using outdoor elements and natural lighting. Whether you have floor to ceiling windows or a large bay window with a beautiful view, the more natural light that can flow in, the better. If your windows are on the smaller side, use sheer curtains or no curtains at all.

Update your cabinets.

Wood cabinets are right at home in modern kitchens. To give yours an update, refinish the wood cabinets you already have or paint them white or gray. Changing the color of your cabinets to white, gray, or black is a simple project that will make your kitchen feel brand new.

Modernize your furniture.

When choosing new furniture, remember simplicity is best. An interior decorator in Chester Springs, PA, says you should choose pieces with clean lines and natural fabrics. Wood tables, accents, and chair bases work perfectly in any modern-styled home.

If you’re eager to start a modern home renovation but not sure where to start, hire a professional interior decorator. They’ll be able to help you with everything from color palettes to hardware finishes.

Beat the Winter Blues with Cozy Home Decor

As the days grow shorter and the nights grow longer, homeowners everywhere are starting to experience Seasonal Affective Disorder. Fortunately, there are a few simple updates you can make to your home to combat the SAD-ness! Making small adjustments to your home’s interior can instantly transform your mood, no matter what the weather looks like outside.

Let in the sunshine. Seasonal affective disorder’s primary cause is a lack of natural light. When we don’t get enough daylight, our brains release melatonin, which is what makes us sleepy and more sluggish during the winter. To combat this, add more lighting to your home decor. Use a mix of general, task, and accent lighting to increase the brightness in any space. If you don’t want to add new fixtures, you can always up the wattage of your lightbulbs to increase the light in a room.

Incorporate warm colors into your decor. The expert Salem, OR house painters recommend dressing up any space with the warm, cozy color tones that speak to you and your existing decor. Shades of pink, red, and orange can instantly make a space feel warmer and brighter. If those colors aren’t your favorite, use light, creamy shades of gray, blue, and white to warm up your house. There are plenty of neutral-like shades you can choose from in these color families.

Play with mirrors. Install mirrors so that they will reflect the natural light that pours into your windows during the day and the light from your light fixtures at night. When used correctly, mirrors can also help make a space feel bigger than it actually is, helping to prevent you from feeling like you’re cooped up in a cramped house all winter long.

Soften up furniture. Make your home feel extra cozy with plush cushions, throw rugs, blankets, and pillows. Consider using fabrics like velvet, wool, and faux fur. These additions to your furniture look great, but they also elevate your home’s overall comfort level, too. With enough cozy elements, you won’t mind staying inside!

Bring nature indoors. In the winter, we tend to miss the breath of fresh air we’re so used to receiving in the warmer months. So, bring the outdoors inside by incorporating natural elements into your decor. Find furnishings or decorative items that feature cotton, reclaimed wood, or winter foliage to capture the beauty of a natural winter landscape.

Light the hearth. Instantly increase your home’s cozy factor by lighting a fire in your fireplace. Doing so creates a beautiful, glowing ambiance that’s relaxing and comforting. If your home doesn’t have a fireplace, consider investing in a free-standing space heater that mimics a fireplace. There are also wall-mounted space heaters available in various designs that you can easily match to your home decor. If none of these options work, you can see if your TV has a fireplace screen saver option and light a crackling candle to set the mood.

Don’t succumb to the winter blues. Keep your home cheerful and bright this winter with these decorating tips. For more home decor inspiration, contact Kimberly Paulus, a Sienna Plantation, TX interior decorator.

How to Decorate a Fireplace Mantel

Figuring out how to decorate a fireplace mantel can be a deceptively tricky task, especially when you can scroll through Instagram or open a magazine and see tons of artfully decorated fireplaces without leaving your house. A mantel may often be the focal point of a room, which can add to the stress of deciding exactly how you want to decorate it. However, there are several different methods you can follow when planning your mantel décor. Whether you are aiming to make Martha Stewart proud or just looking to add some style to your living space, the following tips can help you tastefully decorate a fireplace mantel for any time of year.

Decorate with art

A classic and beautiful way to decorate a fireplace mantel is with pieces of art. Not only is this an excellent way to display the art that you own, but it also adds flair and character to a room. There are several ways you can display artwork on a mantel, including:

Layering the artwork to create a casual, gallery-like look. Use different size frames to play around with proportions.
Placing a single, bold piece of artwork on the mantel or hanging above it to serve as an additional centerpiece and focal point.
Choosing an art collection with similar themes and tones to create cohesion.

Decorate with curated items

Similar to decorating a mantel with a collection of art, choosing curated items creates a cohesive look atop your fireplace mantel and reduces the pressure to pick individual decorative pieces. Coordinate your items by color for simplicity and ease or by theme for a more laidback feel. Some potential ideas include flowers or natural elements. If you have any collections of sorts, this is the perfect opportunity to display them. Dust off your old baseball memorabilia, records, and vintage cameras and display them proudly.

Decorate for the holidays

Holidays present an opportunity to add festivity to your usual mantel decorations. You can choose to swap out your typical decorations for holiday-themed ones, or you can add the following items to your regular mantel for that seasonal touch:

Lay seasonal garland (ex. pine for Christmas, twine and Easter eggs for Easter, gourds, and vines for Thanksgiving, etc.) along the mantel.
Place ornaments in a vase or bowl or scatter them along the fireplace.
Hang a string of lights around the fireplace or draped across the mantel.

Decorating a fireplace mantel doesn’t have to be stressful. Following these tips and tricks can help you decorate your mantel and achieve your desired look and style. While we can’t guarantee Martha Stewart’s personal stamp of approval, we can bet your friends and family will be impressed by your new display. For more design inspiration, check out the interior designers in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

5 Ways to Incorporate the 2020 Color of the Year into Your Home

It’s that time of year again! Benjamin Moore released its 2020 Color of the Year, First Light (2102-70). The color is described as “a soft, airy pink that flatters any space and plays well with other colors.”

Adding First Light into your home is an absolute must since it can be used in a variety of ways and fits any design style. Here are five ways you can incorporate First Light into your home this upcoming year.

Paint the walls.

The most natural and most obvious way to add First Light into your home is by painting your walls. The professional painters in Hickory, NC, say that First Light is soft enough to act as a neutral and can brighten up whichever room you choose to paint. Complement the walls through furniture, accent pieces, and other decor in shades of browns, grays, white, and black.

Add throw pillows.

A fun and easy way to incorporate new color trends without spending a ton of money is by adding throw pillows. The light pink shade will stand out against darker colored couches and chairs and adds a feminine or romantic touch to generally darker rooms. To make more of a statement, find patterned throw pillows that incorporate the delicate hue.

Paint your front door.

Your front door is the first thing guests and passersby see when they arrive on your street. First Light is an inviting shade of pink, so it’s the perfect color to welcome anyone who stops by. This color will brighten your home from the first glance and enhance your home’s curb appeal.

Add a rug.

Since First Light complements browns so well, adding an area rug in the hue will work wonders on wood floors, says Naples, FL, interior decorator Claudia Leah. Not only do area rugs add a pop of color to a space, but they can bring another layer of texture as well. You can also layer area rugs on top of each other to create more interest in your room.

Repaint an end table.

Take your current end table and paint it First Light, or buy an end table in a light pink color! If you’re going the DIY-route, make sure you take the proper preparation steps, like sanding and priming, to ensure the color goes on smoothly and evenly. Once painted, you can place the end table in your bedroom, living area, or entryway.

Incorporating First Light into your home can be effortless when you follow these tips. Whether you decide to paint your child’s bedroom in the color of the year or use it in your accessories, your home will feel lighter and brighter almost instantly.

Preparing Your Yard for the Winter

With winter approaching, it is time to start prepping your yard for colder weather. You want to do all that you can now to ensure your lawn is protected from both seasonal storms and freezing temperatures in the future. Follow these tips on how to prepare your yard for winter and you’ll be in good condition come springtime.

Keep on mowing

A huge misconception is that as soon as the weather turns cold, you can stop mowing your yard. Depending on what type of grass you have, the blades may not stop growing until the ground freezes. The ideal length of grass in the winter is about 4 inches. This height protects the roots from being damaged and can help prevent bare spots in the spring. Not only does a well-maintained lawn keep up your curb appeal, but it will also make raking and other preparation tasks much more manageable.

Aerate your lawn

Aeration is a simple and vital step for preparing your yard for the winter. Creating holes in your yard breaks up dry, compacted soil, which allows water and nutrients to reach the roots and provides more room for oxygen. Aeration helps your grass grow and ensures a healthy yard for the spring says the Delaware Valley landscapers.

Place seeds in sparse areas

Place seeds in your yard’s bare spots as well as areas that are thinning. This helps prevent diseases and promotes growth for the spring. Don’t forget to water your seeds! The ground is more susceptible to moisture in the fall, so you’ll have the best chance at a lush lawn when you remember to water and protect your seeds.

Remove weeds

For those who don’t mind getting their hands dirty, pulling weeds is essential to achieving a healthy and beautiful lawn. After a storm, the soil is loose, and weeds can easily be removed. If you prefer to leave your hands clean, use a dandelion tool or weed cutter. When your lawn enters into winter weed-free, you’ll have a less chance of weeds early on in the spring.

Rake the leaves

Though fall leaves are beautiful on the trees, they’re a nuisance once they’re on our lawns. Though raking can be a difficult chore, it’s best not to procrastinate. If you don’t remove the leaves in a timely fashion, your piles will only get bigger and bigger, and your lawn won’t be able to receive as much oxygen. Save yourself the labor and your grass from suffocation by staying on top of your raking.

Lay down mulch

Mulching around flowers, plants, and trees in your yard helps protect them from the freezing temperatures, discourages animals from ruining them, and keeps weeds under control. It also improves the appearance of your lawn. Fun fact! You can use fallen leaves as a mulch substitute.

Fertilize the grass

If you have a cool season grass, like Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, or fine and tall fescue, then you should fertilize your lawn in the fall. This helps feed the roots nutrients and strengthens your turf for the winter. Additionally, fertilization encourages root growth for the spring. Make sure you use a winterizer fertilizer as there are different types of fertilizers for various purposes.

Taking proper care of your lawn in the fall will put you on the right track to having a lush and healthy lawn come spring. If you don’t know where to begin, contact a professional landscaper, and they’ll be able to come up with the best plan on how to prepare your yard for winter.

Best Interior Paint & Furniture Colors to Brighten a Room

Natural light can work wonders in a room. But doesn’t it seem like every house has a place that lacks precious natural light? To bring light to the space, many homeowners use white furnishings and accessories. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t work all that well. Bright white furniture reflects natural light. When there’s no natural light for the furniture to reflect off of, the room can end up feeling flatter and darker than it initially did.

Fortunately, there are plenty of colors you can use on your walls or for your furniture to lighten and brighten a space. When it comes to brightening the rooms in your home, the color experts and house painters in The Woodlands, TX, have some suggestions!

Gorgeous Gray. Adding light to medium shades of gray to a dark room is surprisingly beneficial. Colors like Dove Gray or Greige keep things feeling warm and cozy whether you’re decorating a living space or a bedroom. If you’re not in love with the idea of gray walls, other warm-toned neutrals can work. Stick to the lighter hues like cream and beige to avoid making the room feel smaller and darker.

Pretty Pastels. If you prefer light and feminine colors, try lavender or pink on for size. Both hues can instantly lighten up a room, whether you use them on the walls or purchase furniture with soft curves in these colors. Lavender and pink both come in a wide range of shades, from dusky pink to purple-based taupes. Contrary to popular belief, these colors don’t have to be overly feminine, which means they’ll work in virtually any room in your home. Incorporate accents of gray or white to complete the look.

Yellow. For small bathrooms or bedrooms with minimal light, yellow is a great color option. Yellow can instantly add the feeling of warmth in a space, whether you use it as a wall color or spruce up an end table or dresser drawers with yellow accents. Remember, if you choose to work with yellow, incorporate enough general and accent lighting so that the yellow doesn’t fall flat.

Rich Chocolate. While it’s generally true that you should avoid dark colors in spaces with low-lights, chocolate brown is an exception! This warm, inviting shade can make a low-light space feel ultra cozy. To balance out the rich tone, use furnishings made from light or white wood. Accessories, like window treatments and carpeting, should be light and bright to keep the room from feeling too heavy.

Choosing the right colors for your home can be tough! Whether you’re choosing a color for your walls, your furnishings, or both, consulting with a color expert can help. Contact CertaPro Painters today to schedule your free color consultation.

How to Choose Paint Colors for Your Home

One of the most stressful parts of decorating your home is choosing a color scheme. Do you want to play it safe or make a statement? And just how many different shades of greige are there? With so many paint colors to sort through, deciding what color your walls should be can become time-consuming and frustrating. Here are tips on how to choose paint colors for your home and avoid color mistakes.

Get inspired

The best advice for starting any new project is to find your inspiration. Designing a vision board is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. Think about what kind of feelings you want the room to evoke, like calming and serene or bright and playful. Whether you make your board online via Pinterest or cut out photos from magazines, you should be looking for scenes with colors that resonate with you.

Choose your furniture

Do you already have furniture you love? This can help narrow down your paint choices and makes the whole process a little bit easier. You want your furniture to complement your wall color so the room is cohesive. For example, if you have dark couches and end tables, you may want to paint your walls in a lighter shade to brighten up the space.

Always get a sample

Most home improvement and paint stores offer samples for those who are torn between a few colors. Get as many as you want and then paint small patches of the colors in the desired room. Having the colors on the wall will allow you to see how the paint looks in natural light and throughout all hours of the day. Keep the samples up for about a week so you can get a feel for which one you like the best.

When in doubt, go neutral

If you really can’t decide on a paint color, it’s best to go basic. When you doubt yourself on color, chances are you don’t want a lot of attention drawn to the walls. Neutral walls allow you to add color throughout other elements in the room, like your art, furniture, pillows, blankets, and other decor.

Have a color consultation

Sometimes you have to leave it up to the professionals. Most professional painting companies are ready and willing to help you. At CertaPro Painters West Hartford, CT, an expert will come to your home and give you a color consultation. A color consultant will help you navigate the sea of options to find a color that matches your home’s interior aesthetic and stands up to your family’s daily routine.

Sure, choosing paint colors can be a daunting task, but always remember – paint is not permanent. You can always change it, so don’t be afraid to explore!

How To Keep Kids and Pets Safe in the Home

When you have a pet, there are certain precautions you must take to ensure your home is safe for them to wander and roam. Add a baby into the mix and that’s double the protective measures! From furniture tipping to accidentally getting a hold of over-the-counter medications, there are many things your little ones can get into that need to be properly secured.

Invisible Fence® Brand Shields® Avoidance Solutions system can keep pets out of unwanted areas in the home, making sure both your pet and your little ones are safe around everyday household items.

Check out this infographic, created by StayDog, with tips and information about keeping your pets and babies out of harm’s way.

How to Keep Kids and Pets Safe in the Home

Home Improvement Projects to Do Over a Weekend

Transforming a house into a place you call home can take a while. Major renovations, like kitchen upgrades and bathroom remodels, often require a big budget, a lot of time, and a lot of patience. Other home upgrades don’t require much time or money at all, but they can make all the difference when it comes to converting a space into one that feels like your own. In fact, all you need is a weekend! Discover how you can make beautiful updates to your house over a weekend.

Spray paint your hardware. Sometimes, a simple swap is all you need to totally change the look and feel of a room. To refresh the look of your kitchen, bathroom, or even doorways, remove the hardware and spray paint it! Drawer handles and doorknobs usually have a dated silver or gold finish on them. The color experts at CertaPro Painters of Winston-Salem, NC suggest using spray paint in dusted bronze or nickel to give any door or cabinetry a facelift.

Give purpose to your entryway. A few simple modifications can make a statement in your foyer. Install decorative hooks or a cubby system (if space allows) to serve as a storage space for coats, book bags, and purses. A slim table also works wonders in an entryway since it’s both stylish and functional. You can use this piece to toss mail, keys, and other items when you enter your home. Depending on how much space you have and how you decorate the area, you can create the look and feel of an entirely different room in your entryway.

Spruce up your laundry room. An often neglected space decor-wise, your laundry room doesn’t have to be a dull, lifeless part of your home. While it is a place to get your family’s clothing clean, it can also be a place that’s packed with personality. Rachael Lane, an interior decorator in Pensacola, FL, recommends covering bland, white walls with printed wallpaper or stick-and-peel wood planks. This little trick instantly creates interest in the room, regardless of how much time you spend there. Lacking storage in your laundry room? Install shelving to keep your detergent, dryer sheets, and fabric softener within arms reach. Store these laundry supplies in decorative glass jars for an elevated look of luxury – without the price tag!

Update interior molding. Installing or even replacing the interior molding around your home is a quick, easy, and affordable project you can tackle on any weekend. All it takes is a saw for trimming and a nail gun for installing. You can find trim at any local home improvement store. It comes in strips of varying sizes, making it easy to find the width you need to frame any wall, door, or window in your home. There’s also decorative molding that can turn the plainest wall into a work of art.

If you’re itching for a home upgrade but don’t feel like you have the time or budget to achieve that, you do! Anyone can complete these projects in a weekend with very little damage to their wallet. What projects will you get done in a weekend?

Six Warm-Weather Home Improvement Projects

Summer is the perfect time to revamp your home from the inside out. The warmer weather allows you to get started on outdoor projects you can’t do in the winter. Plus, temperatures are more desirable for some indoor tasks as well. There are projects you can tackle on your own or with the help of qualified professionals without having to sacrifice all of your summer weekends.

Here are six warm-weather home improvement projects that will add value to your home and make it more enjoyable!

Makeover Your Backyard:
- What comes to mind when you think of summer? Is it relaxing outside? Maybe it’s sitting by a fire or having a barbecue. Consider buying a new patio set, hanging a hammock, or installing a fire pit. Another easy way to spruce up your backyard is to add some lawn games like croquet, horseshoes, or cornhole, so entertaining guests is a breeze.
Paint a Room:
- A great way to freshen up your house is through painting; you can paint one room, several rooms, your deck, or even the exterior of your home. The professional painters in Southern Westchester, NY say repainting your home has a return-on-investment since it’ll make it easier to sell your home in the future.
Power Wash your Home:
- The colder months are rough on your house, so your home’s exterior could use a bit of love in the summer. Power washing your house makes it appear brand new, adds value and improves curb appeal. If you don’t feel comfortable power washing yourself, it may be best to hire a professional. They are trained in the proper ways to power wash your siding, driveway, deck, and fences without creating damage.
Install Windows or Window Treatments:
- Having newer windows or the right window treatments can help keep your house cool during the hot summer months. Plus, it’ll keep the heat in during the cold months. The right windows can make your room more aesthetically pleasing and lower your energy bill. Sealing, repairing, or waterproofing your windows are some ways you can conserve energy. Consider getting new drapes, blinds, or curtains to cut down on the UV rays and glares that enter your home.
Clean Out Your Gutters:
- After the fall and winter, it is common for dirt and debris to become jammed up in your gutters. Cleaning them out is a simple way to prevent damage from happening to your home in the future. If gutters are not properly draining, water damage can occur, or your roof can become leaky.
Organize your Closets:
- If you want to improve your home but stay indoors as you do so, organizing is a great option. Go through your winter clothes and decide what to keep, what to throw out, and what to donate. Summertime clothing can be brought out and organized. You can organize by color or style. Browse Pinterest for additional organizational ideas.

Check some of these warm-weather home improvement projects off your to-do list this summer, and your home will be in tip-top shape for the fall!