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!