Living Room

Coffee tables are one of the unsung heroes in any living area. While immaculately decorated coffee tables are frequently pictured on our social media feeds, the reality is that they are often strewn with cups and forgotten magazines. Read on for tips on how to elevate your coffee table from simple to sophisticated. 

Keep function in mind

When decorating your coffee table, it is essential to keep in mind how you use it. After all, a perfectly stylized coffee table is useless if you can’t utilize it in the way you want. Do you tend to set your drink on the coffee table? Do you sit at the table to do work? Do you actually flip through and read the books you have displayed? Do you enjoy using it as a surface to play games with friends and family? Keep all this in mind when styling your coffee table so that it remains usable.

Stacking knick-knacks

If you are caught between displaying books or knick-knacks on your coffee table, you need not choose between the two. Placing small decor items on top of two to four stacked books allows for a stylish way to show off both. Stacking also provides visual interest, especially if your coffee table setup was mostly flat. You can stack candles, vases, and other small items to complete the look.

Keep it organized

Coffee tables often feel like the focal point of clutter in living areas, but it doesn’t have to be that way. First, take stock of what is currently on your coffee table and get rid of any books you don’t want or magazines that are well past their relevant date. Once you’re left with the items you want to keep on display, a Pasadena, MD, interior decorator recommends using decorative trays to keep things organized. Depending on the tray’s size, you can place remotes, coasters, or books inside, minimizing the appearance of clutter. 

Experiment with shape and size

While there is nothing wrong with a simple coffee table stacked with a book or two, it provides little visual interest. Consider decorating your coffee table with items of varying height, shape, texture, and size. This can look like a tall plant flanked by flat stacks of books or a ceramic bowl paired with potted plants. Varying the shape and size of the items on your coffee table will help your decor feel more dynamic and visually appealing.

Make it personal

Since people tend to gather around a coffee table, it presents the perfect opportunity for you to add a few conversation starters. Instead of displaying curated decor, consider using one of your own collections or personal items. Some examples include shells from a beach vacation or other trinkets from your travels. This way, your coffee table decor is one of a kind and perfectly unique.

Reclaim your coffee table! Long gone are the days where your coffee table serves as a catch-all for your cups, keys, and mail. If you follow the tips above, you can style a coffee table that reflects your interests and taste, while still leaving space for you to rest your coffee in the morning.

Your living room is often the first space your friends and family see when they enter your home. It is a space for entertaining, lounging, and enjoying. Discover how you can easily and efficiently turn your living room into the lounge space of your dreams! Ask yourself the following questions to create a plan for your living room redesign.

• What will you use the area for? The first and most important consideration you need to address – how the room will be used. A family of four will utilize a living room a lot differently than a young newlywed couple. Once the room has a purpose, you’ll be better equipped to determine the types of furnishings and accessories the space needs.
• What are the measurements of the space? Take measurements of your living room from wall-to-wall. Measure the windows and doorways and any built-in structural elements the room has, like a fireplace, as well. This will allow you to create a workable floor plan.
• What is your budget? Outline what you have to spend on your living room. Include every aspect, from furniture, to paint color, to any additional services the room might require, like carpet installation or floor staining. From there, you’ll be able to create your wants and needs list.
• What do you need? More importantly, what do you want? When designing any part of your home, it’s important to think about your needs and wants. Once you have your measurements, you’ll be able to get a more accurate idea of the types of furniture and accessories you can fit into the space. For the living room in particular, you’ll need to include the basics, like a sofa, armchair, and coffee table. If your living room has the space, then you can consider adding extra accent items, whether it’s a decorative side table or an accent chair. Once furnishings have been addressed, you can consider your wants, like an elaborate chandelier or a festive accent plant.
• Are there room for upgrades? If you have wiggle room in your budget, allocate those funds to upgrades! Whether it’s the more expensive paint option that doesn’t require a primer coat or an electronic furnishing, these minor upgrades can make a major difference in the design and comfort levels of your living room.
• Have you settled on a theme? When you’re designing your living room, it’s important to choose a style and stick to it. According to the design experts at Colorado Springs painters , knowing your theme will guide you when it comes to choosing furniture, accent pieces, decor, window treatments, and even paint color. For instance, if you want to create an eclectic look, mix and match furniture textures. If you want more of an old-world style, opt for bulky wooden pieces with elaborate carvings. Defining the space with a particular style will help you tie the overall design together.
• Have you focused enough on the living aspect? When designing any space in your home, it comes down to your personal tastes. As long as you feel comfortable in the space you have created, you’ve done your part. If you’ve filled the room with breakable vases, stiff chairs, and other elements that make the room feel cold and un-inviting to your guests. When you’re done with your redesign, give your living room a comfort test! If you’re happy with the furniture, color scheme, and decorative accents, you’ve done your job.

Decorating your living room should be a fun and exciting experience! When you’re done, you’ll be able to enjoy a space that you personally hand-crafted. Follow this sage advice to create the living room of your dreams!

This post brought to you by Westway Electric Supply, and online retailer of electrical supplies, components, and parts.

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.