Must-Have Decor for a New Home

Must-Have Decor for a New Home

Spring and summer are peak moving seasons, as millions of people find themselves taking advantage of the warmer months to move into their new apartment or home. If you are one of those people, decorating your new space may seem like an intimidating task, especially when it’s on top of the arduous moving process. If you don’t know where to start with decorating, read on to discover seven must-have decor items for a new home.

Wall art

Artwork truly speaks to your tastes and preferences and makes for excellent decor. You may choose to create a gallery wall with your framed art or decide to make one painting or photo the centerpiece of a room. Don’t shy away from statement pieces or different textures, such as a woven piece or metalwork. These types of art add dimension and visual interest to your space.

Mirrors

Mirrors are an excellent decor choice if you don’t have any wall art or cannot find any that fit your style or budget. They brighten up dreary spaces by reflecting light and can make small spaces appear larger than they are. You don’t even have to hang a mirror for it to make a statement; mirrors propped up against a wall look just as stylish. Depending on the frame, a mirror can fit into an assortment of different styles, such as modern, vintage, or eclectic.

Window treatments

Most people would agree that a room seems cold and incomplete without window treatments. Drapes and curtains are a vital addition to any room and can really tie a space together. You can be bold with your window treatments and choose bright colors or patterns, or keep it neutral and let the room speak for itself. Be sure to consider lighting when choosing window treatments, as thicker drapes will not let in as much light as thinner curtains.

Rugs

Rugs can cover any floor you’re not crazy about and add style to boot. If you choose a colorful rug, the tones can provide inspiration for the rest of the room’s color palette. When all of your colors complement each other, your space will feel cohesive and put together. Rugs can also make your home feel cozier, especially if your flooring is stone or tile.

Throw pillows and blankets

Throw pillow and blankets instantly make a room feel more welcoming and intimate. Blankets add texture to your space, while pillows can add color and visual interest. A Prospect, KY, interior decorator recommends purchasing different covers for your pillows so your decor never remains stagnant and can be switched out depending on the season and your preferences.

Light fixtures

Good lighting is critical for any living space. You don’t have to match every light source in every room completely; choosing complementary styles and finishes works beautifully. When choosing light fixtures, try to vary between floor lamps, table lamps, and overhead lighting. Lighting at various levels and locations throughout the room will help create an evenly lit space that looks cohesive and well designed.

Trays and baskets

Trays and baskets are a must-have for creating an organized and beautiful space. Trays can be placed on any table to hold items. Think at the front door for keys or on top of a coffee table for magazines and books. Baskets provide space for bulkier items, such as blankets and board games. With less clutter, your home will feel more spacious and visually pleasing.

Decorating can seem overwhelming, especially when moving into a new space. Use these must-have items as a guide, and your home will be well on its way to looking its best.

Protecting & Restoring Furniture

Between everyday uses and the constant desire to keep a room looking updated, furniture can get a little worn out or dated. Luckily there are certain measures you can take to protect your existing furniture, and even restore furniture pieces you thought were doomed.

The following tips will help you prevent damage to pristine pieces:

  • Prevent painting problems. Removing your furniture when preparing for a home improvement project is the best option to protect it from any paint spills, according to Elmhurst painters. If you have larger furniture pieces that are difficult to disassemble or move, protect it by covering the furniture with a cloth or plastic tarp. To ensure protection, tape around the bottom perimeter to make sure the plastic is secure.
  • Master moving furniture. To make sure that your furniture is getting the most protection during a move, you’ll want to dismantle each piece and store in bubble wrap. This will help to cushion the pieces while they are being moved and prevent scratching and denting.
  • Stop every day wear-and-tear. Whether its spending the day in your favorite chair with a good book or propping your feet up on the coffee table, the daily use of furniture is inevitable and we forget to be mindful of possible damages we could be causing. In order to avoid easy wear-and-tear, purchase quality pieces of furniture. A coffee table with a durable wood finish will last much longer, especially if you’re constantly propping your feet up on it. Consider the materials a piece of furniture is made with prior to purchasing.

If you have a piece of furniture that needs some love, you can restore it back to its former beauty rather than purchasing a new piece:

  • Fill in scratches. A common problem with wood furniture is that it can be easily scratched. These scratches can make a piece look worn out and unsightly, but there are many quick and easy solutions to giving your wood furniture a mini cosmetic makeover. To get rid of scratches, there are several methods you can try. For instance, some people swear by rubbing walnuts into specific areas to fill them. The more conventional way to repair scratches is to use a kit that usually involves applying stain. No matter what method you choose, repairing the scratches on wood will get rid of that worn look.
  • Reupholster your pieces. Mahwah, NJ interior decorator Susan Keefe believes that reupholstering furniture that is stained or outdated is the best way to give it new life. There are so many options when it comes to upholstery, from modern, chic patterns to solid colors. By reupholstering your furniture, you can refresh it while giving your home a new, updated look without having to purchase new furniture!

These furniture protection and restoration tips brought to you by the experts at Jaron’s Furniture.

 

Moving Furniture Safely

Are you ready to move? If you answered that question with a grumble or a groan then you’ve most likely had to move before and loathe the idea of doing it again. Moving is time consuming and draining, but when managed properly you can lessen the strain. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you have to pack up.

Safety Materials – Drop cloths, furniture sliders, back braces, furniture straps or ropes, and dollies (hand trucks) should be used whenever possible to prevent injury and damage to items. You can never have too much when it comes to padding for your furniture and boxed items.

Teamwork – If you plan on moving lots of furniture, make sure you have lots of help. Don’t try to move all of it alone and know the limits of what you can carry. Moving heavy furniture and items can wear you down quickly, so be sure to take a break when you need it.  If you’re moving anywhere in Bucks County, the experts at Mooney’s Moving are prepared to help you move safely and efficiently!

Remove Drawers/Shelves – Don’t try to move furniture with drawers still inside or shelving still intact. Always take out items from furniture to be moved and place them in sturdy boxes. Remove shelves that aren’t bolted into shelving units and drawers from dressers and bureaus.  Basically, if you put it together, you should take it apart when you move. Disassembling furniture reduces the chances of damaging it and saves space in the moving van. If your furniture came pre-assembled, then wrap it up as much as possible. Use bubble wrap for legs and plastic sheeting for fabrics.

Lift, Don’t Drag – Always use your legs when lifting furniture or heavy boxes. Also, don’t drag any furniture or you might damage it and the flooring. Use furniture sliders or have someone help you lift the item.

Wrap Items – Use bubble wrap for moving delicate and fragile items and wrap fabric furniture such as sofas and armchairs in plastic sheeting to protect it from being damaged. Large, heavy items such as mirrors should be wrapped in a moving blanket and moved vertically, not horizontally, to protect the frame.

Stack Items By Weight – Pack the moving truck or van from back to front and heavy to light. Place heavy items on the floor of the moving truck and lighter items on top. By the same token, keep awkward furniture and décor on the sides of the truck and have them strapped down if necessary.

There’s no easy button to push that can magically have all of your precious possessions moved in the blink of an eye. However, by planning out your move and giving yourself the time needed to pack properly with the right tools will surely help make your moving day less stressful than you anticipated.