Smart Storage Ideas for Any Sized Home

With all of this extra time spent at home, has your house started to feel cluttered and messy? While decluttering is always an option, sometimes you just want to store your stuff in a more orderly fashion. No matter what size space you live in, the following smart storage ideas can help you organize your home and free up some mental and physical space.

Revamp your resting place

Your bed can be used for more than just sleeping. There are headboards on the market with built-in shelving units and bed frames with drawers built into the base. If purchasing a new bed frame isn’t in the cards, consider placing your bed on bed risers. Risers provide a few inches of extra space under your bed for additional storage. Use flat plastic or cloth bins to store sheets, towels, and other goods out of sight.

Clean up your cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are notorious for housing a mess of pots, pans, and lids. If you avoid opening your cabinets for fear of being bombarded with a mess of Tupperware, consider getting cabinet shelving units. They typically come in sets with shelves for larger items, such as pots and pans, and slots for lids. If your cabinets are too small to store your kitchenware, hanging your pots and pans might be a good alternative. Hang them above your oven or sink and they’ll double as industrial-inspired decor.

Find functional furniture

Investing in multifunctional furniture is a great way to store excess household items, says a Springfield interior decorator. If your living room feels cluttered, consider using ottomans or stools with storage space hidden beneath the cushion. You can store extra blankets or toys in this space. Another great option is a coffee table with a shelving unit at the bottom where you can put magazines, coasters, board games, and other knick-knacks.

Stack it up

If you have limited floor space for storage, consider stacking shelves. Many commercial shelving units come with wall mounts and can easily be placed on top of one another. Books and other decor items can be put on display while not taking up an excessive amount of space. If you are planning on storing clothes, invest in stackable cubes. Not only does stacking shelves free up extra space, but doing so can turn them into a focal point for your room and be a beautiful piece of decor.

Go high

Are your walls full of artwork and photos, leaving no room for shelving units or bookcases? Work around these obstacles and mount shelves close to your ceiling around the perimeter of your room. Not only does this look beautiful, but it also serves as an excellent storage space for items you may not use often but still want to put on display.

Life is chaotic enough right now. That’s why we should take extra care in keeping our homes in order. Free up space and clear clutter by following these clever home storage solutions.

Holiday Home Furnishings

 

The holiday season gives us a reason to celebrate with loved ones, get stuffed on food, and for some of us, refurbish our home! While the Christmas season does demand festive decorations, we may also want to consider purchasing new furniture to accommodate our guests. Before you start spending, consider these options to make sure you’re catering to your specific gathering needs:

Dining Room

The dining room table is considered the centerpiece of every home during the holiday gatherings. Factor in these elements to make sure your dining room is both stylish and comfortable for your guests to feast:

  • Shape. The key to deciding on the appropriate shape for your table is to know the number of guests you’re expecting. Rounded tables provide a more intimate setting for small gatherings. However, it can have an opposite effect with larger groups – a round table that’s too big may leave your guests struggling to hold a conversation across the table. For a seating of 12, a rectangular table would be most practical. Oval tables fare well with medium-sized groups, while square or rounded tables work best with small groups. If you can, find an expandable table that allows you to remove its leaves to best serve gatherings of various sizes.
  • Style. The style of your table should match the overall style of your dining room. According to the experts of Cape Coral, FL painters, pairing the right furniture with the right wall color is the key. Antique-style furniture creates a more historical setting for your dining room while showcasing beautiful craftsmanship and pairs well with richly toned colors, like burgundy or navy. If your room is more contemporary, we suggest opting for a glass or marble tabletop in a room painted in lighter hues. When choosing materials, mahogany and walnut provide a formal appearance while oak, while cherry and pine give a casual and relaxed feel.

Living Room Furniture

Does your living room look uninspiring and in need of a makeover? Before you head over to the furniture store, make sure you get these things in check:

  • Measure your room. Take note of the length and width of the room.
  • Devise a floor plan. Sketch a few different plans to determine how much space you’ll need for holiday furniture.
  • Check the size of doorways. The last thing you want is to find out your newly bought furniture can’t fit through the doors. Make sure you measure your doorways accurately.
  • Consider how the room is used. If you plan to have your guests gather in this room during a party instead of staying in the dining room, consider increasing the number of furnishings you buy.
  • Determine the space for your Christmas tree. What is Christmas without a classic old Christmas tree? Make sure you set a space for your tree while leaving additional space on the ground for presents.

Once you’ve gone to the store and bought your furniture, it’s time to arrange it!

  • Sense of entry. Make your rooms open and welcoming to your guests by setting an easy path for them to walk through it. There should be a clear path that separates the seating areas and dining areas. This way, separate conversations can take place on each side.
  • Intimacy. If you have a large living room, consider arranging your furniture into small groups. Your guests can sit down in clusters to engage in conversation instead of having to lean over the coffee table to talk.
  • Forget about television. Television can be a means to relax at times, but for holiday parties, it actually serves as a diversion from good conversations. Rearrange your furniture so it faces the opposite direction and fosters conversation between guests.
  • Allow foot traffic. Don’t forget to leave some space between furniture to allow for pathways. By allowing enough space for foot traffic, our guests will be able to circulate your rooms with ease.

This time of year can be stressful if you’re not well-prepared for the heavy traffic of family and friends in your house. However, don’t let that ruin your holiday mood. With the right setting, you and your guests can focus comfortably on what really counts  – each other!

Library Furniture

Many people enter a library to further their knowledge on a certain subject, while others simply wish to escape from their everyday stresses. Whether you’re seeking refuge in a home library or headed to your school campus to study, a library is a quiet sanctuary where knowledge and productivity are abundant. The atmosphere of a library is essential, and how a library is furnished plays a large role in that.

In honor of School Library Month, Jaron’s wanted to touch on the importance of furniture within a library. Read on to discover the furniture we offer that is a perfect fit for any library!

Lounge areas are a great spot in a library to get comfortable and dive into the latest novel. The Alfresco Chair would be perfect around any coffee table in a library. Not only are the colors vibrant, but the plush cushions are so comfortable you may never want to leave them.

The Sonoma table and chairs would be put to great use in a workspace. The table is large and sturdy enough to fit at least six people working simultaneously. There is enough room for patrons to bring their laptops and paperwork and get down to business. Plus, its oak coloring is perfect for a library.

What’s a library without bookshelves? The Cross Island Collection comes in three different sizes and has a beautifully detailed richness that enhances whatever space they occupy. These shelves can be lined with books, magazines and periodicals of different sizes. If it is a home library you’re looking to set up, you can add photos or sculptural pieces to the shelves for some added flair.

If you’re looking for additional storage for organizing card and media files, there is no more need for the boring, old metal filing cabinets of the past. The Lobink File Cabinet is a sleek, contemporary piece that still serves its office function.

For those who like to work alone, the Hamlyn Small Leg Desk might be the spot for them. It is a very traditional, yet elegant desk that is most suitable for those who are looking for their own space. These desks can be scattered around a school library in little nooks to optimize privacy, or placed in the center of your home library as a stand out piece.

Here at Jaron’s Furniture Outlet, we are happy to accommodate all of your furniture needs, whether you’re furnishing a home library or a school library. We offer unbeatable prices and a variety of selections to choose from. Say goodbye to your traditional library furniture and create a modern space with Jaron’s Furniture today!

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.

 

 

Tips to Prevent Furniture Tipping Injuries

At Jarons, our customer’s safety and satisfaction is always a priority. Furniture tipping has become a growing epidemic in the United States. On average 40 children are taken to emergency rooms daily with injuries caused by furniture tipping. A majority of these injuries are caused by heavy furniture items, including desks, bookcases, and dressers.[i] Jarons, along with a number of businesses are recognizing the dangers that furniture tipping poses to children. Some retailers are recalling products that are known to be a tipping hazard.

Furniture tipping is preventable. When purchasing new furniture, keep your child safe by following these tips:

  • Secure cabinet doors and drawers with child-proof bumpers that prevent children from opening them. This will inhibit their ability to climb onto open drawers or doors, which can cause the furniture to tip.
  • Affix heavy furniture, including bookshelves and televisions, to walls with L-brackets to prevent them from tipping. These anchoring devices are inexpensive, and can withstand the weight of the furniture should your child decide to climb it.
  • Store televisions on a low stand with a wide base, and ensure the television does not exceed the weight limit of the stand. If necessary, mount the television to the wall.
  • Avoid top shelf teasing – don’t punish your child by taking away a toy and storing it on a high shelf. In this way, you are challenging the child to try to find a way to access their toy, which can bring them to climb up furniture.
  • Ensure that electronic cords are tucked away so that children cannot trip or pull on them and cause the electronic to fall.[v]

If your child is injured in a furniture tipping accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Naftulin & Shick. Often there are financial and emotional damages caused by a furniture tipping injury, and Naftulin & Shick are experienced in dealing with these types of cases.

Protect your child from a furniture tipping injury with these furniture safety tips.

Jarons Supports Catholic Charities Diocese of Trenton

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton provides essential services such as food, clothing, and shelter to more than 100,000 New Jersey residents each year. Their programs are in place to help people and families to learn to be self-sufficient. The “On My Own” Supportive Housing was developed by the Catholic Charities’ staff to create safe and comfortable home environments for those diagnosed with persistent and serious emotional disorders.

For more than 12 years, Jarons Furniture has been assisting in the furninshing of consumers’ homes. They are proud to partner with Catholic Charities “On My Own” Supportive Housing program. In the Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton Spring 2014 newsletter,The Spirit, Jarons furniture owner, Greg was quoted saying, “I hope in the evening when you and your staff put your heads down on your pillows you take a moment to grasp the true beauty of the holy work you do. To hear you describe how the furniture makes a house a home and brings beauty and light to someone who may not have had the beauty of light in their life is remarkable. It really caused me to stop and reflect on the purpose of our work at Jarons Furniture. At times, we all go about our day with urgency but seldom stop to realize the great impact something as insignificant as furniture can make in a home. Keep up the good and holy work you do and Jarons will continue to do our small part in the process.”

To learn more about Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton, click here.

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!