5 Things Every Living Room Needs

Whether you use your living room for family time, watching the game, or a place to just hang out, it requires a few things to bring it together. The obvious things include couches, a TV, and if you’re lucky, a fireplace. But to make any living room feel like home there are a few things that you must include. These aren’t the most unique pieces, but more often the pieces that most don’t put enough thought into.

1. Wall Decor - Too often do we focus on the color of the paint on the walls rather than the actual art or decorations that could be hung upon them. Invest in local art or a piece you really enjoy rather than a cliche print from another chain furniture store. It will not only make your room stand out, but can create a talking point for your guests.
   
2. Window Treatments - Your windows are the portals to the outside world from inside your living room. Create a larger looking room by investing in curtains that reach floor levels. Try dressing your windows with multiple layers using sheer curtains to add a new dimension to the space.
   
3. Proper Lighting - The key to every living room is the lighting. Too much lighting can make it feel like a dentist’s office, but not enough will have you turning on your phone’s light to find the remote. Figure out a proper level, and remember the different styles of lighting that will give the room distinct feels.
   
4. Tables - Your living room needs two styles, a coffee and end table. Your coffee table can help you bring out your own style, whether you choose a glass or wooden version. Show off your creativity with what you keep on the coffee table, but don’t get too cluttered! Depending on the size your end tables can also serve as homes for lighting or only small enough to hold the remote and a drink. You don’t need to design a room around these tables, but when done right, they can bring flair to a simple room.
   
5. Personal Touches - Although this includes family photos, they should not be the only unique touches to your living room. Find some art or decorations that are sure to bring memories every time you see them. Whether it be a decorative book, or memorable sports souvenir, try and bring something that gives guests a better understanding of your life beyond chairs and couches.

Have any other essentials that weren’t mentioned but you think should have been? Let us know in the comments section! To find some of the items mentioned above, visit us online or find a store nearest you!   

Last Minute Halloween Decor Ideas

If fall isn’t your favorite time of the year, then there’s a good chance Halloween isn’t your favorite holiday. If this is the case, then you’ve probably also put off decorating for the spookiest day of the year. Don’t worry though, there’s still time, and some decorations can be kept until at least Thanksgiving. To help you get into the spirit and make it so that the young trick-or-treaters won’t question your lack of decorations, we’ve put together some last minute ideas.

1. Wine Bottle Potions - Instantly turn your home bar cart into a traveling potion cart. Using empty bottles, spray paint them using a matte black color. You’ll want to double or even triple coat them for the best effect. Then, design the scariest names for your potions and print out labels to be glued onto the sides of the bottles.
   
2. Spooky Furniture - For this you’ll need cheesecloth to cover your furniture. Cover just one chair, or go all out and cover everything from the couches to the dining room table. The cloth can also be used to cover things like your mirror or a window you may have on your front door. Remember, the creepier it looks when draped across the furniture, the better!
   
3. Fall Wreath - For this decoration you’ll need to do a little bit of work. At your local craft store purchase a wreath frame and an assortment of decorative leaves. Glue the leaves around the wreath, and if on-hand, grab some sticks and pine cones from your yard as well for the wreath. This can be hung on your front door for at least the next month. And if you want to go full Halloween on your wreath, spray paint the leaves with the black matte paint for a spooky effect.
   
4. Ghostly Mirror - To best make this decoration, you’re going to need frosted window film. You can design your own ghost, or simply follow this pattern. The best part of this decoration is the film is made for glass, so there won’t be any mess left behind after!
   

Are you also a last minute decorator? In the comments section, tell us about your go to Halloween decorations! And if you’re looking to update your couches or bar cart, stop in to a store near you or find us online!

6 Things To Never Give Up When Moving In With Someone

So you’ve finally reached that tipping point of needing a roommate? Whether it’s a significant other, best friend, or total stranger, you’ll both probably have to make some serious adjustments to the amount of belongings you have. Deciding what can be junked, donated or sold is always a hard decision. You must learn to part with old trinkets and items that you no longer use. Although, there are some items that you should keep that you may not be thinking about. To help you make sure those items aren’t trashed or sold, we’ve put together a list for you.

1. Heirlooms - This may seem like a no brainer for most, but when those plates passed down from your grandparents collect enough dust to make a dust bunny family, it can be hard not to toss them. Save them though, and use them when you have family over to bring back memories from old times. Antiques may also seem pointless now, but like wine, they’ll get better with age, and you’ll appreciate them when that time comes.  
   
2. Lamps - Unless you live where the sun rarely sets, you’ll always need light at some point during the day. Lamps are also great for filling space on end tables, nightstands, and corners of rooms when using a stand up lamp. When used right, lighting can also bring a different ambiance to any room, which means the more options.
   
3. Artwork - Aside from old tour posters signed by artists, there comes a time when we all realize that posters may not be the best ways to cover our walls. That’s where artwork comes in. Whether it be paintings, prints or photographs, anything beats an empty wall. It makes a home or apartment feel like it’s your own. Another great thing about art is that it can be re-framed and made to feel new again at any time.
   
4. Home Bar - It might be time to stop buying off the bottom shelf, but there’s no reason to throw away your home bar just yet. You may no longer be trying to impress a significant other with your bar cart, but now you can impress friends and family. Keeping a well stocked bar is a great way to make sure every guest at dinner or a party enjoys their time.
   
5. Old Towels - This one may seem like a mistake, but it’s not. An old towel can have a new life in a matter of seconds. Cut them down and use them for use as a cleaning rag around the house or in the garage. This will save you money on paper towels and allow you to spend that money elsewhere.
   
6. Decorative Pillows - After moving in with someone your throw pillows may no longer match the furniture, but like the towel, you can bring them back in another way. Simply purchase covers or make your own for continued use. Lastly, don’t be afraid to use them in a different way than when you originally purchased them. A new cover can take your couch pillow to appropriately matching your bed decor.

Have any other essential items that you think we missed? Let us know in the comments section below. And if you’re looking for additional furniture to add to your new space, visit us online or at a store nearest you!

5 Tips For Updating Your Fall Decor

The leaves are starting to change and the air is getting cooler, which means fall has arrived with all of its beautiful colors. It’s time to put away all the bright colors you’ve used all spring and summer, and start bringing out the Halloween and autumn decor. The great thing about fall decor is that the best colors to use are the ones naturally occurring in nature. If you like to change your decor season to season, now is the time to start. To help, we’ve put together tips to kick start your transition from summer to fall.

1. Lamps - As the seasons change, so does the amount of light that you’ll be able to use. Start thinking about where you’ll need extra lighting, as the natural sunlight will mostly all be gone by dinner time. You can also utilize lampshades to help bring out the fall theme by decorating them yourself.  
   
2. Rugs, Rugs, Rugs - As mentioned before, for most of the country the temperatures are slowly dropping, which means you’ll want an extra layer between you and the floor. Don’t be afraid to overdo it with rugs by layering when necessary. One other easy way to help bring more autumn into your life is a fall themed bath mat.
   
3. Display Nature - Bring what’s outside, inside. Fall is a great time to use the natural resources around for decoration. Whether it’s firewood, or even small sticks, bringing in natural wood will change the feel from summer to fall instantly. Decorating with leaves will also instantly bring the season into your living space, whether it’s with pressed leaves or a whole wreath.
   
4. Plaid - If there was one specific pattern that looked best during the fall season, it would be plaid. Try incorporating the pattern into many aspects of your decor, whether it be throw pillows, blankets, or even slip covers for your furniture.  
   
5. Decorate Pumpkins - Although traditions tell you to carve your pumpkins, simply decorating them will stretch their longevity significantly. Painting them is a popular idea, but try adding other materials to them as well, such as ribbons or lace.  

Is fall your favorite season to decorate for? If so, let us know your favorite ways you spruce up your house this time of year! Be sure to also visit us online, or at a store near you, to help prepare for the upcoming seasons!

6 Ways to Liven Up a Room

As the seasons change, so do our styles. It may be relatively easy to update your wardrobe, but changing your decor from season to season can come at a costly price. Besides holiday decorations, most people don’t even think to update their living spaces until it is absolutely needed. But we think that shouldn’t have to be the case, and want to help you liven up your home decor. To help, we’ve come up with relatively inexpensive ways to help you bring new life into any room of your house.

1. Bold Print - Whether it’s just a few throw pillows or an accent chair, a bold print will bring new energy to any room. It will draw the attention of any guests’ eyes that enter the room, and bring a different feel than they are used to.
   
2. Sparkle - To help brighten up the room, introduce glass pieces into the room. Hanging a mirror in a room with natural light will brighten up the room significantly. Other ways to brighten up the room include using glass coffee tables and candy holders. Lastly, one option that is not often used is purchasing mirrored coasters. They will not only help protect your furniture, but reflect more natural light into your space.   
   
3. Flowers - Whether real or fake, flowers bring new color to the room. And with all the different colors of flowers, it’s guaranteed you’ll be able to find one that matches the decor of your room. If you’re using real flowers, consider a crystal vase, as it will also bring sparkle into the room as well.
   
4. Rearrange Furniture - Has your living room been set up the same way since you originally purchased the furniture? Step outside your comfort zone and change the room up. Don’t just flip-flop your love seat and chair either, try changing the way a guest will enter the space. If you’re changing up your living room, move the television to the opposite side of the room if possible to give everyone a new view.   
   
5. Paint - Want to stand out and show off the new popular colors of next year? Follow Pantone Color Institute’s guide to next year’s popular colors. Changing the color of any room isn’t the most expensive change you can make, but it will take a bit of your time. If you’re looking for a quicker fix, try painting one wall a complementary color to the other walls.
   
6. Upgrade Lighting - If you’re currently using only tabletop lighting, try switching to a stand-up light. New lighting can change the whole feeling of a room, but make sure you don’t overdo it to make your guests feel like they’re under the dentist’s chair. Too much artificial light tends to feel industrial. Make sure your rooms follow the basic rules of lighting.

Do you have any other ways you liven up your rooms from season to season? Let us know in the comments section! Visit us online or in store for more ideas on how you can liven up your decor.

Decorating on a Budget

The reality of decorating a new space is that it can cost a lot of money, but there are ways of getting around it. Although DIY projects can help cut down on spending, sometimes the cost of purchasing all the individual items can outweigh the results. Updating and repurposing your current decor is one way of getting around this. To help give you ideas on how this can be done, we’ve put together some ideas on how you can update your space without breaking the bank.

Painting

If you’re looking into upgrading your kitchen, one of the best things you can do is repainting your kitchen cabinets. Although it may not change their style, any guests that have seen your space before will think you have brand new cabinets. This trick can also work with doors. Painting a door may seem like a daunting task, but once finished will bring a new view to anyone walking in or out.

Wallpaper

If you’re looking to update a bedroom, wallpaper can give the room an entirely different atmosphere. You don’t have to go all out either, a simple stripe or accent wall can change the feeling of the room entirely. Another great way to update with wallpaper is on vinyl blinds. Simply apply the wallpaper directly onto the blinds and give the windows a whole new look for less than half the price of replacing them.

Photography

Living in a digital age we’re taking photos constantly, but finding the right place to put them can be hard. One way of using them is to upgrade your existing coffee tables to become a photo table. All you will need for this project is a custom piece of glass cut to the size of your table. The best part of this decorating idea is that the photos can constantly be changed from season to season to bring a new feel to the table.

Glass

There are many ways you can repurpose old glass to help bring new life to your space. One simple trick to make any window pop is using colored glass bottles. Turn any window into a stained glass effect by simply setting them on the windowsill. Another great way to reuse old glass is to transform an old mirror. Simply apply a felt backing to any small mirror and it instantly becomes a tray that can be used in any room of the house. Add your favorite candles or art to your new tray and guests will be itching to copy your style.

Do you have any other ways you personally decorate on a budget? Let us know in the comments section! And if you’re looking to update on a larger scale, visit us online or at a store near you!

5 Organizing Mistakes

When it comes to keeping a clean house, organization is key. Sometimes though, you can organize in the wrong way. We tend to think if our living and eating spaces are clean, then they’re organized. The unfortunate realization is that being clean doesn’t always mean being organized. To help you stay organized while also keeping your house clean, we’ve put together a list that will improve your house or apartment instantly.

1. Shopping First, Organizing Second - When the time finally comes to update your space, too many people forget to ensure they have enough space. Whether it’s not enough space in your dresser, or not enough room for all your furniture, you need to ensure you’ll have enough storage for the items you purchase.
   
2. Out Of Order Containers - Sometimes when you try so hard make sure all of your items are out of sight, you lose track of what you actually use often. Keeping a clean house doesn’t mean just stuffing everything you can into one bin or drawer. Make sure that you are keeping the items you use most near the tops of your bins or drawer. This will help significantly when you’re pressed for time.
   
3. Stuffing Kitchen Cabinets - You finally took the time to do all of the dishes in your house, but now where do you put them? Instead of shoving them all in the cabinets, try organizing them by size and use. There’s no need to put your fine dining plates on top of your everyday ones, as you’ll only have to remove them shortly anyways.
   
4. Message Board Refrigerator -  If you think the person you are writing a note to on the fridge will read it every time, you’re sadly mistaken. Humans have an average attention span of around eight seconds, meaning remembering to view your message as they close the door will most likely not happen. Try setting up a message board somewhere else, as the most important thing on most people’s minds when going to the fridge is if that extra slice of pizza is still there.
   
5. Keeping Counters Too Clean - Sometimes putting everything away isn’t the best decision. Obvious things like the toaster or your coffee maker come to mind, but if you’re someone who uses your blender more than once a week, then it’s best to keep it out. Larger appliances might feel like they are not needed every minute of the day, but when you use them often, you’ll save plenty of time not searching for them and finding a place to store them.

Do you have any other organizing tips that we missed? Let us know in the comments sections below! And if you’re looking for better storage space for your clothes or other dinning essential visit us online or find a store near you today!