Pro designer how-to’s for furnishing a beautiful abode: Learn the secrets

The abode is a reflection of who the inhabitants are who reside within its walls. Having a perfectly complemented designed home is what one aspires to having. Unfortunately the pocket book can keep one from thinking that they can achieve the furnished abode of their dreams. With a little design knowledge, planning and fun shopping anyone can easily design their own beautiful living space.

Have fun floor planning and think outside of the box when shopping and dressing up the abode.

Floor plans are all about trial and error and balancing the room. Once the plan is in place it is time to have fun shopping for the furnishings that will become part of the family. Shopping can be a fun activity for the entire household. Let everyone add their own personal touch to the home, just make sure that everything coordinates. Keep the decor unique allowing for everything to blend together and flow gracefully.

Enjoy browsing

Do not be afraid to browse the stores as one does when shopping for a new car. Just as when purchasing any item one needs to remember to be confidant and completely happy in their purchases. Stay firm and do not let a sales person intimidate you into purchasing something that you do not like or you know will not fit in your space. This task can be intimidating and confusing when working within a budget and handed so many stores and choices.

Keep calm and turn the shopping excursion into a fun adventure. Take it slow visiting a few stores before making final decisions. Many stores will have samples of swatches of fabric and finishes available for you to bring home to help make your choices; all you need to do is ask.

Pull furnishings away from walls

Furniture should never be placed directly against a wall. Even in a small room a sofa pulled just a few inches away from the wall will make the room more inviting; no one wants to feel as if they are put “up against a wall” literally and figuratively.

 

 

Create an inviting environment

A larger room may become overwhelming with one seating area; do not be afraid to create a couple of seating areas in a bigger room. Design so there is a clear path to an exit without one walking directly through the sitting area. Use a desk and chair instead of a console table behind a sofa for dual purpose. Think outside of the box using items such as an interesting bench as a coffee table in a tight area. Old trunks can be fun for tables too. Ottomans with trays, instead of coffee tables, create coziness and extra seating when having guests. Mix shapes. Add a round coffee table for softness.

Hide a play area within a designer room

Having young children in the household does not have to equate with a house looking like a daycare center. Furnishings can have multi uses creating areas for play hidden in plain sight. Add a pretty antique painted children’s rocker which can double as pretty accent. Replace an end table with a lovely wood play table and a couple of child chairs around it for craft time or homework.

 

 

 

Coordinating different woods can create a designer touch

If you have a set in maple buy a piece in walnut to contrast. Be aware that more than two different woods in a room can be overkill. The different woods should not appear too close in color or else it will seem like a design mistake. Do not try to buy a piece to match existing furniture finishes. It might seem like it is a match in the showroom only to see the actual wood is pine stained a cherry color when placed next to the natural cherry furnishings in the room, creating a cheapened look.

Designer rooms do not match, they are coordinated

When buying furniture one does not have to buy the matching sets that appear in groupings in the showroom. A sofa does not need to be identical to a loveseat, just as you do not have to always buy the pants with the matching jacket. Furnishings need to coordinate just as your fashions do. Coordinate fabrics to bring together the seating. Get the touch of a professionally designed room with pieces that are coordinate instead of matching. Purchase one end table and coffee table that match in wood, then find another end table in metal and glass. Use a durable stone coffee table in family rooms removing the threat of wet glass rings as with wood or streaking a glass top. Mix the stone with wood end tables.

Have fun hunting and creating

Shop the bargain stores, thrift shops and consignment shops for unique pieces that will work and add a designer touch to the decor without breaking the bank. Create the look of built in library or china cabinet using units from stores like IKEA. Purchase outdoor furniture after season on sale that can look beautiful used inside; for a kitchen buy a small metal bistro table with two chairs for the breakfast nook. Department store outlets have one of a kind pieces for sale that can become a beautiful bargain when recovered to coordinate with the abode’s decor. Find lovely window treatments shopping online at JC Penney’s clearance section. Target has some amazing buys on upholstered chairs in fun fabrics that look like they were purchased from a much higher end store.

Be open minded and find interesting pieces to dress up the abode with. Enjoy the design adventure and never be afraid to dance.

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