Space Better Served: Ways To Repurpose Your Dining Room

By Beds For Less

You bought a home with a formal dining room. Nothing wrong with that. Problem is, you can count on one hand how many times you’ve actually enjoyed it. So you haven’t turned into the gracious dinner host you thought you’d be. Why reserve that valuable space for “someday” when it can serve you so much better today.

5 Alternative Uses For Your Dining Room: 

Homey Home Office. Already have a rectangular dining room table? Take away all but one seat, or remove them all and replace with a sumptuous accent chair. Boom, the perfect desk arrangement loaded with surface space. A desk and underlying rug at an angle might be even more dynamic. And that chandelier? Looks just as good over your desk as it did over the table. If you do invite dinner guests, return the chairs for a quick fix.

Homework Area/Playroom/Craft Room. Dining rooms easily make the grade as homework areas, playrooms and craft rooms, too. Very on trend, tables with heavy distressing make it easier to hide the occasional slip of a crayon or marker. You can bring in couple of stylish bookshelves for cubby space or use your existing buffet or server for storing supplies. They’re not just for plates and silverware anymore!

Breakfast Bistro/Cafe/Sitting Room. Imagine your dining room as your favorite neighborhood cafe, complete with a bistro table and chairs (in lieu of a dining room table) and a lounge seating area, maybe with a wall-mounted TV. What a perfect place to sip your morning coffee, check your email and get yourself perked up for the day. When it’s time to unwind, your cafe serves as your wine bar.

Pool Hall/Bar Lounge/Party Central. Love the thought of having people over but dread having to cook and serve? Break from the ordinary. Turn your dining room into a cool hangout space, complete with a bar, pool or ping pong table and wall-mounted TV. A few swivels chairs will really keep the conversation flowing.

Music Room/In-Tune Space. Maybe you play the piano or guitar, or perhaps your little ones are budding musicians? Turn your dining room into a music room with instruments on display, fun seating, music-themed artwork and your music collection. Or, stretch the possibilities by turning the space into a yoga or dance studio, if that’s what really moves you.

Have better ideas for an underused dining room?

Content provided by: +Tailbase & Ashley Furniture

www.tailbase.com

WHY SHOULD YOU USE AN AREA RUG? BECAUSE...

By Beds For Less

It’s amazing how much an area rug can transform a room. If you’re looking to roll out big style—for a modest outlay of cash—opting for an area rug is a good way to go. When shopping for the right area rug, choose one that’s roughly the same shape as the accompanying furniture. Cluster the furniture around it or on top of it, place a table, desk or bed at its center—and you’re good to go!

Why are area rugs so great? Because area rugs…


Tie together a room’s color scheme. An area rug works as well, if not better, than art or throw pillows to unify your color schemes.

Anchor furniture. Area rugs make a room look connected and cohesive. In living rooms and family rooms, use an area rug that’s big enough to fit under the front legs of your furniture. If it’s too small to do that, center the rug under your coffee table. 

Are inexpensive “artwork.” Bringing color and graphical elements into a room, area rugs help create a dynamic gathering place. Certain area rugs, such as handwoven style rugs, can also be hung on a large wall, at a fraction of the price of large-scale artwork. 

Add warm, comfort and safety. Especially if you have solid-surface floors, such as hardwood, concrete or tile, you can appreciate the cushy relief area rugs bring to your space.

Work everywhere. Be it in the living room, bedroom or dining room, area rugs feel right at home. As a rule of thumb; use an area rug under the largest piece, or group of furniture, in a room to anchor the space.

Absorb sound. Especially when accompanied by an ample rug pad, area rugs do a wonderful job of buffering noise.

Move with you. Wall-to-wall carpeting might be there to stay, but area rugs are all yours to take with you should you relocate.

While machine-made rugs are the most common today, there are plenty of handwoven options that can include everything from precious oriental rugs to affordable jute styles.

A bit about area rug materials:

Synthetic rugs are mostly made from petroleum products. They’re popular for their colorful designs, durability and low price.

Wool rugs offer a step up with their remarkably soft, plush feel. Most are hand-tufted, with loops of yarn punched into a cloth, backed with latex and then sheared to produce a cut-pile surface. It’s completely normal for wool area rugs to shed a little when they’re brand new.

Jute rugs are another natural fiber area rug. These are usually handwoven. Though associated with more relaxed/casual settings, they’re a designer favorite in many interiors today because they add texture, lie flat and are easy to maintain.

Tips for keeping your area rug as good as new:

• Purchase a rug pad to reduce movement on the floor and prevent rug wear.
• Vacuum regularly to reduce dirt accumulation.
• Blot spills immediately. Avoid saturation with water. 
• Rotate occasionally to reduce the effects of traffic and sunlight.

Content provided by: +Tailbase & Ashley Furniture 

www.tailbase.com

Decorating With Throw Pillows

by Beds for Less Furniture Express

Tips on Decorating with Throw Pillows

Choose pillows that match the mood. 

For an elegant look, you might opt for satiny or faux-fur fabrics. For a sense of worldliness, you can go with earthy or exotic fabrics.  Bright and bold colors and geometric fabrics, on the other hand, convey a modern sense of style.

Choose pillows with related colors. 

Don’t worry about fancy color theories. Simply choose pillow colors with something in common, such as hues all inspired by an autumnal country landscape or a springy bouquet of flowers.

Don’t choose pillows too big (or too small) for the sofa. 

Large throw pillows on a small sofa will make it look even smaller. Small pillows (or too few of them) on a large sofa will look dwarfed.

Don’t feel compelled to use the decorative pillows that came with your sofa. 

Factory pillow choices are intended to appeal to as many people as possible rather than to personal tastes. Be creative.

Don’t use throw pillows that are too dull or too light for the sofa. 

There’s an exception to every rule, but decorators agree that pillows look best when they’re darker, brighter or bolder than the sofa.

Content provided by: @Tailbase & @Ashley Furniture HomeStore

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www.blog.ashleyfurniturehomestore.com

Brighten It Up With Color!

by Beds for Less Furniture Express

Colors have the power to influence a room’s atmosphere.  They should be your ever-present ally when trying to lighten, make a room look bigger, or simply giving a unique touch to your home. Discover how to use colors to your satisfaction!

No more dark and dull (I would use dull – most people won’t know that word) tones. With summer’s arrival, it’s time to brighten up your interior with a touch of fresh and dynamic color.

From the living room to restrooms, including the bedroom, transform your walls with green, yellow or blue… colors that will always give you a hint of summer.

Change any room:

Energize your living room with a blue-colored wall.

It will bring an exotic touch. In addition, your accent decorations will be highlighted.

Separate the living room from the kitchen.

Use an open red partition with circled gaps: Its bright red color will give a clean touch.  Using wall art will enhance this look and serve as a finishing touch.

A navy-blue ambiance for the best comfort!

Favor a holiday oceanfront atmosphere by incorporating a Mediterranean blue color. Always enhance your room color with accent pillows to bring balance to your bedroom decor.

Beveled glass color: A zen bathroom

Beveled glass gives a relaxing feeling thanks to its enveloping and fresh sensation feel. Favor a white bath and hardwood flooring to bring harmony to your décor.

Remember that a pleasant-colored style promotes vivid colors, circle shapes and several patterns. So let your imagination run wild and let the colors do the talking!

Keep this short summary in mind:

1. Personality: unusual, colored, energetic, creative, seventies, original, optimist, lighten.
2. Main colors: vivid red, purple red, orange, yellow, lighten blue, green.
3. Materials: PVC, wood, plastic, textiles.
4. Furniture and accessories: adjustable storages, paintings, pictures, high stools, carpets, poufs.
5. Decoration elements: Painted walls in vivid colors, lighting tiles, tiling, vivid colored paintings.

Content provided by: +Tailbase 

www.tailbase.com

Integrate Poufs To Your Indoor And Outdoor Decor

by Beds for Less Furniture Express

In the summer or all year long, you can use poufs as seats in your living room or bedroom; it will bring a modern touch to your interior!

This accent furniture is a loyal friend; not only does it fit everywhere, it also has the best comfort. Between the armchair and the seat, the pouf is the compromise to get a perfect, adequate and relaxing position!

More than a pretty name, poufs are making headlines in the world of design and with plenty of good reason. For example, poufs are wonderfully versatile and easy to implement at home.

Used singly or in combination, poufs are stylish; a fun way to add pattern and texture to a room. Since they’re soft and portable, you don’t have to worry about moving them around and scratching the floor. 

4 tips to integrate poufs to your indoor space:

-         -  In front of a sofa or accent chairs: to keep your foot elevated while watching TV.

-          - At the bed’s foot: perfect to dress up the room and enhance your cocoon’s décor.

-          - In the home office: Keeping a pouf near your desk is making work and reading materials easier to access.

-         -  In the nursery: to elevate your feet while you’re relaxing in a chair and cradling the baby.

Now, would you like to bring a touch of freshness to your outdoor space? What would you say about integrating some comfortable poufs which would be the perfect decoration?

The main strong point of a pouf is the convenience, in other words it can be easily carried indoor or outdoor of your home. As soon as good weather’s arrival, you can take advantage of your poufs to sit comfortably and relax in the shade on your patio with a small fruit cocktail in your hand, while tanning at the water’s edge.

Content provided by: +Tailbase 

www.tailbase.com

Decorate Your Bathroom With A Beach-Inspired Style

by Beds for Less Furniture Express

There's nothing quite like the sound of crashing waves to relax yourself. Imagine for just a minute that you’re taking a bath in a nearby coastline; you hear the sea dancing and you are just thinking about… nothing except relaxing! That kind of tranquility seems to be achievable on holidays only, but in fact, you can bring it at home all year long!

The bathroom creates an atmosphere that makes you focus on nothing but yourself and soothing massage sensations. Don’t miss out!

Summer is coming soon! It’s time to redecorate your bathroom and reach a perfect and relaxing costal area!

Seafront style or beach style are synonyms of peace and relaxation. Those generally associate blue and white colors to bring a marine and fresh universe.

Useful information to better understand beach style:

Personality: Peaceful, humble, soft, fresh, elegant, exotic.

Main colors: navy-blue, white, off-white, light blue, a touch of orange.

Materials: clay, wood, cotton, linen, rope.

Furniture and accessories: shells, fishing net, pebbles, boat pictures, fish, etc.

Decorative elements: big bay windows, white walls, blue or white tiles, and why not a wall-integrated aquarium!

Close style: nature.

3 tips in bonus!

Favor pale colors as light blue and white. You can illuminate your room with a touch of light yellow to give the perfect accent of liveliness.

Incorporate at least a couple of elements that will resonate holidays at the beach, such as: sailor figures, starfish, costal frames, shell soap dishes…

Your towels and toiletries can also be shown if they stick to the style and the colors.

3 mistakes to avoid!

Beach pictures containing yourself.

Exaggerating in decor elements.

Neglecting the right materials and their quality.

Content provided by: +Tailbase 

www.tailbase.com