Summer Stay Cool Idea #58: Redecorate

With temperatures blazing across the U.S., everyone is looking for ways to stay cool this summer.  Sure, the top of the list includes activities such as relaxing at the pool (beach/lake/sprinkler), spending time with friends, and going on vacation.  It may be way down the list, but don’t overlook the cooling effect of decorating!

Decorating may be the most underrated means of cooling off.

Yes, decorating may just be one of the most underrated ways to cool off.  And the best part is that afterward you’ll have something to show for it—from a new sofa to some fresh decorating ideas.

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Get Out, Stay Cool

Let’s start with the idea of furniture shopping. When summer is at its hottest, going to the mall is always a good idea—so why not the furniture store? It’s cool there too, and you’re always welcome. You may even be greeted with cookies, popcorn or a cold beverage—you won’t find that at The Gap!

Whether you’ve got a purchase planned in your near future or not, home furnishings stores are a great place to visit when the heat index climbs. If you’re not in the market for new furniture, it’s still worth stopping in just to gather decorating ideas. You’re sure to see the latest colors and styles and return home with more than a few possibilities for sprucing up your own space.

Not sure where the best furniture retailers are in your area? It’s as simple as entering your zip code .

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Stay In, Get Cool

Use the Color Visualizer on HomeFurnishings.com to experiment with paint colors.

Too hot to leave the house? Get cool in front of the computer and get decorating.

With the free tools on homefurnishings.com, you can virtually redecorate your home without spending a dime. Start with the Room Planner and experiment with your floorplan using your existing furniture; then try new looks with your dream furnishings. Next you’ll want to play with the Color Visualizer. You can see how different paint colors, flooring and finishes look in a variety of room settings. Then print, save or email your designs. And don’t forget to explore the Image Galleries for inspiring looks created by professional designers.

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Think About Outdoor Spaces

Decorating your outdoor spaces will help take your mind off the heat. Photo: Sunbrella.

Hot as it is, we’ll all be spending more time outdoors this summer—so don’t neglect your outdoor spaces. Whether you’re looking for a complete set of new outdoor furnishings or just one comfy chair for relaxing, there’s plenty to choose from. And if you haven’t shopped for your outdoor “room” in a while, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the variety and quality of furnishings available. While you may not be able to get cool outdoors right now, at least you can be comfy and stylish.

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Get Inspired

The best part about decorating and dreaming about future decorating projects is that it takes your mind off the heat. No matter how hot it gets, your decorating dreams will keep you cool.

 

Furniture for Father’s Day

As the day to revere the fathers and father-figures in our lives approaches, it’s time to think outside the box for gifts. Surely there’s a better way to show dads our appreciation than with goofy mugs and corny gadgets.

The original comfortable chair featured on All in the Family

What about furniture for Father’s Day? Maybe a new recliner? What dad wouldn’t want a new comfy chair to watch the game or read the paper…I know mine would!

Beauty and the Seat

Now there are two camps regarding recliners: those who seek comfort (dads) are in favor of them, while those who seek beauty (purist decorators often label the recliner a “no-no”) often are not. The good news is that recliners have come a long way since the days of Archie Bunker on All in the Family.

Today there are beautiful options that bridge the divide between comfort and beauty. As we report on HomeFurnishings.com, many reclining chairs (also called motion furniture) are so well designed, you’d never guess that they’re recliners. Manufacturers have expanded this category and now offer recliners in a variety of fabric and leather options as well as a variety of eco-friendly options. And if you’re looking for a more streamlined chair without the traditionally bulky profile, those are available as well.

recliner

Stylish Sitters

Here are just a few of the many recliner options in stores today:

La-Z-Boy continues to lead the way with stylish recliners like this model: The Carlyle.

The 'Laramie' from Broyhill is a recliner designed to look at home in almost any style room.

For more modern tastes there's the "Andre" from Lane Home Furnishings.

Leather is always a good fit for comfort and durability, and it looks super comfy on this model from Berkline.

 

Earth Day Decorating

We couldn’t let Earth Day go by without a few words about the fabulous ecofriendly home furnishings available.

Whether you’re interested in painting some walls, replacing a sofa or headboard, or redecorating a whole room—there are sustainable options. We’ve pulled together a few inspiration photos to get you started. And don’t miss the links to our eco-savvy decorating articles. They’ll help you ensure the success of your next home decor project.

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Great ”Green” Looks

The word is out: home furnishings are now available in earth-friendly styles and materials. There’s something for every design aesthetic— from rustic to refined and everything in between. Here are few noteworthy examples:

ecofriendly furniture

This china cabinet from Harden is even more desirable given the company's certification by the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

sustainable furniture

From the Martha Stewart collection, this sofa is made by Bernhardt—an industry leader in sustainable practices. The Bernhardt website also features an "eco seal" that helps identify environmentally friendly product features.

earth friendly furniture

Known for its unique rustic style, Groovystuff produces furniture from reclaimed teakwood and antique farm implements, plows and wagons.

earth-friendly furniture

Eco-Friendly Design Advice

Check out these articles on homefurnishings.com to find out how you can green up your next decorating project.

Red-Hot Trends in Green Design

earth day green design

Make My Room Eco-Friendly

ecofriendly fabrics

Eco-Friendly Fabrics: From Organic to Gorgeous

 

Ultimate Tablescapes for Easter Entertaining

A good tablescape takes planning. If you want to wow your guests, don’t leave decorating your dining room until the last minute. Easter will be here soon, so now is the time to plan your place settings, centerpiece, and if you’re on top of your game—theme.  Not a planner or unsure where to start? We can help.  After all, who wants salt and pepper shakers as their default centerpiece when they can have a table that looks magazine-worthy… 

First, a few inspiration tables to get you dreaming 

A "nest" centerpiece crafted of white carnations offsets the delicious blues used on this table.

This sophisticated tablescape uses fresh flowers at each place setting.

Dressing a sideboard can be as easy as displaying colorful fresh flowers and vegetables from the garden.

Now here are a couple homefurnishings.com how-to articles that will make it easier for you to decorate your dining room for a holiday or everyday occasion:  

Decorating ideas for elegant Easter entertaining.

Entertaining secrets from top celebrity event planners.

 

Family-Friendly Furniture: Real or Urban Legend?

I have to admit: I want it all.

I want beautiful, comfortable furniture that my family can  enjoy…and I want it to continue to look good and wear well for years.  Basically, I want my home to look like it’s a page out of a shelter magazine, while in reality my son is a protegé of Dennis the Menace.

Am I asking for the impossible? Not really. It just takes a little extra research and planning.

Before I actually shopped for family-friendly furniture, I assumed I’d be focusing on selecting busy prints and avoiding sharp edges. I was surprised to find that there’s actually a lot more available for families focused on function and durability. And you don’t have to sacrifice style to find washable fabrics and cleanable surfaces.  (Of course you’ll still want to avoid pieces with sharp edges and large expanses of glass—that just reduces the temptations for little bodies).

At HomeFurnishings.com, we cover a variety of home decorating topics, including how to find stylish furniture options that are built to last. Check out:

Family-Friendly Furnishings. Kid-proof your home. Keep your style.

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Buying for Durability. What to look for when shopping for furniture that will last.

 

And stay tuned. We’ll be covering more family-friendly furniture topics—such as: Microfibers, slipcovers, fabric protection and furniture with built-in storage—in future posts.

 

What your home says (or doesn’t say) about you

If you’re satisfied with the appearance of every room in your home, you may not need to read further—as a matter of fact, please send us pictures and tips! But for most of us, when it comes to our interior spaces, there’s room for improvement, or at least opportunity for refinement and new inspiration.   

Our homes are just as much a personal statement as the clothes we wear and the cars we drive. The choices we make in paint, furniture, artwork, colors and decoration reveal a lot about our personal style, personality and attitudes. And when we invite people into our home, we’re  doing more than just entertaining, we’re offering a glimpse of who we are and how we see ourselves.  

So does your home truly reflect you? Have you chosen furniture that you love or are you just trying to match the hand-me-down style you inherited? Are the colors in your rooms ones that thrill you or were they there when you moved in? If cost wasn’t an issue, how would your ideal home look?  

It’s never too late to show your rooms some love. Here are some inspiring photos to help you get started reimagining your home’s interiors. For even more ideas, check out our inspiration galleries.   

This bedroom is bold and calming at the same time. The dramatic headboard gives the room a point of view while the refined color palette and streamlined accessories create balance and serenity. Designed by Beth Dotolo, NEST Interior Design, Dallas.

Masculine yet classic, charcoal grey sets the mood for this room furnished with Ekornes upholstery.

Fresh. The personality of this room from Century Furniture is crisp, fresh and memorable.

Full of softness and sunshine, this bedroom from Stanley Furniture encourages lazy Saturdays and sleeping in.

  

   

Ultimately romantic, this toile-covered daybed from Pierre Deux shows the feminine side of furniture.

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Sofa = Sweet Spot

Couch or sofa–what do you call it? Actually, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s comfy.       

Let’s face it, your couch is one of your home’s most important assets. It’s where you relax at the end of the day, snuggle with your kids, cuddle your pets, watch the game, snooze on Sundays and eat your favorite late-night snack. It’s often the hardest-working piece of furniture in your place—the sweet spot of your home.         

So is your sofa up to the challenge?         

If not, it might be time to start looking for an upgrade. There are certainly plenty of inspiring choices available in furniture stores. We’ve gathered a few here, and there are many more in our inspirational image galleries.         

Hickory Chair's sofa looks warm, inviting and—most importantly—comfy.

 

After you gather ideas, make a note of the styles and manufacturers you like best, or save them in our My Ideas section. Then use our retailer locator to find stores in your area. It will make your next furniture shopping trip easier, more fun, and more productive.       

  

Color or Neutral?     

It’s the age-old question: should you choose a couch in a neutral fabric or a rich, colorful one?  The answer is, “Yes.”  Truthfully, they both work amazingly well in a variety of room schemes. If you’re not sure what’s best for your room, get a designer’s input (many stores offer free design advice).  And to get the most from your purchase, choose your new sofa based on comfort and quality, and have a color plan for your room in mind as well!   

Here are a few or our favorite sofa silhouettes, chosen for their style, and all featuring neutral fabrics. We’ll post some colorful ones soon as well.     

Graceful arms and a tufted back distinguish the "Farrow" from Robin Bruce

Broyhill's "Chandler" shows that neutral doesn't have to mean boring.

Bernhardt's "Cooper" sofa is stunning in its simplicity.

The "Spring Hill" sofa from C.R.Laine offers classic transitional styling.