When decorating or redecorating your home from scratch, it can be tough to match a particular style in every room of the house, but the last thing you want is to have a contemporary entry-way that leads to traditional kitchen, then a mishmash of style in the living room.

Contemporary and traditional are two of the most popular styles for American homes, but these styles don’t complement each other; they actually work against each other. Traditional and Contemporary are two of the few styles that don’t play well together.

Let’s explore the one that best fits your lifestyle.

Understanding the Separate Styles

Traditional furniture really refers to any piece that resembles the styles of the 19th century or earlier. Furniture from this time period tends to be made of dark, heavy wood. The furniture is often large and heavy. Traditional style is still used often, especially in homes and offices in historic buildings. Traditional rooms are not ostentatious, but often feel somewhat formal. Furniture pieces are often reproductions or “new takes” on furniture from an earlier time.

Contemporary furniture refers to furniture styles that came about after the 19th century. These pieces tend to utilize lighter wood tones, brighter fabrics, and newer materials, like plastic or metal. A contemporary-styled home features a focus on clean, light, and functional furniture. Contemporary style is often defined by clean lines with a casual atmosphere, open spaces, neutral colors, and elements and materials inspired by nature. The look hasn’t lost its focus or popularity over the years. Contemporary designs are some of the most sought-after in furniture décor.

Defining Your Style

Most traditional-style homes feature a living room with a sofa, loveseat and two chairs. The space can then be complemented with a coffee table, side tables, ottomans, rugs and more. At least one accent chair will help center the room and help it look like a place for conversation as opposed to watching TV.

In the bedroom, traditional furniture will mean a quality bed with wooden dressers and drawers. The shaker style is perfect for a traditional bedroom with its lack of ornamentations and emphasis on craftmanship.

The dining room in a traditional home is generally a separate room, often with some corner cabinets for storage and display. A traditional dining room table will be large and formal. That doesn’t necessarily have to mean bulky, but instead, roomy for accommodating lots of guests. Look for rectangular tables with matching chairs. Bentwood and high chairs with upholstered seats are the most common. If you have the space, you may also want to consider a buffet table for the dining room.

Contemporary furniture, on the other hand, utilizes completely different lines and is rather low profile. Make sure the function of the design fits with your lifestyle. If you are sharing the space with someone who has mobility problems, the low-profile nature could create problems. Bulky furniture will instantly feel out of place in a contemporary home, so look for sleek pieces. Lines can be rounded or sharp depending on the design.

Making a large purchase is intimidating. Buying a house, or even a room full of furniture can seem daunting and stressful. There’s a lot to consider from your style to your price points. However, it doesn’t have to be a scary process. Furniture shopping can and should be fun! Creating your space is exciting. Embrace the process and go into it knowing these things before hitting the showroom.

Style

It’s a good idea to have a sense of the style you are hoping to create with your new furniture, especially if you are outfitting an entire room of your home. Stylists and sales people on the showroom floor can help you stay on track with your chosen style, but only you can decide what you like. Dive into magazines and browse blogs to find the style that speaks to you.

Function

How will you be using the furniture day in and day out? For example, if you are shopping for a formal dining room set, you know that your family may not be sitting down to dinner there every day. If you have a breakfast nook or eat-in island, your formal dining room will probably be used on special occasions. Realizing that upfront can make your decision easier. Maybe you can go with a more high-end table due to the lack of potential wear and tear.

If you’re shopping for office furniture, you need to consider what type of office you need. Do you need a space to think, a space to create, or a space that just feels like your own corner of the house? All of these questions help find the function of your furniture. 

Know Your Dimensions

Catalog photos and even showroom setups can be a bit deceiving. You need to make sure you have an accurate depiction of the space your furniture will occupy. Ask yourself how a piece will fit in the intended room as well as how it will be transported there. Before buying, use painter’s tape to block out where the piece will go in the room and take measurements of all the doors and stairwells it will take on its journey to your home.

Budget

Go into the process with a full grasp of your budget. Know how you will pay for the furniture before heading to the store. There are lots of financing options to consider from lay-away to credit. Research your options and decide which is best for you before going to make your purchase. You may decide paying cash is your best option and want to save a few more weeks. Or if you decide to finance through the store, you will probably want to check your credit report before applying. Understanding your budget and financial situation beforehand will help you avoid any surprises after you fall in love with your furniture.

Shop the Sales First

From clearance sections to full living room sales, look to the deals first. They may not be exactly the furniture you had in mind, but being flexible can save you big bucks. You know what also saves? Buying the set. Yes, buying the entire living room or dining room set usually comes with a discount and leaves no doubt that everything will flow together perfectly.

If you have an idea of these things before going to buy furniture, the process will seem a lot less intimidating. There are also other things to consider like style, color, and fabric, but those tend to fall into place after asking yourself about the function and budget of the furniture.

Spring has the perfect mix of rainy days and beautiful sunshine. It’s the perfect time of year for relaxing both indoors and out. Relaxing days can be taken to the next level with the right furniture. Relax in style this spring with these perfect pieces and accessories.

• Recliner
  

Whether it’s overstuffed, mid-size, or a glider, recliners mean it’s time to take a load off. The perfect recliner will offer good support, be made of soft (yet durable) fabric and match your style perfectly. Make sure the one you choose can stand up to the wear and tear of your lifestyle. Always consider kids and pets before making an investment in a recliner. Plus, this is an item you are likely to use multiple times every-day, so this may be one piece you will want to splurge on for quality.

•  Chaise Sectional
  

This type of sectional also incorporates a lounger. It’s perfect for two or even three people to get cozy for a movie marathon! You can get ones with a detachable lounger for various seating options. They also come in multiple sizes for larger families!

• Throws

Throw pillows and blankets are a great way to add pops of color to your relaxing space. They are also perfect to take outside and snuggle up with while drinking a cup of coffee on those cool spring mornings.

•  Ottomans and Rugs

You can make use of these two cozy items this spring both indoors and out. Ottomans can provide easy and temporary outdoor seating while relaxing by a fire. Rugs are also great on patios to pull your design together and add a bit of color and atmosphere.

Add a little spring to your step by relaxing when you get the chance. Keep an eye out for cozy furniture that inspires you to get a little extra “you” time this spring.

As a nice little getaway for mom, a she-shed is the perfect backyard hideaway. It can be used for anything from gardening to curling up with a good book. After your she-shed is cleaned, you might be asking, “What comes next?” How do you turn a shed into the oasis of a she-shed? Here are a few tips to get started.

Define the purpose of your shed.

Before you start outfitting your she-shed with the comfy essentials, make sure you know how you will use it. The point of a she shed is to have a quiet space that allows you to embrace a hobby that's important to you. Maybe you’re into painting, gardening, or crafting. If you're not an avid crafter or gardener, your she-shed can simply be used as a quaint place to hang out. Once you define its purpose, you can get to work.

Keep the colors cool yet inviting.

Calming colors tend to fall on the cool end of the color spectrum. Cool colors are versions of greens, purples, and blues. They can be combined and blended for the perfect color palette. There are many advantages to decorating with these tones. These colors have been known to slow breathing rates, relax muscles, lower blood pressure and body temperature, and make you feel more relaxed overall. It’s the perfect palette for your she-shed! Remember to add pops of warm colors to keep the atmosphere inviting with rugs or pillows, but keep your paint colors and overall scheme on the cool side.

Look for unique finds.

Decorating a she-shed isn't about spending lots of money. It's about creating a space that feels relaxed and cozy. Start small and build from there. Maybe use an old recliner from the main house and couple that with a new loveseat. Or, buy a new desk for an inspired space, but use an antique rocker to add some charm. Mixing new pieces with well-loved furniture will create a space that is uniquely you!

Bring the outdoors inside.

Placing your shed in a secluded spot and surrounding it with grassy plants, vines, and window boxes full of flowers helps create a tranquil vibe, all the better for establishing a calm place to get some thinking done. Bring the garden inside as well by decorating with plants, freshly picked flower arrangements, and plush pillows featuring feminine floral patterns.

Use the space for entertaining.

Is there a better spot for girls' night than a she-shed?  Add a TV and TV stand with a fireplace to watch games and movies. Think about adding a mini fridge and stocking the shed with party essentials. Make every seat a great seat with comfy throw pillows and plenty of blankets.

Filling your bedroom with calming colors will make your time spent before bed incredibly relaxing. Calming colors tend to fall on the cool end of the color spectrum. Cool colors are versions of greens, purples, and blues. They can be combined and blended for the perfect color palette. 

There are many advantages to decorating with these tones. These colors have been known to slow breathing rates, relax muscles, lower blood pressure, and body temperature, and make you feel more relaxed overall.

You Can Start Small

Including calming colors in your bedroom does not mean you have to repaint! Decorating with cool colors can mean just accentuating what you already have. Whites, blacks, grays, and other neutrals can work well in a cool color scheme. Depending upon the undertones of the color, these neutral colors can appear either warm or cool. Play up the calming, cool nature by choosing pieces that bring out the blues, greens, and purple tones of your paint.

Calming Furniture

Cool colors often appear as though they recede in a space and can make a small room appear larger. But they can just as easily make a large room appear cold and unwelcoming. If your bedroom space is on the larger side, make sure you have lots of natural light to tone down the cool colors.

Consider a large bed as the focal point of your design and use your bedding to bring in the cool colors. If you have a seating area in your bedroom, invest in a comfy chair with subtle lines and perhaps a pattern on the cooler end of the color spectrum.

It’s Great to Add Warmth

Before settling on a calming color scheme, understand that adding warmth is OK and expected with these colors. Turn to throw blankets and pillows to add warmth to your cool and calming colors. Playing to red and oranges here and there will keep your space from seeming cold and uninventing. For example, gray looks amazing with yellow! Blues can be perfect for reds and oranges to play off of.

Also consider the warmth of any woods you have in your room. Your bed and dresser can use a wood with red undertones to add warmth. And a TV stand with a fireplace will add warmth both in color and in the literal sense. Don’t force cool colors on your space, but instead, embrace them to enhance your mood.

Your master bedroom needs to be a place where you can retreat from the rest of the world. But it should also be a place where you can express yourself in the tiny details. Nothing makes a room feel complete than the special touches that finish it off. Here are 5 finishing touches for you master bedroom that will complete the look and pull your ideas together.

1. Art
A bedroom with blank walls can feel bleak and incomplete, but before you go out and buy hundreds or even thousands of dollars’ worth of artwork, remember, art can be anything that is special to you. Maybe a handmade blanket made by your great-grandmother to hang over your bed or frame family pictures and make a memory wall. Sprinkle in a few canvasses here and there and break up the bareness of the walls.

2. Knick Knacks
These are the things that reflect you personally. Perhaps you are really into photography, so set out your vintage camera collection or pop down a few big coffee-table style books on your favorite photographer. Maybe you love to travel and have brought some gorgeous textiles or pottery back from distant lands, or it might just be some pretty rocks or shells from your beach holiday. All of these little things can brighten up your bedroom and make it feel like you. Invest in an accent piece or two to help properly display your items.

3. Lighting
A bedroom should have various light sources: table lamps on the nightstand, floor lamps, wall lights, and even candles can add some ambience to your room. If you have a seating area, consider a reading lamp that is dimmable, so you can signal your body to calm down closer to bedtime. The bedroom is the one place you don’t want to solely rely on the overhead light source.

4. Curtains
Textiles over your window will soften hard angles and make the room feel cozy. Curtains should be hung as high as possible and hang all the way to the floor. If you can’t use full-length curtains, consider Roman blinds or window shutters instead.

5. Area Rugs
You don’t want to get out of bed each morning and put your feet on a cold floor. Scattering area rugs throughout your room with help warm things up, literally and decoratively. A rug on either side of the bed protects your toes, a small rug in the seating area helps make a zone, and a runner at the foot of your bed can help protect your floor from a high traffic area. Even if you have low-pile carpet, layering rugs on top will add color and texture to your scheme.

These little touches will go a long way to completing the look in your master bedroom. Even if you are only able to accomplish a few on the list, you’ll notice your bedroom will cozy up instantly!

Making your own curtains, scrapbooking old photos, and crafting your own soaps is a hobby that cries out for organization, but not every home has an entire room that can be dedicated to crafting. Don’t worry! Any unused corner of your home can be transformed into a crafting space.

Find the Space
Maybe you have a spare bedroom that’s only used for guests, a formal dining room that only sees food once or twice a year, or even the back corner of a large family room. Any of these spaces can be used for crafting; all they need is enough room for a table, chair, storage, and lots of light. Once you decide on a dedicated space, you can start organizing.

New Uses for Old Stuff
The key to choosing the right furniture pieces for your crafting space is to reuse and recycle pieces you may already have. Don’t go for plastic tables with flimsy drawers. You need a sturdy work space with quality storage. Just because a chest is “meant” for the bedroom doesn’t mean it can’t store crafts! Truth be told, choosing bedroom furniture is ideal because if the home of your craft room is also the guest room, the furniture will blend perfectly.

Craft Perfect Storage
It’s perfectly fine to head over to the dollar store and buy plastic bins to store your crafts. They are cheap, functional, and will not break the bank. But where will you store those plastic bins? How will you organize the chaos? That’s where high-quality shelving comes in. While the bins themselves can be on the cheaper side, you should splurge on sturdy shelves to manage your storage. An accent cabinet is great for hiding away unsightly plastic bins. It will help keep your craft space neat and tidy while keeping your bins at arm’s reach. You don’t want plastic bins cluttering up your formal dining room, but a beautiful cabinet that doubles as storage will fit right in.

Once you own a pet, you’re never truly alone in a room again. From the living room to the bathroom, your pet will likely follow you everywhere. Your furniture needs to work with them, not make your life harder with constant clean-up and wear and tear. The key is choosing the right materials and accommodating your animals' needs. After all, an animal-friendly house is more comfortable for humans too.

Don’t think you have to sacrifice beauty for clean-up-friendly comfort. Pet friendly furniture can be beautiful. Here are a few things to keep in mind when designing with your pets in mind.

Opt for Rugs Over Carpet

Unlike carpet, rugs can be picked up and cleaned or thrown out. Indoor/outdoor options work well because they're durable enough to withstand pet traffic, and they're cheap enough to toss when they get grungy. If disposable rugs strike you as an expensive way to keep your house chic, consider that it's cheaper to toss that $99 rug than to keep replacing wall to wall carpet.

Animal Entryway

It's important to consider your pet's lifestyle when you establish the layout of your house. If your dog goes outside, make sure he can come back in through an area that's durable and easy to clean. Decorate an entry in ways that make it easy to clean your dogs before they enter the rest of your home. Also, consider shelves where you can keep towels used to wipe the dirt off the dogs when they came inside from the yard.

Upholstery

There are lots of options that will make life with a pet easier. It’s important to choose fabrics that hide stains and won’t attract fur.

• Leather is durable and stain resistant. Wiping away fur is a breeze! One word of caution: if your cats still have their claws, be careful they do not use the leather to sharpen them. Even leather can’t stand up to kitty claws. Also, keep your dog’s nails trimmed as well, because puppy claws can also leave a lasting mark on leather.
•  Microfiber is a synthetic fiber with very thin strands that can be made to look like suede or leather. It doesn't rip or scratch easily, and cleaning up pet hair is not time-consuming. All you need is a lint brush, or sometimes just your hands can do the trick! Most stains come out of microfiber with soap and water. Stubborn stains can be outed with a mild cleaner.
•  Patterns and texture help hide everyday issues like dirt and pet hair. They also help camouflage small stains until they can be properly cleaned by a steamer.

Also consider choosing upholstery that blends with your pet’s hair. If you bring a white chair into the house with a black lab, you are asking for trouble. If you are looking for a simple solution for already existing furniture, consider throws. A few strategically placed and easy-to-wash throw blankets will help preserve your furniture.

Storage is always at a premium in a small space, but nowhere is that more true than in the bathroom. There are so many little odds and ends like makeup, razors, hairbrushes, and toilet paper that need to be put out of the way. If the clutter in your bathroom is getting a little out of control, it’s time to get inventive with storage.

Add Shelves

Add shelves to your small space to make the most of your storage options. Try a waterproof version over the sink, such as metal or glass. There are also over-the-toilet options that won’t take up floor space. If you do have the room, consider a set of sturdy open-face shelves for easy access.

Add a Useful Cabinet

It’s easier than you think to add a cabinet into the cramped space of a bathroom. Swap out your sink counter for a sink that sits on top of an accent cabinet. There are many bowl options that sit on top of the counter instead of inside. You’ll increase countertop space as well as storage below.

Use Hooks

Not every bathroom has place for towel racks, so try using hooks on the bathroom side of the door to hang towels, robes and clothes. You can also use hooks near the sink for wash cloths and hooks inside the shower stall for your loofa.

Side Table

Instead of placing books, magazines or pictures on the back of the commode, consider adding a small table next to the toilet. You can add a lamp and even a phone charger. You can also use the space to store extra rolls of toilet paper!

Baskets

Baskets can also add a decorative touch to your bathroom. Use a basket on the counter to creatively display hand towels. A basket on the back of the toilet can be used for extra rolls of toilet paper and even bath towels.

Your game room is now quiet, your seven-seater dining room table is being used a bit less, and you no longer have to fight for a spot on the sectional sofa. Your kids have grown up and flown the coup, so now it’s time to update your empty nest.

Downsize Dining Room Table

Small round tables aren't just for breakfast nooks or eat-in kitchens. Look past the giant dining table and give yourself some extra space by opting for a small, round dining table instead. A table with folding leaves is also a great option for when the kids drop by for dinner.

Upgrade to a Multi-Use Room

Unsure of what to do with the old game room? Try turning it into a multi-use room. This room could now serve as an office, craft room, guestroom and more. The key is to invest in pieces that serve a few purposes while all working together. First, decide what the main purpose of the multi-use room will be. If the answer is guestroom that will sometimes serve as a craft area, keep its main function in mind when choosing furniture. Consider incorporating soft furniture that’s functional but feels like it belongs in a bedroom.

Trade in the Sectional

Sectional sofas are wonderful for large families, but when your children leave, you may be left with a lot of unused seating space. It may be time for a more traditional arrangement. Consider a sofa, love seat, and recliner combination. It will take up less space and every seat in the living room will now be the best seat in the house!

Add Accent Pieces

Parents sometimes have to trade in eccentric style for function, but now is the time to let your style shine. Shop accent pieces you never dreamed of before: new buffets, side tables, interesting chairs and more. Find the statement piece you’ve always dreamed of!

When decorating a home, most people don’t truly start from scratch. There’s probably a family piece here and there that will be passed down to help complete your look. It can be a challenge to pair family heirlooms with new furniture pieces, but with a little ingenuity, older pieces will help complete your décor.

An eclectic dining room with mis-matched chairs may not be the dining set you’ve always dreamed of, but it can become the star of your home. Pair your hand-me-down with a vintage style farmhouse table for a unique look! You can even paint the chairs in various colors for a truly stunning dining experience.

Lucky enough to land a chaise lounge? Then you will be the envy of the neighborhood! Whether it’s a stand-alone chaise lounge or one that’s part of a sectional sofa, these beauties pair function and fashion. They are also timeless, versatile, and can easily go into a living room, office, or bedroom. Sometimes the fabric may need to be updated, but the style of the Chaise lasts forever. It can even be a winner in the bedroom. Place it in a corner, add a floor lamp and side table and it will make a perfect reading nook.

What to do with that old bar? Adding a bar or wine fridge to the kitchen is all the rage right now. But back in the 50’s and 60’s you were likely to find a small, mobile bar in the corner or a long Credenza bar up against a wall. Even if you have a new modern bar in your kitchen, don’t put your vintage bar by the curb! If you love entertaining and celebrating with cocktails then the credenza is for you even more so in a modern home. Make it the highlight of your living or dining room.

Make that vintage coffee table stand out! Even if your new furniture is traditional or farmhouse style, you can always do a mid-century coffee table. So, don’t put your great-uncle’s retro table to the roadside just yet. Contemporary tables are typically low-profile and relatively simple, and they complement almost any design scheme.

One week it’s robots, the next it’s dinosaurs, then along comes a new movie that’s the new must have for their bedroom. Keeping up with the ever-changing tastes of your child can make decorating his bedroom challenging. There’s a way to decorate kids’ rooms without changing everything every month. The key is to invest in a look that grows with your child.

Timeless Furniture:

Look for furniture that you could keep in your home for years to come. For example, rather than buying a child-sized bureau, choose one that their clothes will grow into. If you have the space, invest in a double bed over a single to accommodate more sleeping arrangements and visiting guests.

Multifunctional Furniture:

Double-duty furniture is ideal, especially when looking to transition a room from a space that is fit for an infant into one that is ready for a child. Think outside the idea of a standard changing table and purchase a desk or dresser that can be fitted with a padded changing mat. This way, you can use the changing table while you need it, but your child has a ready-made space to do her homework once she starts school.

The same hold true when you are purchasing beds. Look for one that has built-in storage underneath. The storage will help the room stay looking crisp and clean while also giving you extra options to put away a never-ending supply of toys.

Keep the Design Neutral:

When your child is a baby, it’s tempting to cover the walls in pastel paints and the floors with an adorable plush rug. But these design elements will not age well. Pick paint colors that are warm and inviting, classic finishes for your furniture, and floor coverings that are universal. Leave incorporating trendy décor to items that you won’t mind replacing when they go out of style.

Have Fun with Accessories:

This is where you can let your child’s personality really come out to play. Get them that astronaut bedspread or Old MacDonald’s sheets. Highlight their artwork in easy to change out frames. Let them get that hot pink fuzzy throw blanket or sequined pillow. These items can easily be replaced when a new trend comes around.

When people enter your home, they need to know they are in for a welcoming experience. Every room they encounter can be tweaked to feel cozy and beckon them to go a bit further into your space. Scatter unexpected seating areas and arrange your furniture to spark conversation. Here are a few tips to get started.

Begin at the Beginning: Entryway

Many entryways can accommodate a quaint place to sit, take off your shoes, rest after a quick run up the stairs, or find some privacy to read a book. A small accent chair with a chic round table looks warm and functional. Add a lamp and a small picture frame or two for a more personal touch.

You can create an interesting impression of the décor throughout your home with a mix of textures in your entryway. Consider a dramatic faux fur rug paired with an understated table. If your rug makes enough of a statement consider a smaller table and maybe add an interesting lamp.

Remember to make your entryway functional. A welcoming entryway isn’t just a place to hurry past, it can be a place to store items in creative pieces of furniture and even a place to sit down and rest. Keep your design pieces clear of the actual walking path and let people decide whether they intend to stop and stay a while.

First Stop: Living Room

Think about how your living room is structured. Is your standard 3-cushion sofa facing the TV or is it facing the other seating? Is your sectional sofa playing off of other furniture or is it the only seating in the room? Put some thought into the arrangement. Try to make your furniture inspire conversation first, and a good view of the TV second. Have your furniture face each other so conversation can flow. Try to choose an ottoman or coffee table for the center that will allow for board game nights or a quick game of charades.

Next Stop: The Kitchen

It’s inevitable: guests will always end up in the kitchen at some point during their visit to your home. Be sure you have seating at the counter or kitchen island to make guests feel welcome. Stools are a great idea and so is a small breakfast nook style table and chairs.

Final Destination: Dining Room

A dinner party is the perfect way to get friends and family in to your home. If you love large gatherings, choose a table that expands to accommodate 7 or 8 guests, but can downsize for your typical family meals.  Bench seating is also a great option because you can squeeze a few extra people here and there for a truly cozy dining experience.