Kelby KnuttDesign Tip

Do you ever feel like you need a pick-me-up to put a little pep in your step? Maybe you have your eye on a new pair of boots for the fall, a great pair of jeans that fit just right, or the hottest new lipstick hue? We get it. It’s nice to feel refreshed after mixing up our appearance a bit, and our homes are no exception. Sometimes our homes need easy pick-me-ups that are fabulous and fresh to make everyday living and entertaining fun again. Just as a great pair of jeans or the right shade of lipstick can make us feel like a new person, it doesn’t take much to bring out the best in our living spaces either.

Whether you want to amp up the functionality of your home, or button-up the design of a space, the decorating pros at Star Furniture have you covered. We’ve weighed in on five fabulous pieces that can take any room in your home to the next level. Check them out:

1. Anchor in an Awesome Arm Chair

When it comes to creating comfortable seating arrangements in your home, your living room sofa or sectional is usually the top priority. It’s true that having a quality sofa or sectional is an essential element for any family room, but it certainly shouldn’t be the only one. Armchairs are perhaps one of the most underappreciated home furnishings that can have the biggest impact on living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, and dining rooms alike. Along with providing a comfy place to perch, armchairs can add much-needed color, texture, and visual intrigue to rooms that could use an inviting touch.

Of course, not every armchair is created equally. With so many styles to choose from, finding the right one for your home can be an overwhelming task. Here are some questions from the Star Furniture design experts that can help you find the right armchair to enhance any room in your home:

  • What style do you have in mind? Do you want the chair to act as an accent piece or seamlessly blend in with its surroundings? Look for one that complements the surrounding decor of the room, not clashes. 
  • Is it comfortable? Is the seat height, seat depth, cushion construction and pitch of the chair just right for those who will use it most often. Consider shopping for a chair in person so you can test out how it feels before buying. 
  • Does it have the features you need, such as swiveling or reclining?
  • Is the fabric easy to care for? This is especially important if it will experience a lot of wear and tear from children, pets, and frequent entertaining.

Once you’ve found the perfect chair that meets your style and comfort needs, why not get two? Pairing two armchairs side by side may be just the thing your room needs to feel balanced and polished while providing an additional comfy space for your loved ones to sit.

2. Add Practical Bar Stools

There’s a reason that the kitchen has been lovingly referred to as the “heart of the home.” No matter how cozy and inviting your living room may be, family and guests alike always seem to make their way into the kitchen to enjoy food, conversation, and fun. Because the kitchen is the area of the home where so much life unfolds (think: cooking, entertaining, and catching up), it’s important to add elements that make this space more conducive for these activities. One furnishing that should find a home in every kitchen, regardless of its size or style, is kitchen bar or counter swivel stools. These must-haves are as comfortable as they are practical, providing the perfect spot for anyone to have a seat, chat, and enjoy a bite to eat, oftentimes while the host is busy working among the pots and the pans.

If you’re going to bring in a few bar or counter stools to your kitchen, you might as well get ones that swivel. This is especially nice for open floor plans where kitchens, dining rooms, and living rooms meet. Your family and friends can easily turn from one room to the next without missing a beat. Best of all, modern kitchen bar and counter stools come in an array of styles ranging from simple and understated to bold and chic to perfectly complement any home decor style. Here are some of our favorites at Star Furniture:

3. Add a Great Piece of Wall Art

Of course, the furniture and accessories that you use to decorate your home will have a big impact on the way that each room looks and feels, but there’s one element that can ensure that your hard work of carefully coordinating furnishings, light fixtures, and knick-knacks pays off: wall art. The decor that you choose to adorn your walls will ultimately make or break the overall aesthetic of the space. Each piece should complement the surrounding decor used within the space, including color scheme, furniture style, and scale of the room. 

It goes without saying that the artwork or other wall hangings you display should look great, but it’s also important to consider how you hang them. The perfect photograph or painting may not have the positive impact you envisioned if hung too high, too low, or in the wrong location. Fortunately, the trusted Star Furniture design experts are here to show you how simple hanging wall art in your home like a professional truly is. Check out these tips:

  • Wall art should be hung at eye level so that the person who’s admiring it doesn’t have to move their head up or down. A good rule of thumb is to hang the center of the piece 57 inches above the floor.
  • Make a “rough draft” before hammering nails into the wall. Use painter’s tape to hang paper that is the same size and shape as the wall hanging to see how it looks in a certain spot before committing.
  • Choose a piece that uses the same color scheme as the other decor within the room to create a cohesive aesthetic.
  • For a polished look that’s easy to change up over time, create a simple gallery wall using frames that are the same size and color. 

4. Upgrade Your Mattress

Few things are as important as getting a good night’s sleep, night after night. Along with helping you function optimally and feel your best, quality sleep is an essential part of living a long, healthy life. While many things contribute to how well (or poorly) you sleep, your mattress has a major role to play. A comfortable mattress promotes restful sleep while an uncomfortable mattress can make it difficult to fall asleep or sleep through the night without interruption. 

Plenty of homeowners put off replacing their uncomfortable mattresses because it’s not something that’s noticed or appreciated by visitors. You may not get compliments on a great mattress from guests in the same way you would for a new sofa or dining room set, but don’t cheat yourself! Your family and friends are sure to notice the new and improved you that is happier and healthier thanks to a great night’s sleep. Keep these tips in mind when it’s time to replace your old, poor quality, or uncomfortable mattress with one you’ll look forward to sleeping on:

  • Take note of what you don’t like about your current mattress. Whether it’s too firm, too soft, or not spacious enough, knowing what you want to avoid will help narrow down your search when shopping for a new mattress.
  • Read online reviews of which mattresses other customers love and why. 
  • Lie down on a wide range of mattresses in a trusted furniture store, such as Star Furniture, to get a firsthand idea of which mattress is right for you.
  • Don’t skimp on quality when you’re shopping for that perfect mattress. Everyone loves a good value. Remember that value is where price and quality overlap. Spending a bit more on a mattress and foundation may ensure you’ll get a good night’s sleep for years on end.
  • You’re not the only one who deserves to sleep well in your home. If you can’t remember when you purchased the mattress in your guest room, chances are that it’s time to replace it. Even if it’s rarely used, you want your overnight guests to be as comfortable and rested as possible when staying at your house. 

5. Add a Versatile Bench

Sometimes, the real star of a room is more of a supporting player. If you’re looking for an easy, cost-effective way to take virtually any area of your home to the next level, consider adding a bench. At first glance, benches may not seem special in terms of adding dramatic visual appeal or over-the-top comfort, but once you’ve added a bench (or three) to your living spaces, you’ll wonder how you ever functioned without them before. Here are some of the Star Furniture designers’ favorite ways to enhance the style and comfort of their homes with a fabulous bench:

  • A bench is an entryway’s best friend. Placing a bench by your front door or in your mudroom is a simple way to style an otherwise bare space while making your home more user-friendly. Along with providing a comfy place to take off your shoes when you walk through the door, a bench can also pair beautifully with wicker baskets to hold shoes, pet supplies, and kids’ everyday essentials. 
  • For rooms where adding an armchair is out of the question due to lack of space, a bedroom bench is a wonderful alternative. Simply place it at the foot of the bed, then drape it with a plush throw blanket to bring the look together.
  • Adding a bench to your dining room is a no-brainer. For families with small children, benches are easy for young ones to climb onto and can hold multiple kiddos. Likewise, for homes that entertain frequently, benches can provide additional seating when needed, and can easily be pushed against a wall or under a window when not in use. 
  • Pro tip: Look for benches with built-in storage. This will allow you to store everything from spare linens in your bedroom to entertaining pieces in your dining room.

Take Your Home to the Next Level with Star Furniture

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or undergo a major home renovation to create living spaces that are beautiful, comfortable, and functional. Oftentimes, incorporating a simple, affordable piece of furniture can make a world of difference in transforming your ordinary house into a home. The trick is being able to recognize which pieces of furniture are the ones that can help you achieve the result you have in mind.

At Star Furniture, we’re proud to offer an amazing selection of quality furnishings that can enhance every area of your home, including armchairs, counter stools, wall art, mattresses, benches, and more. Our trusted interior designers have years of decorating expertise that can guide you on the journey of creating the end result of your dreams without breaking the bank or taking months to complete. Check out our social media sites to find inspiration for your next decorating project, then stop by our convenient showroom location to get started. We look forward to helping you make your home shine!

If you enjoyed this blog, check out this one about how to get your living room ready for holiday entertainment.