If your tossing and turning is accompanied by squeaking, then it’s time to repair or replace something. Read on for ways to resolve the squeaky noises your bed makes. 

Cause: Bed Frame

If your bed frame is to blame for the noises, find out exactly where the squeaking is coming from by pushing down or sitting on all areas of the bed.

Once you find the source(s) of the squeaking, tighten the screws, readjust the bed frame, or lubricate rusted elements with Gulf Wax. 

The problem could be the headboard or footboard, which are attached by metal joints that could shift and rub together if not adjoined fully or tightly. 

To fix this, lift up both sides of the bed rails, then securely put the headboard and footboard in place, making sure the metal joints lock.

Cause: Mattress

A squeaky bed can also be caused by the springs in your mattress. Before anything else, trying rotating and/or flipping your mattress to see if that helps stop the squeaking noises. 

The next step in solving this problem would be lubricating the springs in the box spring with WD-40, a multi- use product that protects metal from rust and corrosion.  

If neither one of these methods stops the squeaking, it may be time for you to get a new mattress, especially if there are other problems with the mattress like dips and visible tears.

When Should You Really Replace Your Mattress?

Cause: Floor

Believe it or not, the location of your bed actually matters. If your floorboards are uneven or your bed is on top of carpet, then that could very well contribute to your bed frame creaking. 

Relocate your bed to a location where the floorboards are even, and carefully push back the bed frame against the wall for security.

We recommend trying some of these solutions before buying a new bed frame or mattress. Hopefully, you can resolve the squeaking in an inexpensive way. 

However you’re able to resolve the problem, though, what’s most important is that you get quality sleep- and that begins with a quiet bed!

How to Set Up Your Bedroom for Ideal Sleep

The farmhouse style is the country cousin of shabby chic. Although they share some similarities, they’re nonetheless two different looks.

Gaining popularity in recent years, farmhouse is rustic without being woodsy and light without being girly. Read on for its main concepts!

Light Walls

Almost always, you’ll find that farmhouse-styled rooms have light-colored walls like shades of white, grey, and beige.

Using light colors on walls makes rooms feel fresh, open, and even larger, all of the things you would expect in a farmhouse.

Main Concepts of Shabby Chic Interior Design

Whitewash Furniture

From coffee tables and cabinets to dining and bedroom sets, whitewash furniture is a staple of the farmhouse style.

While not everything has to be whitewashed, having a piece or two in this finish contributes to the fresh country look.

Contrast

Sometimes, the light and airy look of farmhouse style is contrasted with a grounding color such as black or brown.

The contrast is usually in the form of dark furniture and decor and looks stark against the light backdrop that farmhouse often has.

How to Give a Rich Look to My Living Room

Wood Tones

With light walls and whitewashed furniture, farmhouse often includes wood tones to warm up a space.

Wood tones often show up through furniture and flooring but can also come in the form of decor and shelving.

Top Home Decor Trends of 2020

Country Decor

Nothing says “country” more than accents that look like they’re straight from the farm like lanterns, signage, and windmills.

These decorations are quite mainstream now so you can find them at both craft stores and department stores; antique shops and flea markets are also great places to find decor.

Open Shelving

Farmhouse design is simple, and you’ll often see open shelving like the rustic-industrial ones pictured.

The open shelving can be used to hold plates, kitchen utensils, etc., but they can also display decor and photos.

Barn Doors

As the farmhouse look has grown in popularity, so have barn doors. You’ll find them on a number of furniture pieces as well as decor.

In terms of furniture, you’ll often see barn doors on TV stands and bedroom furniture on chests and headboards.

Rustic Accents

Rustic accents such as lighting and shelving can especially evoke that farmhouse feeling in your home.

Other ideas: you can also replace your doors with barn doors and change install a wood wall cabinet.

Buffalo Check

Farmhouse style favors solids over patterns, but one pattern you’ll often find in farmhouse spaces is buffalo check.

You can incorporate buffalo check in a number of ways from throw pillows and blankets to table runners and floor mats.

Ten Terrific Ideas for Summer Home Decor

Window Panels

Window panels are a popular choice for decor when it comes to styling your home in the farmhouse theme.

You’ll often see empty window panels on walls above console tables and sofas, and, sometimes, they hang on an empty wall.

Ladders

Ladders are another popular item you’ll see in farmhouse decor and are often used to display knick knacks and hold blankets or towels.

Ladders can also be used to prop up or hang photos as a unique alternative to a multi-photo frame.

Plants

Fewer things are more fitting for farmhouse style than bringing in plants in pots or planters.

Whether you like flowers or simple greenery, plants will breathe new life into any room and make your space feel more cheery.

How to Make a Room Feel More Cheery

Warming Words

Add more warmth to your farmhouse home by using signage that says things such as “welcome,” “home, sweet home,” or anything else that makes you feel happy.

You can also add a personal touch to your space with signage that features your monogram or your household’s last name.

Crates and Baskets

As far as farmhouse decor goes, crates and baskets are actually quite useful!

They’re great for organization and storage in every area of the house whether it’s the kitchen, living room, bathroom, or bedroom.

Spruce up Your Home with These Spring Decorating Ideas

Wall Hooks

Looking through photos of farmhouse-inspired homes, you’ll often see hooks for hanging keys, jackets, and bags, especially in the foyer.

You can also use hooks to hang photos and create a rustic gallery wall of sorts.

What are your favorite elements of farmhouse style? We’d love to hear in the comments below!

Although we’re in the 2020s, interior design continues to favor the rustic, and what gives off rural charm more than a lovely wood dining table? 

Tips for Buying Dining Room Furniture

The beauty of a solid wood dining table is unmatched and makes for a timeless family heirloom that can be passed down and cherished for generations.

This topic begs the question: what are the best woods for dining tables? Studies have shown that a variety of hardwoods like mahogany, walnut, maple, oak and teak are preferable for their functionality and texture. 

Each of these types also has an attractive grain size as they’re beautifully natural; not to mention, hardwood dining tables are also eco-friendly!

Hardwood dining tables do require some maintenance but are manageable to clean. There are wood cleaners on the market, but all you really need to clean a hardwood surface is soapy water and a soft cloth. 

Can You Use Windex to Clean Wood Furniture?

Perhaps the most popular shapes for hardwood tables are rectangles and circles. Rectangular tables are ideal for larger dining areas whereas circular tables best suit smaller dining areas. 

What is the Best Shape Dining Table in a Small Room?

As far as seating around a hardwood dining table goes, you have several options. The majority of the time, a dining table will be available with matching chairs.

Sometimes, there are also matching benches; for a rectangular table, you could use just two benches, two benches and two chairs, or four chairs and a bench. 

How do you know if you should go for chairs, benches, or both? Opt for benches if you want to save space and maintain clear sight lines.

There’s a rising trend of mixing furniture, so you can also be daring and use mismatched chairs and benches with your hardwood dining table.

What Are the Best Ways to Design a Dining Room Space?

Whatever your style, a hardwood dining table is a beautiful addition to any dining space and will make a perfect gathering place for years to come.

People occasionally change their furniture for a number of different reasons; sometimes, the change is intentional while other times it’s not. The following factors often contribute to when people change their furniture:  

Style

Our sense of style says a lot about who we are, so it’s understandable that we want to change our home interiors to reflect us as individuals. As we grow older, our tastes may change, and we may want to change our furniture to achieve a certain look or make our home overall more attractive.

Top Ten Home Decor Trends of 2020

Replacement

Some furniture needs to be changed more frequently than others, especially pieces that we rest on like beds and upholstery. The average sofa can last up to five years, and a mattress usually lasts for five to ten years; of course, these estimates vary depending on use. 

When Should You Really Replace Your Mattress?

Space 

People often change their furniture when they’re downsizing or expanding so their pieces better fit their space. This is especially the case with retirees who give up their large homes for more manageable abodes, and they can’t take bulky furniture pieces with them. 

Guests

People may change their furniture to better accommodate- and impress- their house guests. Some may totally revamp entire rooms while others will upgrade their living room and dining room furniture. People also buy furniture for their guest bedrooms with the comfort of visitors in mind.

Furniture You Need in a Guest Bedroom

Natural Disasters 

Unfortunately, we cannot control natural disasters like tornadoes and floods; there are also instances in which fires are uncontrollable. Furniture may be tarnished or completely ruined in the process, forcing people to purchase new furniture. 

How often do you change your furniture? Do you wish you could change it less often or more frequently? Let us know in the comments!

Do you want your dining room set to be a certain finish?

Do you like the arms of one sofa but the legs of another one?

If you want furniture that reflects your unique style, then custom ordering is the way to go.

Most of the time, you’ll find that there are little to no choices when it comes to customizing furniture.

Fortunately, some retailers have custom order programs that give you different choices in frames, finishes, and fabrics; in fact, depending on the line, the number of options can be overwhelming!

The process of ordering custom furniture may understandably seem complex and daunting to some, especially those who have a hard time making decisions, but we’ve broken it down into several simple steps.

Before You Get Started…

Just like with any other big purchase, you should do some research and prepare before you begin customizing your furniture.

Think About Your Wants/Needs

Custom furniture isn’t cheap, and retailers won’t allow you to return your order without a restocking fee, so think about what you really want and need in your furniture before placing a custom order.

For example, you may want a large sectional for your den but take into account the room’s dimensions and decide that a sofa with a chaise and a loveseat would better fit your space.

Things to Do Before You Go Furniture Shopping

Get Ideas

Whether you’re redecorating an entire room or just getting a new sofa, take some time to gather ideas of styles and colors you like.

Also, envision how your custom piece will look with other new or existing furniture as well as your walls, floors, and decor for a cohesive design.

What Should I Do First: Home Wall Color or Furniture?

Measure Your Space

It’s especially important to measure your space before placing a custom order so you know that your new pieces will comfortably fit.

In addition to the room, you should also measure your hallways and entryways as well to make sure that you can get your new furniture into your home.

Tips for Buying Dining Room Furniture

The Custom-Order Process

Now that you’ve thought about your wants and needs, gotten some ideas, and measured your space, you’re ready to start shopping for custom furniture and checking out all of your options.

Choose Your Style

In a given custom order program, you’ll have at least several styles to chose from whether its stationary upholstery, motion (reclining) furniture, or dining room sets.

Sometimes, with stationary upholstery, you can even pick out the arm style, back cushion style, and leg/skirt style- talk about custom furniture!

Choose Your Finish

When custom ordering dining room furniture, you can choose the wood finish for both the table and chairs; sometimes, there are color options like white and black. We once offered a set that came in sea foam green!

If you’re custom ordering stationary furniture, you might possibly have the option of choosing the finish of the legs; often times, you’ll have two or three options.

Choose Your Fabric

Of all the elements, you’ll likely have the most options when it comes to fabric types and colors. Most fabrics are polyester or a polyester blend, and main differences come down to how the fabric is woven and how the fabric feels.

In addition to fabrics, you may also have leather options and even leather-like fabric options; if you want the most durable leather, however, make sure to go for top-grain leather that’s fully aniline-dyed.

What is the Most Durable Leather for Furniture?

Choose Power Features

With motion furniture, you often have the option of upgrading to power so that the footrest goes up and down with the tap of a button.

In recent years, power options have expanded to include power headrests and even power lumbar support; then there’s heat and massage for recliners.

What’s the Best Recliner for People with Back Problems?

Things to Keep in Mind

You’ll have to wait on your custom order because it certainly won’t be made overnight. Custom orders are almost always made-to-order, and craftsmanship takes time, so expect to wait anywhere from three to ten weeks on your custom order depending on the manufacturer.

When you receive your custom order, you might notice a couple of slight differences from the floor model.

For one, you might notice that your custom order sits firmer than the floor model; this is to be expected as the floor model has been “broken-in” after being sat in numerous times.

Another different you might notice with your custom order is that it might have a slightly different feel because you chose a different fabric from the floor model.

Speaking of fabrics, you may also perceive your fabric color to be slightly lighter than the swatch, which can be expected since a material looks darker on a small swatch than it does on a larger piece of furniture.

The custom-order process is as simple as making a few choices and waiting for your order to arrive. If you experience some indecision, don’t worry because your salesperson will be there to make recommendations based on your preferences as well as popular choices and trends.

Do you have a custom piece of furniture that you love? Tell us about it in the comments!

Whether you’re downsizing or already living in small quarters, you’ll find that bigger isn’t always better when it comes to home size. Living in a small space certainly has its benefits!

1. Less Expensive

Living in a smaller space means lower mortgage or rent, and everyone can appreciate that! It also means lower costs in utilities such as electricity and water since there’s less area to cover.  

2. Lower Maintenance 

Living in a smaller space also means lower maintenance. With less square footage, your time spent cleaning and doing yard work is cut down tremendously! There are also less things to repair.

3. Simpler Lifestyle 

Living in a smaller space encourages a simpler lifestyle as there’s less room for clutter, which studies have repeatedly shown increases stress and anxiety. This also translates into you buying less and saving more!

How to Make a Room Feel More Relaxing 

4. More Togetherness 

In a large space, people can spread out into different rooms and isolate themselves, but not in a small space! Spending quality time is more important than ever with numerous distractions and hectic schedules. 

5. Increased Creativity and Organization

Another benefit of living in a smaller space is that it encourages you to be more creative and organized since you have limited space. You can find all kinds of ideas for small living on blogs and sites such as Pinterest. 

Design Tips for Living in a Small Space

While living in a smaller space presents its challenges, its benefits are undeniable. Overall, you’ll spend less money and time and feel less stressed. You’ll also enjoy spending more quality time with loved ones and the opportunity for creative problem-solving, which can be quite fun!

What are your favorite things about living in a small space? We’d love to hear them in the comments!

Keep Your Focal Point in Mind

If your focal point is a wall, a bold statement piece would certainly maximize this space and add style to your living room.

There are cases, though, when wall decor should complement- not compete with- your focal point, say, if you have a grand fireplace or gorgeous view.

What is the Best Way to Arrange Living Room Furniture

Measure Your Walls

You’ll definitely want to measure your walls before you begin shopping for wall decor because your space will determine the number and size of pieces you get.

Generally speaking, less is more, but if you like a “busier” look or simply like a lot of different pieces, there’s a way to style your living room so it looks cozy as opposed to cluttered.

Things to Do Before You Go Furniture Shopping

Consider the Different Sizes

Wall decor comes in several sizes: oversized (41″+), large (33-40″) , medium (25-32″) , small (18-24″) , and mini (10-17″).

If you don’t enough wall space for a large or oversized piece, you could create a gallery wall by arranging a series of small and mini decor.

How to Give a Rich Look to My Living Room

Choose Wall Decor That’s to Scale

Pieces that are too large or too small can look awkward, so be mindful when purchasing and placing wall decor. If something seems “off,” then it likely is and needs to be reevaluated.

As a rule of thumb, if you place wall art over something, like a sofa, you want the wall decor to be no larger than 2/3 the size of the sofa.

Pay Attention to Color and Style

You can use wall decor to complement or contrast with your existing furniture and decor, but it’s often recommended for the background color of your larger pieces to match your wall color.

Also, select wall decor that reflects your living room style or experiment with styles and pair a contemporary painting with your traditional decor (or vice versa).

Purchase What You Love!

While style is important, you should ultimately select wall decor that you love.

Decorating for the Fourth of July doesn’t have to be expensive. Check out these budget-friendly decor ideas for Fourth of July that pop!

Mini American Flags

A cheap and EASY way to decorate for the Fourth of July is simply placing mini American flags in glasses and planters around the house.

Ten Terrific Ideas for Summer Home Decor

Red, White, and Blue Ribbons

There are a number of simple Fourth of July crafts you can make with ribbons such as flag-inspired red, white, and blue wall hanging.

Simple and Easy Crafts for Wall Art

Paint it Red, White, and Blue

Another budget-friendly decor idea is painting your tin planters- or any other plain decor- red, white, and blue for the Fourth of July.

Old Americana Decor

Break out some red or blue vintage decor like Coca Cola memorabilia to add a classic touch to your Fourth of July vignettes.

Top Ten Home Decor Trends of 2020

Festive Banners

Decorate on a budget this Fourth of July by hanging a red, white, and blue banner on your mantle, table, or shelving.

Patriotic Crafts

Make Fourth of July crafts with the kids and display your creations alongside your other seasonal decor.

Red, White, and Blue Throw Pillows

Toss some red, white, and blue throw pillows on your upholstery or patio furniture to add some extra spark to your Fourth of July decor.

Home Decor | Small Changes, HUGE Impact

Colored Glass Bottles

Red, white, and blue bottles could you used to hold flags, flowers, or both! They’re especially pretty arranged on a table or a window sill.

Patriotic Wreaths

Stick a mini American flag in a wreath or go all out with a wreath of red, white, and blue flowers and ribbons.

Red, White, and Blue Bandanas

There are multiple ways you can use red, white, and blue bandanas as decor, one way being as napkins for your Fourth of July cookout.

We wish you a happy Fourth of July and hope our blog post has given you some budget-friendly decor. Which of these ideas are you likely to try? Let us know in the comments!

Who doesn’t want their home to look luxurious? Give a rich look to your living room with these simple tips and tricks!

Fresh Paint

Take your walls from drab to fab with a fresh coat of paint. This inexpensive fix will instantly add more value to your living room.

Which Should I Do First: Home Wall Color or Furniture?

Molding

Another thing you can do to your walls to give your living room a rich look is install molding.

Neutral Walls

If you research luxurious living rooms, you’ll find that the majority of them have neutral walls, so paint your walls in a classic color like white, beige, or grey.

Best Decor Advice for New Homes

Built-In Cabinets

Built-in cabinets just look stately, and you can get the look without hiring a contractor by combining two or more bookcases.

Contrast

In design, high drama equals high-class, so contrast light and dark colors in your living room through furniture and decor.

Should Living Room Furniture Match?

Intentional Color Palette

Pick a color palette for your living room and stick to it. Being intentional with color makes a room look like it was carefully styled, and, thus, more expensive.

High, Luxurious Curtains

Having the right window treatments can give a rich look to your living room. Opt for quality, floor-length drapes and, if you don’t have tall windows, place the curtain rod higher to create the illusion of such.

Metallic Accents

Add some sparkle and shine to your living room through metallic decor. You can even work in metals through your furniture like end tables and cabinets.

Home Decor | Small Changes, HUGE Impact

Large-Scale Wall Art

A large painting or photograph will elevate the look of your living room as it shows your appreciation for art; pieces like these can also serve as a focal point.

What is the Best Way to Arrange Living Room Furniture

Gallery Wall

If you have ample wall space, consider making one of your walls a “gallery” with a series of small photos and/or paintings.

Mirrors

Hanging up a mirror or two adds style to your living room as well as helps the space look larger than what it actually is.

Design Tips for Living in a Small Space

Lighting

Make your living room look more upscale by ensuring it’s illuminated with adequate daylight as well as table lamps and floor lamps, if necessary.

How to Make a Room Feel More Cheery

Antiques

Another way you can give you living room a rich look is by having at least one antique on display, and all the better if the antique has some gilding or weight to it.

Top Ten Home Decor Trends of 2020

Fresh Flowers

While fake plants can sometimes look cheap, you’ll never have that problem with a live bouquet, so place some fresh flowers on your coffee table or console to make your living room look more expensive overall.

Throw Pillows

Throw pillows are an easy way to upgrade any room and give you the opportunity to play with color and texture.

Textures

Having different textures in a room adds interest and depth to a space, so incorporate multiple textures like woods, fabrics, plants, and metals in your living room.

How to Make a Room Feel More Relaxing

Area Rug

Area rugs not only define a space but tie everything together, making your living room look complete. You may decide to have more than one rug if you have a large living room or want to layer rugs.

Tips for Decorating a Large Living Room

Vignette

Take your living room to the next level by creating one or more vignettes; this will show careful planning and attention to detail that people pay for.

How to Give Your Space New Life With Things You Already Have

Declutter

A rich living room isn’t necessarily filled with furniture and decor; less is more as a space without clutter looks more elegant and refined.

Keep Your Space Clean

After you’ve decluttered and styled your living room, keep your space looking rich by keeping it clean!

We hope that our blog post has given you some ideas when it comes to giving your living room a richer look. Which of these tips and tricks do you see yourself trying? Tell us in the comments!

In design, bigger isn’t always better. Larger rooms can have their own challenges like feeling “cold” or having too much dead space.

Avoid these pitfalls and make your space look complete and cozy by following these tried-and-true tips for decorating a large living room.

Establish a Focal Point

Even in a large living room, the eye will tend to go to one spot, so determine your focal point and accentuate it with your furniture and decor placement.

What is the Best Way to Arrange Living Room Furniture?

Divide Your Living Room into Zones

It’s likely that your large living room serves a few purposes, so divide this space into zones for specific activities like chatting, watching TV, and playing board games.

Create a Second Seating Area

If your living room is large enough, create a second seating area where people can relax and chat. This will give you more seating options and utilize otherwise dead space.

Define and Anchor Zones

Place an area rug in each zone to define as well as anchor the space. Additionally, you can anchor each zone by placing an ottoman or coffee in the center.

Home Decor | Small Changes, HUGE Impact

Select Furniture That’s to Scale

A large living room calls for larger furniture, so don’t hesitate to get that extra-long sofa or L-shaped sectional. If you have high ceilings, you’ll also want to make sure that bookshelves and hutches are tall as well.

What are the Best Ways to Design a Dining Room Space?

Choose Larger Decor as Well

Take up some extra space in a large living room by choosing larger wall art, accent furniture, and plants. One of these larger pieces can also serve as a focal point if your living room doesn’t already have one.

Get a Media Center

There’s no better way to designate a space for watching TV or playing video games than having a large wall unit with shelves, a TV stand, and a bridge. The extra storage also comes in handy.

Avoid Wall-Hugging

Push your upholstery away from the walls when you can to create a cozier, more intimate seating area. “Floating” your furniture like this can be especially beneficial in spacious rooms where walls are far apart.

Stick to a Single Color Scheme

Stick to a single color scheme in a large living room so that the room has a natural flow and doesn’t look too busy with a wide variety of colors.

Vary Patterns and Textures

Use different patterns and textures in your large living room to create visual interest as well as instill a sense of warmth. You can introduce these elements through decor such as pillows, throw blankets, wall art, rugs, plants, and accent furniture.

Master Bedroom Must-Haves

Add More Lighting if Necessary

If you have a large living room, chances are you have large windows that let in natural light. However, make sure have sufficient lighting at night with tables lamps and floor lamps.

Tips for Setting up Your Home Office | Furniture, Decor, and More

Add Architectural Elements

If your living room is particularly large, you can add some architectural elements like columns or beams to add more style and visual interest to your space.

We hope our blog post has given you some ideas for how to decorate your large living room. What’s the biggest challenge for you when it comes to decorating a large space? Tell us in the comments!