You can find secondhand bedroom items at your local thrift stores, flea markets, and, of course, Facebook Marketplace. Here’s what to look for.

The Headboard for Your Bed

Beds aren’t cheap—especially high-quality ones. You can score a vintage or real wood headboard secondhand for far less than you’d pay brand new. You can even find a cheap headboard, recover it, paint it, or restain it to match your bedroom’s aesthetic.

It’s also okay to buy the entire headboard and bedframe secondhand; just skip the mattress. Mattresses generally need to be replaced every six to eight years, and buying a previously owned mattress (especially from a stranger) can put you in an uncompromising situation when it comes to bugs, mites, and sweat.

Dressers and Nightstands

After speaking to many designers, we discovered that the key to a well-thought-out, high-end-looking room is avoiding matching beds, dressers, and nightstands. While all items should work together cohesively, skipping the sets is best.

Shopping secondhand on Facebook Marketplace, flea markets, or your local thrift store will enable you to score high-quality real wood pieces that can give your room a designer flare at a fraction of the cost. Modern dressers and nightstands are often cheaply made, so going for secondhand pieces is almost always an upgrade.

Artwork

There’s nothing wrong with mass-produced artwork available at major retailers, but if you want a quality frame or an original piece, hit up your local Goodwill. It may take a few months to hunt down the perfect piece, but you’ll eventually find it.

Lamps and Light Fixtures

Lamps and overhead light fixtures are the jewelry of the room. Vintage chandeliers or shades can give your room a fun look. You can also pull in secondhand lamps to work as accent lighting.

Mirrors

Mirrors define a room’s design style but are often expensive. Purchasing thrifted mirrors can help cut down on bedroom makeover costs and allow you to find vintage or historical pieces. If you’re going for a traditional look, opt for mirrors with thick or ornate frames. Contemporary, minimal, or modern styles can benefit from a sleek mirror with a thin frame or interesting shape. 

Picture Frames

If family photos will make their way to the bedroom, skip the aisles of Hobby Lobby and head to Goodwill instead. Finding well-crafted photo frames at a thrift store is much easier than at a mass retailer. Plus, when you score frames for pennies on the dollar, you can experiment with refurbishing them without the worry of wasting a lot of money.

Vases

Fresh flowers add a romantic feel to the bedroom, and a thrifted vase is the perfect vessel for displaying them. At my local Goodwill, the vase selection is vast, with everything from modern clear glass options to intricate art glass.

What NOT to Buy Secondhand for Your Bedroom

While thrifting bedroom items saves money, cuts down on waste, and allows you to experiment with style, there are certain things you should never thrift. Avoid buying baby items, like cribs or bassinets, secondhand. They often have expiration dates or recalls, so you can’t be sure whether the piece you’re buying is safe.

Also, avoid purchasing mattresses and rugs secondhand. It can be hard to tell what kind of damage (or worse, bodily or pet fluids) these items have on them. Stick to non-porous pieces that are easy to disinfect.

The post Score Better Quality for Less By Buying These Bedroom Items Secondhand appeared first on Homedit.

FITUEYES Picasso TV Stand Review: A Modern Corner TV Stand

Specs:

• Colors: Oak, white, and walnut
• Fits TV Size: 55-78 inch or 65-88 inch
• Weight capacity: Holds TVs up to 99 or 121 lbs

Many TV stands are obtrusive, bulky, and not conducive to small spaces or modern living rooms. The FITUEYES Picasso TV stand solves this problem with its easel-like design. It features three or four sturdy legs and a design miming an artist’s easel. When not in use, you can use a TV screensaver to make your TV look like art instead of a giant box. 

The Picasso series TV stand is constructed of FAS Grade Beech Wood and is black with one of three accent colors: oak, white, or walnut. It comes in two sizes, capable of holding flat and curved screen TVs that are 55-78 inches and up to 99 pounds or 65-88 inches and up to 121 pounds.

The smaller size features three legs that can fit in the corner of a room, while the larger size stand boasts four legs.

Is the FITUEYES Picasso TV Stand Easy to Assemble?

The FITUEYES Picasso TV stand doesn’t come pre-assembled but contains everything you need to assemble it. Rather than the TV sitting on a flat part of the stand, it’s mounted to the back, giving it a floating, easel-like look. It comes with multiple sets of screws and mounting hardware and should work with any TV that has a standard VESA mount backside.

The height can also be adjusted from 49 to 54.3 inches on the smaller stand and 49.8 to 57.1 inches on the larger stand. The height adjustability makes it suitable for a living room or comfortably watching TV in the bedroom.

Who is the FITUEYES Picasso TV Stand Best For?

This TV stand is best suited for those who prefer modern, mid-century modern, minimal, or contemporary styles. It’s also great for those with an artistic flair who’d like their TV to look like a piece of art when not in use rather than a giant black box. And since it has an easel design, the three legs of the smaller option can fit nicely in a corner, helping you to save space in your room. (However, you don’t have to place this stand in a corner. Because of its sleek design, it will look appropriate anywhere.)

The high-quality design ensures that the TV stand will last and can support the weight of flat screens of within specified size ranges.

The post How to Make Your TV Less of an Eye Sore with the FITUEYES Picasso TV Stand appeared first on Homedit.

They not only house books but also serve as a showcase for art, personal mementos, and decorative items.

With their emphasis on both form and function, modern bookcases have styles that cater to a wide variety of taste preferences and needs. Whether made of sustainable wood, metal, or glass, these modern bookcases are essential components of a well-curated home.

Modern bookcases come in numerous configurations, materials, sizes, and styles to fit a variety of functional and aesthetic needs. Many of these bookcases can be customized to suit specific user preferences.

Rio Ipanema

Brazilian artist Bruno Moinard is the creator of the Rio Ipanema furniture collection. This collection features organic designs inspired by the mosaics found in the Ipanema gardens. Made of high-quality solid wood and MDF, the bookcase in the Rio Ipanema furniture line, has a natural asymmetrical shape with shelves of varying heights and lengths.

The Rio Ipanema bookcase is ideal for urban living spaces, with plenty of room for books and decorative items while also making a stunning visual statement. Its versatile design allows it to seamlessly integrate into various decor styles, from biophilic to modern minimalist.

Domino

The Domino bookcase is the perfect blend of elegance and versatility. Designed by Tarcisio Colzani, the modular design of the Domino allows for customizable configuration to suit different spaces and storage needs.

The Domino consists of metal poles and glass containers available in a transparent or smoked finish. The user can arrange the modular sections in various configurations, from compact units to expansive wall-covering arrangements. The minimalist design of this bookcase ensures that it compliments a wide range of interior design styles.

Step By Step

The Step By Step bookcase, from Guiliano Cappelletti, has a unique design. Its innovative shape draws from the concepts of modularity and progression. This bookcase features a vertical stack of modular boxes, which vary in height and width. The tower-like design provides visual interest and optimizes storage space in a compact footprint. The Step By Step bookcase is crafted from solid walnut with walls that are 1.5 cm thick.

Airframe

The Airframe bookcase exemplifies the innovative use of metal in modern design, combining form and function in a striking piece of furniture. The Airframe bookcase, designed by Pio and Tito Toso for De Castelli, features thin, interconnected metal arches that form a grid-like structure. The design has both open and closed areas to heighten the visual interest. Each of the four shelves floats within the frame, providing plenty of space for books and decor.

Koibuchi

The Koibuchi bookcase from Stefano Giovannoni features a playful design that nonetheless provides functional storage. Giovannoni drew inspiration for the Koibuchi from free-flowing organic shapes found in nature. This bookcase features bubble-like cells that can be positioned either horizontally or vertically. With no sharp edges and made from durable polyethylene, it is both safe and durable for any room of the house.

Vague

The Vague bookshelf boasts a vertical structure made of both concrete and metal. This narrow bookshelf has a concrete base that supports tower-style shelves of varying heights. This bookshelf’s narrow and edited shape allows it to fit in a variety of spaces throughout the home. Roberto Paoli’s collaboration with Bonaldo aims to create furniture that combines innovative materials and sleek shapes.

Finesse

The Finesse bookcase from Karim Rashid embodies his signature style of boldness, elegance, and fluidity. This bookcase’s design features six identically sized wooden shelves with an asymmetrical wrap on either side made of wood veneer or leather. These end wraps give the bookshelf a sense of dynamism and movement. Despite its innovative shape, the design is practical, featuring ample-sized shelves that are both sturdy and solid.

Pirwi Geometric

The Pirwi Geometric bookcase is a visually appealing piece that combines modern function with innovative design. It has an unusual geometric shape and is made up of interlocking boxes that form a lattice-like structure. This open structure provides ample space for storing books and decorative items while still allowing light to pass through. This bookcase for Robert Allen Home is made of birch plywood and comes in black, gray, maple, and walnut finishes.

Mistral

The Mistral bookcase has an open structure made up of metal side supports and wooden shelves. Its modern but graceful design ensures that it complements a wide range of interior design styles. The bookshelf’s open design makes it suitable for both storage and display.

The Mistral has a flexible configuration that allows the user to tailor it to their specific requirements and available space. Buyers can select additional storage boxes that can be installed on the shelves if they require enclosed storage. The wood shelves are available in dark and medium brown tones, with metal side supports in chrome or satin bronze finishes.

Original Ptolomeo

The Original Ptolomeo is a bookcase design that prioritizes the essential over the superfluous. This bookcase, designed by Bruno Rainaldi, features a freestanding vertical tower of metal shelves supported by a central column. Once filled with books, the bookcase structure becomes invisible, giving the impression that the books are standing on their own. This bookcase is extremely space-efficient and can hold a large number of books, despite its small footprint. This bookcase has become a classic due to its simplicity, spare design, and functionality.

Atena

The Atena bookcase, designed by Pocci and Dondoli, is a sophisticated combination of functionality and modern aesthetics. This bookcase design features a series of interlocking rectangular and square shaped metal shelves. The spare and simple style of the Atena works well with many interior design styles. There are two base units with various configurations that can be arranged to fit your space.

Ami-Verre

The Ami-Verre bookcase was designed by Jean Nouvel, one of the world’s most influential and charismatic architects. This design exemplifies his passion for combining modern design with functional elegance and innovative materials.

The Ami-Verre consists of a singular modular element that one can rotate and place side by side to create a variety of configurations. It has an open, grid-like structure made from thermo-welded 10mm glass without heavy joints or other structural elements to inhibit its ethereal style. Light passes easily through both its structure and material, making it ideal for light and bright interiors.

Pentagram

Daniele Lago’s Pentagram bookcase is made up of a series of minimalist shelves in various lengths that are mounted on back panels. This clever mounting strategy results in shelves that appear to be floating. This bookcase is made up of multiple units that can be combined to create the ideal arrangement for displaying your books and artwork. The back panels include integrated lighting that highlights the silhouettes of your featured items. This bookshelf is available in a variety of materials and colors to complement your interior, including X-glass, colored glass, and lacquered finishes.

Nuage à Plots

The Nuage à Plots bookcase exemplifies the best of modern design: innovative materials and a functional yet striking structure. Clean wooden shelves supported by metal struts configured in various forms make this bookcase versatile and endlessly customizable. Charlotte Perriand designed this freestanding or wall-mounted bookcase, which was inspired by the Imperial Palace’s floating shelves. Her design reflects her belief that furniture can improve the environment while also enhancing the user’s experience.

Mr. Roberts

The Mr. Roberts bookcase features interlocking geometric cubes on cylindrical metal legs, creating a whimsical and stylish steampunk design. The shelves are made of solid walnut, and the legs are constructed of steel. Because this bookcase features handmade craftsmanship, the wood and finishes will vary slightly from one another. The construction quality reflects Noir Trading’s reputation for attention to detail.

BUILD Modular Shelving

BUILD Modular shelving is made up of a single unit that the user can combine to meet their storage requirements and available space. The polypropylene forms can be wall-mounted or freestanding to make open-structure room dividers.

The modular unit has an organic, cell-like shape and is available in black and white. There are also a variety of color backings or caps available to create mixed color and closed cell sections for various storage applications. The cell backing and lids are made of acoustic material to reduce noise, and they have a magnetic hold for easy opening and closing.

The post Stylish and Innovative Modern Bookcases That You Can Buy Today appeared first on Homedit.

Navigating through a variety of styles, materials, sizes, and prices requires careful thought and planning. Common mistakes, such as misjudging space requirements, overlooking functionality, and ignoring quality, can derail and discourage you in the process. When you understand these common furniture buying mistakes, you will be able to approach these purchases with greater confidence.

Buying the right furniture for your space requires consideration of a variety of factors, both short and long term. Be sure to allocate the appropriate amount of time to studying these factors to make the best furniture purchases you can and avoid costly mistakes.

Incorrect Measurements

Many furniture shoppers fail to accurately measure their rooms and consider how these dimensions will affect how a piece of furniture fits in the space. Without precise measurements, you risk purchasing furniture that is either too large or too small, or that simply does not look right in the space. Returning furniture that does not fit can be a difficult and time-consuming process. You might also be subject to a costly restocking fee.

Take precise measurements in each room where you intend to place the purchased furniture. This includes the room’s length and width, as well as its ceiling height. All of these will help you determine the size and scale of furniture that will fit and look right in the room. Make a note of the size and layout of the doors and walkways to determine whether you can fit a specific piece of furniture into your home.

Ignoring Functionality

Functionality is not a furniture quality that piques people’s immediate interest, but it is one of the most essential factors that contribute to long-term satisfaction. While the aesthetic appeal of a piece of furniture is important in how it appears in the design, prioritizing it over function can result in furniture that is visually appealing but unsuitable for everyday use.

The furniture you buy should always accommodate your lifestyle and day-to-day needs in the space. Before purchasing any new furniture, consider your needs in terms of the room’s activities, storage requirements, and long-term goals. Consider pieces that incorporate functionality into the design, such as hidden storage, adjustable components, or modular designs. Read reviews to see how the furniture works in real life to determine if it is suitable for your home and family.

Overlooking Quality

Many low-budget homeowners choose to buy inexpensive furniture with a lower initial cost. This may appear to be a cost-effective purchase, but if the furniture is poorly built and made of low-quality materials, it will result in dissatisfaction and increased costs in the long run. Sagging cushions, wobbly legs, and peeling finishes are common signs of wear and tear on this type of furniture over time.

Furniture is a significant investment, so these decisions should always be carefully considered. Never spend more than your budget allows, but it is preferable to purchase fewer high-quality pieces than many low-quality ones. Good quality furniture has a higher level of craftsmanship and superior materials, making it a more cost-effective, long-lasting, and sustainable purchase. Take the time to save for a piece that will last for many years.

Buying the Furniture Set

Purchasing an entire furniture set is a simple way to achieve a consistent style, but it results in a monotonous and boring room that resembles a showroom. This type of furniture purchase, while convenient, is not the best way to create a room that reflects your distinct personality and style.

Mixing and matching furniture may be more time consuming, but it will be more rewarding because it will help to create a room filled with purchases that you love. The key to creating a cohesive room design is balancing variety with cohesion. Begin with a cohesive color palette with which you can tie different furniture pieces together. Choose pieces in distinct but complementary styles and colors. Mix modern and antique pieces to add depth and interest to your furniture design.

Impulsive Buying

Imagine you are in a furniture store and come across what you believe to be the ideal sofa for your living room. It is on sale, and you need to make a quick decision. You buy it only to discover that it is the incorrect size or color for the room. One of the most common mistakes is buying furniture on impulse because it appears to be a good idea at the time. Unfortunately, impulse purchases do not give you enough time to think about, plan for, or examine the piece’s foundational elements that ensure its longevity.

Instead, it is much better to consider a piece of furniture from a distance. This means you can more objectively assess the piece’s appearance, size, and functionality without feeling pressured to buy it. Give yourself time by ordering swatches, measuring the size of the piece with tape on the floor, and reading reviews before purchasing it. While it is always possible to make a mistake when you have plenty of time to think about the furniture purchase, giving yourself time to think about it increases your chances of making a good decision.

Forgetting About Assembly and Delivery Times

It is easy to picture the delivered and completed furniture in our space, but we often forget about the sometimes lengthy process that led up to it. Many modern furniture pieces require lengthy delivery times. You should think about this if you need to fill your space right away for a function or because you have added new family members. Purchase furniture early enough to account for delays and long lead times in the delivery process.

Assembly can also be difficult for those who are not mechanically inclined or have other limitations. Make sure you have someone to assist you, as well as the tools and time needed to complete the assembly.

Buying Furniture at One Time

Buying your furniture all at once is an understandable mistake because, when you have an empty space, you are tempted to fill it right away. Purchasing furniture over time necessitates living in open spaces or with old pieces while you consider new options. However, giving yourself time and space will allow you to make better and more appropriate furniture choices.

Buying furniture over time will also allow the space to evolve more naturally. This will ensure that you choose pieces that complement the style and layout of your room, as well as pieces that speak to you, rather than simply filling the space.

Choosing Style Over Comfort

Buyers are drawn to style first and foremost. It determines the appearance of the pieces and how well they complement the style of your home. But, ignoring the comfort of a particular piece can result in a beautiful piece that you never or rarely use. There is a good chance that you will replace this item sooner rather than later.

Instead of focusing solely on how a piece looks, consider how it is constructed. Before you buy furniture, try sitting or lying on it to get a feel for it. Press the upholstery to see if you can feel the structural elements below. If you can, avoid purchasing this item because the padding will quickly wear down and leave you with an uncomfortable piece of furniture. Look for furniture with a comfortable shape and plenty of padding made from high-quality materials.

Not Considering Your Budget

Almost no one has an unlimited budget for furniture purchases. Staying within your budget will make you happier and feel better about your purchases, regardless of the amount that you have to work with.

Whether your budget is large or small, determine it before you begin to purchase furniture. Remember that you should never buy all of your furniture at once. Set aside money throughout the year so that it can build up over time. This will allow you to save for more costly purchases. Saving also has the added benefit of giving you more time to plan, think, and consider before making major furniture purchases.

Buying Too Much Furniture

Filling every nook and cranny of our homes with furniture can lead to overspending and a disorganized environment. Too much furniture can impair the functionality of our space and make us feel more anxious. It is a better choice to allow your furniture arrangement to breathe through the strategic use of empty spaces. This enables you to create more visible focal points and open spaces for the eye to rest within the furniture design.

A good goal is to fill 60-70% of your room and leave the remainder open. Buying less furniture allows you to spend more on fewer, higher-quality pieces that will look better and last longer.

The post 10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Furniture appeared first on Homedit.

I’ve curated a selection of my top picks from Wayfair, all of which offer similar styles at a fraction of the cost.

The post Budget-Friendly Neutral and Modern Living Room Inspo appeared first on Homedit.

Even the most carefully selected furniture can lose its impact if arranged incorrectly. Whether it is crowding the room with too many pieces or neglecting to account for the natural flow of traffic through the room, furniture arrangement mistakes will vitally impact the look and feel of the room. By understanding and avoiding these pitfalls, you can transform your space into a well-balanced and welcoming retreat.

Mistakes in furniture arrangement not only affect the appearance and flow of the space, but also make it feel awkward and disjointed. By being mindful of common furniture arranging mistakes before you purchase and layout your furniture, you will be able to build a more curated and harmonious interior space.

Not Prioritizing Traffic Flow

Not considering the flow of traffic when arranging your furniture will result in a number of practical and aesthetic issues with the design. Poor traffic flow will make it a challenge to move around the space, especially during high-traffic functions. It will also result in an unnatural-looking space. Make sure to prioritize areas of natural ingress and egress in the room, such as exterior doors, interior doors, and walkways between rooms. This will inevitably lead you to use less furniture and leave open spaces that make a room arrangement feel less contrived.

Ignoring the Focal Point

Every room arrangement will have a natural focal point; it can be a fixed architectural feature like the windows or a fireplace or a manufactured one like the sofa or a piece of prominent wall art. Without a focal point, the room arrangement will feel scattered or without a sense of intentionality. The focal point serves as the primary place for the eye to rest in the design. Before you arrange your furniture, it is vital to determine the design’s best focal point. By identifying the focal point, you can arrange the other features in the room to maximize this anchoring element in the room.

Pushing Furniture Against the Walls

While arranging your furniture against the walls of your room may seem like a space saving solution, it often results in a lack of intimate spaces and less visual dynamism. This choice can make large rooms feel more cavernous and make small spaces feel one dimensional. Pushing furniture against the wall can separate furniture from each other and necessitate awkward conversation across the room.

A better option is to bring the furniture away from the wall. This may appear counterintuitive, particularly in small rooms, but even a few inches behind a sofa or accent chair improves the appearance of the furniture arrangement.

Misjudging the Coffee Table

A coffee table’s size and placement are critical to the functionality and aesthetics of a living or sitting room. Consider the scale of your seating furniture when deciding on a coffee table size. A coffee table should be approximately two-thirds to three-quarters the size of your sofa or main accent chairs. This will ensure that your coffee table coordinates with the rest of the furniture.

Place the coffee table in front of the main seating area, but leave enough space around it for people to walk comfortably. Most experts recommend around 18 inches. Make sure the coffee table is within arm’s reach, or it will be useless for resting your feet or setting a mid-movie snack.

Ignoring Room Proportions

Using furniture in a variety of scales and proportions can lead to a more effective interior design, but you must implement this in the context of the scale of your room. Placing oversized furniture in a small room can make the space feel cramped and overwhelmed. Delicate or small furniture can get lost in large and spacious rooms.

When considering the proportions of furniture in a room arrangement, it is essential to maintain balance and cohesion. Pay attention to how pieces interact with each other in the context of the size of the room. Most of your furniture should be of a similar scale, but you can incorporate one or two pieces with a more delicate or oversized scale to give your design more visual interest.

Neglecting Conversation Areas

Social interaction should be a vital consideration in every main living area of your home. This means that when arranging furniture, you should aim to create an environment in which people can talk and interact.

One common mistake is arranging your furniture to face an inanimate focal point, such as a television or fireplace, instead of creating small conversation groups. To avoid this in small rooms, arrange furniture pieces to face each other. Try not to leave single chairs alone; instead, make sure that each chair has a partner. Create multiple seating groups in large rooms to make the space feel more cozy and intimate. This will ensure more social engagement and create a more dynamic design in the large space.

Considering Style Over Functionality

Prioritizing an aesthetically pleasing furniture arrangement over functionality is a short-term strategy that will not make your space more comfortable or inviting. While creating beauty is important, it should not come at the expense of providing a livable environment.

To avoid making this furniture arrangement mistake, consider each room’s primary purpose and the activities that will most likely occur there. Choose a furniture arrangement that supports this main activity while also allowing for easy rearrangement for secondary purposes. Opt for buying furniture that is both comfortable, durable, and stylish. Choose the highest quality you can afford for the room’s main furniture pieces to ensure they last for many years.

Poor Lighting Design

A poor lighting design will have an impact on a room’s style and functionality due to insufficient illumination for important tasks, uneven light distribution, and aesthetic dissonance. This mistake can be avoided by planning the lighting design alongside your furniture arrangement.

Consider the overall purpose of your room, as well as each area within it when choosing the lights. Make sure the room has enough ambient lighting, as well as task lighting to support the function of each area. You can use decorative lighting to highlight specific areas and add visual interest. Dimmers or adjustable lighting controls can help you balance the light throughout the day and for specific events.

Blocking Window Light

Blocking windows with furniture is sometimes unavoidable, but you should avoid this if you can. Windows are a valuable source of natural light and make rooms feel lighter and brighter. Covering windows with heavy furniture can make the room feel smaller and less inviting. Even if you need to place a piece of furniture in front of a window, choose a piece that has slim proportions or light colors. This will allow light to pass through the object or allow light to reflect off the bright colors. You can also use mirrors to reflect more natural light in the room. Place mirrors across from or perpendicular to windows to instantly brighten the space.

Overfilling the Room

Overfilling a room is a common design mistake that makes the room feel claustrophobic, overly-styled, and chaotic. More than just the visual impairment, crowded rooms will reduce the functionality of the room as they can impede traffic flow and make vital areas more difficult to access. In the realm of furniture arrangement, less is really more. A good strategy is to choose essentials and a few decorative pieces for the room, but to allow open spaces that allow the room design to breathe.

Neglecting the Balance of the Room

Balance is essential in any effective furniture arrangement. This ensures that there is visual stability and harmony in the room, and it ensures that the eye is directed to the main focal point in the design.

To achieve balance, consider visual weight, symmetry/asymmetry, furniture scale, colors, patterns, and focal points. Balance does not require a symmetrical design; rather, it refers to creating an arrangement that creates equilibrium and a visual flow that is appropriate for the room’s style and purpose. Experiment with different arrangements, paying attention to proportion, scale, and spacing, to achieve a balanced and functional design.

Not Measuring Before the Design

Failure to measure your room space and consider the dimensions of the furniture can result in costly mistakes that affect both your budget and your design. Without accurate measurements, you run the risk of purchasing furniture that does not fit in your room. You may also not make the best use of the available space.

Measure the room’s proportions before deciding on an overall design. Include the length and width of the walls, as well as the height, and make a note of any architectural features such as fireplaces, windows, and doorways. Measure or look up the dimensions of the furniture you plan to use in the room. Consider not only their size, but also the clearance space surrounding them. Create a room plan to help you visualize and experiment with the best layout for your space. Keep the proportions of the room or your room plan with you at all times so that when you are shopping, you know just the right size and pieces of furniture that you need.

The post 12 Furniture Arranging Mistakes to Avoid to Create a More Balanced and Functional Design appeared first on Homedit.

I’ve been fortunate to pay nothing for most of my furniture. While I love decorating my home, I don’t want to fork out thousands of dollars on items my three kids will likely ruin. (We’ll save that for when they all head to college!) Even with a hodge-podge of hand-me-downs and free finds, I’ve been able to modify pieces to create a cohesive-looking home.

If you’re in a similar situation, here’s how to furnish your home with high-quality pieces without spending a dime. 

Hand Me Downs from Friends and Family

The top place I’ve gotten most of my free furniture is from friends and family. It usually happens when they’ve bought something new and desperately need to clear out their old furniture. This situation is common, and people are relieved when they can find a family member or friend to take their old stuff off their hands. 

If someone you know is getting rid of old furniture and asks if you want it, don’t be afraid to say yes if it’s what you’ve been looking for. In most cases, you are doing them a favor by giving their old pieces new life so they can bring their new stuff home.

Facebook Marketplace and Yard Sale Groups

Facebook marketplace is a treasure trove for cheap and free furniture. You can search by item and location to see what’s available in your area. It may take several weeks, but eventually, you can find what you’re looking for.

Freecycle

Freecycle is an online forum where members post things they no longer want or request items. The point of the forum is to exchange items for free, giving them a longer life and benefiting the planet and your neighbors. If you live in a smaller town, your Freecycle group might not be very active. Those living in a bigger city will have better luck. You can search Freecycle here for your local group.

Craigslist

Craigslist may not be as popular as it was ten years ago, but it’s still an excellent place to find free or cheap furniture. For those not familiar with Craigslist, it is a site where locals can post sale listings, curb alerts, and jobs, as well as participate in discussion forums. It’s broken down by major city, making it easy to find local listings.

The “free” section on Craigslist is full of obscure finds ranging from window screens to children’s playhouses. From time to time, you’ll also find extremely high-quality furniture for nothing. If you do find furniture, be sure to act fast.

Curbside of Nice Neighborhoods or College Move Out Days

If you live in a college town, move out day is a prime time to find an array of furniture and decor sitting at the curb. College students moving back home often don’t have the means to transport their furniture and sit out for free instead.

Scouting nicer neighborhoods, especially in prime yard sale months like March through May, is also wise. While spring cleaning, people will set out the stuff they no longer want on the curb. 

Buy Nothing Groups

Buy nothing groups are centralized around the idea of producing less waste. They promote this by providing a place for local residents to list and request items for free. The most common place to find these groups is on Facebook. You can peruse current listings and ask if anyone has the specific furniture you want.

Yard Sales (Especially the Last Day)

Yard sales are always a good place to find cheap furniture. But if you’re on a tight budget, wait until the last day. By this time, most people are desperate to get rid of whatever hasn’t sold, and you can snag it up for next to nothing.

The post 7 Places to Find High-Quality Free Furniture That You’ll Want in Your Home appeared first on Homedit.

Certain furniture styles look great at first but quickly lose appeal due to impracticality or a lack of compatibility with other pieces. Whether you are looking to update all your furniture or just add a few new pieces, simply knowing what to look for will help you avoid furniture styles that will date your interior design more quickly.

Outdated Furniture Elements

Design preferences will always vary, and furniture is no exception; what is outdated in one context may work well in another. As with all interior design, choosing pieces that you like and enjoy will help you create an organic design that is right for you.

Overly Ornate Detailing

Unless you live in a castle or a manor house, modern design preferences favor furniture with clean lines and style over ornate furniture with intricate carvings and detailing. This type of furniture can not only appear visually cluttered, but it is also less functional, versatile, and difficult to maintain than other simple styles.

Furniture with clean lines, neutral colors, and a functional shape works best in contemporary settings. This is not to say that you should never have a single statement piece upholstered in vibrant fabric or ornately carved, but rather that these pieces should be kept to a minimum.

Faux Finishes

Faux finishes are painted coatings on furniture that mimic wood, marble, stone, or significant aging. While faux-finished pieces are still popular in some design styles, such as farmhouse, they are becoming increasingly out of date. One of the driving forces in design today is the desire to create authentic spaces. Faux finished pieces are considered inauthentic and are replaced with pieces that make a space feel grounded, natural, and genuine.

Boucle Upholstery

Boucle is a nubby, looped yarn upholstery that became popular due to its softness, durability, and distinctive texture. Designers frequently use it to create a Scandinavian or modern aesthetic. Boucle has been all the rage for several years, appearing on everything from sofas and oversized accent chairs to wall hangings and apparel.

While boucle remains an intriguing and beautiful fabric, it has suffered from trend saturation. Because we see it everywhere, it is no longer unique but rather ubiquitous. Popular white boucle is especially unsuitable for active households because it attracts and traps dirt and debris. Linen, tweed, cotton canvas, and chenille are better textured fabric options. These retain a distinct appearance and texture, but they are less overt than boucle, giving them greater style longevity.

Swing Chairs

Swing chairs, once considered the height of style for children’s bedrooms, nurseries, and small spaces, are now being passed over for more practical chair styles. While swing chairs once seemed like an ideal way to save space and add texture in a bedroom, it became quickly clear that they are not practical or functional for daily use.

If you are still looking for a bedroom chair, opt for something small but comfortable. This option takes up little space but provides a comfortable place to perch while putting on your shoes or curling up with a good book.

Bulky Entertainment Centers

With advances in media and the advent of wireless and cloud based technologies, many TV and stereo components are more compact, leading to less of a need for large entertainment centers. Coupled with advances in technology, modern design preferences tend toward simplicity, flexibility, and minimalism in design. These outdated entertainment centers can overwhelm a design rather than work with other pieces to create a cohesive whole. It is also hard to retrofit these pieces for other purposes when there is no longer a need for them.

Today, many people prefer simple TV and media storage options such as consoles, floating shelves, wall units, and modular systems that can be reconfigured into other shapes in the future.

Matched Furniture Sets

Matched furniture sets, which were once a simple and accessible way to create a cohesive room design, have fallen out of favor. While some furniture stores that produce sets are diversifying their styles, the selection of sets of furniture frequently results in a generic and uninspired design. Professional designers and savvy homeowners are choosing to mix and match furniture styles to create a more dynamic and engaging appearance.

The most important thing to remember when designing a room with mismatched pieces is that you do not have to rush the process. Feel free to leave open spaces while you search for the perfect pieces. The end result will be something that looks more curated and will better reflect your personal tastes.

Uncomfortable Sofas

People are abandoning formal and boxy sofas in favor of more approachable and comfortable designs. This trend is more aligned with making interior design work for real people rather than creating a room for display.

Comfort should be one of your top priorities when you are considering a sofa purchase. This does not mean that you should purchase a formless sofa with drooping cushions. Instead, look for a sofa with soft upholstery but high-quality foam, fiber-fill, or innerspring inserts. These will be cozy, but they will maintain their shape over time. This will give your room a comfortable yet chic appearance that is so popular in today’s interior design.

Bean Bag Chairs

Bean bag chairs, which are always popular in teen and dorm rooms, are not ideal for any space. Aside from their unstructured shape and slouchy style, they are not a comfortable option for long-term seating. Contemporary design frequently favors multi-functional pieces over single-use pieces. Other more stylish or versatile options for extra seating include lounge chairs, modular chairs, and poufs, which can be easily stored and used as side tables as needed.

Extra-Large Accent Chairs

Oversized accent chairs, such as rattan papasans, large recliners, and chair and a half designs, take up valuable space in bedrooms, living rooms, and studies. These chairs, once considered statement pieces, now appear unbalanced and overindulgent. These chairs lack the characteristics that are essential in contemporary design, such as versatility, simplicity, and a sense of proportion. These chairs are often difficult to remove from one context and place in another because of their large shape.

With technological advancements, there are more options for comfortable seating, but they maintain an edited and simple shape. Look for options with soft upholstery but a cushion structure that embraces rather than drowns you.

The post 9 Outdated Furniture Styles to Avoid and New Options appeared first on Homedit.

Whether you want to create a cozy conversational setting, a relaxing space, or a more dynamic design, these ideas will transform your space into an arrangement that completely changes the look of your room.

Steps for Arranging Your Furniture

Arranging your furniture in a new way can give your room a different look without having to spend extra money on new pieces. Use a new arrangement of your existing pieces to revitalize your space and increase its functionality.

1. Assess the Physical Space

Assessing the physical qualities of a particular room is a critical first step in thinking about ways that you can rearrange your furniture. Take note of the room’s dimensions, architectural features, and existing layout. Consider the room’s openings, like windows and doors, and any large walls that might work as a focal point. Pay special attention to any obstacles in the room, like radiators or other built-in features, that would limit the arrangement.

2. Define the Purpose of the Room

Defining the purpose of a particular space will serve as the guiding principle for how you want to arrange the furniture in the room. For instance, a home office might be a space for focused work, collaborative interactions, or a space for your kids to complete homework. Defining and stating the purpose of the room will be the most important guide for knowing the key elements you need in the room, like lighting, furniture, and decor, and how you can arrange these items to suit your needs.

3. Create a Floor Plan

Use the room measurements to create a simple floor plan for the room. Having a floor plan that you can see from a bird’s eye view gives you a completely new perspective on new ways that you can arrange your space. Using either grid paper or plain paper, mark out the room’s dimensions, being sure to note any doors, windows, built-ins, or areas with architectural interest. If possible, create scaled two-dimensional paper models of your furniture so you can arrange them on paper before moving them around. Make a special note on your floor plan of any interesting features or potential focal points that you want to highlight, such as fireplaces, large windows with scenic views, or a large wall with a prominent piece of wall art.

4. Consider Different Room Arrangements

There are several types of room arrangements to consider when planning your space. Your room may lend itself to a specific type due to its size, shape, or function, but it is beneficial to consider new ideas if you want to refresh the look of your space. Here are some room arrangement options to consider:

• Symmetrical Arrangement: A symmetrical arrangement consists of identical furniture on each side of a central focal point. This room arrangement creates a balanced and formal appearance and is common in classical or traditional designs.
• Asymmetrical Arrangement: Asymmetrical arrangements balance elements in a room without mirroring them. This results in a contemporary and modern look that is dynamic and visually appealing.
• Floating Furniture Arrangement: This method involves moving furniture away from the walls to create a more open and spacious feeling room. This arrangement is ideal for large rooms and promotes a conversation-friendly environment.
• L-Shaped Arrangement: This layout is ideal for multi-purpose rooms, such as a living room and dining room. Furniture arranged in an L-shape, such as a sofa with a perpendicular love seat beside it, creates distinct zones while maintaining the room’s open feel.
• U-Shaped Arrangement: A U-shaped furniture arrangement consists of arranging furniture around a central focal point, like a coffee table. This type of arrangement works well for creating a conversation space.
• Zoning Arrangement: This type of furniture placement divides a large room into several functional zones. For example, you could divide a large bonus room into three areas for study, play, and TV-watching. Creating these zones allows you to arrange furniture within each zone based on the purpose of each activity.
• Diagonal arrangement: Placing furniture at an angle to the walls results in a more dynamic and unpredictable layout. This arrangement can add visual interest to any room and is an excellent way to break away from traditional linear arrangements.

5. Study the Traffic Flow

Before you decide on a new arrangement of your furniture, consider how it will interact with doorways and affect the natural flow of traffic through the room. The best furniture arrangements for the room will allow for easy movement between areas of the room. Avoid blocking doorways or making the space feel too cramped with too many pieces in one area.

6. Strive for Balance and Symmetry

Arrange your furniture in a way that creates balance and symmetry in your space. This does not necessarily mean using a symmetrical furniture arrangement, but it does mean distributing weight evenly through the room. You can do this by striving for balance in a zoning arrangement by making sure each zone has an equal distribution of visual weight. Asymmetrical arrangements achieve balance by combining multiple items to balance the weight of a larger item, like combining two chairs to counter the visual weight of a sofa on the other side.

7. Anchor the Area With Rugs

Furniture arrangements can look disparate and random without something to anchor them in the space. Use an area rug to anchor each zone in your room, making it appear more cohesive and planned. Choosing an appropriate rug size is critical. The rug should be large enough to accommodate all the furniture within the group. Even if you cannot place all the legs of the furniture on the rug, you should at least be able to anchor the front legs of each furniture piece on the rug.

Other Tips for Arranging Your Furniture

Interior designers know best practices and guidelines for arranging your furniture in the most comfortable and functional way. As you consider new arrangements for your furniture, be sure to keep these in mind.

Rearrange Smaller Pieces

Some room sizes and shapes lend themselves best to one furniture layout. For these rooms, it can be hard to imagine how to create a new look. Simple adjustments to these pieces can change the flow of the room and give it a fresh look. Large furniture items like a sofa or sideboard may be hard to move, but consider rearranging smaller pieces like side chairs, side tables, a coffee table, and lamps.

Rehang Your Wall Art

Just moving your wall art to a new wall within your space or creating new groupings can give your room a new look. Experiment with different layouts for your artwork. Rather than a gallery arrangement, try a salon-style with artwork clustered together. Use a symmetrical arrangement for a more formal look, or try an asymmetrical design for a dynamic, eclectic vibe.

Be sure to hang your pictures at the appropriate height. Try to maintain wall art at eye level, typically 57-60 inches from the floor, for free-floating art. If you are hanging art above a piece of furniture like a sofa, bed, or console, hang the art between 6-12 inches above the piece to create a visual connection between them.

Embrace Minimalism

You can simplify the room’s appearance while also giving it a fresh appeal by adopting a minimalist style. Declutter your space by cleaning out items that you no longer need or use. Consider removing unnecessary furniture from the room to create a more streamlined look.

Add a New Item or Two

Sometimes all you need to do to update your space is add a new statement piece. Just one piece can create a new focal point in your room, completely changing its appearance. Consider adding a brightly colored chair, a one-of-a-kind coffee table, or some eye-catching wall art. A new piece of furniture, such as a bookcase or shelving unit, can provide an opportunity to rearrange your furniture while also adding storage.

You can also add a new color component to your room by adding new accessories. Remove certain decorative items and replace them with new color or pattern options. This could include new throw pillows, window coverings, or a freshly painted focal wall.

Experiment and Iterate

Remember that rearranging your furniture is a creative process that may require adjustments along the way. When you have decided on a new arrangement, test it out for a while to see how it works. Gather feedback from other members of the household to determine how it works for everyone. Take all of this feedback into account and decide whether you want to keep the new arrangement. Never hesitate to make other changes or tweaks to the new arrangement that may improve it.

The post 7 Skills Of Arranging Furniture for a Fresh Look appeared first on Homedit.

The world of tables is rich and diverse, encompassing table types that range from classic to contemporary and from refined to rustic. Exploring all the types of diverse tables will guide you toward understanding how tables can support and enhance the flow and form of your home.

Types of Tables

Various types of tables serve different functions and cater to diverse needs. Some are specialized for unique functions, while others support a range of activities.

Dining Table

Dining tables are large tables that are used for communal meals. Not everyone will require a dedicated dining table. Consider purchasing a dining table if you enjoy sharing meals with family and friends, prefer a more formal dining experience, or want to improve the aesthetics of your dining space. Dining tables are large surfaces that are versatile for other functions like work tables, playing stationary board games, and working puzzles.

Dining tables come in a variety of shapes, such as rectangular, round, oval, and square. When selecting a dining table, consider the size of the room, the number of people you need to seat, the style of the room, and the type of dining chairs you want.

Coffee Table

A coffee table is a versatile piece of furniture that serves both aesthetic and functional purposes in a living room or other spaces for relaxation. Its primary function is to provide a flat and stable surface for placing items like books or drinks within easy reach of the seating. Coffee tables also function as a focal point around which to anchor a seating area.

Coffee tables are available in a wide range of designs and styles to complement many room designs. You can find a coffee table that just enhances the aesthetics of the room or enhances the storage or function of your seating space. Always choose a coffee table in relation to the size of the room and the amount of seating.

End Table

An end table, also known as a side table, is a small table that sits at the end or on the side of other furniture like sofas and chairs. The primary purpose of an end table is to provide an easily accessible surface for essential daily activities. Whether supporting reading lamps for seating areas, a flat surface for placing items like books or phones, or lower shelves and drawers for adding storage to seating areas, end tables add functionality and comfort to living spaces. Available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and design styles, you can find diverse end tables for every area where you want to enhance the seating area.

Console Table

Console tables are versatile pieces of furniture that are designed to be placed against a wall. Console tables feature a long and narrow table top with an open or closed bottom. Console tables are useful in hallways, foyers, dining rooms, living rooms, and even bedrooms. They are ideal for bringing functionality and style to a variety of spaces by providing storage and a focal point along a narrow wall. Console tables are also useful for dividing space, extending your workspace, serving as a bedroom vanity, showcasing ornamental items, and providing an additional surface for serving food.

Bedside Table

A bedside table, also known as a nightstand, is a small table that sits beside the bed. Bedside tables serve as a convenient resting place for nighttime necessities such as books, phones, clocks, and lamps. Many bedside tables include open or concealed storage for personal items such as medications, reading glasses, and other electronic devices. Many modern bedside tables also have amplified features that enhance the functionality of the bedroom space, including changing stations and pull-out trays.

Nesting Tables

Nesting tables are a collection of identically shaped tables in graduated sizes that fit inside one another. Depending on their size, this collection of tables can be utilized as side tables or coffee tables. Nesting tables combine multiple tables into a single footprint, thereby saving space. They are useful because you can pull out multiple tables to accommodate more guests as needed. Nesting tables are available in a variety of styles. They add a stylish look and more function to any seating area.

Outdoor Table

An outdoor table is one that is intended for use in outdoor areas such as patios, decks, gardens, and poolside areas. Outdoor tables are made from specialized materials that are resistant to outdoor environmental conditions, such as teak, aluminum, wrought iron, and plastic. Available in diverse sizes and shapes, common outdoor table types include coffee tables, dining tables, side tables, and serving tables. Some have foldable elements or other portable features so that you can store them during the winter season. Others are meant to remain outdoors throughout the year.

High-Top Table

A high-top table, also known as a bar or pub table, is a tall table designed for use in a variety of settings, including restaurants, casual home dining rooms, and kitchens. The elevated height characterizes the design of high-top tables. They are available in a variety of shapes, including round, rectangular, and square. They also vary by height and size. These tables are especially useful in rooms with limited dining space because bar stools fit easily under the top and save valuable floor space.

Drink Table

A drink table is a small table that fits next to a chair or sofa. This table is intended to hold small items such as a drink, a phone, or a single book. Drink tables come in a variety of shapes and sizes, allowing you to easily customize and enhance your seating area. Their size makes them portable, so users can bring them out and move them to optimal areas as needed.

Pedestal Table

A pedestal table is distinguished by the use of a single, or sometimes double, central pedestal rather than multiple legs. Pedestal tables come in a range of sizes, so they can serve multiple purposes, including as coffee tables, dining tables, and side tables. Although pedestal tables have a long history, they are still used in many contemporary table designs, such as the well-known Tulip table. You can find pedestal tables in many shapes, like round, oval, and square. Pedestal tables are ideal for dining rooms because they do not have multiple side legs that obstruct chair movement. They also make cleaning easier because there are no legs to maneuver around.

Expandable Table

An expandable table, also known as an extension table, is distinguished by a mechanism that increases the table’s surface area. This could include the manual installation of table sections into the opening or a hinged arrangement that folds the extra section on top of another when not in use.

This is a particularly useful design for dining tables. This means you can use it for large dining parties, even if your room is not normally large enough for a large table. An expandable design is also useful for incidental tables, such as side tables, when entertaining large groups of people. Expandable tables are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and materials.

Cocktail Table

A cocktail table is a type of table that is useful for serving drinks and light snacks. In its most general use, the term cocktail table is used to describe high round or square tables that are popular at party venues. These tables’ height is ideal for people mingling at parties because they do not require chairs, which obstruct the free flow of traffic. Many furniture companies now also use the term cocktail table to refer to low tables that are similar to coffee tables because they are both useful for setting and serving drinks.

Dressing Table

Dressing tables, also known as vanities, are small tables that serve as a dedicated space for personal grooming and preparation. These tables, found in bedrooms or dressing rooms, often have attached mirrors to provide a clear view of the face and hair. They also might have storage compartments like drawers, cubbies, or shelves to store cosmetics, lotions, and jewelry. Many dressing tables come with a matching seat or stool that fits below the table.

Conference Table

A conference table is a large, typically rectangular table used in business settings for meetings, discussions, and collaborative projects. Conference tables serve a variety of functional purposes, but their design and material can also be used to project the users’ style and image. They contribute to the professionalism of office spaces and ensure that there is a space dedicated to important team building activities. Modern conference tables are equipped with enhanced features such as integrated ports, chargers, and communication systems. They may also include storage options such as under-table cabinets and drawers to improve conference space organization.

The post 15 Types of Tables: Detailing Their Form and Function appeared first on Homedit.