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Design Tips Miscellaneous Room Makeovers

5 Ways to Make a Small Room Feel Spacious

Norden 2 Pc. Nesting Tables from The RoomPlace
Featured Image: Norden 2 Pc. Nesting Tables from The RoomPlace

When you’re planning to design or redecorate a room, one of the first things to consider is the size of the space. If you’re working with a living room, bedroom or dining room that’s on the smaller end of the spectrum, you’ll be faced with some unique challenges that can make it difficult to choose the right furniture and décor.

Thankfully, we’re here to help, with a few top tips on making any small room feel more spacious.

#1: Choose Furniture Carefully

The furniture you choose—and how you arrange it—can make or break the space. Here are a handful of suggestions for choosing and arranging your furniture in a way that helps the room seem bigger:

  • Opt for multipurpose furniture when possible, such as an expandable dining table, nesting side tables or a sleeper sofa, to maximize available floor space.
Marlo Charcoal 3 Pc. Sectional with Full Sleeper (Reverse) from The RoomPlace
Image: Marlo Charcoal 3 Pc. Sectional with Full Sleeper (Reverse) from The RoomPlace
  • Choose some furniture that’s the same color as the walls. It will help those items blend in and help expand the room.
Roxbury Gray Loveseat from The RoomPlace
Image: Roxbury Gray Loveseat from The RoomPlace
  • If you don’t have the space to comfortably fit a full-size sofa, a loveseat makes a great alternative that takes up less floor space.
Nottingham Accent Chair from The RoomPlace
Image: Nottingham Accent Chair from The RoomPlace
  • Chairs with slim or open arms tend to have a smaller profile and lighter appearance.
  • Avoid blocking walkways. If you have to walk around furniture the moment you enter a room, it will instantly feel small and cramped. Arrange furniture out and away from pathways.
  • The largest furniture, like bookshelves, a bed frame or an entertainment center, should be pushed against a wall to maximize open space.

#2: Leave Open Space

You can’t achieve a spacious, open look if there’s too much clutter in the room. When choosing your furniture and designing the room, make sure you leave plenty of open floor space to keep a balanced appearance and help the space seem larger. Avoid arranging your living room furniture too close together—you should leave enough space to comfortably walk between your coffee table, sofa, loveseat and/or chairs.

#3: Use Light Colors

Light, neutral hues reflect more light than dark colors, making a room feel airy and maximizing the appearance of spaciousness. Creative use of contrast—such as painting the trim a lighter color than the walls—can also trick the eye into thinking the room is larger than it really is.

Linon Quatrefoil Gray Area Rug from The RoomPlace
Image: Linon Quatrefoil Gray Area Rug from The RoomPlace

#4: Size Your Rugs Correctly

One common mistake many people make is choosing a rug that’s too large for the room. While large area rugs can help the room appear bigger by drawing the eye across the space, you should keep at least 18 inches of bare floor exposed around the edge of the room to ensure it doesn’t seem crowded.

Emmons Square Mirror from The RoomPlace
Image: Emmons Square Mirror from The RoomPlace

#5: Add a Mirror to Your Décor

Mirrors are one easy way to give the illusion of depth and space in a small room. Since they reflect light, they can simultaneously make the room appear brighter and larger. There’s no need to go overboard with mirrors on each wall, but a single large mirror on a main wall is a great idea.

Categories
Living Rooms Miscellaneous

5 Ways to Add Color to Your Neutral Space

Barrington Red Linen Sofa from The RoomPlace
Image: Barrington Red Linen Sofa from The RoomPlace

Like many homeowners, you might have a certain room in the house that feels a little dreary. If the room is feeling like a bit of a blank slate with one too many neutral tones, you’re probably looking for a way to bring a touch of color and brightness to the space. Even if you prefer neutral colors, a pop of something more vibrant here and there is a great way to help the space feel more complete and expressive.

Let’s take a look at five easy ways to add color to a neutral room.

Jacoby Accent Chair from The RoomPlace
Image: Jacoby Accent Chair from The RoomPlace

1. Go for Bold Furniture

If your furniture is drab and outdated, it might be time to go shopping! If you’re worried about replacing a neutral living room set with something more colorful, have no fear—bold and eye-catching sofas and chairs are right on trend. You can’t go wrong with a pop of color like a luxurious red sofa or a striking aqua accent chair.

Image: Linon Orange Faux Sheepskin Area Rug from The RoomPlace
Image: Linon Orange Faux Sheepskin Area Rug from The RoomPlace

2. Add Color Underfoot

If you aren’t ready to take the plunge with colorful furniture, there are plenty of other options that add color in a more subtle way. For starters, you can add personality with an area rug in a color that pops. Choose a hue that complements the existing neutral tones in your space.

3. Paint an Accent Wall

If you want some color in your room but don’t want to go all-out and paint every wall, consider an accent wall. A pop of color on the room’s central wall adds instant charm and refreshes the space beautifully.

4. Bring the Outdoors In

It’s a simple suggestion, but it can create a dramatic effect. Simply decorating your space with a few well-placed plants adds freshness and color to your space. Whether you like the simplicity of potted houseplants or you want to arrange fresh-cut flowers, the stunning greens of foliage are sure to make any room feel brighter and more colorful.

Image: Hand Crafted Chevron Pouf from The RoomPlace
Image: Hand Crafted Chevron Pouf from The RoomPlace

5. Accessorize with Personality

If your space seems to lack character, the solution could be as simple as adding a few coordinating accessories in an accent color. This way, you can keep the color palette mostly neutral and add as many colorful pieces as you want. Choose an accent color you like and find a few home accents to arrange around the room. A couple throw pillows, a bold table lamp and a coordinating pouf are all you need to bring the room together.

Categories
Design Tips Home Decor Living Rooms Miscellaneous

5 Tips for Achieving a Modern Minimalist Living Room

Viktor Table Lamp from The RoomPlace
Image: Viktor Table Lamp from The RoomPlace

The modern minimalist movement is still in full swing, with many homeowners updating their spaces in favor of uncluttered, simplified and contemporary designs. If you’re planning a full-fledged remodel or simply want to update your living room furniture, minimalism is a trendy yet timeless way to go. From contemporary furniture to minimalist décor, let’s take a look at several ideas for achieving a modern minimalist look in your living room.

1. Reduce Clutter

The first step in designing any minimalist space is to remember the main tenant of the minimalist movement: reducing clutter! The idea is to remove items that are not essential to the space, and only keep the pieces that serve a purpose. Before bringing in new furniture to create a contemporary minimalist look, start by eliminating clutter. If you never use your love seat, get rid of it. If your wall décor is just there to fill an empty space, leave the wall blank instead.

Pasha Area Rug (5’x’8) from The RoomPlace
Image: Pasha Area Rug (5’x’8) from The RoomPlace

2. Find Purposeful Décor

Creating a minimalist room doesn’t necessarily mean you have to remove every bit of décor. You still want to design a space that’s visually pleasing and reflects your personality. So, try to minimize the décor and ornamentation of the room in a way that still allows expression. For example, instead of a cluttered wall of picture frames, highlight a single oversized canvas photo in black-and-white.

It also helps to find objects that look good and serve a purpose, in keeping with the minimalist style. Purposeful décor might be a bold light fixture, a cozy textured rug or even a wall-mounted planter for herbs or succulents.

3. Choose a Simple Color Palette

It may seem obvious, but make sure to simplify the room’s color palette as much as possible. Avoid wall colors that are overly bold or bright. In general, go for softer, neutral colors in either warm or cool tones. Gray, white and cream are great places to start.

4. Know When to Go Bold

Many minimalist room designs can benefit from a touch of boldness. The hard part is knowing when to go bold. The key is a touch of bold color, and not overdoing it. If your mostly white living room feels blank, the simple addition of a charcoal gray rug or dark-colored contemporary coffee table will help breathe life into the design.

Image:
Image: Karma Sofa from The RoomPlace

5. Go for Smaller Furniture

For true minimalism, go small when it comes to choosing your furniture. Choose a simple, modern sofa or love seat that’s only as big as you need it to be. In fact, if you only need to seat 1 or 2 people on a regular basis, simple yet comfortable accent chairs are a good minimalist alternative to a traditional sofa.

Janette White Chair from The RoomPlace
Image: Janette White Chair from The RoomPlace

If you don’t need a huge coffee table surface, opt for a miniature side table (even a repurposed stool works great) or folding tray table. Rather than setting your TV on an oversized entertainment center, mount it on the wall or use a small stand.

Rocky Gray 3 Piece Living Room from The RoomPlace
Image: Rocky Gray 3 Piece Living Room from The RoomPlace

If you have a larger family or need the extra seating space, many modern living room sets have a minimalist style while offering the comfort and size that you need.

Categories
Bedrooms Color Design Tips Dining Rooms Home Decor Living Rooms Miscellaneous

Top 10 Looks in Interior Design for Spring 2018

Featured Image: Barrington Purple Linen 3 Pc. Living Room From The RoomPlace
Featured Image: Barrington Purple Linen 3 Pc. Living Room From The RoomPlace

It’s the beginning of springtime in a still-new year, which means it’s the perfect time to freshen up your home with some of the latest and greatest design trends of 2018. For a glimpse into the top interior design trends that are dominating the market, take a look at these ten style, décor and furniture ideas.

Linon Cyrus Damask Purple Area Rug From The RoomPlace
Image: Linon Cyrus Damask Purple Area Rug From The RoomPlace

1. Luxurious Purples

You might’ve heard that Ultra Violet is Pantone’s 2018 Color of the Year. This striking purple hue is perfect for adding a touch of bold, vibrant, fresh color to any space in the house. But the trend isn’t limited to just Ultra Violet. From mauve sofas to purple counter stools to violet area rugs, many shades of purple are luxurious, unexpected and regal, often pairing well with mid-century modern design.

Woven White Poof Ottoman From The RoomPlace
Image: Woven White Poof Ottoman From The RoomPlace

2. Eclectic Home Accents

Add a colorful, unexpected edge to any room with eclectic designs that set your space apart. Pick an intriguing piece of décor or a single bold accent for each room to give your home a curated look. From patterned rugs to architectural light fixtures to eye-catching ottomans, there are plenty of ways to decorate in a trendy, eclectic style.

Richland Rolled Back Dining Chair From The RoomPlace
Image: Richland Rolled Back Dining Chair From The RoomPlace

3. Rolled Back Chairs

Balancing classic beauty with modern minimalism, rolled back chairs are timelessly stylish. Use these versatile dining chairs with or without slipcovers to achieve the perfect look for your room.

Barrington Charcoal Linen 9-Seat U Sectional From The RoomPlace
Image: Barrington Charcoal Linen 9-Seat U Sectional From The RoomPlace

4. Tufted Sofas

When it comes to living room furniture that packs a punch, there’s no better way to make a stylish statement this spring than with a new sofa. If your current couch is feeling drab or plain, breathe life into the room with a tufted sofa that has plenty of character. Indulge in the comfort of a U-shaped sectional, bring a touch of old-world charm with a leather sofa or blend traditional style with modern design.

Brisbane Green Apartment Cart From The RoomPlace
Image: Brisbane Green Apartment Cart From The RoomPlace

5. Mid-Century Servers & Kitchen Carts

A retro mint-green cart adds a pop of color to a neutral kitchen, while a versatile mid-century server makes a beautiful statement piece. These additions to your kitchen or dining room setup are practical as well as trendy, keeping in line with the latest interior design trends of 2018.

Image: Bowenite Ceiling Lamp From The RoomPlace
Image: Bowenite Ceiling Lamp From The RoomPlace

6. Industrial Inspired Lighting

Touches of industrial design can add a real sense of character and style to any space, whether you incorporate just a few industrial elements or go all-out. Either way, lighting fixtures inspired by this trend are a great place to start. From industrial ceiling lamps with a bronze patina to industrial-style chandeliers, make a statement in any room with this popular look.

Brigitte Ottoman From The RoomPlace
Image: Brigitte Ottoman From The RoomPlace

7. Gray Leather

From deep, sumptuous charcoal gray to lustrous silver-gray, living room furniture in gray-toned leather is a rising trend. From sofas to ottomans, you can’t go wrong with this classic material in a chic, modern color.

Cora Orange Chair From The RoomPlace
Image: Cora Orange Chair From The RoomPlace

8. Colorful & Mismatched Chairs

For added character, pair a couple of colorful side chairs with a more neutral set of dining chairs for a chic, mismatched look. Invoke a country-inspired style with sage wood, or opt for timeless-with-a-twist with vibrant orange. Not one for bold colors? Mix it up by pairing two mismatched styles, like classic wooden dining chairs with metal chairs at each end.

Image: Crestwood Table From The RoomPlace
Image: Crestwood Table From The RoomPlace

9. Solid Wood Dining Tables

Many of 2018’s most popular home designs center on minimalism, a style that proves less is more. Keep your dining room furniture simple, raw and beautiful with a wood table that has a trendy reclaimed look. The chunky, solid style brings warmth and character to your space.

Celine Area Rug (5x8) From The RoomPlace
Image: Celine Area Rug (5×8) From The RoomPlace

10. Textured Area Rugs

Adding visual texture to a room is the perfect way to update your space and stay on trend. Add a striking luster with a shimmering shag rug or make a glamorous impact with a faux sheepskin rug.

For more great ideas that are fresh and on-trend this spring or in any season, discover our new arrivals.