You Ask, We Answer
In the past month, we’ve gotten tons of great questions from our Design Quickie users. As usual, we’ve pulled together a few of our favorites that we think are pretty widely applicable. So, read on for our best design advice, and don’t forget to ask us more questions. We know how hard designing a home can be, so we love answering all of your dilemmas!
1) How do I make a small room feel light and open?
To create an airy feel in a small room, choose a light and neutral color palette! A classic option would be white for the walls, oatmeal / linen for your sofa, and a natural fiber or grey rug. Be sure to hang your curtains tall and wide to avoid blocking any natural sunlight, and bring in adequate accent lighting to illuminate your space!
2) Where can I find affordable furniture that isn’t assembly-only? I hate having to build my own furniture.
Hmm, this is a tough one! Flat packed furniture, or furniture requiring assembly, saves you money in labor and freight — fully assembled furniture can cost several hundred dollars to ship! That said, there is no one source that has exclusively pre-assembled furniture at lower costs, so be sure to read reviews on each piece to see how much assembly is needed. Another great option would be to check out a service like TaskRabbit, where you can hire folks to help with furniture assembly. Another great source is to shop really carefully- a great sale can make a huge difference.
3) How can I choose paint colors for multiple rooms that don’t look strange together?
When choosing paint colors for multiple rooms in your home, make sure they all tell the same kind of story — do they feel like they live in the same palette? Do they sit well next to each other, if the rooms are adjacent? It never hurts to start with a light neutral for your base (white, grey, or a warmer “greige”), and add colors from there! When working out a color palette, it helps to gather paint chips and keep them in one place, so you can see how they’d all work together.
4) What should I do with the dead space near my front door? I’m stumped.
You have lots of options for decorating your foyer or entryway! Our go to favorite is a console table or cabinet that can act as storage and a landing strip for mail, keys, etc. Above the console table, you can place a mirror or large piece of art to act as a focal point for the vignette. Add a vase with fresh flowers, a couple stacked books or small sculptural objects for a warm and welcoming entryway!
5) How can I make sure my space is kid-friendly?
Durability is key for a kid friendly space! Many furniture vendors feature kid-proof fabrics that are treated for stain resistance and choosing a fabric with a subtle texture is also a good choice for hiding everyday dirt. Storage is also key for easy toy clean up — storage ottomans, bookcases with cabinet storage, and shelves with bins can all help for turning a clutter play area to a tidy space for entertaining!
Well, there you have it! With these tips in your toolbox, your space is sure to be absolutely fabulous in no time.