Everyone likes a new look for spring and you can accomplish it even if your budget is stretched tighter than a drumhead at the moment. All you need is your imagination. But your Chicago furniture dealer would be glad to give some advice as well.

To freshen up a room without breaking the bank, try painting. For about $100, sometimes much less, you can change the entire look of a room and accent architectural features. Try a bold color on an accent wall or just a brighter white for the trim.

Consider reusing, repurposing or recycling older pieces, yard sale bargains or even odds and ends that look like junk.  A wooden palette can painted as modern art. An antique quilt can become a slip cover, wall hanging or tablecloth. Think outside the box and don’t be afraid to come up with an entirely new use for something. If you already own some of the best furniture Chicago retailers sell, mix in the old and new for a more eclectic look.

Slipcovers are the perfect way to freshen up furniture or change the color palette seasonally. Look for durable, washable fabrics and then have fun jazzing up you space with bright pillows or a graphic blanket tossed over the back of the sofa. Can’t find the exact color or pattern you want? Use dyes or tea to change them. You could even go a bit crazy and tie-dye your slipcovers. There’s nothing like a retro look for spring!

For big effect, cluster colors within your room. This could be a collection of colored glass, books or photos on a shelf or even dishes on a buffet or in open cabinets. A grouping of color provides visual impact and focus in a room. When shopping at your Chicago furniture dealer, take note of decorative accents and use of color.

Don’t forget textures. These can be layered in with fabrics and inexpensively and easily with natural elements. An odd-shaped rock, a framed leaf, shells, or a glass bottle filled with sand can all add a casual elegance and will cost little or nothing. Plants are also a healthy way to add texture and color – they help clean your air, after all.

To enhance your best furniture Chicago style, mix up your accessories.  Borrow a piece from the living room and showcase it in a bedroom or bathroom. Try placing items in unexpected places. Most importantly, keep your space comfortable and make sure it reflects your personality since you are the one who will look at it every day.

Ready to spruce up your living room for spring? It’s easy to do with style, if you can choose a style, that is. There are so many and each can reflect your personal lifestyle and design preference. Or you can base your decorating style on budget and current style.

Here are eight different styles to consider. Some may require a total makeover, and others may blend seamlessly with the style of your home’s architecture and your present furnishings. If you are on a tight budget, you may want to look at an eclectic or cottage style that could be achieved with pieces you already own or those you could buy secondhand. Buyers of Chicago furniture modern and contemporary will be glad to know their favorite furniture retailer offers design advice.

*Mid-century modern style take cues from nature and is rather minimalistic. If your home has large windows this might be a good look to try. Also, stick with an open floor plan and use elements of nature to bring the outdoors in. Finding a classic mid-century piece, one design site suggests an Eames chair, can be a starting point. Lots of woods pieces and organics will complete the room.

*A Contemporary look leans more toward rounded lines and neutral colors, using accent pieces to bring in color. To achieve this look you can begin with a neutral wall color in the gray or taupe range and sprinkle in bright-colored decorative pieces or textiles. Lamps or small furnishings should boast metallic finishes and clean lines. When shopping for the best furniture Chicago offers remember to check for accessories as well.

*If you already have a lot of pieces that you love, head for the eclectic side of decorating. You can comfortably mix time periods and styles if you connect your look with textures, colors or patterns. Keep the backdrop simple with a neutral color on the walls and look for commonality among your favorite pieces: similar wood trim; texture of upholstery; color; etc. Don’t be afraid to throw in your own unique touch.

*A look that’s easy to complete with attic cast-offs, grandma’s quilts and second-hand treasures is the Cottage look. Graceful curves and painted furnishings as well as old-fashioned striped, checked or floral textiles are the hallmark here.  Adding beadboard to the walls and painting in pastel colors will provide the backdrop you desire. Add in several frivolous or frilly pieces just for fun.

*Modern style also utilizes a base of neutrals, but incorporates asymmetrical elements and geometric shapes. Glass and metal surfaces or accessories will provide interest and graphic textiles or art a bold accent. When shopping for Chicago furniture modern style, remember that geometric shapes provide interest.

*If you prefer a bit more old-world, try on a Spanish flavor. Very colorful and flavored more rustic than contemporary, this style plays up architectural elements such as fireplaces and archways and blends a beautiful array of yellows, oranges, blues and greens – anything you would expect to see if you visited a Spanish village. Stucco walls make a powerful statement for not much money and distressed or dark woods bring in the old world flavor. Search out accessories that look like they came from the Spanish market – colorful dishes and pottery, wrought iron pieces and bright tapestries.

*Romantic style is very feminine and features light or sheer fabrics and pastel colors. Similar to the cottage style, but more polished and less busy, lace and ribbons on lampshades or curtains and overstuffed chairs and ottomans rule.
*Traditional style doesn’t have to look like your mother’s living room when you were growing up. If this is your taste, just update the basics. Stick with clean lines and symmetrical arrangements, more formal window treatments .  Also note your fabric choices – traditional covers tend toward damask and sometimes floral. Add a few favorite pieces to update and personalize your look. When shopping best furniture Chicago, look at the various showrooms to see what most closely fits the style you plan.

Why not welcome the green of spring by bringing a little of it indoors? Furniture retail Chicago buyers will want to check out not only the new furniture and accessory pieces available, but will want to try out some affordable color palettes at home.

Paint is one of the most inexpensive ways to change a room and it’s easy to change when you need a fresh look. Don’t be afraid of a little paint. It can be coordinated with accent pieces you already own to dress up a drab-from-winter room.

Pick your preference. Are you a Kelly girl, a sage kind of guy or just someone who likes a splash of lime? Then green is your springtime friend.  Personally, I prefer a muted sage in the living room with some accents of sepia, red floral prints and a hint of butter cream.

Lime is fun and cheery for a bathroom or kitchen. Because it’s bright and trendy, yet still a natural color, it can be mixed with contemporary pieces or surrounded by natural elements and not be uncomfortable.

Lime green is very effective paired with other flashy colors like hot pink or orange. Buyers of the best furniture Chicago offers will also want to consider the style of their furniture when choosing colors. Although any combination you enjoy is good to use, think about lightening up darker rooms or those with heavy furniture by incorporating lighter shades or bright, bold colors. When shopping for the best furniture Chicago buyers will appreciate the professional advice from staff.

Those with more casual taste might want to try a lime green, red and periwinkle combination. For those partial to a gentleman’s library look, try layering Kelly green with gray or sepia colors. A background of clean white with soft shades of blue and green will achieve the feel of a beach house. Try using natural elements like seashells and wheat grass to complete the feeling of the room.

We true Irish love our green year-round, so a palette layering various shade of green is always provides a fresh feel. Depending on which shades of green dominate, this can be elicit moods of sophistication and elegance; fun and flirtatiousness or the under canopy of a rainforest. For a more eclectic look, add in some bold black accents.

Pale shades of green paired with bright pinks or blues made wonderful backdrops for children’s rooms and furniture retail Chicago dealers enjoy helping customers design a personal space.

Do you dream of April in Paris, or just wish you could dream in a room that looked like it should be in Paris? Decorating with a destination in mind can be affordable and fun when you borrow ideas from others who have tried it, take time to search for pieces you love from affordable sources, and are willing to go to Plan B when your first choice is too pricey or unavailable.

When shopping Chicago furniture sales, always keep in mind the piece and style you want. Don’t buy something just because it is on sale. If your goal is to transform your bedroom into a Parisian apartment then go for it!

Of course, you have to decide on your own interpretation that that Parisian feel, but some of the traditional or recognizable elements include striped walls (or at least one accent wall), an elegant chandelier, white-washed or pale wall colors, black or dark-finished furniture, and some bold textile pattern. Your Chicago furniture dealer can help you choose the perfect pieces to blend with this look.

Often the bold pattern involves a floral or toile. This textile print can be coordinated or echoed from quilt to rug to upholstery. Drapes, traditionally, are monotone or two-tone, opulent and full to the floor and of silk or satin. In finding the best furniture Chicago carries, you often find design services which will help you coordinate the entire look of your room.

In a Parisian bedroom, a sitting area is very common. A simple wooden frame, upholstered occasional chair paired with an elegant side table keeps things simple. A wall grouping with black and white photos or floral prints can dress up a corner and offer an oasis-within-the-oasis. Your favorite Chicago furniture dealer has pieces available in the French tradition.

Most importantly, remember to fill the room with things you love. Even if a piece isn’t particularly Parisian, if you appreciate the way it blends with the theme and it makes you smile, add it in. When it comes to Chicago furniture sales and buying the perfect piece, this is your creation and your idea of Paris.

With green being the watchword of the day we have all become conscious of how things are made and disposed of, especially in our own households. When shopping furniture retailers Chicago, buyers want to find easy and affordable ways to decorate and furnish their homes in an eco-friendly way. The options are increasing daily and these are just a few tips to help you know where to start.

Green Chicago furniture sales begin with repurposing in mind. Look for retailers who carry or design products from recycled wood or who carry lines made from sustainable woods. This includes less exotic woods and those which grow faster and are easier to replenish.

Bamboo is another popular option. It grow quickly, is affordable and very durable. When buying flooring or the best furniture Chicago retailers offer, think about the type and amount of use your pieces will need to endure. Also consider how the furniture can be reused or repurposed when you are finished with it or seek materials that can be recycled.

Be careful to choose natural materials that won’t pollute your home with fumes from the materials or finish. Also, seek non-toxic finishes to protect young children and pets. Furniture retailers in Chicago also carry many vintage pieces and antiques which can add a touch of nostalgia to your decorating.

Be sure to seek out the best furniture Chicago has to offer – quality-wise. Pieces that are durable and are worth repairing will allow you to use them much longer. Furniture and other décor made from recycled plastic or metal has also become a large part of the market in recent years. These pieces not only allow you to do your part for the environment, but can often be unique or whimsical.

Buying locally is another way to be green, as you save on delivery miles, thus saving fuel emissions, and you are closer to the retailer should you need service. When it comes to Chicago furniture sales, local retailers have almost any style and material of furnishing on the market and will provide excellent customer service, and often, design services as well.