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.

Cozy kitchens are what we strive for, but when the space it too small “cozy” can easily cross the line to “crowded”. Among the many ways to maximize kitchen space, several revolve around clever use of light. Your Chicago furniture dealer offers these ideas to help you use your small space to its full potential.

Starting with a palette of white or another pale, reflective color will make the room seem larger. Bringing in as much natural light as possible begins with: sheer curtains or even bare windows; frosted glass doors to brighten and open up the space; reflective surfaces on appliances and countertops; replace cabinet doors with glass or leave them open altogether; clever use of mirrors to create the optical illusion of twice the space.

Keeping the furniture to scale and choosing pieces that are thin or visually lights, with clean profiles and metallic or light-colored surfaces will continue the feeling of space and light throughout the room. Another enemy of small spaces is clutter. When visiting your Chicago furniture dealer, be selective in what is kept on the countertops and use attractive containers or baskets not only to help decorate but to store items that might clutter surfaces. Tiered hanging baskets or open stackable bins will add interest to the room and draw the eye upward, adding the illusion of more space.

Women are very conscious of the effect of wide striped in clothing, but that widening effect can be just the ticket for a small room. Integrating a large pattern or wide boards on the floor will broaden the room visually. Even a low contrast patterned or striped rug can achieve this effect. In comparing furniture retailers Chicago customers will likely find one who will offer design services to help with these space-saving tips.

If it is structurally possible, consider removing a partial or complete wall from the kitchen and allowing for flow into adjoining room. This not only can be beneficial for increased space, but may be just what your need to get more family time or allow entertaining on a larger scale.

Using between-the-wall space can solve storage needs in a small space. Creating shelves which are flush with the wall and use the space between studs will save actual room space. Such shelving can be trimmed out to match the woodwork and blend perfectly into the room.

Decreasing the size of the stove hood can really open up a small kitchen. Small appliances that are frequently used can be mounted under the cabinets rather than left on the countertop. This gives the room a cleaner look overall and frees up premium counter space for working. Chicago furniture retailers have many options to offer customers in range hood placement.

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.

Are you ready to dispel the winter blahs with a new look for one of the rooms in your home, or even a total home makeover? When visiting your Chicago Illinois furniture retailer keep these tips in mind to help you do it affordably and enjoyably.

Set a realistic budget. Most of us are strapped for cash these days and researching some price points and paring down to what will really make a difference in your room’s new look can save you much frustration.

Make a list of what you need and a few things you want. Prioritize your list and save room in the budget for at least one fun item. When considering these items, write down how they will be used and measure your space to be sure the items will fit the way you envision them. Your Chicago furniture dealer will be happy to help you design your space.

Know how, and how much, your furniture will be used. Frequency and type of use should dictate fabrics and finishes. If you have young children and pets you must consider safe, durable finishes and perhaps stain-proof, smudge-proof items as well. This consideration should extend to the frames, fillings and supports in a piece of furniture. Chicago Illinois furniture buyers want to be savvy in selecting the perfect pieces. A sturdier piece may have a higher price tag, but it also may last two or three times as long, saving you money in the long run.

Look for sales. Plan your shopping in advance and wait for sales if possible. Comparison shopping is also a must and sometimes retailers will match a competitor’s price, which might help you buy locally. Check out department stores as well as furniture stores and specialty stores. Chicago furniture dealers have great bargains and may have big sales as new spring pieces are arriving.

Know your seller. Ask friends or co-workers  where they have shopped and what experiences they had. You are more likely to have a good experience when you are referred by someone you know. Retailers also like to hear that you have been referred to their store. Also check out credit terms, payment options and find out about delivery times and charges, and warranty and return policies.

Read the label. The label must clearly state where the furniture was made, what exposed woods are used, and other materials information. If the label states Chicago leather couch, the couch would have to be locally made and the exposed materials all of leather.

Wondering how to furnish your bedroom to create a relaxing retreat and still meet all of your storage needs? There are many areas to consider and when you stop by your Chicago furniture dealer the experienced staff will help you find the perfect fit for your space and lifestyle.

One thing to assess is your storage space. How much of your clothing and accessories can be stored in the closet? Will you need a bureau (or two), an armoir, a vanity, nightstands, a lingerie chest or jewelry chest?  A few larger furniture pieces will allow buyers of Chicago contemporary furniture or traditional pieces to have more options in arranging the room and keep the room feeling more open and relaxed.

The scale of the set also must be considered. A more traditional, heavy or dark wood or a bed with posts or a massive headboard may feel oppressive in a small room with a low ceiling. Lighter colored wood, metal or even more contemporary upholstered pieces can work well in a smaller space. When looking for the best furniture Chicago buyers can rely on their favorite Chicago furniture dealer to find or create the perfect piece to meet their needs.

Knowing the size of bed you prefer will be a good starting point. Once you determine how much space the bed will use, other pieces can be worked in to meet your storage needs and compliment the space and style of the room.

Your Chicago furniture dealer has a huge variety of styles and sizes to choose from as well as a friendly staff to help add your personal touch to what should be the most tranquil room of your home.  When buying a bedroom set, shopping with pictures of a style you like and the measurements and layout of your bedroom will be helpful. Also, think through your storage needs so that you have enough furniture to accommodate everything but aren’t investing in unnecessary pieces that will take up extra room.

With a little planning, choosing the perfect bedroom set can be a simple and enjoyable experience for buyers in Chicago of contemporary furniture or those seeking a more traditional look.