Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens may not make it into your décor but you might bring in a bright copper kettle while working your favorite things into a room design.  It just makes sense to design our homes around things we love. That makes us comfortable, and if we feel comfortable in our homes we will enjoy them more and our guests will too. Dealers of the best furniture Chicago offers can help you achieve this goal.

One place to start is by getting rid of clutter. That means not only piles of mail and old magazine that have accumulated on the end table or kitchen counter, but anything that we don’t use, need or want. One home makeover show used to have a designer that asked: Do you love it? Do you need it? (If you haven’t used it in six months to a year the answer is NO!) Can it make you money? If the homeowner could not answer yes to one of these questions the item was out. This process of eliminating clutter can be emotional and may take some time, but work at it steadily and it will happen.

Find a wall color you like. This is an easy and inexpensive way to give a room that “wow” factor. You can do the entire room or just an accent wall, but don’t be afraid of color. Think about how different colored rooms make you feel and go from there. Continue that color in accent pieces throughout the room.

Be sure that your furniture is comfortable. How many of us have been to a home with that one formal-looking room that no one ever uses. The atmosphere is cold and the furniture is stiff, so no one wants to use it. This is why kitchens so often become the gathering place. They are warm and inviting and we feel comfortable being ourselves there. If your furniture is not comfortable and you don’t love it, get rid of it! Buy the best quality you can and upgrade when you can afford to do so. Even in a room like a home office, your Chicago office furniture retailer can help you combine comfort and function.

Put things where they are accessible. I can’t count the number of times I have gone to my storage closet to get a fan and found it is hidden behind boxes of Christmas decorations and piles of camping equipment. Pack things away seasonally so the fans are at the front of the closet in the summer and the Christmas decorations are there in December. Keep other things close at hand, like some throws or blankets in a basket or drawer near your favorite place to curl up at read or watch a movie. Keep your most-used cooking pieces close-at-hand. This goes for reading material and lighting as well.

Speaking of good lighting – get some! Don’t count on a ceiling fixture to illuminate your entire room. Place lamps strategically where you can use them to save energy or to highlight reading and handwork. Recessed lighting in kitchens and bathrooms and spotlighting on artwork can be convenient as well as warm and welcoming. Consider dimmer switches wherever possible to allow mood lighting and save on energy costs.

Don’t forget the personal touches. Heirloom pieces and family photos not only give you a sense of ownership and recall fond memories, but they warm up your home and guests often enjoy then as a conversation piece. Photos should be displayed in groupings if they are small. Change some of them out seasonally to keep your room fresh.

When you shop for the best furniture Chicago has to offer, think about what you want in your home, not what a decorator uses in the displays. Most of all, keep your personality in your decorating – that will assure a comfortable home.

Walter E. Smithe has partnered up once again. This time it’s not with an obvious choice but rather an unlikely one. Recently it’s joined forces with Walt Disney to include its furniture line by Drexel Heritage in its Chicago contemporary furniture showrooms.

Smithe has been one of the best furniture Chicago dealers since its opening in 1945, under the name Tone Appliances and Furniture. A few decades ago, they faded appliances out of their inventory and began to focus solely on furniture sales. Since, a new generation of Smithes has taken over the business and continues to service the Chicagoland area with top-of- the- line furniture, excellent customer service and the feel of a family-owned business.

Many may not know, but Drexel Heritage is one of the most predominant furniture manufacturers in the world and has been around for over 100 years. Originating in North Carolina, Drexel now has numerous plants totaling 2.3 million square feet. Priding themselves on superior craftsmanship, Drexel promises to provide the “broadest assortment of wood and upholstered furniture in the industry” on a wide pricing spectrum.

And of course Walt Disney we all know.  For nearly 80 years, this company has brought smiles to the faces of millions of children with its worldwide theme parks, incredible line of films, retail stores, and nearly every other product imaginable.  They’ve become a well-trusted and admired brand that truly brings families together.

Now, these three unique companies built form the ground up, have gotten together to deliver Chicago furniture shoppers a great new modern line. Whether looking for a dining room set Chicago or Chicago office furniture, the Walt Disney Collection by Drexel Heritage is sure to have a quality set to meet your needs. Visit Walter E. Smithe to check out the new line and see how the simple, sophisticated designs represent what these three companies believe in.

Unless you’re a self-proclaimed hoarder, no one likes feeling cluttered in their home. Open space eliminates the feeling of claustrophobia, promotes cleanliness and is overall more visually appealing.

If you’re looking to make a room or entire home more spacious, you can follow these few simple steps. To begin, start with the basic task of decluttering . Go through the room and remove anything that isn’t being avidly used. Old magazines from 2007- recycle ‘em. A scented candle that no longer has a surviving lightable wick- toss it. A pile of blankets that are rarely used- store them in the closet down the hall.  This already should make the room appear a bit more open.

Next, master the correct lighting. Make use of any recessed can lighting that was built in, or install track lighting, instead of using a lamp that takes up space. Also, brighter bulbs will automatically make a room seem more spacious than dull, gloomy lights. If there are any windows in the room, make sure they’re kept sparkly clean and not shielded by curtains or blinds to maximize natural lighting. Adding mirrors to a room will also create the illusion of more space by reflecting light off other surfaces.

In terms of coloring, opt for more neutral colors in every aspect, especially for floors and wall paint. Painting the ceiling a shade or two darker than the walls can actually increase the perceived height of the room. Another trick, using a monochromatic color scheme between walls, floor and furniture helps creates the illusion of more space, while harsh contrasting colors break up the room more.

If it’s a new home, or you’re willing to renovate, choose consistent flooring that extends room to room. It creates the illusion of greater length. Also, if tiling the floor, lay them on a diagonal- it helps to elongate.

Lastly, arrange your furniture so it outlines the room rather than blocking walking pathways. The openness will be immediately noticeable and the room will feel much more spacious.

If you’re looking to furnish your new spacious room, stop in to Chicago furniture dealer, Walter E. Smithe, for the best furniture Chicago has to offer. View their large inventory where you’re sure to find the perfect bedroom set, Chicago office furniture, dining room set or any other contemporary pieces.