What goes on in interior designers' minds when they're decorating homes? I’m sure you've wondered this yourself while watching HGTV or leafing through a decor magazine. With our Love This Room series, we’re going to let you in and explain how the design in these rooms creates a cohesive look you could recreate in your own home.

Let's take a closer look at our Maya casual dining room collection and what makes it so special.

Large Style, Small Space

If you are decorating a breakfast nook or some other small area for eating, you don’t have to go small on style, too. The Maya dinette set incorporates some of our favorite trends in casual dining today: Parsons chairs, counter-height dining, a perfectly square table and benches!

The mix-and-match seating lends this dining area an eclectic look that is very today! The combination of rich espresso veneers and a tempered frosted glass insert is sleek and sets the design motif for the space.

Hip-to-Be-Square Motif

The room’s design centers on the square table, and then echoes it in the wall art and window treatments. The earthy tones of both of these elements, as well as the neutral pale gray walls and light wood flooring, really accentuate the furnishings’ deep finish.

Bring It Together with Punches of Color

Verdant natural elements add visual interest. The plants in the room add bright pops of green that play off the reds and browns in the area rug. The rug further plays on the room’s theme with a circular design that is still geometric but contrasts the angles of all the squares seen throughout the area.

Wow – who knew you could bring such a layered design to a petite space like this? Now you do, and we hope this inspires you to create equally special spots in your own home!

Browse dining furniture on Furniture.com.

Categories: Dining Room Furniture, Design Tips

Whether you’re preparing for a holiday, dinner party or movie night, there are some simple things you can do to prepare your home for the event to help ensure your guests have a fabulous time. Here are our 10 tips to make the most of your space and your furniture!

Tip #1: Take a good look at your home. Does it reflect who you are today and what you want to present to your guests? Or does it look more like who you were 5, 10 or even 20 years ago? This could be a great opportunity to upgrade to a new sofa or dining room furniture that’s more in line with your current design sensibility.

Tip #2: Accessories create visual interest and are a great way to punch up your room. Arrange accessories either symmetrically for a more formal look or asymmetrically to show off your creative side. Highlight a special accessory by placing it on or against a contrasting color.

Tips #3: Want an inexpensive idea for centerpieces and other party decor? Bring nature indoors with arrangements of leaves, stones and fresh flowers.

Tip #4: Create visual interest by mixing sizes, scales and textures – this works for furnishings, accessories, artwork and more. However, keep an eye out for anything that might make guests uncomfortable, such as side tables that are too low or small to reach when seated. If you love those items, repurpose them elsewhere or temporarily put them away.

Tip #5: Move furniture around to open up your floor plan and give guests the space to move freely.

Tip #6: Continue your party’s theme from room to room to give an uninterrupted flow to the ambiance.

Tip #7: Hang artwork that expresses who you are and encourages conversation.

Tip #8: Don’t decorate around an item you don’t like. If you’ve always winced at the sight of your sofa, table or carpet, this is the perfect time to make a change.

Tip #9: Opt for a buffet, especially if you are short on space at the dining room table. Your guests will appreciate the casual atmosphere to crowding in an area that is too small.

Tip #10: And when all is said and done, this is your home and your party. So don’t be afraid to go with what feels right to you, even if it’s the opposite of everything you hear or read.

Browse furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture

For years, we all thought a man’s best friend was his dog, but now we know this is just not true. To have a happy husband, father, brother or son, you need to give the gift of leisure! A home that is equipped an entertainment room where he can sit back comfortably and watch the big game is heaven for most men. If you have the space to create a man cave, here are the two most important pieces you’ll need:

#1 Comfortable Seating

Seating is one of the most important furniture buys for creating a great entertainment room!  First, choose the type of seating. Do you see yourself relaxing on a recliner or other motion furniture piece equipped with cup holders? This type of living room furniture is extremely relaxing and can make you feel like you are at the movies! Or do you need a sectional with plenty of space for your large family and lots of visitors? Another thing to keep in mind is fabric. Leather will give a room a sleek, modern feel and is easy to clean, and microfiber is extremely soft and has a velvety feel, perfect for relaxing, either would be great choices for this space.

#2 HDTV

Buying a new TV is very exciting, and now they come equipped with many different features. You can easily upgrade to an HDTV, LED or 3-D technology at a reasonable price. A plasma screen is made of glass and may show more glare, but the colors on an LCD TV are not as vivid. Consider all your options before making your big purchase. Talk to family and friends and find out what they love about their televisions -- it may help you choose what would be best for you! When considering screen size, you may be tempted to go big, but remember, your TV needs to wotk with the size of the room. If you go too big, you may regret it later on. And don't forget to give your new TV a home in an entertainment center. These units also come in many different styles and sizes and can offer fantastic storage capabilites.

When creating your entertainment, area don’t forget the rest of your household. These days, man caves are not only for the men. Kids, teenagers and woman all need a space to relax and watch the shows and moves they like. When creating the perfect space keep in mind that these rooms are can be fun for the whole family!

Browse living room, televisions and entertainment furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Living Room Furniture, Design Tips

We are always adding new and exciting collections to our existing inventory of living room, bedroom and dining room furniture and more. Check out our top 3 picks of this week's newest arrivals, and let us know if you get inspired -- we sure did!

The Loft Bedroom

Does your bedroom furniture look blah? Want a hip modern room to retreat to at the end of the night? Then the Loft bedroom is exactly what you need. This dramatic bedroom set takes over with its stylish cut-out headboard and mirror. The black opaque glass tops bring another level of interest to the storage pieces, while the dark finish sets the tone for a high-end feeling. The espresso color allows you to dress up the bed with any style bedding, giving it your own personal touch. Add a patterned comforter, some eclectic throw pillows or dress up the walls with your favorite art! The Loft bedroom will inspire you to design with a little edge!

The Sonya Dining Room

Fall has begun and the holidays are just around the corner! Be prepared for family dinners, parties and last minute guests dropping by with new dining room furniture. Set the scene for glamorous entertaining with our Sonya collection. The design blends traditional details with modern finishes for an alluring look. The comfortable cameo back chairs showcase chic bronze upholstery. The table expands generously with two included leaves, so you'll have plenty of room for everyone! Show your family and friends that you know how to put together the perfect dinner party and start making holiday memories!

The Galloway Cocktail Table

Cocktail tables are a great piece of accent furniture for many reasons. Not only do they give you a spot to put a drink and kick your feet up at the end of a long day, but they also enhance a room's design and can give a living room a focal point. Glass tables are especially good options because the material is stylish, surprisingly affordable and easy to keep clean. Plus glass-topped tables can give smaller rooms the illusion that there is more space. One of our favorites is the Galloway coffee table. The burnished finish, fluted legs, rope trim and beveled glass top will give your room a sleek feel. This elegant and romantic table will add to the decor of your living room!

Browse all the newest furniture arrivals at Furniture.com.

Categories: Accent Furniture, Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Design Tips

Did you know that the texture of the furnishings you use in a room is as important as the colors you choose? That’s how interior designers are able to create dramatic monochromatic looks or play with light in surprising ways within a color scheme.

Brighten Spaces with Smooth Textures

Choosing smooth, glossy materials can add luster to your room. Consider a leather sofa in your living room, a high-gloss finish on your bedroom set or a sleek, glass table in your dining room. Of course, metallic accessories throughout your home will brighten up every room.

Rougher Textures Bring a Casual Feel

Furnishings and accessories with coarse or raised textures, as is often found in a more natural state, absorb light and actually make a room feel cozier. So if you’re trying to make a larger space more intimate, choose chairs upholstered in wool or with other textured fabric. And don’t be afraid to choose case goods in an unfinished or distressed appearance to give your home a rustic, warm feel.
 
Remember, the next time you buy furniture, really think about the materials, the look and feeling you are trying to achieve and how it will all play with other furnishings you already have in the room.

Browse furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture

Nothing turns a space into a home like filling it with items and furnishings you love, assembled in a style that is truly your own. Whether you’re moving into a new home or redecorating the one you already have, this is a very exciting time that can really improve your quality of life. But it’s also a time when your wants may not align with what your wallet can allow.

But don’t worry – you can have a beautiful home without breaking your budget. Our 10 tips cover everything from setting your spending limits to multifuctional pieces to help  you get the most for your money. So get started!

Tip #1: Create a budget, either for the entire living space or by individual room. Then make a list of what you have, what you need and what you’d like to upgrade. This will help you to prioritize the project and may shed light on the fact that you could repurpose your nightstand as an end table for the time being.

Tip #2: Brainstorm on how you would like to decorate each room, and then narrow down each space to one or two solid ideas. This way, all of your furniture and accessories can work toward these primary themes for a cohesive look.

Tip #3: You don’t have to furnish your entire home at once. Versatile pieces, such as dining chairs, can float between rooms -- from dining to the home office, to the living room when you’re entertaining guests.

Tip #4: Look for a beautiful bed to be your bedroom’s centerpiece and make the room feel complete. You can add everything else-- dressers, chests and nightstands -- over time. And don’t be afraid to mix and match -- an eclectic mix will make your home cozy and unique.

Tip #5: Think outside the house when it comes to decorative accents. You’ll bring unique style to your home by decorating with garden ornaments, architectural elements and old building parts. They’re often cheap and always distinctive. Check salvage yards and antique stores for great finds.

Tip #6: Use a bookcase in your dining room to store and display china and serving pieces. Later, when you upgrade to a china cabinet or sideboard, you can easily use the bookcase in another area of your home.

Tip #7: Create your own artwork. You can frame anything, from a beautiful leaf to a photo from last year’s wall calendar, and voila, you have art! For inexpensive frames, look in discount stores for framed prints. Remove the back (needle-nose pliers are terrific for pulling out large staples) and replace what was in the frame with your own masterpiece.

Tip #8: Choose a dining room table that will give you choices down the line. For example, choosing a smaller scale table or one with a removable expansion leaf might allow you to use the table in your kitchen or another room should you decide to replace it.

Tip #9: Go ahead and accept hand-me-down furnishings, but only if you really like them. An unwanted dinosaur won’t inspire your imagination the way an empty room can. Don’t be afraid to live with the open space for a while and consider the room you’d really like to create.

Tip #10: Sell furnishings you don’t like or no longer have a need for at a consignment shop or online. Then you can use the money you make for the furniture you really want!

Browse furniture on Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Accent Furniture, Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture

Are you trying to get the biggest look possible from a small room? Whether it’s because you’re just starting out in a New York City apartment or you’ve recently downsized because your children moved out, having space at a premium can present challenges when it comes to furnishing and decorating your home. Here are five tips that can help:

Start with Furniture Scale

Your furnishings need to fit the space you have. If, for example, you have a small living room, an oversized sofa may not be the best choice – it could completely dwarf the room. If you love the piece’s oversized look, perhaps a loveseat or chair from the collection could bring the same charm to your space but at a more suitable size.

Light Colors Work Wonders

Choose a light color palette to make the room appear bigger and airier. Begin with light-colored furniture, window treatments, accessories and bedding, and then drape the walls, floors and ceilings in a similar palette.

Choose Artwork Wisely

You know how set designers use receding perspectives, like a pathway to a distant point, to make the stage appear to go on forever? You can use the same trick in your home! Hang pictures of landscapes or abstracts with vanishing or receding perspective to give the eye a greater sense of depth.

Neaten Up

Keep your room tidy and clutter-free! Give eyes an easy path to absorb the combination of all elements. Items haphazardly scattered in the room will break up your decor, making the space seem smaller than it is.

Mirror Image

Place a mirror on the wall, opposite an architectural detail or a prized piece of furniture. This will give the impression of an expanded room, while doubling the visual impact of something you love. You can also use this trick to replicate a favorite view within your room.

Browse furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Living Room Furniture, Bedroom Furniture, Accent Furniture

We are always adding new and exciting collections to our existing inventory of living room, bedroom and dining room furniture and more. Check out our top 3 picks of this week's newest arrivals, and let us know if you get inspired -- we sure did!

The Monaco II 2 Pc. China

China cabinets are a timeless piece of dining room furniture that is too often overlooked today. Perhaps when many of us think of these cabinets we are brought back to our grandparents' homes and their big, bulky pieces of furniture that encompassed the entire room. The Monaco II is not your grandmother’s hutch. This beautifully carved two-piece china set is sumptuous in its design. The merlot finish and olive ash burl details evoke a sophisticated, high-end feeling. It features picture framed doors and drawers, plus an adjustable interior shelf.  Imagine sitting down to a family dinner and seeing your items proudly under the halogen lighting. This china cabinet proves it is possible to have the tradition of old with the style of today! 

The Gavin Leather Recliner

Don’t put your stylish new recliner in the dark dingy basement your husband has claimed as a man-cave -- show it off! Especially if it's our Gavin leather power recliner -- it's as visually appealing as it is comfortable. The ultra-soft double thick seating and pillow-topped arms providing relaxation for your entire body. The power recline gives you effortless movement, perfect at the end of a long day. You will love the sleek look it adds to the room with its rich black color and accent stitching. Your entire family will fight over who gets to sit in this recliner -- you may want to get two!

The Bordeaux II Leather Living Room Collection

You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a living room that looks like you did! The classic and luxurious design of our new leather Bordeaux II collection adds amazing elegance to any room. It's stunning in a rich burgundy finish with top stitching on seats and back that adds a distinctive design element. The deep seating and overstuffed cushions offer grand comfort. It’s not difficult to picture yourself entertaining friends with this amazing sofa, loveseat and chair. Start indulging now.

Browse all the newest furniture arrivals at Furniture.com.

Categories: Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture, Design Tips

Forget the book 50 Shades of Gray – this color is THE in neutral for the home! From soft gray to charcoal gray and everything in between, we’re seeing the color on sofas, chairs, accessories and more! So, while there are hundreds of ways to incorporate gray into your decor, we’ve collected 10 of our favorite living room furnishings and rugs here to inspire you:

Chloe Living Room Collection

Wrap yourself up in the cozy comfort and contemporary good looks of our smoky gray Chloe living room! The classic L-shaped sectional and deep seating encourages relaxation to your heart's content, and the plush, velvety microfiber keeps every moment soft and soothing. The swirled accent fabric adds whimsy and a sense of visual movement.

Emma Leather Living Room Collection

Our Emma leather living room offers chic style and full-fledged comfort. Done in today's most popular neutral — charcoal gray — the contemporary design is defined by sleek track arms, detailed stitching and smooth leather. Eco-leather matched sides and backs offer environmental sensibility, while a superior blend of down and foam promises plenty of relaxation.

Demi II Living Room Collection

As stylish as it is comfortable, our Demi II living room set is made luxurious with its thick, charcoal gray microfiber upholstery, which gives the appearance of suede while being velvety soft. The flared frames offer a dynamic visual element, while the hardwood/plywood construction keeps you well-supported. The fun toss pillows boast big circles in various patterns, all with a touch of chenille.

Kaylee Living Room Collection

Our Kaylee living room collection's special design offers you many stylish choices: The sofa boasts a reversible chaise that can be set up on the left, right or even the center. The chaise base is separate from the sofa frame — simply place it where you'd like and top it with the double long seat cushion. The velvety soft, durable fabric showcases a subtle hatch-mark pattern, and the deep gray shade offers a modern feel.

Mallory Living Room Collection

Presented in a cool shade of today's hottest neutral, the gray microfiber in our Mallory living room collection boasts utter softness and a subdued texture. Generous sizing, full cushions, low roll arms and welted trim blend comfortable style with upscale good looks. Pops of plum and burgundy on the toss pillows boost the design with flair.

Metropolis Grey Living Room Collection

Our Metropolis collection brings the sumptuous style of the city straight to your living room. A rich grey color and amazingly soft microfiber combine for resounding effect. Chic tufted details and striking flared arms enhance the deep, comfortable seating. Espresso-finished wood trim and matching toss pillows keep the overall look sleek.

Tres Power Living Room Collection

Luxuriously upholstered in a thick, plush slate gray microfiber, this living room set boasts comfort and support from head to toe. And surprise: There are three reclining seats in the sofa! High pub backs and extra-full pillow-top arms offer even more comfort.

Nightparty Living Room Collection

This sophisticated collection features chic steel gray upholstery, clean lines and smart ivory trim. The neutral toss pillows add to the understated elegance and charm of this simple, yet functional living room set.

Fusion Fire Area Rug

Our Fusion Fire area rug fills any room with hot style! Two tones of gray create wide stripes with an ombre effect, and a lustrous sheen enhances the fashion-forward design. The shaggy texture is a throwback to the past, but with plusher, woven yarns that are updated for today.

Milano Area Rug

Looking as though it could be hung on the walls of a modern art gallery, our Milano area rug immediately captures your attention. An appealing blend of the hottest neutrals appear in wide bands and a spot-on shape, offering a cool sense of visual movement. Soil-resistant and color-strong, the fibers come together to create a comfy texture underfoot.

Browse living room furniture and area rugs at Furniture.com.

Categories: Living Room Furniture, Design Tips

Are you ready for some football? How about your living room?

Here are some expert design tips to help you decorate your living room so it will always be ready to entertain during a game, movie night or other entertaining.

Your Media Room Doesn’t Have to Be a Cliche

When people hear the term media room, they often think of basement-level spaces that are dark and filled with dark furniture. But that doesn’t have to be the case! As long as you decorate the room giving your television a prime space, then the rest of the room can be designed to meet your overall style. So you should think about the entertainment center that you want and need. Do you want a larger wall unit where you can store your entertainment components as well as show off some knickknacks? Would a TV stand be sufficient, or should you think outside the box and mount your TV to the wall and then place a sofa table or sideboard underneath in an unconventional yet creatively stylish option for storing your electronics?

And don’t be afraid of natural lighting! Today’s TV screens often don’t get the same type of glare you grew up with. Plus, you can always get some heavy-duty window treatments that add to your decor – this way you can let in the light when you want and block it out when it meets your needs.

Decorate with Comfortable Seating – and Lots of It

People will be sitting for quite a bit of time to watch the game or recent blockbuster. So you want your living room furniture to include a lot of comfortable seating. Consider including a sectional or recliners. And even if you go with a more modern design, keep things like seat depth in mind so your guests are sure to have comfortable spots. And since your guests will be eating, drinking and showing their enthusiasm during the game, choosing a durable upholstery like microfiber or leather could make cleanup easier for you.

Give Your Guests Some Room

With everything your guests will want to do in your living room while watching the game, you’re going to want to fit in a lot of furniture: chairs to sit on, tables for drinks and food, etc. But resist the urge to put too much furniture in your game-watching room. Your guests will need space to visit, stretch out and cheer the game on, so be sure to leave enough room to minimize party fumbles.

Not Everyone Is Going to Watch the Game

Along the same vein, not everyone who comes to your game-day gathering is going to watch the game the entire time. With this in mind, setting up multiple functional sitting areas can make your party flow better. Have one sitting area squarely in front of the TV for those friends who are there to watch the game. Here they will have the best seat in the house to do just that.

Other groupings of chairs with tables or ottomans will give your guests the ability to break off into groups of like-minded friends to focus on some other aspects of the party. For example, one area with easy access to snacks and beverages could be ideal, as well as another area with chairs set up for chatting and catching up could both be great options for your living room.

We hope this advice will give you some great ideas for furnishing your living room or media room for your game-day gatherings. For more decor ideas and party tips, check out our Game Day Entertaining board on Pinterest.

Browse living room and entertainment furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Living Room Furniture, Design Tips

Being a national online home furnishings e-commerce website that works with local retailers you know and trust, we get a lot of insights into furniture trends from across the country. This series will give you the 411 on hot styles, looks and pieces by state.

Here, we take a look at furniture trends in our most popular Western states by sales.

California Furniture Trends

Ornate furnishings with rich details are very popular in California, perhaps extending the glitz of Hollywood across the entire Golden State. Furnishings for both living rooms and bedrooms boast carvings in the exposed wood, and dining room furniture that mixes materials like wood and marble are very popular.

Utah Furniture Trends

In Utah, modern takes on classic furniture designs are among the most popular furniture trends. Overall, clean lines prevail no matter what the room, and updated twists on arts-and-crafts pieces are best sellers for the bedroom. Additionally, we sell a lot of kids bedroom furniture in Utah, where people opt for mature styles that will make the transition with the child through the teen years.

Oregon Furniture Trends

Case goods are in high demand in Oregon, especially entertainment furniture for the living room. Oregonians favor large entertainment units in dark woods with a lot of space to store their entertainment components as well as to display personal effects.

Washington Furniture Trends

In Washington state, sophisticated furniture designs are very popular, especially when they display an interesting mix of materials. Sleek modern wood beds with leather-upholstered headboards as well as clean-lined dining sets with wood, upholstery and stone are both very popular.

Read our other blogs in this series:

• Furniture Trends by State: Northeast
• Furniture Trends by State: Midwest
• Furniture Trends by State: South

Browse all furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture, Kids Rooms

We are always adding new and exciting collections to our existing inventory of living room, bedroom, kids room, dining room furniture and more. Check out our top 3 picks of this week's newest arrivals, and let us know if you get inspired -- we sure did!

The Sundance Kids Bedroom Collection

When redecorating our homes, we often forget the importance of kids bedroom furniture. The look and feel of your child's bedroom will be a foundation of their  early memories. Make sure you pick durable furniture that will be with them throughout their adolescent years, like the Sundance kids bedroom collection. Its carefree and casual look can work equally well in a a girl or boy's bedroom. The hand-applied cinnamon finish enhances the laid-back style. The bed is sturdy in its construction and has plenty of built-in drawers for storage space. Your child will love the mirror's built-in corkboard, perfect for posting reminders and pictures of friends. Make your child's room a priority and start creating memories that will last a lifetime! 

The Demi Living Room Collection

Looking for something neutral enough to blend in any living room design, but funky enough to add some panache? Our new Demi collection is one of a kind with its stylish and comfortable, thick microfiber fabric that gives the appearance of suede and the feel of velvet. The charcoal grey color effortlessly blends with any room's decor. The fun circle pattern on the accent chair and toss pillows give your room unique style with an edge! Think of all the compliments you'll receive when your friends see your living room was plucked from the pages of a design magazine!

The Spirit Desk & Chair 

These days, people are working from home more than ever before, so it is essential to have a space to concentrate on work. Whether you have an extra room for an office or have allotted a corner in the kitchen or family room, a desk is as essential as a living room sofa. The Spirit desk is small in size, but big in style. While it can easily be tucked out of the way, its elegant design demans attention. The three framed re is plenty of storage in its three framed draws with antique hardware. Plus the handy pull-out keyboard tray completes its functional design. Whether you use it for work, bills or your schoolwork, the Spirit desk will stand out with its deep cherry finish and timeless design.

Browse all the newest furniture arrivals at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Bedroom Furniture, Kids Rooms, Living Room Furniture

Being a national online home furnishings e-commerce website that works with local retailers you know and trust, we get a lot of insights into furniture trends from across the country. This series will give you the 411 on hot styles, looks and pieces by state.

Here, we take a look at furniture trends in our most popular Southern states by sales.

Virginia Furniture Trends

In Virginia, upholstered furniture in modern patterns and silhouettes are our  top sellers, followed closely behind by casual contemporary upholstered living room furniture. And the love of contemporary furniture extends to the bedroom, where clean lines and deep wood finishes dominate.

Maryland Furniture Trends

Living room furniture tastes in Maryland are quite eclectic, encompassing casual contemporary as well as more formal pieces you’d expect to see in a parlor. Microfiber and leather, which tend to be the more durable furniture materials, are the most popular.

Texas Furniture Trends

While wood was the material of choice for dining room and bedroom furniture, leather was surprisingly absent from the living room furniture purchases in Texas. Modern, clean lines and streamlined looks prevailed in most of the furnishings sold here.

South Carolina Furniture Trends

South Carolina furniture shoppers are not afraid to mix things up! The most popular furnishing collections here included a mix of materials, like upholstered sofas with exposed wooden trim or wooden beds with quilted leather headboards, for example. The colors of choice were earthy browns and goes-with-everything black.

Tennessee Furniture Trends

Casual contemporary furniture prevails in Tennessee – a mix of well-made comfortable furnishings that are beautiful and livable for every day. As for colors, brown and beige upholstery is paired with chocolate wood finishes to complete the easy down-to-earth look.

Read our other blogs in this series:

• Furniture Trends by State: Northeast
• Furniture Trends by State: Midwest

Browse all furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture

I have an open floor plan, which I love. But how can I create a distinct space for dining, especially for those times when I want meals to feel more formal?

- Pauline
Albany, New York

What Furniture.com's Design Experts Say: Open floor plans lend a light airiness to the home, which is among the reasons this layout has become so popular. But with this advantage come some disadvantages. But luckily, a few design tricks and some smartly placed pieces of furniture can create a look that is both unified and different enough to allow you and your guests to easily move through the space during a holiday dinner or any other entertaining you may do.

Create 'Walls' with Living Room and Dining Room Furniture

The main architectural details an open floor plan is missing are the walls -- to put any up would ruin the aesthetic. But you can create walls between a dining area and sitting area by edging the space with a sofa or a sideboard -- or even put the two pieces back to back. When your guests have to walk around the sofa to get to the dining table, it will simulate walking into a new room.

Use Color to Set Boundaries Between Functional Areas

While you want all the spaces in your open floor plan to be a visually pleasing whole, you can use paint and accessory colors to break the larger space up in a complementary manner that makes sense for how you use the space. For example, you may use cornflower blue as accessories in your living room and kitchen, but then in the dining room use royal blue. Since all the colors are in the same family, the rooms willl look great on their coninuum, but the different shade helps to indicate that this is a different space.

Don't Forget the Floor!

Your floor visually takes up 1/3 of the horizontal space people see in your home, so don't underestimate its use in defining the different spaces in your open floor plan. Just as you might consider changing the wall color, using a different area rug is a great way to help your guests make the transition to the new space.

Pauline, we hope you find these ideas helpful!

Browse dining room furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture

Being a national online home furnishings e-commerce website that works with local retailers you know and trust, we get a lot of insights into furniture trends from across the country. This series will give you the 411 on hot styles, looks and pieces by state.

Here, we take a look at furniture trends in our most popular Midwestern states by sales.

Illinois Furniture Trends

Furniture trends in Illinois culminate in a combination of contemporary sophistication with a touch of casual living that is so very today. Of course, with Chicago’s rich history in architecture and furniture design, these tastes come as no surprise. Browns and trendy grays reign as the top choices for living room sofas and chairs, and wood is the prominent material for both bedroom furniture and dining room furniture.

Indiana Furniture Trends

Contemporary, modern furnishings are our top sellers across all room categories in Indiana. Trendy gray upholstery is the number one choice for living room furniture, and modern updates of the classic sleigh bed design are tops for bedrooms. The majority of dining room sets bought here in Indiana were sleek, modern counter-height dinettes.

Ohio Furniture Trends

Ohio furniture shoppers are looking for large-scale pieces, but they are in no way overlooking the details! Many of the most popular pieces, from large, dramatic beds to delicate yet refined table lamps, have intricate designs indicating a care in the craftsmanship from the person who brings the pieces home. Carved wood and capiz shell inlay are two examples of the more detailed decorative work popular in Ohio.

Missouri Furniture Trends

In Missouri, furniture shoppers are looking for the perfect combination of comfort and urban flair. Once again, we’ve seen gray as the color of choice for upholstered furniture. But, of course, nothing beats the old standby of a leather sofa – especially if it has an updated silhouette and incorporates all the customary comforts.

Kansas Furniture Trends

Furniture tastes in Kansas seem to embody what comes to mind for many people when they think of America’s Heartland. The most popular furnishings sold in Kansas are all sturdy, well-made pieces in traditional, comfortable designs with clean lines. Practical materials, like wood and microfiber, sell well – chosen for both their beautiful appearance and their durability.

Read our other blogs in this series:

• Furniture Trends by State: Northeast

Browse all furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture

We are always adding new and exciting collections to our existing inventory of living room, bedroom and dining room furniture, accent pieces, and more. Check out our top 3 picks of this week's newest arrivals, and let us know if you get inspired -- we sure did!

The Santa Cruz Collection

If you are looking to add a little romance to your bedroom, we suggest you take a peek at the Santa Cruz bedroom furniture collection. We love the way the different materials in this bedroom add the feeling of femininity and grace. A flattering mixture of wood, metal and faux granite compliments the room design, creating an inviting feeling. The regal bed is eye-catching with its antiqued bronze metal finish, and the rustic cherry veneers are a stunning addition to the dresser and nightstand. You can easily mix and match accessories and bedding to create the perfect atmosphere and fashion an entire new look!

The Amelia Area Rug

Picking out the right furniture is key to creating the perfect room design, but you must also remember accent pieces help give a room its finished look. Area rugs come in many different colors and patterns and can set the entire tone for the decor. Our Amelia area rug is sure to be a favorite with its earthy color palette. A blend of woodland browns, rustic reds, mossy greens and warm cinnamon reflect today's popular decorating trends. The wide-scale overlapping shapes offer modern eye appeal. The Amelia looks great in this room design because it pulls out the deep brown color of the Bayfront sectional and flatters the richly colored walls. The rug balances out the room while giving you a cahnce to express your own personal style!

The Kyle Collection

Are you trying to decorate a small apartment or condo? Keep in mind dinettes are a great option to add style to your home while saving on space! Our Kyle collection may be small, but it is big on design! This three-piece dinette has angular curves that are unique and not often seen in dining room furniture. The high-back leather-like chairs are easy to care for, and the counter-height size is ideal for casual meals and get-togethers.

Browse all the newest furniture arrivals at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Bedroom Furniture, Accent Furniture, Living Room Furniture, Dining Room Furniture

What goes on in interior designers' minds when they're decorating homes? I’m sure you've wondered this yourself while watching HGTV or leafing through a decor magazine. With our Love This Room series, we’re going to let you in and explain how the design in these rooms creates a cohesive look you could recreate in your own home.

Let's take a closer look at our Polo power living room furniture collection and what makes it so special.

Summer is coming to an end -- it’s getting darker earlier and the kids are heading back to school. What does it all mean? That it’s time for football season to start! Remember last year when you said you wanted to have that house, the one everyone wants to go to for Sunday’s game? What better way to make that dream a reality than with a new sectional perfect for accommodating those rowdy sports fan and providing plenty of comfort and space for all your guests.  

The Polo power collection is top on our list for choices! First and foremost is the sectional's size. Too often, sectionals and power furniture can swallow up a room. But this motion living room collection is generously sized for accommodating a large group of people but without a bulky feel. The pillow-topped arms and oversized deep seating set the tone for amazing comfort. The full chaise recliner adds coziness. In addition to the beautiful power recline mechanism, one of our favorite features is the console's built-in cupholders and storage space for snacks.

After the game is over and everyone has gone home, this sectional can still command the center of attention on its design merits. The contrast stitching adds a unique design element to the seating, and the brown Eco-leather upholstery gives a warm look and velvety soft feel. 

We've accentuated this living room furniture set against a cool blue color so the deep browns pop. Cornflower blue is often paired with deep browns to emphasize the furnishings. The light colors seen on the walls and in some of the accessories creates balance between the furniture and decor.

Whether you are entertaining a party of 20 or simply relaxing at home after a long day, this room is something to strive for when mixing a comfortable modern design with equally comfortable and beautiful furniture.

Browse living room furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Living Room Furniture, Design Tips

Being a national online home furnishings e-commerce website that works with local retailers to bring you affordable furniture with excellent customer service, we get a lot of insights into furniture trends from across the country. This series will give you the 411 on hot styles, looks and pieces by state. Here, we take a look at furniture trends in our most popular Northeastern states by sales.

New York Furniture Trends

In 2012, we’ve seen a return to the traditional in furniture tastes for New York. Think dark, sumptuous woods and ornately carved details. Our most popular sellers there have been stately dining room sets and overstuffed living room furniture – all classic and very masculine.

Pennsylvania Furniture Trends

Leather living room furnishings are very popular in Pennsylvania, especially in traditional designs and dark brown or black. Formal-looking sofas inspired by the Victorian time period but updated for today’s use are also sought after.

Massachusetts Furniture Trends

Massachusetts’s furniture trends tend to run a little eclectic, with a preference tending toward more colors, especially for living rooms. Here, furniture aficionados chose to brighten their living rooms up with white leather and upholstery in shades of plum and rust. Additionally, padded leather headboards are also hot, whether set in a more traditional or very modern looking bed.

New Jersey Furniture Trends

In New Jersey, furniture shoppers put a premium on comfort! Recliners and sectionals are very popular, and the style leans toward casual contemporary, sometimes with a touch of modern. Think ample seating and deep, soft cushions.

Connecticut Furniture Trends

The counter height dining room furniture trend is going strong in Connecticut, where we see furniture shoppers both buy complete dinette sets or create their own. And styles run the gamut from Shaker-inspired cherry wood finishes to Italianate high-gloss blacks.

Browse all furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Design Tips, Bedroom Furniture, Dining Room Furniture, Living Room Furniture

Times have changed, and so has the importance and need for formal living rooms. These precious rooms were often used for entertaining, providing spaces for homeowners to showcase their chic furniture and prized knickknacks. Usually these rooms were furnished with a sofa, chair, end tables and lamps -- today's common entertainment furniture and devices would not have a place there. The furniture was typically very elegant but not known for its comfort. Over time, these picture-perfect, and often useless, rooms have evolved into more usable spaces. Although many people still love the idea of a formal sitting area for entertaining, here are some more modern and exciting ideas we think you'll like!

A Family Room

A family room is a good substitute for the formal living room, because it maintains the formal space's intent but is more livable and better meets today's needs. Family rooms can be the hub of your home and the main gathering place for family and guests. With our lives busier than ever before, a family room is the perfect place to gather to talk, play or simply relax. The key to an amazing family room is comfortable seating and plenty of it! Make sure you have a sofa and loveseat equipped to handle family and friends who drop by on the weekends to say hello.

Personally, I think a sectional is the must-have furniture choice for a family room. These larger furniture pieces are perfect because they have plenty of seating and can easily adjust to most room plans. Also, they blend with other pieces of furniture and add openness to the room without sacrificing the space’s functionality. The pieces can be split into different sections so you can easily change around the entire design of the room. And because sectionals are becoming more and more popular, there are many different designs, fabric and colors to choose from! If you have a smaller living room, you can still enjoy the benefits of a sectional as there are many smaller scale designs available, too.

The Media Room

Turning your formal living room into a media room is our favorite option. Media rooms are great for watching the big game or for movie night with with family and firends. Whether your space is large or small, picking out the perfect entertainment center is key. In a media room, it is OK for the console area to be the focal point. Keep this in mind when choosing an entertainment center and pick a design that blends nicely with the theme or decor of the room. Plenty of cabinets and storage space for DVDs, sound systems, remotes and any other miscellaneous items will keep things looking neat. Another crucial furniture piece is seating and plenty of it! Choose a sofa, sectional or recliners that can fit multiple viewers comfortably. In a large media room, motion furniture is the best choice. Often reclining furniture comes equipped with storage or cup holders for food and drink, adding to the overall movie theatre feel. A home media room is an ideal spot for you and your family to sit, relax and enjoy the show!

Home Office

Another good use for that now spare room is an office. These days, almost everyone has an office or desk, and whether you use it for paying bills, working from home or doing homework, it is an essential part of everyday living. You can easily design a home office to fit in a small area as long as you pick the correct furniture. If you choose a smaller desk, make sure it still has plenty of storage and drawers so your office does not get consumed by clutter. And even if you choose a desk that is more streamlined, shelving on the walls or a small file cabinet will ensure everything has a spot. Home offices can quickly turn into a storage or supply room where all your miscellaneous items end up. Keep the room's integrity by staying organized  with file cabinets, closet storage and desk caddies. We all need a quiet space where we can work or where our children can concentrate on their studies, making this room an essential part of a modern day home!

So if you're thinking of updating your formal living room, consider one of our ideas -- you'll love the modern touch! 

Browse all living room furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Living Room Furniture, Design Tips

What goes on in interior designers' minds when they're decorating homes? I’m sure you've wondered this yourself while watching HGTV or leafing through a decor magazine. With our Love This Room series, we’re going to let you in and explain how the design in these rooms create a cohesive look you could recreate in your own home.

Let's take a closer look at our Catalina kids bedroom collection and what makes is so special.

Classic Furniture That Grows with Your Child

Your child’s room is the place he will build long lasting memories! You want to choose kids bedroom furniture that will best suit your child for years to come. If you are looking for a room that will grow with your kid throughout his childhood, then the Catalina collection is right for you!

We love this collection because it is ideal for either a boy or girl, and you can easily change the entire look depending on bedding and other accessories. The neutral design blends well with any room decor, plus its classic features allow it to maintain a modern look well into the future. The nightstand, dresser and bed all showcase raised panel drawer fronts that are accented by contemporary nickel hardware. A black cherry finish adds rich eye appeal to the youthful design. This set is built to withstand heavy use, ideal fora child's bedroom.

Extra Storage Is Essential for Kids Rooms

Another reason why the Catalina kids bedroom collection is top on our list is its immense amount of storage. The dresser and nightstands add plenty of extra space for clothing and other miscellaneous items. The bookcase storage bed has a headboard that offers space-saving shelves, along with a cabinet at the foot of the bed. The side drawers are perfect for storing toys for a smaller child, or books and CDs for a young adult. Remember, the more out of sight storage solutions your child has, the less likely the room will become a cluttered mess!

The Catalina kids bedroom collection's visual appeal, durable qualities and storage capabilities put it at the top of our list for kids rooms we love!

Browse kids room furniture at Furniture.com.

Categories: Kids Rooms, Bedroom Furniture, Design Tips