CT Home Interiors Blog

How to Maximize Heat in Your Living Spaces

When it comes to home decor, everyone has an opinion about how a room should look. However, certain exceptions are made in the winter when heat sources are factored into the placement of furniture. If you block the vents and fireplace screens with large armoires and sofas, you could be reducing the amount of heat in the room. This can also lead to higher energy bills, since your first inclination will likely be to turn up the thermostat.

Before you turn the dial any higher, consider these three simple tips.

fire burning in the living room fireplaceLocate All Vents

First, identify where all of the vents are in every room. If your home or apartment has vents on the floor, placing a recliner or bookcase over them cuts off the heat source. Don’t place anything over these vents – especially rugs – to avoid a potential fire hazard. You can position couches and chairs near vents, but never block the heat that is escaping to warm the room.

Keep Furniture Away from Fireplaces

Homeowners want their fireplace to do two things: add to the room’s ambiance and produce heat. Similar to the above point, blocking it with a couch or other large piece of furniture defeats the purpose and may lead to an accidental fire. Allow plenty of open space in front of the fireplace and ensure no flammable fabrics are near so sparks and embers don’t cause a fire.

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The Right Accents to Complete Home Living Spaces

Once you have furnished your home living spaces with the primary furniture, including beds, sofas, end tables and chairs, it is time to think about finishing the job with fitting accent pieces. For many, living spaces are incomplete without the right personal touches, such as rugs, wall art, sconces lamps and mirrors. With choice additions, you can make every room in your home ready for its close-up.

flowers on a table with pink accents Consider Carpeting

From tile to hardwood, many home floors can benefit from the right rug. Perhaps you want a cozy and warm accent that will make your home more comfortable during winter or simply want to add character to an otherwise average looking floor space. Available in a range of materials, styles and colors, rugs can add instant style to a dining room, living room or bedroom. When matched with the existing look of sofa and chair upholstering, rugs will help create a seamless flow in your home.

Properly Illuminate Rooms

Living spaces can often be defined by the choice of lighting. From chandeliers and table lamps to wall sconces and recessed lighting, the right illumination can make or break a room. When you have settled on the furniture for a den, foyer or entertainment room, give serious thought to how you want to light the area. Dimmers often work best to establish the right mood and gives you the chance to turn any room into a low-lit space for intimate gatherings or a well-lit room for larger parties.

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Choosing Classic or Modern Home Decor

When you are planning to furnish a new home or redesign the décor of an existing home, you will be faced with a decision between traditional or contemporary style. Of course, you can be trendy and look for a balance of both – a concept known as transitional décor – but most homeowners will choose one. Knowing whether classic or modern is best for your home will depend on your personal taste, the design of the home and the interior space.

Creating the perfect home atmosphere is no easy task. Choosing from a wide variety of furniture styles and interior design accents can be overwhelming at first. Yet, when you take a moment to reflect on what you want your home to feel like, you can begin to narrow down your options and select the best décor.

home-decor-blogConsider Your Own Preferences

The best place to start is within yourself. Think about what appeals to you on an aesthetic level and your personality. Home interiors should reflect the character of the owner and, while you may want different moods for different rooms, each should adhere to a master design that will allow for an easy flow of décor ideas. Decide if you want a classic theme or modern look, then seek out the furnishings that will best match your taste.

Think About Layout and Design

Also consider the design of the home, including the exterior and the landscaping. Homes that are located in wooded areas often blend well with traditional décor, while homes that are in more open spaces and developments may look best with modern décor. Exceptions are always possible, so give serious consideration to how the exterior and interior will match to achieve the right look and feel.

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Maintaining Leather Furniture

When you choose to furnish your home with high-quality, genuine leather furniture, including sofas, chairs and ottomans, you make a long-term commitment. The look and feel of real leather adds stylish décor to any home living room, study or bedroom and will provide plush comfort for years to come – as long as you care for it properly.
Unlike fabric furniture, leather is a special material that needs to be cleaned and conditioned properly to avoid fading, tears and drying out. Leather is animal hide, so regular maintenance is required to keep it looking great through the years.

The good news is that it’s fairly easy to care for leather furniture.

living room with leather furniture

Hancock & Moore Leather Furniture

Vacuum Your Leather Furniture

In most cases, you will either want to vacuum your leather furniture once a week with a soft bristle attachment or wipe it down with a slightly damp rag or towel. Surface dust and dirt must be removed regularly to prevent long-term damage.

Condition Your Leather Furniture

Another important tip to preserving leather furniture is to condition it. You may only need to perform conditioning twice a year, but this is mandatory to keep your leather sofas and chairs in great shape. When conditioning, make sure you apply the product evenly to avoid uneven coloration on sofa cushions. If you don’t condition leather furniture, the leather will eventually dry out, become brittle and crack. To find the right product for conditioning, contact the manufacturer, as they will provide the best answer. Don’t choose a cheaper product; spend a little extra to get the best results.

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Tips for Lighting Living Spaces

When designing the interior of your home there are many considerations to make. From the furniture to the color of wall paint, you will have some important decisions to make to ensure you achieve the look and mood you want. Another crucial part of home interior design is lighting. Whether it is how much natural sunlight you allow to enter a living room or the right illumination fixtures for a bedroom or bathroom, it is very important to get the lighting right to create the right environment.

Here are a few tips on how to choose the right lighting to get the feeling just right.

modern living room Lighting the Living Room

Arguably one of the most used rooms in the home by family and guests, it is important that you have proper illumination, but avoid glaring overhead lighting that can kill the ambiance. It is a good idea to use a combination of floor lamps, wall sconces and table lamps that will prevent harsh lighting, yet still give you enough light. If you are installing ceiling lights or track lighting, give serious thought to dimmers. Automation allows you to control how bright the lighting is, so you can create the right mood for every occasion.

Lighting the Bedroom

When it comes to bedrooms, you’ll likely want to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. However, remember that you are often lighting for two times of the day: early morning and early evening. When it is time to wake up, nothing works better than natural sunlight to awaken the mind and body. Consider the right shades, blinds or drapes that are used in windows facing in the direction of the sunrise to take advantage of natural light. When evening comes, look for lamps and recessed lighting that point toward the dressing area and master bathroom, rather than on the bed. For the bed, simply place a small table lamp on a nightstand that will offer plenty of light for reading before bedtime.

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