Making the Most of Your Sunroom

You love the look and feel of your sunroom décor, but you also know it’s not the most comfortable room in your home. It’s either too hot, too cold or too drafty. Heating and cooling the room makes your energy bills go crazy, and on some days, using the room isn’t possible at all. Is it possible to extend the use of your sunroom without spending a fortune on furnishings, or ripping it down and starting all over?

Heating and Cooling

One of the biggest challenges in sunroom décor and design is making the room comfortable on a year-round basis. The sunlight that benefits your space in the winter is a disadvantage during the hottest summer days. Insulating drapes, blinds and ceiling fans provide adequate, low-cost cooling during the summer. You can also purchase a through-the-wall or window air conditioner, and skip costly central air.

The winter is more problematic, but with a media cabinet with a fireplace, you can instantly heat your sunroom without costly construction expenses and hassles. You’ll also enjoy having television and sound in your sunroom, which invites your family to use the room more frequently.

Choosing an Area Rug

Many sunrooms feature stone or brick floors that look beautiful and provide an interesting transition from the interior to the exterior of your home. Beautiful as they are, they’re also cold and not very welcoming. Add an area rug to your space to keep your toes toasty during cold winter months. You’ll also cut down on dirt and dust, and make the sunroom feel more like a room and less like an afterthought.

Choose a color scheme that complements the rest of your home, especially adjacent rooms. Your sunroom should feel like a natural extension of your interior.

Consider Exterior Solutions

Trees make an elegant solution to part of your sunroom problem. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but their shade also reduces the amount of solar energy that gets trapped in your home. A few well-placed trees not only protect your home, but they also add beauty and value to its exterior. Flowering trees, such as dogwood, cherry and magnolia, are particularly beautiful in spring. Evergreen trees are excellent if you’d like additional privacy on a year-round basis. Don’t forget to plant the trees far enough away from your exterior so their growth won’t be a problem.

Another option is an awning. Extending an awning over your exterior window provides a blanket of shade that prevents too much sun from entering your windows. Some awnings are permanent, while others are retractable. Retractable awnings can operate manually or with an electronic crank.

Need Help?

Don’t ignore your valuable sunroom space because you’re not sure how to manage the air temperature. Visit Just Cabinets, Furniture & More for more information on getting the most out of your sunroom.

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Easy Home Accents

Pinterest and home décor magazines are great ways to inspire your own decorating ideas, but if you go too far, you may spend too much time and money with not enough results. The good news is that you can achieve the look you want with less aggravation and for less money than you think. Before you go crazy buying everything in sight, consider your goals and take it slowly but surely.

Establishing the Problem (and Settling on a Solution)

What’s the problem with your space? Is it boring? Does it not have enough storage? Is too dark, too outdated or too uncomfortable? Once you know what problem you’re trying to solve, it’s easier to find a solution. Analyze your Pinterest page and magazine clippings for clues. Do you like the idea of one dominant color scheme, such as warm white tones? Is there a particular cabinet or furnishing that caught your eye? Do you need comfortable seating that modernizes and harmonizes the appearance of your space?

The answers to these questions should be your starting point. For example, imagine you have a large entryway that needs to welcome your guests with a little more pizzazz, but also helps your family stay organized. You’re tired of seeing coats, bags and shoes flung everywhere, and you’re especially frustrated at the drop zone the area beside your door has become. With the right home accent furniture, you can liven up the space and give yourself extra storage at the same time. That means no more soggy mittens or wet dog leashes scattered along the floor!

Harmonizing Your Space

The right accent furnishings should not only enhance the look of the space, but they should also complement the rest of your décor. For example, if you need a new accent chair, choose one that comes in upholstery that coordinates with the color scheme in your home. The idea is that you should be able to move your furnishings from one room to the next and still feel there is a well-coordinated, dominant look.

Hiring a Professional

Even the smallest, simplest projects have a way of taking on a life of their own. If you know what you like but you’re not sure where to start — or even if you have no idea what you like, but you just know you want a change — working with a professional is a great option. You don’t have to spend thousands on an independent designer, though. At Just Cabinets, Furniture & More, our team has interior design knowledge and can help you with projects of all sizes.

Visit our showroom any day of the week to ask our team about your project, before you make a costly mistake that won’t make anyone’s Pinterest board.

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How to Decorate a Guest Room

Guest room furniture probably wasn’t at the top of your priority list when you moved into your home. However, now that you’re settled, you want to create a welcoming environment without spending too much money. You also want to turn what might otherwise be unused space into a room everyone can enjoy.

Choosing Guest Room Décor

Put yourself in your guest’s place: what would you want when visiting another home? You need a comfortable bed, plenty of bedside lighting and a nightstand that makes it easy to charge your devices. You also need a place to put your suitcase and toiletries, and an empty dresser and closet if you’re planning to stay for a while. A comfortable chair, with a table and lighting, is another nice touch that lets you escape from the hustle and bustle of a strange house.

You can accomplish all of these goals with wise choices. A bedroom furniture set is an easy way to furnish your guest bedroom, but if you’re short on space, choose a lounger bed that features a bookcase and drawer storage instead. The lounger also doubles as seating with the right accessories, such as throw pillows. You can also opt for a lounger with a club chair and desk if you prefer a space that’s functional all the time instead of only when you’re hosting guests. This is a great solution if you’re looking to create a separate home office but also need to manage your space effectively.

Complementary Décor and Nice Touches

If you want your guests to feel welcome, then it’s probably not a great idea to plaster your guest bedroom with personal photos and mementos. Opt for colors, bedding, finishes and fabrics that complement the décor in the rest of your home so there is a soothing sense of continuity. Although one or two personal photos give your guest room a pleasant feel, avoid plastering the space with highly personal or outdated items that might make your guest feel uncomfortable. Old stuffed animals, childish linens and posters that would have looked at home in 1982 should be eliminated.

A fresh coat of wall and ceiling paint, drapes that adequately protect against sunlight, drafts and noise, and a soft rug all welcome your guests with class and style. Don’t forget to purchase fresh linens for your bed and bath — after all, who wants to sleep on scratchy sheets or dry off with a threadbare towel? When your guest is due to arrive, add water bottles, washcloths, towels and some magazines to your bedroom and you’ll ensure they are comfortable for their entire stay! 

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Decorating a Child’s Room — for Now and Later

This year it’s trains and next year it will be dinosaurs. The year after he’ll love gaming, and then it’s all about sports, girls and studying. It’s clear that growing up challenges even the most well-planned room decorations. However, with smart furniture choices and a willingness to update accessories, you can create a kid’s room that works now and years into the future.

Choosing Furniture

Once the early years of babyhood and toddlerhood are safely in the rearview mirror, it’s time to get serious about purchasing well-made furniture that can adapt to changing taste and maturity. Full-over-full bunk beds are a fun option for younger years but easily fit older kids once they grow — while also providing you with extra sleeping arrangements when you host overnight guests. If bunk beds are a bit too juvenile, try a lounger bed or captain’s bed. It’s a great choice for smaller spaces and budgets when buying additional storage furniture isn’t an option.

When it comes to storage, you can never have too much. Find a matching dresser with plenty of deep drawers capable of holding sweatshirts and sweaters, shirts, pants, pajamas and underwear. Don’t forget to leave space for uniforms and special event apparel. Choose a nightstand that’s electronics-ready and keep phones and devices out of sight. Don’t forget a desk, hutch and mirror — there are plenty of affordable, wood furniture options that coordinate perfectly.

Adding a Personal Touch

You may be buying furniture to last for years to come, but accessories allow you to customize the look of your child’s room. Bedding is a great way to highlight a special interest or hobby, and it’s easy and inexpensive to change once the fad passes. You can also purchase poster-size frames in standard sizing and replace the contents with prints and themes that reflect your child’s interest.

Curtains and lighting are simpler ways to easily turn a child’s room into one that belongs to an adolescent, and finally, a teenager. Paint is another easy way to make a noticeable adjustment. The bright colors of your child’s early years might slowly turn into more neutral, or adult-like, shades.

Final Tips

If you’re starting from scratch, focus on your needs first. Measure your room carefully before you buy, and note the locations of the entry, closet and windows. Establish a budget, and don’t forget to include bedding, paint, lighting and an area rug. Storage is a top priority, but so is finding a comfortable mattress — you’ll need two if you’re planning bunk beds.

If you’re interested in once-and-done decorating, choose wood furniture that is also suitable for an older teen or adult. If you prefer to update every few years, try a fun option like a basketball loft bed. But if you’re worried about making an expensive decision, consult a professional. Professional input from Just Cabinets can clarify your choices and make the process enjoyable rather than daunting. 

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How to Match Your Paint and Furniture

If you’ve ever spent hours staring at paint chips and trying to imagine how they’ll look on the walls of your home, you know how difficult finding the right colors can be. The best interior home colors aren’t necessarily what are in the latest magazines and websites, but rather what looks right with your furnishings. That Chinese red dining room might look wonderful online, but try it with your green Persian carpet and it’s back to the drawing board.

Choosing a Neutral

Neutrals are having a huge moment in interior design. Whites, creams, grays, browns, camels — they’re everywhere, they go with everything, and they’re gorgeous. Choosing a neutral is a lot harder than it looks, however. If you’ve already tried to find the perfect true gray paint, you know how challenging it can be to find a shade that doesn’t have undertones of another color such as green.

Invest in a fan deck from your favorite paint supplier before you begin. Your first step will be to determine whether you prefer warm tones such as beige and tan, or cool tones such as gray and pure white. Don’t buy gallons of paint before you test them on the wall. Buy a quart instead, and test a patch. You’ll be able to evaluate how it looks in different lights and with your trim, as well as your furniture.

Incorporating Bold Colors

There will always be a place for bold colors in home design. After all, is there anything more stunning than a navy blue lacquered wall with bright white trim and polished nickel or brass fixtures? Bold isn’t for the faint of heart, but when done properly, it can achieve an unforgettable look.

Again, testing is absolutely essential. Deep navy looks beautiful with bright white, paler blues and purple. Red paint complements richly hued furnishings, such as mahogany. Perhaps the most important tip for bold paint is to prep your walls carefully. It’s tempting to think that dark paint hides, but the opposite is true — dark paint magnifies prep mistakes. So does gloss, so test carefully and choose wisely.

Mixing Furnishings and Paint

Begin by matching the colors in your rug or floor to your proposed wall color. These elements will give your room the structure it needs. If you’re planning to paint each room a different color, coordinate carefully. If possible, choose one or two colors you plan to carry through each room. For example, you might decide that taupe and a creamy white are your colors. If you use the same tones throughout your home, you’ll amp up its look considerably and ensure everything is consistent.

If You Need Help

Feeling frustrated? Just Cabinets, Furniture & More can help. Our trained interior designers are available every day at no cost to you! Visit a showroom for more information.

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How to Make a Small Space Feel Bigger

When it comes to furnishing your home, there are few bigger mistakes than choosing furniture that just won’t fit. Living in a cozy cottage or shoebox-sized urban apartment doesn’t have to be torture. With the right choices, you might even find it preferable! After all, less space means less upkeep, and that means more free time for you! If you want to decorate small spaces, consider the tips below.

Know Your Measurements

Don’t buy anything for your space until you know your measurements. This includes doorways! Many couches, for example, just won’t fit through a 28” door. Avoid succumbing to the temptations of today’s supersized world and search for “apartment size” furnishings instead. And don’t forget to factor in space for walking!

Choose Double-Duty Pieces

Have a tiny bedroom? Don’t try to jam too much furniture into one tiny space. Try a captain’s bed or storage bed instead, and make use of the spaces behind and underneath your mattress. Cabinets that are wired for electronics also help, and an armoire can give you the extra hanging space your clothes desperately need. If you live in a studio, a daybed or pullout sofa will do wonders.

When the Dining Room and Kitchen Are One

Armchairs are lovely, but unless you have an incredibly spacious dining room, don’t bother. A slatback, leather-cushioned, armless chair will look equally at home in your kitchen and your living room without being a space hog. Choose an extension table so you’re comfortable when you’re entertaining, and comfortable when you’re not.

Kitchen Storage

When you’re worried about fitting food in the kitchen, it’s time to reevaluate. Try hanging pots, pans, spices, utensils, and knives from racks and hooks on the wall. You can also consider renovating your kitchen to include cabinetry that’s customized for your specific storage needs.  

Mirrors Help

A well-placed mirror makes your home look bigger and brighter. Try adding a mirror across from a favorite window or view, or across from a hallway. You won’t get extra space but you’ll gain an illusion and get twice the pretty view.

Call in the Pros

From reconsidering your paint scheme to hanging drapes higher on the wall, there are a million tricks to make a small space look bigger. If you’re still not sure how to decorate your small space, call in the pros.

At Just Cabinets, Furniture & More, our expert designers can help you achieve a look you’ll love, no matter how big or small your home is. Best of all, our interior design service is free, and available every day of the week! 

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How to Achieve Your Favorite Home Décor Style

A professionally designed home looks like it achieves its beauty effortlessly. However, professionals know that mastering a certain décor is anything but effortless — every choice, right down to the paint, matters. You don’t have to work with a professional to recreate the look you want, you just have to pay attention to what’s already around you.

A DIY Tip for Every Project

Do you count the days until the new Houzz electronic newsletter arrives? Do you worship Martha Stewart and every tip she releases? Even if you don’t have 2 years worth home décor magazines stashed in your bookcase, gathering ideas now makes future decisions easier.

Start saving your favorite ideas on paper in a special place. When it’s time to redecorate, you’ll have a handy resource of ideas that match your unique taste, whether it’s vintage, contemporary or something in between.

How to Recreate a Vintage Home Style

Vintage is one of the hottest trends in home design. You can achieve a vintage look by mixing real vintage furnishings with newly purchased ones. Vintage artwork, pottery and accents are great ways to give your home a vintage feel — tag sales are great for finding one-of-a-kind and quirky pieces. Mix real vintage décor with a furnishing such as a Persian-inspired carpet. You’ll get the vintage style, minus the worn and smelly remnants.

If you’re planning to renovate your kitchen or bath, choose traditional white cabinetry and quartz countertops that resemble marble. Brass fixtures and subway tile complete the look beautifully.

Traditional Home Décor

Traditional home décor is always in style, but today’s most innovative traditional looks blend pieces from different collections. Instead of buying a sofa, loveseat and chair in the same upholstery, try mixing pieces that complement one another instead. For example, choose accent furnishings that share the same finish but not the identical style. You can also invest in a classic sofa with accent chairs in different upholstery to give your room a traditional style that’s anything but plain.  

Modern Home Design

Contemporary furnishings give your home a completely different feel. But today’s modern home design is anything but cold — warm contemporary furnishings can give your décor an almost global feel. Seating is a great way to test out a modern look, and few modern pieces have achieved the appeal of the Parsons chair. Perfect for the kitchen, dining room or anyplace where you need additional seating, the Parsons chair is an elegant and comfortable option that blends with almost any home. Need a table to match? Try the Charlestown Glass Table.

Just Cabinets, Furniture & More Is Here to Help

Know what you love, but find it hard to put everything together? Visit Just Cabinets. Our professional interior specialists are happy to help, and there’s no extra cost to you! 

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Easy Spring Décor Ideas

Sunny skies, warmer temperatures and blooming flowers mean one thing: spring is here, and summer can’t be far behind! Get in the spirit by giving your home the spring upgrades it deserves — easily and inexpensively.

Little Touches Make a Big Difference

Updating your home for the season doesn’t have to mean new paint or other time-consuming upgrades. Creating a relaxed warm weather look can be as simple as swapping out deeper, richer tones for lighter and airier looks. For example, check out our selection of pillows, such as the Catalina Ocean Pillow and Bloom Cherry Pillow. These are classic styles that suit a variety of décor.

Lighting and area rugs are also great ways to instantly update the look of any room. Try our Jessica Table Lamp, which adds a transitional or contemporary touch. Or add a new area rug, and you’ll refresh the look of your favorite room without lifting a paintbrush!

Shed Some Light on the Situation

Don’t get us wrong — we love classic velvet or rich silk drapes, too. But sunny skies and sweetly scented breezes call for bright, open windows and new drapes. Try a sheer linen or cotton style, tied loosely at the hardware. Grommet panels work well, too. Leave pinch pleats, trimmed valances and other heavier styles to the fall.

And don’t forget to wash your windows, inside and out! If they’re sparkly enough, you might just decide to forego your window treatments altogether.

Refresh the Exterior

If you live in the snowbelt, your exterior probably needs a little refreshing. Consider painting your front door and shutters with a bold new color. You can also install a new doorknocker, and add a seasonally appropriate wreath — forsythia, pussy willows and even a plain branch wreath are all great options for the spring.

Satisfied with your color scheme? Now is a great time to power wash away the dirt and debris. Don’t forget the patio, which could probably use some new exterior furnishings. Try the Island Breeze Chat Set, which is versatile enough to fit in any home and strong enough to withstand a diverse range of weather conditions. Don’t forget to check out our table sets, chairs, tables and dining sets, too.

Don’t Forget the Flowers

Nothing welcomes spring more than flowers. Add flowers near your front door to maximize the curb appeal of your home. Container gardens also work beautifully on your patio or deck. Love the idea of growing your own tomatoes, strawberries or blueberries? These plants all grow beautifully in containers — just make sure you have a sunny spot far away from plant-eating pests.

Happy spring!

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