Dining room on a dime

Furnishing or updating a room doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Here are a few tips for decorating on a budget in the dining room:

Don’t buy a new dining set all at once; incorporate older pieces with new ones. If you need a new table, look for one that will go with your original chairs. You can also paint your chairs or table to match the new furniture.

The quickest and most inexpensive way to make a big change to a room is to paint it. Keep in mind that a color will look darker painted on a large space than it does on a paint sample, so pick two shades lighter than the sample color you like. If you’re decorating a small dining room, painting it a lighter color will make it appear larger.

It’s easy to create inexpensive and creative centerpieces for your dining room. You can also use a traditional set-up including candles or flowers, or you can also create your own unique style. It’s easy and inexpensive to switch-out your centerpiece with the seasons by adding a bowl of pine cones in the winter or a pumpkin in the fall. It will make an immediate change without a lot of effort or money.

It’s important to make sure you take good care of the furniture in your dining room so that you can retain your pieces as long as possible and save the money that it would cost to replace everything.

At Furnish 123 in San Antonio, we make decorating a dining room on a dime easy with our selection of affordable dining room furniture. Customer satisfaction is our top priority and our staff would love to help you with more affordable design ideas. Come check us out. You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. We hope to see you soon!

Family-centered living room

If you decide you want to make your living room the main hang-out area for your family, you need to create a family-centered design. This means the design needs to be appealing and functional for the whole family.

What main activity will your family be doing in the living room? Will it be game night at the coffee table or watching your favorite show together on a Sunday evening? Arrange your furniture in the way that will be most functional for what you plan to do the majority of time in the living room. If it’s game night, make sure you have enough seating to go around the coffee table. If it’s a movie or show, make sure you have enough chairs set up facing the television.

Seating is important for your living room because you want to have ample seating for the entire family. Try to make all the seating equally comfortable. If each choice is inviting and comfortable, you won’t have kids fighting over who gets to sit on the cozy couch.

Family-centered living rooms need furniture that’s protected from kids and animals. Leather couches are highly stain-resistant but can be scratched easily. Fabric sofas with dark patterns make it easier to hide stains, but they will also show signs of wear and tear much earlier than leather furniture. Decide what’s best for your family and what will fit your design.

Make your living room inviting and cozy so your family will want to spend time there. Use soft, fluffy couch pillows and hang a throw over the back of a chair. Warm colors are more alluring and relaxing. A family-centered living room should offer a casual feel; you don’t want it to feel too frilly or stiff.

At Furnish 123, we have a great selection of affordable living room furniture. At our San Antonio furniture store we understand decorating on a budget, which is why we provide some of the most affordable furniture in the area. Come and see us today! You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Finding the home accessories that match your style

Home accessories take your design as a whole and tie it together. Without accessories, your home will just be rooms filled with furniture. In order to accomplish a style, you will need more than just a couch and a coffee table. You will need to make sure your accessories match your style to get the look you want.

Have you defined your style yet? Look at your other pieces. Are they traditional, or more contemporary with straight lines and neutral colors? With a contemporary style, you can use geometric accessories such as a unique candleholder or a funky piece of art. With a traditional design, opt for more conservative art.

If you have rustic furniture, your accessories should exhibit elements of nature and natural colors including browns, greens, and oranges. Go for natural wood on your end tables and coffee tables. Country prints such as plaids and quilts make attractive accessories.

Look for accessories that complement each other and remind you of other aspects of your design. If something looks out of place, then it is out of place. It’s all about having a cohesive look and not letting your design clash.

Be sure to choose home accents and accessories you like. They must match your style. Your accessories also need to match the scale of the space you’re decorating. Large accessories with small-scale furniture would look awkward and off-balance, and the purpose of your accessories is to create balance.

At Furnish 123, we have a great variety of affordable home accents and accessories. Customer satisfaction is our top priority and our staff is here to help you with any affordable design ideas and selection of affordable furniture for your home. Come visit us at one of our furniture stores in San Antonio. We hope to see you soon!

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

First time furniture purchases

When starting from scratch, it’s important to know that some pieces of furniture are more necessary and basic than others. Buying furniture in the right order will make pulling your design together much easier. Here is a helpful list of what to buy and in what order:

Bed. Technically you need to buy a mattress before anything else, so that you will have a place to sleep even if you have nothing else furnished in your home. You will eventually need something to put that mattress on as well, so make sure you find a great bed frame early in your furniture shopping.

Dining table. After you have a place to sleep, you’ll need a place to eat. It’s important to choose a dining room table that’s the right size for function and space. When decorating a small space, a round table is a great option because it takes up less room. However, make sure you have enough table space for the number of people who need to use it.

Seating. It’s important to have a place to sit, not only at your dining table, but also in other parts of your home. Make sure that you select dining room chairs that match the style of your table. A couch is a big purchase and should be thoughtfully considered. It’s one of the main pieces in your home and should represent your personal style.

Storage. Next on your list are furniture pieces that function as storage, such as a dresser in the bedroom and a media stand in the living room. Start with the most basic things, and think about extra storage like shelving and bookshelves later.

Lighting. Your home will need more than just any existing overhead lighting. Invest in lamps because they not only add more light, but they also give off a warm glow and are more flattering than overhead lighting.

Accessories. Once you have all your basics set up, start tying all of your main pieces of furniture together with home accents such as coffee tables and end tables. Then start decorating with purely aesthetic items such as artwork and mirrors.

At Furnish 123, we can help you find affordable furniture for everything on this list. We have a great selection of everything from furniture for college to apartment furniture and more. Come check us out at our furniture store in San Antonio. We hope to see you soon!

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

Getting your house season ready

It isn’t necessary to completely change your design with the change of seasons, but there are a few home decorating ideas you can follow to make your house season-ready.

Winter: Don’t let your house feel like a freezer when it gets cold outside! Make use of your fireplace, if you have one, and add warm and cozy elements around your home. Hang some warm throws over the back of the couch or chair. Hang heavier drapes to help keep the heat inside and the cold outside. Instead of filling vases with bright summer or spring flowers, fill them with natural elements that represent winter, such as pine cones. Fill your home with the scents of the season like cinnamon or pine.

Spring: The weather is warming up and the greenery and flowers are popping up everywhere. It’s time to take down your holiday decorations and put the heavy fabrics away. Add breezy, lightweight elements such as sheer curtains. Bring the outdoors in and fill your home with the sights and smells of spring blossoms. Brighten your home with natural lighting.

Summer: Make your space feel cooler by putting away your dark accessories and replacing them with light-colored baskets and white candles. You could even put a light-colored slipcover over your couch or add linen elements to your design. If you have an area rug, put it away for the summer. The bare floor will feel lighter and make the room feel cooler.

Fall: The leaves are changing colors, and so should your accessories. Add elements that have the same warm colors as the outdoors. The fall accentuates nature and so should your home.  Start adding heavier fabrics and dark colors. Add some Indian corn to your dining room centerpiece, and place pumpkins at your doorstep to represent the season and its holidays.

Let your design represent how you want to feel, whether that’s laid-back and cool in the summer, or cozy and warm in the winter. Your home should feel inviting and comfortable during every season.

At Furnish 123, we have a great selection of affordable furniture and home accents for every season. Come see us at one of our furniture stores in San Antonio or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

How to decide what you need for your dorm room

Moving into a dorm is a big step, so knowing in advance what you need relieves some of the stress of moving away from home.

Look on your dorm hall’s website. It should provide a list of the furniture and items provided in your room. If not, then look at the pictures to see what pieces seem to be consistent in all the rooms. Most dorms usually provide a desk, bed frame, mattress, and dresser. Once you figure out what’s provided, you can move on to what else you need.

Even though you probably have a mattress, it may not be a good one. Look into getting a cozy mattress top so you have a comfortable place to sleep. You will also need to bring your own bedding, so decide what size sheets you need and what style you prefer.

If you’re going to share your room, be sure to talk to your roommate before move-in day. You can decide who brings what when it comes to shared items. Items that are usually divided between roommates include a fridge, microwave, area rug, curtains, coffee machine, TV, and DVD player. Make sure that you communicate so that you don’t leave something out or take up space with unnecessary duplicates.

Some dorms will provide a desk chair, but if yours doesn’t, you’ll definitely need a place to sit for those long hours pounding away at your laptop. But this is your dorm room, not a CEO’s office, so keep it youthful and find a chair that’s damage resistant, comfortable, and fun!

Don’t forget smaller items, such as a trash can and a laundry hamper. You’ll also need plenty of storage because your closet and dresser are likely to be small.

If you decide to loft your bed, bring a futon to place under it. A futon gives you more seating for reading or watching TV as well as a place for overnight guests to crash.

At Furnish 123, we have a great selection of dorm furniture. We understand college students are decorating on a budget, which is why we offer some of the most affordable furniture for college. Come and see us at our San Antonio furniture store. You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter.

Summer home accessory trends

When decorating a summer home, it’s all about choosing the right accessories. They should be light, breezy, and laid-back. Summer home accessories should represent the mood of summer—relaxed and fun.

Incorporate plenty of white into your design. White looks clean and fresh and brightens any room. Try sheer white curtains. They’re breezy and will block the glare of the hot summer sun while letting in enough natural light. Use white accessories such as wicker baskets or linen accent pillows.

When you aren’t using white, choose a fresh color scheme featuring colors like light blue or yellow. These colors are fun, light, and calming. Pink is the color of the year; to follow the trend, add splashes of pink to your summer home with pillows or an area rug.

Use light fabrics and textures. Heavy and dark fabrics will make the room feel too serious and closed off instead of light and breezy.

Bring the outdoors into your home. Decorate with bright summer blooms and other natural elements such as light wood accessories. Create color in neutral rooms with the brightest summer flowers. If your summer home is on the beach, then bring the beach inside also. A clear bowl or vase full of seashells, a painting of the sun setting over the watery horizon, and sea-inspired color palettes all capture beach design.

At Furnish 123 we offer a great selection of affordable home accents for any summer home. Customer satisfaction is our top priority, which is why we have three San Antonio locations for your convenience. Furnish 123 is the fastest growing furniture store in the United States. We offer affordable furniture with big style. Come in and see us or check out our online catalog and interactive “Create Your Own Space” page. We hope to see you soon!

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

What's your dorm room style?

Finding your style for your dorm room is exciting and can be a lot of fun. You’ll be living in this small space for a year, so you will need to find the style that represents you and will make your room feel more inviting and comfortable.

Are you trying to incorporate elements of home, or are you trying to go for something completely different and fresh? Research different styles to figure out which one you like best. Flip through furniture and bedding catalogs and see what stands out to you.

There are many styles that are common for dorm rooms; you just need to figure out what best fits your personal style. Do you prefer monogrammed pillows and accessories, or do you tend to lean more toward floral designs? There is also minimal design, which is an especially great style in a dorm room because of the limited space.

Most dorm rooms incorporate a color scheme, and then pull it together with matching bedding and accessories. How you arrange your dorm room is also a matter of personal preference. You can keep your bed low to the floor or raised for more storage underneath. You can also loft your bed for a special dorm room feel and to add more space for visitors.

Are you more about your family photos and design accessories, or are you more of a techie who wants to show off your cool gadgets? Let your interests and hobbies show through in your dorm room style, because that will make it personal and one-of-a-kind.

At Furnish 123, we offer a great selection of dorm furniture for any dorm style. We understand that college students are decorating on a budget, which is why we offer some of the most affordable furniture for college. Come and see us at our San Antonio furniture stores. You can also check us out on Facebook and Twitter. 

How to use a bold colored couch

We’ve all seen the great showroom living rooms with bold-colored couches and have been a bit envious. Most people are cautious when decorating their homes; they don’t want to make too bold a statement so they stick with softer, neutral patterns.

Being cautious when decorating is good to a point, but taking a risk and using a color you really love will allow you to enjoy your room that much more. Decorating with a bold-colored couch is simple—if you know what you’re doing.

If you come into our showroom and fall in love with the Jamestown couch in red, for example, would you pass it up because you don’t know how to decorate around it? If you were to pick this couch and wanted a bright, modern room, you could paint your walls white or bright cream.  A sage green or light tan would also work and would add a country feel.

If the couch by itself is too much red for your room, use a throw blanket with a mix of your accent colors. Draping the blanket over the back of the couch or on one of the sides will reduce the shock of the red couch. Using a blanket with your key accent colors will help tie the room together, too.

Adding pillows in your accent colors on the opposing sides of the couch will make it look comfortable and inviting. Make sure your other accents—including lamps and rugs—are a neutral color similar to the walls to avoid clashing with the couch.

Stop by our showroom to take a look at the Jamestown couch or any of our other boldly colored couch options. Our staff would love to help find the perfect couch for you. We want to help you decorate while sticking to your budget. Visit one of our furniture stores in San Antonio or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

How to update your dining room in a few simple steps

Add a centerpiece. Give your table an instant update with a trendy centerpiece like a decorative bowl, a candle arrangement, or even a vintage tray. If you wish, you could also opt for something seasonal like fresh flowers for spring and holiday decorations in the fall. A centerpiece is the perfect design idea for decorating on a budget because it can be inexpensive and possibly something you make yourself!

Display your belongings. A great way to update your dining room is to display some of your personal items like special china, family photos, and trinkets collected from trips. A china cabinet is one great way to do this but you could also add some shelves to one wall. 

Mirror, mirror. A mirror is another good way to give your dining room a boost. Try hanging a framed mirror or collection of mirrors in place of wall art. This will help make your dining room look bigger and add additional light to the space.

Re-cover your chairs. If purchasing all new furniture for your dining room is out of the question, opt for a new dining room table and then redo the chairs you already have. If they have fabric seat cushions or seat backs, take a trip to your local fabric store and pick out a new fabric to replace the old. If your chairs are wood, then pick up a can of paint and paint away!

Furnish 123 offers some of the most affordable living room furniture in the San Antonio area. We are the fastest growing furniture store in the United States, and our friendly staff would love to help you with more affordable design ideas. Come in and check out our stylish pieces at unbeatable prices.

How much color is too much color?

When it comes to using color in your home, we say do what makes you happy. But if you are looking for a way to create some color balance, check out our tips below.

Use neutrals to balance out bright or bold colors. If you want to use bright purple in your living room, do it—but balance it out with neutral colors. This keeps your room from looking too loud and also showcases the bold purple.

Pick your palette wisely. If you want to use more than one bold color in a room, make sure the colors create a cohesive palette. One way to do this is to use complementary colors. Another way is to use colors from the same color family for a more monotone palette.

Take advantage of home accents. Accessories are a great way to add color to any room without making permanent changes. Simply purchase a few affordable home accents, like throw pillows, throw blankets, and lamps in the colors of your choice and place them around your home.

Focus on one piece. If you want to use furniture to add some color to your space, focus on one piece. Bright yellow couches and a coffee table in your living room  might be a bit much. Instead, stick to neutral furniture with a yellow chair to create the perfect balance.

Furnish 123 can help you pick out the perfect pieces for your home, whatever the color may be! We offer some of the most affordable furniture in the San Antonio area, and we are the fastest growing furniture store in the United States. Our friendly staff would love to help you with more affordable design ideas. Come in and check out our stylish pieces at unbeatable prices.

Apartment Design Dos and Don’ts

DO use furniture pieces with multiple purposes, like an ottoman that doubles as a coffee table/storage unit.

DO use more lamp lighting than overhead lighting. Many apartment complexes use poor quality lighting that can create a harsh glare or be unflattering to your space.

DON’T fill your apartment with unnecessary furniture. Sometimes less is more when it comes to design.

DO add lots of extra storage to your apartment. Every little bit helps, whether you place hooks on the walls or add storage under your bed!

DON’T hoard! Clutter is the enemy of a small space. It takes away from your design and makes your apartment feel more cramped.

DO choose a color scheme. It keeps your design on track and unifies your apartment.

DON’T be afraid to get rid of your favorite—yet ratty—futon from your college days. It may have sentimental value, but unless you are decorating your garage it is a design don’t!

DON’T shy away from color. Small spaces don’t need to be boring too. When used correctly, colors can open up a room and give it the illusion of being larger.

DO use area rugs to distinguish between separate areas in one room, such as a dining space and a living space in one large room.

DON’T buy fragile furniture pieces for your apartment if your lease is for a year or two. Moving fragile pieces around often, and up and down stairs is risky. You may end up with some broken furniture, which is definitely a design don’t.

Furnish 123 understands small-space living and decorating on a budget, which is why we offer some of the most affordable furniture in the San Antonio area. We are the fastest growing furniture store in the United States. Our friendly staff would love to help you with all your furniture needs. Come in and check out our stylish pieces at unbeatable prices.

The college student’s guide to de-cluttering your dorm

With so little space to hold you and all your things, it is difficult to keep a dorm room de-cluttered and clean! Free time is hard to come by during college, with homework to do and functions to attend, so who wants to spend those precious hours cleaning? However, following a few simple tips will help you de-clutter your dorm and keep it organized.

Start with your laundry. Clothes tend to look like victims of an explosion in a dorm room. They are often strewn all over chairs, the bed, and the floor, or hanging out of closets and drawers. It only takes one quick sweep through your room to put all those dirty clothes into a laundry hamper. Keep your laundry hamper hidden from sight under your bed or in your closet. Closet space is limited in a dorm room, which is probably why some laundry overflows into other parts of your room. Try using multi-hangers, which allow you to hang more things and take up less space.

Another way to save on closet space and control clutter is to keep only that season’s clothes in your closet and drawers. If you go home often, you can switch your summer clothes for cold weather clothes over Thanksgiving break or on a free weekend. Otherwise, you should invest in some large plastic containers that can slide under your bed and hold any clothes you don’t need at the time.

Invest in items that organize your belongings, such as a shoe rack or a behind-the-door organizer for miscellaneous items like jewelry or toiletries. A shower caddy is also a must for keeping products organized and easily accessible for trips down the hall to the community bathroom.

Your desk is another challenge when de-cluttering your dorm. Papers and books quickly pile up in college. Don’t hold on to things you don’t need. If a business handed you a flyer while you were walking back from class and you know you aren’t going to use it, throw it away immediately! Pamphlets and advertisements are constantly handed out on campus. If you aren’t interested, don’t let it take up your precious space. Don’t forget to recycle!

Desk file organizers are especially handy at school. Use labels such as TEST REVIEWS, GRADED PAPERS, FUTURE PROJECTS, BILLS, etc. to keep organized. You don’t want to spend hours sorting through a pile of paper to find that test review you’ve been working on for days.

For more information on dorm furniture, visit Furnish 123. We are excited to have a furniture store in San Antonio. We would love to meet you and accommodate all your furniture needs. Our affordable furniture is high on style and low on price! We hope to see you soon. 

Centering your design around one piece of furniture

When you find a piece of furniture you really love, you want to show it off. Centering your design around one piece of furniture is a great way to create a focal point in your décor. It is easy to do with a few affordable design ideas.

Symmetry. Create balance around the piece you are showcasing. Organize your other furniture and accessories so that they are symmetrical to each other and to the center piece. It will draw attention to that piece and also balance other aspects of your design.

Color. Base your color scheme on your main piece. If it has a pattern, pull the wall, drapery, and accessory colors from it. Make sure the colors of the other decorative items in the room complement your piece or make it stand out. Don’t decorate with colors that will clash with your piece of furniture.

Lighting. To really draw attention to your piece of furniture, light it in the most flattering way. Arrange the piece so natural light will hit it or set up lamps around it to create a warm glow. Think of it as the star in a Broadway play, and create a spotlight for it!

Style. What is the style of your featured furniture piece? Does it have straight, clean lines and contemporary design? Then keep the rest of your design contemporary with muted colors and minimal décor. Or is it a wooden, rustic piece best complemented by country quilts and elements of nature?

Furnish 123 has a vast collection of affordable furniture no matter what your style is! At our furniture stores in San Antonio, we understand decorating on a budget. That is why we offer unbeatable prices. You can also check us out on the web where we have an interactive “Create Your Own Space” page. We look forward to meeting you and accommodating all your furniture needs.

Dorm Room Decorating Q&A

Small-space living provides a real decorating challenge, but decorating a dorm room is even more difficult due to the possibility of sharing the room with at least one other person. To help, we have tackled some of the most common questions related to decorating your dorm room.

Q: What furniture will I need to bring for my dorm room?

A: Check first with your university’s housing website. It should provide you with details on what furniture is already in your room. Each dorm hall is unique but most will provide the basics: a bed, a mattress, a desk, a desk chair, and a dresser. Everything else will be up to you. You will need to bring your own bedding and accessories. Many dorms give you the option to loft your bed so you can put your desk underneath to give you more floor space. You can also bring your own futon for out-of-town guests! You will probably need to bring your own lighting, like a desk lamp or floor lamp. Also, don’t forget a mattress pad! Dorm room mattresses are not always comfortable.

Q: How do I hang pictures and artwork on the wall?

A: Most dorm coordinators won’t let you put nails in the wall, and they are usually picky about what sort of adhesives you can use. The safest bet is to use Command Strips. They are strong enough to hold up your wall art all year, but when you move out they come off without damaging the walls.

Q: How do I make my dorm room feel more homey?

A: Bring a few things that remind you of home, like that quilt your grandma made for you and tons of pictures of family and friends. A large area rug will make your room feel more cozy and comfortable if you don’t have carpet. Make sure the rug is a dark color so the coffee spills (and more!) blend in.

Q: How can I make my dorm room look less like a dorm room?

A: Accessorize! Put pictures in frames and hang artwork on the walls. Try to avoid posters unless you frame them. Pick a design theme for your room (or your side of the room) so that it has unity and doesn’t look thrown together. We know it’s hard, but try to keep your dorm room clean! Cleaning makes a big difference for your décor, even something as simple as occasionally making your bed. You spent all that time picking out what you wanted in your room, so make it look nice.

Q: What items should be split up between my roommate and me?

A:  The main items you should split up are a TV, DVD player, refrigerator, microwave, and shared decorating pieces like curtains/drapes and an area rug.

Furnish 123 has a great selection of furniture for college. Come check out the dorm furniture at our San Antonio furniture stores. Let us be a part of your big move. We hope to see you soon. Good luck with your college adventures!

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Getting your house season-ready

It’s not necessary to completely change your interior design with each season, but we do have a few home decorating ideas to make your home more season-ready.

Winter: Warmer textures and heavier fabrics speak to cold weather and staying inside where it is warm. In the winter, make your fireplace the focal point of your design. The flames not only keep you warm, but they also give off a beautiful glow in your home. Adding some heavy throws or quilts to the backs of chairs and sofas will be useful and also add richness and texture to your home. Keep in mind that you may need to rearrange furniture to make room for holiday decorations.

Spring: Spring is all about new blooms and green popping up everywhere. Bring the outdoors in with fresh flowers. Open up your drapes and let the natural light flow in and warm your house. You can even switch out heavy drapes for lighter or sheer ones. Replace your down comforter with a brightly colored, light cotton blanket.

Summer: Break out the patio furniture! Your outdoor living space should have style—just like the inside of your house. Use brightly colored patio chair cushions to keep the fun atmosphere as high as the temperature. White always looks crisp in the summer and brightens up any space, so add white accessories where you can. Don’t forget to change the flowers, keeping them fresh and bright.

Fall: Fall colors are popular in almost any design theme, so emphasize them during the season. You can bring out accessories with heavier textures and warmer colors from storage. Also, because of the fall holidays, you can incorporate a lot of natural objects into your design, including pumpkins and an autumn leaf wreath. Take flowers out of the vases you used in previous seasons, and fill them with natural elements that represent the fall, like pinecones and colorful Indian corn.

Furnish 123 has a great selection of affordable furniture for any season. Whether you are looking for heavy textures or light colors, we have what you need at unbeatable prices. Come see us at our San Antonio furniture stores where we can accommodate all your furniture needs. We look forward to meeting you!

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter.

10 things to remember when furnishing your house

1. Consider who lives in your home with you. Are little children running around? Are teenagers lounging on your couch all day? Do you own a rambunctious yellow lab? Do you need spill-proof upholstery? Can a leather couch survive in your household?
2. What is your lifestyle? If you entertain a lot you will need plenty of seating space. If you like to throw dinner parties, make sure you have a large dining room table. If you prefer to sit and relax at home, get yourself a nice recliner!
3. Incorporate new furniture pieces with what you already have. You don’t necessarily have to buy new furniture all at once. You can do it in stages, depending on what you need.
4. What is your design style? Is it contemporary, traditional, rustic, or eclectic? Discover your style and then express it in your home!
5. Emphasize your favorite pieces. If you are really proud of a piece of art or a funky chair you found, showcase it! Put it in the living room for everyone to see and make it the focal point of the room. Make that one piece the center of your design.
6. One of the first steps in decorating is choosing a color scheme. Make sure your furnishings fit with the color scheme you select.
7. Home accessories can tie mismatched furniture together. Make sure they have the same style so the majority of your room flows together.
8. What kind of windows does your house have? Choose your window treatments based on what goes best with your window, not just what style you like the best.
9. Have a furniture budget and a plan. Decide what you need to buy for your house and what takes priority.
10. Take measurements. If you don’t know what size furniture you need and what fits into the available space, you could make some poor furniture choices. A king-sized bed sounds great, but is it practical in your bedroom?

Furnish 123 has a great selection of affordable furniture for your house. We understand decorating on a budget. That is why we offer great style at the best prices. Come see us at our San Antonio furniture stores. We would love to accommodate all your furniture and design needs. We hope to see you soon!

You can also find us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Living at home during college? Redo your bedroom for a change of pace.

Graduating from high school and starting college is a big step and a major life change. If you aren’t moving into a dorm or your own place, changing your bedroom’s design is one way to symbolize this next chapter in your life. Chances are your tastes and interests have changed a lot throughout high school and you are ready for a new design!

Upgrade your bed. Your single bed with the Hannah Montana sheets probably doesn’t make you feel like a college student! You don’t have to go out and buy a king-sized bed. A double bed adds more space and comfort, and it will transition well when it’s time to move into your own place. Opt for comfortable bedding! You will work and play harder than you did in high school, so having a comfortable place to sleep is important. Try to find bedding that will last a long time. Select a style you won’t get sick of, and one that won’t go out of fashion in six months.

Painting your walls is the fastest and most inexpensive change you can make to a space. You’re still young, so have fun and go bold with your colors. Don’t forget to pick a paint that is two shades lighter than the one you like on the color sample. Color looks darker when painted onto a large area.

Make room for your future. Those fourth-grade track trophies and honor roll plaques take up much-needed storage space. Add more space to your shelving for future accolades or pictures by putting outdated trophies and plaques in storage.

Simple things, like changing your lampshades and drapes, add a fresh look to your room. Be creative! Allow your self-expression to show. You’re a young adult now—show that with youthful-yet-sophisticated design.

Furnish 123 has a fun selection of affordable bedroom furniture. We understand college students are decorating on a budget. Our great prices will keep you on the right track. Come see us at one of our furniture stores in San Antonio, Texas. Let us be a part of your furniture shopping experience. We hope to see you soon!

10 things to remember when furnishing your apartment

Keep your furniture to scale. If you have a small space, small furniture and home accessories will feel right. Bulky furniture will look crowded. The opposite is also true. Small furniture looks out of place in a large space.

Use furniture that is easy to move. If you rent and your lease is only a year or two long, keep in mind that you may have to move all your furniture again in a couple years. 

Many landlords don’t allow you to paint your walls. If this is true in your situation, you can find ways to add color to your design without painting. Hang colorful drapes to put color on your walls or incorporate color into your home accessories.

Storage, storage, storage! Apartments usually lack a lot of closet space, and you probably won’t have a garage, so get creative with your storage. Floating shelves add storage without taking up floor space. Buy furniture pieces, such as desks or coffee tables, with extra drawers and shelving.

A guest bedroom is usually not an option in an apartment, so buy a sleeper sofa. It functions as seating during the day, and at night you can accommodate overnight guests.

If you don’t have space for a separate home office, incorporate one into your living space. Make your dining table do double duty as a desk, or create a separate area behind your couch or in a quiet corner. 

Don’t neglect outdoor living space. If you are lucky enough to have a patio attached to your apartment, don’t forget that it needs design as well. This is especially true in an apartment because more people will see it on a daily basis. 

A media stand works well in an apartment. DVD players and loose wires throw off the aesthetic. A media stand hides your electronics when you don’t want them to be seen, but it also adds needed storage space.

Don’t sacrifice style when you lack space. There are still plenty of ways to incorporate design into a small space. Home accessories work wonders and pull your style together. Just make sure they are scaled for your space.

Avoid clutter! Keep knick-knacks to a minimum in your apartment, as they make your space feel smaller and look less organized.

Furnish 123 understands decorating on a budget. We offer a great selection of affordable furniture. Our store knows how to combine big style with small space living. Come see us at one of our furniture stores in San Antonio, Texas. Or check us out on the web where you can “Create Your Own Space.” We hope to see you soon!

The Man Cave

The man cave. It is coveted for its ability to throw social conventions out of the window and bring men back to a simpler time. A time when men always drank their brew from a mason jar and never had to say “pardon me.” A time when men spit and scratched where they wanted, when they wanted (Ok, maybe not WHENEVER they wanted). A place where men could be men. Although every man has dreamed of having his own man cave, few men have had the courage to pull it off, often because they simply have no idea where to begin. So, if you’ve ever thought your man cave dream is unattainable, I’m here to tell you that with a little bit of will, creativity, and the help of Furnish 123, turning your dream into a reality is easier than you think!

Claim your domain. Set aside an area that is ALL yours. That means you have unlimited decision-making power in your space. Whether it’s a converted office, an air conditioned garage, or an extra bedroom, make it clear that this space is not to be tampered with. That means, yes, feet are welcome on the coffee table, and no, coasters are not a must.

Have a vision. Is this cave going to be your daily safe haven, where Sportscenter and the beverage in your hand are your only concerns? Or, is this going to be the Thursday night rendezvous point for your poker games? What is going to get more use? A poker table or a foosball table? Do you need a couple of recliners, or a couch? All of these questions have to be answered before you can put your cave together.

Simplicity is key. Every piece of furniture/equipment in your cave should serve a purpose. Leave the fluff at the door. Only practical items should make it into your man cave. Corner pieces are nice, but mini-fridges are nicer.

Clear the clutter. There is no bigger uh-oh in man cave etiquette than misplacing the remote in mounds of ranch dressing and remnants of chicken wings. Keep your cave clean by avoiding clutter all together; don’t bring a bunch of junk into your cave.

Picking the Perfect Coffee Table

A coffee table in the living room can tie everything together. It is usually placed somewhere in the middle and creates balance and symmetry in the room, so picking out the right one is important to your home design. Finding the right coffee table boils down to three main points: size, style, and storage.

SIZE. The size of your coffee table is important, because it must look right in your room as part of your design. The table should have balance with your other furniture pieces. If you have a large overstuffed couch, a small coffee table may look awkward in front of it. Also, consider the size of your room. A large coffee table in a small room would feel cramped, take away from the walking area, and block the flow of the space.

STYLE. The style of the coffee table should match the style of the room’s interior design. In a rustic home, a wooden and natural looking coffee table would be the best fit. In a modern home, on the other hand, a coffee table with a glass top or contemporary streamlined structure fits nicely. Also, consider whether you want your coffee table to stand out and be a focal design aspect, or if you would prefer it to blend in, not distracting from other pieces, but complementing them.

STORAGE. Coffee tables can be a great place for extra storage, which is especially beneficial for small space design. Look for coffee tables that have a drawer or extra shelving underneath. How many items are you going to want to place on the tabletop space, and how large do you want that area to be?

Another viable option for a coffee table is to use your ottomans. They can be moved around easily and function as two different pieces. As an added bonus, you could even try an ottoman that opens up and contains storage space. Leave them bare, or place a serving tray on top to give them more coffee table style.

Come check out our selection of coffee tables at Furnish 123! We have three San Antonio locations for your convenience and a wide variety of affordable living room furniture. We understand decorating on a budget; that’s why we offer great style at unbeatable prices. Come see us today, or check out our online catalog. We hope to see you in our stores soon!