Have you ever struggled to figure out what size your Living Room rug size should be? Here are 3 tips to help find the best fit of rugs!
A rug should anchor your seating area
At minimum, the front two legs of your sofa and main chairs should be on the rug
Leave at least a 1-foot border between your rug and the walls
Decorating a home can add up quickly, consider these 3 easy tips to make the biggest impact in your space while staying within budget.
80/20 Rule
You don’t have to start from scratch to have an updated look! Use 80% of things you already have that are working, and update your style with 20% of a newer, fresher look.
Lighting
Light fixtures instantly change the personality of any space, so they are the best bang for your buck! Choose a statement piece to achieve that wow factor.
Go Big!
Thoughtful, oversized items can give your space that designer look. Larger rugs make your living areas feel more spacious and bigger centerpieces make more of a statement.
Have you ever wondered how designers create a curated fireplace mantel? Use these five tips to turn your fireplace into a focal point.
Place one significant item in the middle, centered. This can be a large piece of art or a mirror.
Layer items in front of each other, taller items in back.
Use items of different shapes, sizes, and texture.
Then flank it on either side with a grouping of items.
Group in odds. Place similar objects together in a group of three, in styling there’s no odd man out.
Still intimidated by styling your home? Contact us for an interior design consultation.
We asked our team of 7 designers and stagers, what is your favorite white paint? Here are the results!
Featured: Behr Divine Pleasure (color matched at Sherwin Williams)
Featured: Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Cool White Paint Colors
SW Natural White
SW Extra White
SW Ice Cube
Soft or Warm White Paint Colors
SW Alabaster
SW Greek Villa
SW Shoji White
SW Snowbound
BM Cloud White
BM Swiss Coffee
BM White Dove
Behr Divine Pleasure (color matched at Sherwin Williams)
White paint colors can pull different undertones and look different in every room! If you are struggling with what paint color to use in your home follow our 3 suggestions here or call us for a Color Consultation!
Do you love a neutral color palette but struggle with keeping the space interesting? Use these three tips to keep your eye moving around the room and create dimension in your space.
Shades - Use a Variety of Shades. Neutral colors, in general, cover a wide palette, including ivory, grey, beige, white, taupe and brown and black. Mix it up!
Textures - Layer different textures to create contrast. Let this be your guide instead of color. Incorporate a variety of materials such as wood, metal, and upholstery to add interest.
Shapes - Neutral color can bring shape into the foreground of your design. Incorporate a mixture of shapes to capture attention or add dimension to a room.
Choosing a white paint can be tricky! More than 600 shades exist among the major paint companies, and they all differ in some way. One thing they all have in common- the ability to instantly refresh a room. Use these three tips to help you choose the best white for your space.
1. Natural Lighting
North-facing rooms tend to have cooler, less bright light so they need a warmer white, while Southern facing rooms get intense golden light, so a cooler white is ideal.
2. Undertones
Cooler whites have blue, green or purple undertones, so they appear crisp and icy. Warmer whites have hints of yellow, orange and red give these shades a cozy feel.
3. Test it!
Use peel and stick paint swatches to see it in your space. Observe how the color looks in both natural and artificial light as well as during the day and at night. You can get some of them from your local Sherwin Williams or you can order on www.samplize.com
When we stage homes, one of the most important rooms to stage is the primary bedroom. These three tips will help your primary bedroom look it’s best!
Declutter
Remove personal items from bedside tables, hide laundry baskets, and store any excess furniture. Pre-pack personal items such as photos and memorabilia.
Arrangement
Place bed on the largest wall to make the room appear as large as possible. Matching nightstands should flank either side of bed for balance. If you have the space, add a bench at the foot of the bed.
Bedding
Bedding should be relaxing and inviting. A well made bed is a must. Utilize neutral bedding to keep it light and neutral. Throw a cozy blanket or duvet at the foot of the bed for an extra layer.
One of our favorite parts of staging is styling shelves. This can be an overwhelming task for those who aren’t comfortable styling so here are some quick tips to help you style those shelves with ease.
1. Group similar items (candlesticks, pots, books).
2. Odd numbers are your friends, so utilize sets in odd numbers.
3. Vary height by layering shorter and taller items in front of one another, overlapping.
Decorating a living room comes can come with challenges when dealing with an off centered fireplace or odd shaped room. We have found that these three tips can help determine the overall layout and function of your space.
Focal Point - Every room should have a focal point. Sometimes rooms have natural focal points, but if the room doesn't, you will want to choose one. It might be a fireplace or you can even create one with an eye-catching piece of artwork.
2. Furniture - Try arranging furniture in a way that is conducive to having a
conversation (rather than watching tv), which will give your space a
warm, balanced feel.
3. Texture - Too much of the same texture (wooden, upholstered, etc.) can feel one
dimensional. Use a variety of textures in your furniture to keep it interesting. Area
rugs go a long way to cozy up your space!
Still struggling with how to decorate or arrange your living room? Contact us at info@lddesignco.com for an Interior Design Consultation.
According to NAR’s 2023 Profile of Home Staging 81% of buyers' agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as their future home. The process of staging can be overwhelming for buyers and that’s why we recommend focusing on staging these 3 areas of the home with the biggest impact.
Living Room - Potential homebuyers are looking for cozy living spaces where they can relax and entertain friends or relatives. This is the space that you want to feel warm, cozy and comfortable. Bringing in warm, neutral colors and showing how the space can be utilized allows a potential buyer to picture themselves in the space.
Kitchen - The kitchen is the heart of the home. Showcasing a kitchen’s best features can be done with the right staging eye. Staging with plants and natural elements in the kitchen helps the space feel organic while making sure to keeping the pieces minimal to highlight the amount of counter space.
Primary Bedroom - When staging the Primary Bedroom the goal is to create a relaxing space that shows buyers they'll be able to cozy up and unwind. We always keep in mind the scale of the room when bringing in furniture so you can highlight how spacious the room can feel.
Interested in booking a staging consultation? Email Danielle at danielle@lddesignco.com
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house for potential buyers and owners. To best showcase you or your clients kitchen, consider decluttering it using these three steps.
Counters
Crowded kitchens communicate lack of storage space to potential buyers. Clear off counters by removing all items and only adding back in a few thoughtful pieces. Keeping a plant, canisters, coffee machine or utensil jar can be a good start to keep it minimal and aesthetically pleasing.
2. Refrigerator
This can quickly become a collection of our lives. Remove the magnet collection and kids’ school pics off the fridge as well as all storage items on top of the fridge.
3. Seating
A roomy dining space is more important than maximum seating. Try removing the 2 end chairs from your table or try 3 seats at the counter instead of 4. You will be amazed at how much larger it allows your space to feel.
When staging a home, there are a few key aspects to consider for your home to look best and help future buyer’s envision themselves in the space.
CLEAN
Outside, power wash your deck and windows. Inside, deep clean all surfaces. Wipe down baseboards, fans, and vents. Don't forget those hard to reach areas. When surfaces or the home appears dirty, buyer’s begin to think about what other parts of the home the homeowners have left unkept.
2. CLEAR
Declutter countertops and drawers. Donate or store away extra furniture that can make spaces feel cluttered. Outside, clear flowerbeds and add fresh mulch. Less can be more — a minimalistic approach when it comes to furniture and decor can make a bigger statement and allow buyer’s to see themselves and their furniture in the space.
3. COLOR
Neutralize by prepacking any textiles with heavy reds, oranges, or yellows. These can be polarizing. Incorporate neutral hues and shades of green and blue for a relaxing feel. Have you ever heard how color evokes emotion? As professional stagers, we take pride in making sure when buyer’s walk into a home that they feel relaxed and welcomed.
Need help executing these three suggestions? Contact us to book a staging consultation with one of our stagers today!
I think we can all agree painting is one of the best investments you can make to update your home quickly and effectively. The question is, where do you start in picking the best color with selling in mind?
The main goal of prepping your home to sale is to make it as appealing as possible for the largest pool of potential buyers, which means neutralizing your color palette and giving it a warm, inviting, clean feel.
Warm neutrals are the best staging go-to paint colors. Why? Buyers want to be able to picture themselves in your house. Neutral colors don’t offend. Also, they offer a welcoming first impression and a neutral backdrop for others to visualize their own furniture and artwork in your space.
There are “cool” paint tones and “warm” paint tones. Warmer colors breath energy and positivity. Cooler tones communicate relaxation and calm. Although we want to evoke both feelings to the potential buyer, warmer tones, generally speaking, are on trend in 2022.
If you’ve painted within the last 5 years, you probably know the trend leaned towards cooler grays, but in 2022, many homeowners are opting for slightly warmer grays, warm whites, or greige (yes this is a real term) paint colors. These warmer neutrals keep the walls warm while still maintaining a neutral and light feeling.
Some of our favorite go-to paint colors when staging a home:
Benjamin Moore White Dove
Sherwin Williams Alabaster
Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige
Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan
Need help choosing the perfect shade for your space? Want to find out more? Schedule a Color Consultation with one of our color consultants today!
Staging increases your home value and decreases the number of days on market. When staged effectively, it will only benefit the selling experience. But how do you know which rooms to focus on? Where do you start? And what changes do you need to make?
Although staging the entire home is ideal, there are specific rooms that should be a priority in order to capture a buyer’s attention.
Master bedrooms are often our personal oasis—the place we escape when we need a moment of serenity. It’s also a place where most of us spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping (or trying to sleep), and retreating for a moment of calm and quiet to escape the worries of the world (or kids).
The same goes for home buyers. When looking for that perfect new home, whether they know it or not, potential buyers are in search of a space to provide safety and serenity. The master bedroom retreat is the one room that should embody all of that, so it is important to make sure your master communicates a relaxing, adult retreat.
Whether you are decorating your personal home or staging to sell, here are some pointers to create a relaxing master environment that you can’t live without.
1. Maximize Your Lighting
Did you know natural sunlight is proven to improve mental health? When walking into a room with natural sunlight pouring in, your mood can be instantly lifted. Ensure you have the maximum amount of natural light in the room by removing curtains or furniture that can be blocking your windows.
Besides natural light, try playing around with lamps to provide a bit of mood lighting, creating a warm, comfortable setting. Lamps and timed candles are great soft touches to create a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. Be sure you have accent lighting coming from multiple angles in the room by adding matching lamps on either side of the bed and another source of soft light across the room, such as a lamp on the dresser or beside an accent chair.
2. Add Interest with Color & Texture
Colors are an essential part of your bedroom ambiance and are known even to influence emotions. Do you want a calming aura that soothes your worries? Try blue. Do you want a mysterious aura that creates intrigue? Try green. But stick with the lighter tones, pastels, and neutral shades since they create a calmer, relaxed feeling.
Don’t forget, you don’t have to go bold with colors in order to add interest. Try layering neutral tones (whites, creams, grays) together to add depth to your space, or play with textures (wood, leather, upholstery) to add dimension in a subtle, interesting way.
Texture is important in order for the room to feel cozy and inviting. It instantly transforms a room from dull to warm and welcoming. You can add texture with throw pillows, curtains, area rugs, or our personal favorite- all of the above! Layer an extra cozy throw to the end of your bed or add an oversized throw pillow to provide your space with those extra elements that make you want to stay and read a book on a rainy day.
Expert Tip: If you have throw pillow covers, add pillow inserts that are 1-inch larger than your cover in order for your pillows to appear extra fluffy and cozy.
3. Balance is Key
When creating a relaxing space, a well-balanced master bedroom promotes zen and clarity. In order to achieve this, it is important to arrange furniture effectively. Center your bed on the largest wall, ideally where you can see the neatly placed throw pillows and cozy linens upon entering the room. This will give you the best first impression upon entering your space.
Ensure you have matching nightstands on either side of the bed. Atop nightstands with matching lamps, or even better, hang matching sconces. Be sure your lighting is substantial in nature, having a presence in the room. Next, (and this is important), add matching, leafy plants to both nightstands to promote relaxation and zen.
Add a piece of calming artwork above the bed in order to center your space and draw your eye to the middle of the room. For a finishing touch, add a few throw pillows varying in size and texture and a bed and breakfast tray to the middle of the bed to complete your well-balanced look.
Key Takeaways
1. Prepare your room visually to create a serene, peaceful atmosphere.
2. Build a comfortable room where you look forward to relaxing.
3. Keep a clean, orderly environment for calmness and clarity.
If you’re struggling to give your master bedroom a perfect look, LD Design Co. has you covered. We’ll spend the time to get to know you, your overall style, and your needs. Then, we’ll help create the master retreat of your dreams.
We are often asked what our favorite go-to staging and decor pieces are. Well, here are just a few kitchen favorites from our Lead Designer that she says you can’t go without! Whether you have a birthday wish list, some extra summer spending money, or it’s just time to hit the refresh button, add these beauties to your list.
Add some fun and personality to your home by changing up the messages on the board. Customize the wording for each holiday, what’s for dinner, a quote, or reminders. The possibilities are endless!
A wood tray is a great, decorative way to gather a few staple items. Create a vignette by throwing on salt and pepper grinders, candles, a bowl of lemons, or a kitchen plant. Use the decorated tray as a great centerpiece or in the corner of your countertop.
This go-to, like many others, is stylish and functional, which is a win-win! Display your favorite cook book opened to a comforting family favorite or add a frame with an inspirational quote.
Who knew soap and scrubbers could look beautiful? It’s enough to make you excited about doing the dishes (maybe). Just remember, keep it neutral and fresh such as light wood bamboo scrubbers and glass decorative soap dispensers. Also, be sure to remove those sponges and kitchen towels for staging. To see more differences between staging and redesign click here
A bright and inviting piece that's both decorative and functional. Stack with different fruit for a bold, colorful pop or better yet, load it up with fresh baked, warm chocolate chip cookies.
