How to Feng Shui Your Bedroom

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Bedroom Interior Design & Furniture in West Bloomfield

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art and philosophy of spatial arrangement. The goal of feng shui is to maximize the flow of qi (life energy), so that individuals are in harmony with their surroundings. Updating your bedroom furniture, layout, and décor according to feng shui principles will help make your space more tranquil, and promote deeper, more restorative sleep. If you’re living with a partner, bedroom feng shui can even help improve your relationship, since the bedroom is also a place of love and intimacy.

So, how can you feng shui your bedroom for better quality sleep, love, and living?

Place your bed to face the door, without being directly in front of it.

The ideal placement for a bed is against a wall where you have a view of the door, but are not directly in line with it. This is considered a commanding position, since you can see potential danger, but are not in its immediate pathway. Sleeping in this position makes you feel safe, which promotes better relaxation and higher quality sleep.

Try to also avoid placing your bed against a wall with a bathroom on the other side, or directly under a beam, fan, window, or piece of bold artwork. All of these things can restrict or disrupt your qi.

Use a headboard.

Another feng shui note on the bed—you should always use a headboard. A headboard provides stability and support, physically and for your energy. Choose a solid headboard, rather than one with bars or spaces in it, as these can cut the energy flow around you as you sleep. Soft upholstery is also recommended for your headboard, for a comfortable and inviting feel. If you’re using a solid material though, at least try to get something with soft edges to offset it.

Feng shui your color palette.

Color is a key aspect of feng shui. For your bedroom, choose hues that are peaceful and/or sensual. This will help set the right tone for sleep and sex, which are the only two things you should be doing in your bedroom. Neutral colors, like cream or beige, earth tones, like soft greens, pale blues, and chocolates, and muted colors, like pinks and peaches, are good places to start.

You should also select colors for your bedroom based off of your own personal needs. For example, if you’re a passionate person who needs a little more vibrant energy, incorporate pops of red to bring in the life you need. Or, if you’re looking for more of a serene vitality, deeper blues will work well. Just keep in mind that you only need small pops of these louder colors to have a big effect.

Declutter.

Clutter in your bedroom stresses you out and blocks the flow of positive energy. The biggest spot to clear out is underneath your bed. You should have nothing there, as it will disrupt the movement of qi around you while you sleep, affecting your restfulness. Organize the closet as well, and close the door at night.

As far as things to remove from your bedroom, electronics, books, and work materials are the big ones. The EMFs produced by electronics, such as a television or cell phone, disturb your sleep. Try to limit them as best you can. Books and work materials also carry the wrong energy to be in your sleep space. Being reminded of work or distracted by books will only activate your mind when you want to be shutting it down.

Create symmetry with pairs.

Feng shui philosophy tells us that pairs promote harmonious energy. Even if you’re the only one sleeping in your bedroom, double up on supporting pieces where you can to help create symmetry. The best items to use in pairs are nightstands, pillows, and lamps. Try to get identical pieces, or at least ones that look similar. Arrange them on either side of your bed for balance.

As trained and experienced experts with an eye for design, the interior designers at Sherwood Studios can create a bedroom that follows the rules of feng shui and aligns with your personal style and needs. We’ll present you with a range of ideas and possibilities for floor plans, furniture designs, window coverings, fabrics, accessories, and everything else you need to complete your tranquil space of rest.

Give us a call at 248-855-1600 to learn more about our West Bloomfield interior design services!

Interior Design Tips to Boost Productivity in Your Home Office

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Home Office Interior Design Services in West Bloomfield, MI

There are a lot of advantages to working from home, as many of us have learned over the last year. The commute is convenient, you get to customize your work environment, and the dress code is comfy and cozy. That’s not to say, however, that there are not certain challenges to working in the same place where you sleep, eat, relax, and go about your normal non-work life.

The key to overcoming the potential distractions that come with working remotely is to cultivate a space where you can stay focused. To help you out, we’ve got a few interior design tips for making your home office as productive of a space as possible!

Choose the right color palette.

The colors around you have a strong influence on your emotions, mindset, and workflow. With this in mind, it’s important to consider which colors and their effects will create the type of environment you need to be the most productive in your home office.

Green, for example, is a color that energizes and stimulates creativity. Whereas red is more of a power color, which is better for promoting productivity in certain roles. Blue and purple can be great to de-stress and help you focus.

Set yourself up to stay organized.

Clutter and mess in your workspace will be distracting and can cause anxiety. To keep your office functional and conducive to getting work done, organization is key. Start with your desk surface. Limit the items you keep on your desk to those you use the most—computer, notebook, pens, essential documents, etc.

Surround yourself with adequate storage solutions to house the rest of the supplies you’ll need regularly. File cabinets, desk drawers, bookcases, and wall shelving are top options to consider. Also, don’t forget that small storage tools, like a pen cup or a desk paper tray, are just important as larger ones.

Add some greenery.

Incorporating plants and flowers into your home office will add some life and fresh air to a stale work area. The colorful leaves and blooms will provide visual variety to make your space more attractive and give your eyes a break from the computer.

The presence of plants also has a calming effect, which can help reduce stress throughout the workday. Just be sure to get plants and/or flowers that will thrive in the conditions of your office (light vs. shady, humid vs. dry, etc.).

Select quality ergonomic furniture.

Sitting at a desk all day can really wear on your body. To combat these unpleasant effects, you need to furnish your work-from-home space with high-quality office furniture designed to keep you comfortable. Most importantly, choose a chair that is comfortable and provides support. Look for something with good cushion, arm rests, and an adjustable height and back.

Along with a good chair, consider furnishing your office with other ergonomic support accessories as well. A foot rest, wrist cushion, and ergonomic mouse, for instance, will make a big difference day after day.

Combine natural, ambient, and task lighting.

Just like color, lighting affects your mood, which in turn impacts productivity. Natural light is by far the best option, if available. Take measures to maximize natural light in your home office, such as using light window treatments, opening blinds and curtains, and decorating with a few reflective surfaces to help bounce the light around.

If you don’t have access to natural light in your work-from-home space or need to supplement it, install overhead or recessed lighting, as well as floor and desk lamps. Stick with cool wattages (rather than warm yellow light) to help you stay focused and provide optimal visibility.

Working from home full-time probably doesn’t leave you with a lot of extra time to worry about your interior design. The interior design team at Sherwood Studios can help solve that problem by creating the perfect home office for your work needs and style preferences! We also have a large supply of top-quality home office furniture in our showroom to help you furnish your workspace comfortably and stylishly.

Get in touch with us today to start the process of making your dream home office a reality!

4 Pro Tips for New Furniture Assembly

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Furniture Store in West Bloomfield, MI

Once you’ve finally found that perfect new piece of furniture you’ve been searching for, you probably want to get it set up and in place ASAP. Larger pieces, such as a couch or upholstered bed frame, are best left to a professional, as they can get pretty complicated. But smaller and medium-sized pieces are often straightforward enough to be assembled on your own at home, if you prefer not to pay for professional assembly.

To minimize the possibility of damage and ensure your new piece will hold up to use, it’s important to take the proper preparation steps and follow instructions carefully during assembly. Here are a few tips from our furniture pros to help set you and your new furniture up for success!

1) Get your space ready.

Before you open any boxes or dig out any Allen wrenches, you first need to prepare the area where you’ll be assembling your furniture. You should be assembling your new piece close to or in the same spot where you plan on placing it. It’ll be much easier to put your new desk together in your home office, for example, than assemble it in the living room and have to maneuver it upstairs or across the house.

Give yourself plenty of room to work with and push all surrounding furniture pieces out of the way. Prepare a sturdy, even work surface, such as a section of hardwood or concrete flooring. You may need to remove carpet, or you can lay the cardboard box your furniture came in out flat to protect the floors and provide a stable assembly surface.

2) Make sure you have all the necessary pieces and tools.

Once you’ve set up your work area, take your new furniture out of the box and see if all the pieces are there. Consult the instruction manual for a list of parts that should be included. As you’re taking inventory, inspect each part for damage and sort into similar groups. You may want to keep all of the hardware (nuts, bolts, screws, etc.) together, for example. Or, you can organize the pieces by what you’ll need to assemble for each step.

You should also gather any additional tools that will make assembly easier. Some furniture comes equipped with everything you need if assembly is simple. Other pieces though may require you to have your own tools, such as various screwdrivers or a hammer. Make sure you have all the tools you need before you start assembling to help streamline the process.

3) Read the instructions.

Too many people assume that they can figure out which pieces go together when assembling furniture on their own and toss the instructions aside. More often than not though, it’s not as self-explanatory as you think. If you don’t follow the instructions, there’s a good chance you’ll mess up without realizing it and prolong the assembly process, or even damage your new furniture. That’s why you need to read through them in their entirety before you begin.

By reading all of the instructions first, you’ll know what the process entails and be able to go into it fully prepared. Reading through the full assembly process is also necessary so you can determine if you’ll need somebody to help you. The last thing you want is to spend an hour putting together your new furniture piece and then get stuck on a step that you can’t manage safely by yourself.

4) Take your time.

Rushing the assembly process is only going to increase the likelihood that you’ll make a mistake. After putting in the effort to search for the right new piece of furniture, investing your money in it, and spending the time to put it together, it’s worth it to take the time to assemble it properly.

Approaching the process with patience will help keep you from getting frustrated and either giving up or messing up. Spend time double checking your work at each step. This way, you won’t make a mistake that you have to backtrack and undo later.

As a premier, full-scale furniture store in West Bloomfield, Sherwood Studios has everything you need to transform and/or complete your space. Our 23,000 square foot showroom features top-quality furniture, artwork, accessories, lighting solutions, rugs, and more to help you achieve the home interior you’ve always wanted. Plus, our experts will be on hand to answer any questions you have about assembly, style, or anything else.

Stop in today to get all of the home furniture you need!

Bringing the Outdoors Indoors for Spring

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Interior Design Studio in West Bloomfield, MI

After a long winter cooped up indoors, most people are ready to embrace the fresh energy of spring by the time the ground starts to thaw. As the days get longer, the weather gets warmer, and the season of growth begins, you probably want to spend as much time as possible outside to enjoy it all.

Unfortunately, life’s responsibilities don’t always allow us to relax and refresh ourselves in nature as often as we’d like. The good news is, there are plenty of creative ways to bring the rejuvenating effects of the outdoors inside your home to relish in all the time. Let’s take a look at a few tricks to get you started!

Decorate with plants.

One of the easiest and most obvious approaches to bringing nature into your space is a literal one. Fresh greenery and flowers add instant life to your interior and literally make your indoor air more refreshing. There are plenty of great plant décor options available these days—potted plants, hanging planters, wall plants, miniature trees, etc. Even something as simple as a vase of colorful flowers or a bowl of fruit centerpiece can infuse a natural energy into a room.

Use natural materials.

Design features, furniture, and décor made from natural materials will introduce life-like textures and a distinct outdoor comfort into your home. You can choose to use natural materials for larger interior elements, such as stone countertops, hardwood flooring, and rattan furniture. Or, you can achieve the same effect with natural accessories like bamboo blinds, silk throw pillows, a jute area rug, and wooden floor lamps.

Maximize natural light.

Natural light makes a space feel bigger, brighter, and more open, which are all characteristics of the great outdoors. By bringing as much sunlight into your home as possible, you will create an inviting and cheerful outdoor ambiance. If your home is not blessed with large windows and skylights, there are other tricks you can use to boost natural light in your home. A light color palette, reflective surfaces, and light, airy window treatments can all help bounce the light you do get around the room for an illuminating effect.

Incorporate organic elements into your décor.

Another easy way to make your home feel like an outdoor oasis is to surround yourself with elements of nature. For example, accessories like seashell wall hooks, jars of beach sand, rock candle holders, and decorative crystals can serve as a straightforward, yet unique, link to the outdoors. If you prefer to make your natural elements more understated, try using them in fabric patterns (rugs, throw pillows/blankets, furniture covers), wallpaper, and artwork.

Appeal to the senses with subtle natural cues.

If you want to cultivate a space that immerses you in nature in a more subtle, but equally as effective, way, target senses other than the visual. Think of creative ways to integrate the outdoors in your home that engage you with smell, sound, and texture. Wind chimes or a nature sound machine, for example, can make you feel like you’re outside, breathing in fresh air. Natural-scented candles, essential oils, and potpourri will also have a similarly relaxing and earthy effect.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to see new possibilities in a space you’ve been in for so long. When you enlist an experienced interior design professional from Sherwood Studios to help, they’ll work with you to identify opportunities to refresh your design, come up with solutions that align with your style, and implement them seamlessly. We also happen to have an extensive inventory of contemporary furniture and home accessories for you to choose from to take your space to the next level.

Give us a call at 248-855-1600 or reach out online today to schedule a design consultation!

The Advantages of a Sleeper Sofa

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Sleeper Sofas for Sale in West Bloomfield, MI

There are some pieces of furniture that certain people swear by, while others know they’d be a waste of money in their own homes. For example, your friend might get great use out of an armoire to help organize their massive closet, but with your minimalist clothing style the same armoire would just sit in your house gathering dust. Pieces that fall somewhere in the middle—ones you can see the potential in but aren’t sure if you’d really use them—can be a tough call.

One thing that we can assure you though, is that a quality sleeper sofa should be at the top of the “worth it” list for every home. With all the advantages they offer for you and your space, there’s no question you’ll get a lot of use and happiness out of your purchase—and here’s why!

You’ll have an extra sleeping space that won’t break anyone’s back.

A comfortable sleeping alternative will come in handy more often than you might think. There are many possible scenarios over the years that will call for additional sleeping space, sometimes without much notice. It might be friends or relatives passing through town, a slumber party for your kids, or a few nights when your spouse has to wake up much earlier and doesn’t want to disturb you. Whatever the situation is, you’ll be glad to have a decent place to crash when it happens.

Sleeper sofas save space.

A sleeper sofa is a multifunctional furnishing that serves as two major pieces of furniture in one. Therefore, any room you put it in will become multifunctional too. This is ideal for smaller spaces, such as one-bedroom and studio apartments, or if you don’t want to sacrifice an entire spare room to a guest room. A sleeper sofa will take up less space while still serving the function you need. Another space-saving perk is that many sleeper sofa models come equipped with extra storage components.

They save money too.

Buying a sleeper sofa doesn’t just give you two pieces of furniture for the space of one—you get two pieces for the price of one too! If you don’t want to spend money on an entire extra bed, a sleeper sofa is a great compromise for your budget without as much compromise on quality as other options (seriously, who wants to sleep on a futon?!). Plus, if you’re just looking for an extra sleeping space for when you have visitors, you can transform any part of the house into a guest room without actually having to spend the money to decorate and furnish a full guest room.

Sleeper sofas are versatile.

Sleeper sofas are designed to work in any type of space. You’ll have a lot of options to work with when it comes to finding a spot for one in your home. A bed may look funny in the home office, but a couch to relax on that happens to turn into a bed when you need it? That will be useful and enhance the look of the space! The bed feature is discreet on sleeper sofas and they’re available in a wide variety of colors, patterns, fabrics, sizes, and styles to work with any interior.

A sleeper sofa offers convenience.

Not only does a sleeper sofa provide a comfortable extra sleeping solution, it does so at a moment’s notice. Transforming this piece from a couch to a bed is a quick and easy process, so you won’t have to worry about dragging out an air mattress if an overnight guest spontaneously stops by. Sleeper sofas are also convenient because they’re easy to set up and move around. Whether you just want to move your sofa to a different spot in the same room, a different area of the house, or are moving houses altogether, it’ll be no hassle.

If you’re looking for a good deal on a top-quality sleeper sofa, Sherwood Studios has you covered!

Our selection of comfortable sleeper sofas spans a wide variety of styles, price points, and sizes to fit any room in any house. Plus, our team of interior designers are on hand to help you find the perfect one for your space. Stop by the store today for your dreamy sleeper sofa and all of the other home furniture you need!

5 Tricks for Dividing Up Your Open Floor Plan

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Interior Designer in West Bloomfield, MI

Open floor plans have reigned as one of the most desirable interior design features for several years now. It’s not difficult to understand their appeal—an airy, spacious feel to your home, easy entertaining possibilities, a sense of togetherness with other household members without being on top of one another. Plus, their popularity has been given a considerable push by the HGTV reality show gurus who yield a strong influence over current and future trends.

But after a while (and recently thanks to the coronavirus-induced quarantine), some people have begun to see the disadvantages of an open floor concept. Whether you’re starting to feel overwhelmed by all that open space, looking for some extra privacy, or just craving something new for your home, these tricks will help you break up that open floor plan and redefine your space!

1) Define areas with color.

Contrasting colors are a simple, yet effective way to separate areas within your open space. You’ll still want to carry one shade throughout the whole space in order to maintain flow. But then you can get creative with one or two distinctive hues in each section. For example, try painting your kitchen baby blue, your living room a soft peach, and pulling a crisp white throughout them both.

2) Look to the ceiling.

A distinguishing feature or treatment on the ceiling can create a sense of separation between two adjacent open spaces. This could be something as simple as painting the ceiling over your living area a different color or using a different material for your kitchen ceiling. Or, you can install an architectural feature like beams or an archway. Even an ornate chandelier or unique lighting fixtures can be used to divide a ceiling to reflect separate spaces.

3) Ground different sections with area rugs.

Alternatively, you can create different zones in your open floor plan using the floor. Area rugs in particular are an easy way to differentiate between sections without disrupting the flow of the space with an abrupt physical barrier. Rugs also help to add texture, visual interest, and a cozy feel to a “room”. Group furniture around your area rug to establish clearer boundaries.

4) Arrange furniture strategically.

Speaking of furniture, your furnishings are another effective tool for dividing an open concept into distinct sections. Furniture is what gives a room purpose, and thus can be used to define unique areas in an open plan by their function. Have furniture pieces intended for the same zone facing one another. Larger pieces, such as a couch, dining table, kitchen island, or bookshelf, can be especially useful for visually and literally separating different spaces.

5) Add a room divider.

Room dividers are great alternatives to the cost and permanence of building an actual wall to break up your open concept interior. They offer a degree of separation while still giving you the option to retain some of that inviting open feel. You can get a cute decorative folding screen, hang curtains from your ceiling, hang a chain or bead divider, or even install French doors. The best part of the room divider solution is that if you want your open concept back in the future or temporarily for entertaining guests, all you have to do is open or remove it.

The interior designers at Sherwood Studios can help you take control of your open floor plan and enjoy your space once again. Our design solutions are tailored to the needs of every individual client, no matter how minimal or extensive they might be.

To set up a consultation with one of our talented interior designers, visit our West Bloomfield studio or give us a call today!

Consider These 4 Factors to Help You Choose the Perfect Coffee Table

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Living Room Furniture Store in West Bloomfield, MI

Every room has a staple furniture piece that defines the space. This piece is usually instantly recognizable and obviously points to the function of the room—the bed in a bedroom, couch in a living room, dining table in the dining room, etc. But the key to truly bringing a space together and making it feel whole is not just this one piece of furniture, but also the (often overlooked) supporting pieces that anchor it.

In the living room, which is likely your most-used space, one of the most important supporting furnishings is the coffee table. So, how can you make sure you choose the right one to achieve the look you have in mind? Just keep these four things below in mind as you’re browsing your options and you’ll be good to go!

1) Size

The first thing you need to take into consideration when choosing a coffee table is size. The dimensions of your table must complement your living room space, as well as the other furniture in it. A giant coffee table in a tiny living room, for example, doesn’t make any sense. The measurements should mostly be based on your living room staple piece—the couch. These are the three rules experts recommend you keep in mind for coffee table sizing:

  1. The table length should be no longer than 2/3 of the total length of your couch.
  2. Leave a 2-foot clearance between each side of the table and surrounding furniture.
  3. Table height should be the same as or 1-2 inches shorter than your couch cushions.

These are, of course, just general guidelines. If necessary, you should adjust your coffee table size to your own needs and style. If you’re taller, for example, get a table a few inches taller. Or, if you’re going for a more streamlined living room aesthetic, choose a table that’s a little shorter.

2) Shape

Just like the size, the shape of your coffee table must work aesthetically and functionally with the rest of your living room. Coffee table shape should depend mostly on your seating setup, as well as how you plan on using your space.

In smaller rooms, for example, a rectangular or oval table will strike the right balance, while a square table will just make it look smaller. Square coffee tables are, however, a good fit for larger seating areas such as a sectional or horizontal couch with a love seat (circular tables work well here too). If you are a frequent entertainer of guests, a table with a round shape will promote and facilitate easy gathering for groups. When you have kids, avoid shapes with sharp edges for safety reasons.

3) Function

Along with looking good in your living room, a coffee table also needs to be conducive to the ways in which you intend to use it. Think about how often you use your living room and what you typically do while you’re in there. Does it double as your home office? Then a spacious coffee table or one that can be raised might be useful. Or, if you tend to accumulate a lot of living room clutter, you might prioritize finding a table with extra storage like a cabinet, space for baskets, or drawers.

A big factor in the functionality of your coffee table is going to be the material that it’s made of. If you have kids who like to rough-house, avoid breakable materials like glass in favor of something sturdier, like hardwood. If you know you’ll be doing a lot of eating and drinking in your living room, opt for a table with a moisture and stain-resistant finish. Choosing the right material will be key to making your coffee table last as long as possible in good condition.

4) Style

Lastly, your coffee table should, of course, fit with the style of everything else in your living room. You can choose to have your table blend in with your interior design. Or, you can decide to make it a centerpiece and get something that stands out but contrasts nicely. Just be sure it doesn’t clash with the other furniture and design elements you already have in place.

If you want your coffee table to be harmonious with the rest of the room, try getting one that matches your end tables, falls within the same color palette, and/or has a shape and texture that’s similar to your other furniture. For a table serving as a centerpiece, go with something with a color or material that pops (such as metal or stone). You can also choose a non-traditional piece for your coffee table, such as a storage ottoman or storage trunk. Don’t be afraid to think a little outside of the box!

Do you really want to nail your coffee table choice to top off the living room of your dreams? Sherwood Studios has you covered! In addition to a wide selection of coffee tables of every style, we have expert interior designers on hand in our store to help you make the right decision for your space. We can guarantee that you’ll walk out of our showroom with a table you’re going to love.

For more information about our furniture collections or interior design services, contact a team member today!

How to Decorate with Plants

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Interior Design Studio in West Bloomfield, MI

When it comes to livening up your space, what better way to do it than with actual living things? No, we’re not telling you to adopt another dog—we’re talking about plants! Live flowers and greenery have been on the upwards trend in the interior design world for the last few years with no signs of stopping. It’s easy to see why. Plants are a quick way to add pops of bright color, install an earthy calmness, and bring fresh energy to your home.

You can’t just pluck any old plant from your garden and plop it inside though. Successfully incorporating plant life in your space takes careful planning and forethought just like any interior design element. Don’t worry though, we’ve got a few tips to help you pull it off!

Research before you buy.

Even though you’re in a design mindset, it’s important to remember that plants are living things that require care and maintenance to look their best. After all, even the most beautiful flowers or charming succulents won’t do much to elevate your space if they’re dead. That’s why, before you head out to the nursery, you’ll need to research which kind of plants will thrive in your home environment and which ones won’t last. Consider factors like light conditions, humidity, room to grow, and the time and effort you’re prepared to put forth to care for the plants you choose.

Think about the colors in your space.

Just like you would with any decorative accessory or furniture piece, you want to choose plants and blooms with colors that complement the existing colors in your space. Plants that fall within your interior color palette will help your space flow better and, if you choose complementary colors, make the rest of your design elements pop. You’ll also want to be sure to select plant colors that work well with one another, so nothing clashes.

Pay attention to your planters too.

The pots and planters you use to hold your plants are an extra opportunity to enhance your design. If your space is mellow, choose planters with vibrant colors, bold patterns, and interesting shapes to serve as eye-catching accents. Or, if your space is already bold, go with classic and neutral planters to avoid clashing and keep the focus on the plants themselves. Have fun with your choices and try to incorporate your personal style.

Think beyond traditional potted plants.

You can’t go wrong with a vase of flowers as a centerpiece or simple potted greenery on an end table. But don’t be afraid to think outside of the box and get creative with your plant displays too. There are so many options these days—wall planters, hanging plants (great for small spaces), vines to wrap around furniture or décor, trees for the floor, plant carts, herb gardens, etc. These versatile display options also make it easy to incorporate plants and flowers in any room!

Try making plants a focal point.

One way you can approach plant life in your design is to plan your design around your plants, rather than the other way around. You can try putting blooms and greenery around the outskirts of the room as a sort of frame to soften the edges. Or, put all of your plants in one spot for a lively focal point that anchors the room. Making your plants the star of your space will bring the perfect balance of tranquility and organic energy.

If you don’t have a green thumb, go artificial.

Nervous about your ability to be a good plant parent (or has history proven that gardening is not likely to be one of your future hobbies)? Don’t worry—you can still enjoy the aesthetic benefits of flowers and greenery without the responsibility. Artificial plants can make your space look just as warm and inviting as their real-life counterparts. If you really want to sell it, you can even get a diffuser or two to get that refreshing flower or plant scent too. Another option is to incorporate images of flowers and greenery into your décor, fabric patterns, and other design elements.

To really make the most of your space and incorporate plants and other design elements for the greatest effect, your best bet is to work with a professional interior designer. At Sherwood Studios, our interior design services cover all rooms and all levels of intervention. Whether your space just needs a few finishing touches or a complete facelift, our designers are ready to take on the challenge.

Contact our studio today to set up a consultation!

Interior Design Tricks to Make a Small Space Look Bigger

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Interior Designer in West Bloomfield, MI

Bigger does not always mean better when it comes to the place you call home. Sure, there are a lot of people who dream of big, spacious houses with rooms to be filled with furniture and décor to their heart’s content. But others crave the cozy atmosphere and simplistic lifestyle that come with smaller spaces. You can’t go wrong either way—as long as you master your interior design.

Small rooms and spaces don’t have to feel small. There is, after all, a difference between charmingly intimate and uncomfortably cramped. If your small space is starting to make you a little claustrophobic, here are a few tricks to help it feel bigger and more open!

Keep clutter to a minimum.

A lot of the time if you feel like the walls of a room are closing in on you, it’s actually your stuff that’s causing the congestion. We’re not just talking about piles of magazines on the coffee table or dirty laundry on the floor either. Too many pieces of furniture or home accents can also clutter your space just as easily. Make an effort to keep smaller rooms tidy and organized (hidden storage pieces can really help you out here) and implement a design that’s simple and minimalistic.

Scale down your furniture.

To create an open and spacious environment, furnishings should be proportional to the room that they’re in. A three-piece sectional, for example, will overwhelm your tiny studio apartment living room. A sleek couch with a separate accent chair, however, will offer just as much seating space without feeling bulky.

Choose furniture that’s multifunctional, such as a shelf floor lamp or coffee table with drawers, to cut down on the number of pieces in the room. Furnishing with pieces that are lower to the ground, leaving more space above them, can also help create a sense of openness in a small room.

Use a light color scheme.

Dark colors absorb light, while light hues reflect it, creating the illusion of more space in a room. For smaller spaces, go with light neutrals (beige, pale gray, off-white, etc.), softer tones (especially blues and greens), and colors with warm undertones.

Coordinate your wall colors with your furniture and décor as well to keep that open, airy vibe flowing throughout the room. A little contrast in colors is good for adding depth, but be careful not to make it too dramatic, as this can break up your space in a way that shrinks it.

Optimize lighting.

Well-lit rooms naturally look and feel larger. Your best option for a small room in this regard is to maximize whatever natural light you can get. You can do this by strategically using mirrors, glass, and other reflective surfaces to help bounce sunlight around the room. You should also ditch any heavy or dark drapery, opting for sheer curtains or none at all.

If natural light is limited in your small space, stock up on artificial light sources to supplement. Lamps, ceiling and wall fixtures (bonus points for using reflective materials here!), recessed, and track lighting should be used to illuminate your space evenly for the most expansive effect.

Choose few larger pieces instead of many smaller ones.

As we mentioned earlier, a bunch of small or medium-sized furniture and décor pieces can make your space feel just as cluttered as accumulated household junk. In small rooms, select a few larger pieces to fill out the space without cramping it—one or two wall pieces, one main furniture piece with a few accent furnishings, a piece of décor placed here and there. This will leave you with much more open and functional space, making the room feel bigger and more comfortable.

Need a little help making your small space feel larger than life? Get in touch with Sherwood Studios! Our interior design services can help you transform any room in the house to achieve the look and feel you’ve always wanted.

Give us a call at 248-855-1600 to set up a consultation with one of our designers!

5 Tips for Creating the Perfect Home Bar

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Bar Furniture in West Bloomfield, MI

The advantages of a home bar are obvious. It provides a convenient space for you to entertain your guests, serves as another area of the home where you can relax and unwind, and takes the look (and value) of your space to a sophisticated, elevated level.

Home bars are becoming more and more popular, making it much easier to find inspiration for creating your own and a wider selection of bar furniture and accessories to complete your setup. To ensure you get the most out of your bar, in terms of both design and function, use these tips below to start your planning and bring your new entertainment space to life!

1) Choose your location carefully.

Theoretically, you could make a bar work in almost any area of the house—the basement, living room, dining room, back patio, etc. The key to choosing the right location is to consider both technical and functional factors when making your decision.

First, think about your practical bar needs, including electricity for lights and appliances, plumbing for sink and any fridge/freezer connections, ventilation, and physical space. Then, consider your functional needs. Where do you usually entertain friends? Do you prefer to hangout inside or outside? Do you want your bar to be close to other features of your home, such as a media space, bathroom, or pool/hot tub, for example? These are all questions you need to answer before you even start planning your design.

2) Set a budget.

It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of building a home bar and go overboard with luxury features and materials. That’s why it’s best to determine how much you are willing and realistically able to spend from the beginning. You’re more likely to stay within your price range this way and create a home bar that won’t break the bank.

As you’re budgeting for your bar, take into account what you’ll need to buy first. For example, work you’ll need to hire out for vs. work you can do yourself, any building materials, furnishings, accessories and décor, appliances, and bar supplies are all items you will need for a functioning home bar. Then, move on to the features you want your home bar to have, listing them from most to least important. Allocate your remaining budget after covering your needs to your top wants.

3) Decide on what style you want to go with.

There are a lot of different directions you can go when it comes to the design elements of your bar. You could go with something modern, traditional, elegant, minimalist, rustic—the list goes on and on. Whatever style you choose, it should be something that works cohesively with the rest of your space but still stands out.

An at-home bar should be the focal point of a room without clashing with any of your other interior design elements. Don’t be afraid to get creative and add personality. Experiment with unexpected decorative accents, bold color schemes, and a mix of finishes and materials to create an inviting, eye-catching space.

4) But don’t sacrifice function for aesthetic.

When planning out your home bar design, keep in mind the elements you’ll need to make your bar as functional as possible too. Consider things like space for ample seating, a bar shape and size that provides enough space to work, and storage for your supplies.

You should take advantage of vertical space to optimize the layout of your home bar. Wall cabinetry or floating shelves, for example, are perfect for creating an attractive display of your spirits or barware that doubles as storage.

5) Be smart about the materials you use.

The materials you use to build your bar should be selected carefully. You want them to be attractive, but also durable. A bar is very similar to a kitchen in terms of functional needs, so consider what you would and wouldn’t use in that type of space. Your furnishings need to be able to withstand wear and the damage that often occurs in eating and drinking spaces (spills that stain, acidic citrus juices, moisture buildup, chopping garnishes, prepping snacks).

It’s best to use hard, sturdy materials for your counter surfaces, such as hard wood, quartzite, or granite. Save the more vulnerable materials, such as glass, soft woods, or vinyl, for things like wall accents or decorative features.

At Sherwood Studios, we carry a wide selection of home bar furniture to help you serve and enjoy your drinks in style. You’ll find bars, carts, stools, lighting, and decorative accents for every style and vision to create a bar space that is uniquely yours. If you need help planning, our interior designers can work with you to make your ideas a reality.

Browse our furniture collections online today or get in touch with our team to make an appointment at our West Bloomfield showroom!