Tips for the Best Home Office Layout

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A young woman working at her home office desk perpendicular to the window for natural light.

Working from home has become the new normal for many employed people. Our home office workspaces have quickly become the place in our home where we spend the most time. To ensure your space is working as hard and efficiently as you are, it’s important to design your office with a few key principles in mind.

Here are a few helpful design tips to help you achieve a functional and aesthetically pleasing home office layout.

A Properly Placed Desk

The desk is the most important feature of any home office, but putting it in the wrong spot can hinder your productivity. Placing it at a bad angle to the window can create screen glare, your back to the door can cause stress, and facing a wall can be uninspiring. The best place to put your desk is a section of the room where your back can be facing a wall while still having a view of the door, but not directly in front of it.

It is recommended to place your work desk as close to natural light as possible. Some people like to face the window, but this can become too distracting. If you can’t handle a front row window seat, turning your desk perpendicular to it can give you the natural light you desire without the complete distraction. If the most productive placement puts the window behind you, meaning light will hit your monitor, add window treatments to block the glare.

Layered Lighting

Although natural lighting is great for productivity in your workspace, you can’t always rely on it to be there for you. It is important to place various artificial lighting options in your space strategically. Recessed lighting in the ceiling with dimmers for ambient light and task lighting over desk and seating areas are great ways to incorporate necessary artificial light. You cannot just rely on overhead lighting. It is much better for your eyes if you have a table or floor lamp close by as well. Not only will these help you see your screen more clearly, but there are many stylish options to choose from that can spice up the look of your office.

A Multipurpose Seating Area

Seating beyond your own desk chair is crucial to a home office setup. Whether you must meet with clients or the inevitable family member that wanders in, a bench or a table with chairs is necessary. Create a small seating area for guests and company to separate your personal workspace from meetings and nonwork-related discussions.

An Office Space for Two

If you share your home office with a spouse or coworker, it is important to section off your space. Try dividing the room with an oversized built-in desk, with his-and-her sides. Design your individual section the way you like it with custom storage and a comfortable desk chair. When designing an office for two people, style is just as important as function, as one person’s aesthetic could be distracting or off-putting for the other.

Built-In Storage

When crafting your perfect office space, built-in storage is a must. You don’t want every item on display, from printers to extra monitors and a plethora of chords. A wall of built-in bookshelves and cabinetry or large drawers under your desk space can easily hide Wi-Fi boxes and office supplies. Open shelving can also provide an opportunity for you to show off your personal style with beloved books, photos, and artwork.

At Sherwood Studios, we have the home office essentials you need to complete your workspace. Our home office design team has the tools and knowledge to craft an amazing office for you or your loved one. We cover all the elements needed to design your dream office, from window treatments to floor plans. 

Call us today at (248)855-1600 to learn more about our home office interior design services! 

The Importance of Lighting in Interior Design

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Contemporary living room with accent lighting over fireplace and task lighting over large coffee table.

Lighting is a crucial yet overlooked area when crafting your dream home interior. Lighting affects how the size of a room is perceived, creates ambiance, and can influence your mood. There is more to lighting design than simply choosing a stylish lampshade. In fact, there are three fundamental elements of lighting design, and when implemented correctly, these elements can transform your space into a masterpiece.

The Three Elements of Lighting Design

Ambient Lighting: Ambient lighting provides the general illumination of a room. This light can create a sense of warmth and depth in your space. You can achieve ambient lighting by using dimmer switches in overhead light fixtures such as recessed lights, track lights, or chandeliers. Adding lanterns and wall sconces to your space can also render an ambient lighting effect.  

Accent Lighting: The main purpose of accent light is to add style and personalization to whatever space you are designing. Accent lighting includes anything from shelf or cabinet lighting to art and toe kick lighting. If you want to highlight the architectural features of your home, like a fireplace, collection of items, or a painting, accent lighting can help draw attention to those things.

Task Lighting: Task lighting is designed to create a shadow-free environment while performing daily activities in your home. Whether you’re cooking, watching TV, or reading a book, task lighting ensures everything is properly illuminated. This lighting can include desk lamps, floor lamps, cabinet lighting, and ceiling pendants.

Interior Design and Lighting

You cannot experience the interior architecture of a home to its fullest if you don’t have proper lighting. The three elements of lighting design work in conjunction with color selections, room size, availability of natural light and furniture selection.  

Here are a few ways lighting is important for interior design and how it can transform your space.

Functionality

When it comes to lighting, it needs to serve a purpose, or else it is wasteful. Consider the style of lighting you want to ensure you get the best directional or luminescent type for that setting. Look into task-specific lighting for desks and other work areas where functionality is more important than overall room illumination. Chandeliers are used in large, open foyers, entryways, and rooms because of their centrally themed placement and because they provide excellent illumination for the room. Wall lights visually add length and size to an entryway hall while also lighting the way.

Color Management

Proper lighting can be used to enhance colors within a design. It can also add to or subtract from the colors in a room. Darker colors make a room feel smaller and cramped, while light-colored walls do the opposite. When selecting colors in the design phase, testing them with different lighting types is beneficial. Some lightings such as directional lighting may soften the wall colors, and the light emitted may be warm or cool depending upon the bulb type.

Space

Both natural and artificial lighting help with the illusion of space. If a room does not have sufficient lighting, it will feel cramped. This can be worsened by close-proximity furniture arrangements in a smaller setting. Corner lamps, wall sconces, and centrally hanging lights on the ceiling help brighten a room if natural lighting is not available, and they help create a visually larger space. Natural lighting is preferred above artificial lighting because it shows off colors better and adds to the visual space of a room by bouncing off reflective surfaces. Consider skylights or large windows if you want more natural light or use sheer drapes and curtains to allow the maximum amount of light from your current windows.

Here at Sherwood Studios, we understand the importance of proper lighting when designing a space. That is why we offer modern and contemporary home accents that will light up your interior and breathe life into your space.

If planning out a home design project sounds overwhelming, there is no need to fret. Our talented team of interior designers can help you plan and create your dream space! We will assist you in mapping out a proper lighting plan to assure your home has practical and functional illumination.

Call us today at (248)855-1600 to speak with a design professional and learn more about our interior design services!

Common Design Mistakes to Avoid in Your Dining Room

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Dining room table with low lighting fixtures and upholstered chairs

All the hard work and preparation that happens in your kitchen makes its way into the dining room. From full course meals to intimate family dinners, holidays, birthdays, and more, the dining room is where we bring people together.

It is important to have a cohesive and practical design that suits your family’s aesthetic and caters to your guest’s needs with such a high-traffic room.

Here are some common design mistakes to avoid when remodeling your dining room.

Oversized Table in a Small Room

You are limited by a strict set of dimensions when it comes to the size of your dining room. That is why design plays an important role in how your space will function. If you know you are working with a relatively small dining room, adding an oversized table is not practical. It will make the room feel cramped, and guests will not be able to comfortably move around the chairs. It is suggested to have a bare minimum of three feet from behind your chairs to your wall.

Uncomfortable Seating

If you want to host fabulous dinner parties or wine and cheese nights with friends, how do you expect them to stay and chat for hours while sitting on the world’s most uncomfortable chair? It is easy to be fooled by stylish modern seating, but if you prioritize style over comfort, you’re going to have a lot of empty seats at your next dinner party. A chair with an upholstered back and a fully upholstered seat is a great choice for guaranteed comfort.

Placing Light Fixtures Too High

A dining area is an intimate space, and you want the lighting to be about three feet above the tabletop or six feet off the floor. Light fixtures can be installed lower as they’re above a table and no one walks under them. While a high-placed chandelier might seem elegant and expanding, it might leave your dinner plate in the dark.

Wrong Size Rug

A dining room rug should encompass all the furniture, including the chairs—even when people are sitting in them. As a general rule, add sixty inches to your table’s length and width to find a rug that will comfortably accommodate all your dining chairs. Additionally, an indoor-outdoor polyester rug is a great choice for an area where food is served because it’s easier to clean than a natural-fiber rug like wool. 

A Cluttered Space

There is no need to showcase all your belongings in one space. This will give your room an overcrowded and unpleasant feel. A large empty surface, such as your dining room table, is an open invitation for piles of paperwork and junk mail. For a cohesive, clean-looking room, it is important to resist the urge to make your dining table a storage area for unwanted items.

Bare Walls

A mirror or piece of art can be the space’s focal point to tie the room together in a small dining room. Mirrors make the space feel larger, but art can be just as wonderful and eye-catching. Make it a large statement piece instead of a cluster of multiple frames, and you’re good to go. Even large dining rooms need art and a mirror if more than one wall is available. A mirror hung over a sideboard or console, with a large statement piece of art on an adjacent wall, gives the space a slightly more complete feel.

Whether you’re doing a complete dining room remodel or simply switching out some furniture, Sherwood Studios can assist you. We offer complete dining room interior design services, so you can avoid making any common design mistakes in your space! We have a wide selection of dining room furniture and work with our clients to turn their dream room into a reality.

Contact us today at (248)855-1600 to learn more about your dining room design options.

Furniture Shopping Tips to Know Before Hitting the Stores

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Woman Shopping for New Couch Looking at Price Tag

Buying brand-new furniture is an exciting adventure. Whether you’re furnishing a new home, upgrading from hand-me-downs, or got a sudden urge to give your place a makeover, new furniture is going to make your space feel fresh, fun, and comfortable.

When you finally walk into your local furniture store and see all of the attractive displays and variety of options, you can feel a lot of pressure to choose the right new pieces for your home. Use these furniture shopping tips from the pros to help make your experience fun and fruitful!

Set a budget.

Before you start shopping and get mesmerized by all the beautiful pieces, give yourself a set range for what you are able and want to spend on furniture. Having a budget will keep you from wasting time considering pieces you can’t afford and focus on those that are feasible for you. When you arrive at the store, let your consultant know what your budget it is, so they can point you in the right direction.

Determine your wants and needs.

After you’ve set your budget, make a list of the furniture pieces you want to buy. Then, divide them into categories of what you absolutely need and what you can live without for the foreseeable future. Your list will help you stay focused as you shop and allocate your budget appropriately (here are some helpful tips for when to splurge and when to save on furniture). As you distinguish between what you want and what you need, really take the time to consider your priorities. Remember; you don’t have to get everything all at once.

Assess your current space.

New furniture pieces must suit the size, style, and needs of your home as it is now. The last thing you want is to spend thousands of dollars on a couch, have it delivered, and then discover it clashes with your other living room furniture or doesn’t fit through the door. Taking a photo of the rooms you’re buying furniture for can serve as a good reference for style, size, and layout at the store. It’s also a good idea to take measurements of the space where you expect your new pieces to go and the pathways they will need to make it through to get there.

Consider your lifestyle.

Your furniture needs to be functional, which means you need to be thinking about how you’re going to use it as you’re shopping. Do you have kids or pets running around? You should probably be looking at pieces made with sturdier materials and stain-resistant fabrics and colors. Are you the one in your friend group who’s always hosting get-togethers? Then you’ll want pieces that allow for good traffic flow and comfortable, conversational setups. Picture how you plan to use your new furniture and let that guide you in your selections.

Check the quality.

Furniture that won’t last is a waste of money. Before you decide on a piece, inspect it thoroughly to ensure it’s built sturdy and with lasting quality. Don’t be afraid to really move it around and get a good look at it from all angles. It will be helpful to conduct some research ahead of time about what to look for when evaluating furniture quality. Reading reviews of brands or specific pieces you’re interested in is another good research tool as well.

Ready to get started on your furniture shopping endeavor? Check out the amazing selection of home furniture at Sherwood Studios! We have pieces for every room in your house, at a variety of price points and in a broad spectrum of styles. What’s more, if you prefer to leave the big decisions to a pro, we offer full interior design services to homeowners in the West Bloomfield area.

Give us a call today at 248-855-1600, so we can help you furnish the home of your dreams!

6 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home for Fall

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Furniture & Interior Design Studio in West Bloomfield, MI

The transition from summer to fall feels the same pretty much every year; like it happened in the blink of an eye. One minute you’re watching Fourth of July fireworks, and the next you’re digging out the rake from the back of the garage.

Now that the air is crisper and the leaves are turning, it’s time for your home interior to catch up with the changing seasons. At this time of year, that means going from bright and airy summer spaces to warm and cozy ones. Here are a few easy ways to tweak your interior design to achieve that snug and inviting autumn look!

1) Bring out the throw blankets.

Nothing makes you want to snuggle up inside more than the sight of a soft blanket draped over the back of a couch or recliner. Throw blankets are a great way to take your space from summer to fall. You can use blankets to work seasonal colors, patterns, and textures into your interior, as well as provide some practical warmth for the cooler days ahead.

2) Update your throw pillows.

Another inviting touch of décor that offers an opportunity to work in different fall elements is your throw pillows. Swap out pillows on couches, chairs, and bedding with light colors and summery patterns or sayings with ones that are fitting for autumn. Just a few quick substitutions and you’ll have a new level of comfort and visual interest for the new season.

3) Layer in area rugs.

As the temperatures get cooler, area rugs are a practical and visually appealing way to add some warmth and cushion underfoot. Update your floors with fall colors and textures and give them a little extra protection from increased holiday foot traffic at the same time. By layering two area rugs on top of each other, you can also bring in a dimensional element—just make sure the bottom rug pokes out so both can be seen.

4) Infuse your space with autumn scents.

Smell is a powerful trigger that you can use to make your home feel like an inviting fall haven. Candles are the obvious choice for giving your interior a fall aroma, plus they’ll help create a soft and cozy ambiance. But if you’re not a candle lover or they’re impractical for your space, then wall plug-ins, scent diffusers, and potpourri will work just as well.

5) Create displays with fall plant life.

Warm and appealing arrangements of seasonal plants, flowers, herbs, and natural features are a simple way to bring the spirit of fall to your space. For pops of color, focus on fall florals like dahlias, mums, and hydrangeas. Balance out the brilliant autumnal hues with earthy elements like branches, pinecones, and seasonal greenery such as eucalyptus and olive. Don’t forget to polish off your harvest look with seasonal veggies like corn stalks, gourds, and of course, pumpkins.

6) Prep your fireplace.

If you have a fireplace, it has probably spent the last several months gathering dust. As you’ll be using it much more often in the coming seasons, now is the time to get it ready to do its job. Start by giving it a good cleaning and stocking up on wood, gas, or propane. Once you’ve affirmed everything is in good working order, spend some time on the mantle. Decorate with fall accessories, like seasonal florals, artwork, candles, and other décor. It will serve as the perfect focal point for your cozy autumn look.

Whether you’re refreshing your home for a new season, new life stage, or just because you feel like it, Sherwood Studios has everything you need to create the new look you have in mind. Head out to our West Bloomfield showroom to shop furniture and décor of all styles. Need help getting the details just right? Ask us about our interior design services and we’ll set up a consultation.

Visit our store or contact us today to get started on your new fall interior!

Why People Love Minimalist Interior Design (& How to Pull it Off in Your Space)

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Furniture and Interior Design Company in West Bloomfield, MI

Over the last few years, minimalism has really come to the forefront of the interior design industry. Minimalist style is defined by simplicity, functionality, and precision. The concept behind this look and lifestyle is to limit your material possessions and follow a “less is more” philosophy. You may think of minimalism as boring at first, but when you see it in action, the advantages of living in a minimalist space become more and more apparent.

The Benefits of Minimalism

Good for your health

A messy, cluttered home can have a negative impact on your mental health. Think about it; wouldn’t walking into a room with clothes covering the floor, busy patterned wallpaper, and every inch of surface space covered in knickknacks stress you out? The less stuff you have and that your mind has to process, the less stressed you’ll be. Plus, with fewer objects around to gather dust and allergens, minimalism can actually promote better air quality.

Calming, comfortable environment

Less chaos and visual stimulation make for a more relaxing atmosphere. Minimalism is all about light and airy ambiance, achieved through streamlined furniture, light neutral colors, and warm textures. People often find that spending time in a minimalist space allows them to keep their mind calm and rest easier.

Save time and money

Another perk of choosing minimalism for your home interior is that you’ll have fewer pieces of furniture and décor to buy. This saves you money on furnishing your home, as well as time maintaining those furnishings. With more open space, there is less to clean and take care of, leaving you with more time to actually enjoy what you do have.

Simple but luxurious aesthetic

The principles of minimalism come together to create a refined and elegant-looking space. Since you have so few pieces in a minimalist room, the ones you do have should be of the highest quality. While the quantity of your furniture and belongings keeps things simple, the quality gives your space an air of luxury.

Tips for Creating a Minimalist Space

Declutter

The first step to implementing minimalism in your space is to pare down and organize what you have in it. This goes for knickknacks, wall and table décor, furniture, and other accessories. This is key for achieving the simplicity that defines the style. Go through your belongings and get rid of everything you don’t actively use. For the items you keep, organize them using clean storage solutions, such as hidden drawers in furniture or storage ottomans.

Keep furniture and décor to just the essentials.

For your furniture and décor, limit yourself to just a few necessities and carefully-selected details. In a living room, for example, you’d want to stick with just the seating you need, TV/entertainment center, a coffee table and/or a few end tables. Décor in a minimalist living room might include functional accessories, such as an area rug, lamp, and couch pillows, as well as one or two decorations, such as a simple piece of wall art or vase of flowers on the table.

Use symmetry and clean lines.

Symmetry and clean lines are staple elements of a minimalist space. They are used to create balance and place the focus of the room on function and practicality. Flat, smooth surfaces and clean lines will also emphasize each piece in your space to help create visual interest and bold statements. This is especially important to do for minimalist interiors, where you have less to work with to create an attractive and interesting design.

Stick with two to three colors.

A simple color palette is another defining aspect of minimalist design, as it is crucial to keeping your space simple and elegant. The basis of your color scheme should be light neutrals or shades, such as whites, beiges, greys, light blues, light pinks, etc. If you want to be bold with it, make your second or third hue a more vibrant pop of color, used sparingly in your accessories.

Add dimension with textiles.

One thing to keep in mind if you’re going with a minimalist interior design style is that you need to consciously include warm elements. The simple, modern, clean elements of minimalism can become cold and stark quickly without the right balance. Layering different textiles is an easy and effective way to instill warmth and create more visual interest in your space. Play around with inviting textures such as linen, cotton, rattan, jute, and wool in accessories like area rugs, drapes, and pillows.

At Sherwood Studios, we offer a wide selection of modern, streamlined furniture to help you live the minimalist lifestyle. If you’re having trouble bringing the elements of minimalism together in your space, we also offer interior design services to help you achieve the vision you have for your home interior.

For more information about our furniture collections or interior design packages, stop by our showroom or contact a team member today!

How to Choose an Interior Paint Color

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Interior Designer in West Bloomfield, MI

The color you decide to paint your walls can make or break your space. That’s a lot of pressure to begin with, and when you get to the store and see hundreds of different shades to choose from, it can become an even more intimidating task. Paint a room the wrong color and you will completely mess up the look and feel you’re going for. But if you choose the right paint color, you’ll enhance the whole of your space and every piece in it.

As you start swatch shopping, use the tips below to help you land on the perfect wall shade!

Don’t choose paint color first.

People often make the mistake of selecting their paint color first, since it’s one of the biggest steps to finishing a room. For the best results though, choosing paint should be your last step.

The furniture, fabrics, and major décor and accent pieces should be chosen for a room first. Then, pull inspiration for your wall color from those elements. There will be more paint colors for you to choose from than furniture and décor colors.

Use the color wheel.

Although color is seen as an element of art, there is a science to it. Learning the basics behind this color theory will help you choose the right one for your home interior.

The easiest way to use color theory when creating an interior color scheme is to consult the color wheel to see how different colors work and don’t work together. For example, if you’re looking for a bolder scheme, choose colors that are opposite on the wheel. For something more subtle, use adjacent colors to create an analogous palette.

Consider the function of the room.

Paint color is perhaps the most powerful design element when it comes to setting the mood in your space. The mood you’ll want to create in a room will depend on the purpose of that room.

In a home office, for example, you’ll probably want a color that makes you feel productive and energized, such as green or turquoise. But in the bedroom, it’s better to have a hue that helps you relax and feel calm, such as a shade of gray or dark blue. So, as you’re choosing your paint color, think about the emotions you need your space to elicit.

Don’t forget about undertones.

When a color is created by mixing two different colors together, like yellow and red to make orange or blue and yellow to make green, it will have an undertone that is closer to one color or the other. The undertone of your paint color will have a significant effect on how your space looks and feels. Undertones are either warm or cool.

You must be sure your paint undertones complement each color in the scheme you’ve created with your furnishings and décor, otherwise everything will clash.

Test paint colors before buying.

Before you commit to any paint color, you need to see how it actually looks in your home. A color on a small swatch in the store will look different in the lighting of your home against your furniture and decorations.

Get a sample of the colors you’re interested in and paint a few large wall swatches in different lightings to see how they’ll look in your space. If you don’t want to paint your wall, paint a poster board instead that you can hold up in different areas of light and next to your furniture.

Making sure your paint color, furniture, décor, and the other design elements in your space all work together to achieve the look and atmosphere you’re aiming for is no easy task. The interior designers at Sherwood Studios can help you with every detail of your space big and small, to ensure you pull off everything you’re envisioning.

To learn more about our interior design services and home furniture showroom, get in touch with our team or stop by the store today!

4 Home Office Essentials to Complete Your Workspace

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Home Office Furniture & Design in West Bloomfield, MI

Advancements in technology and recent events have made working from home a normal part of many people’s lives. Whether you now work from home on a full-time basis or just a few days a week, having a quiet space where you can focus on work duties can be extremely beneficial to your at-home productivity.

If you’ve been on the couch or in your bedroom since you made the switch to working from home, it’s probably about time you made the addition of a home office. You’ll not only create that professional feel you’ve been missing, but you can add comfort and style to your workday with a few of these home-office essentials!

1) Stylish & Practical Desk

For many, the right desk is the most important part of a home office. It is where you get the bulk of your work done and a space that can house all of your must-haves, such as a laptop, monitor, notebook, lamp and more.

Though you need a desk that can hold all of your work belongings, it’s also important to consider how it flows with the rest of your space. If you have a smaller workspace, it is best to go with a desk that takes up less room and allows for the use of other things like comfy chairs or bookshelves.

2) Comfortable & Supportive Chair

Another must-have when working from home, a comfortable and supportive chair will give you the flexibility you need to get things done while also protecting your health. An office chair that swivels or rolls will allow for the free movement you need to reach important documents, books and more without having to get up out of your seat. Many chairs can also be raised or lowered based on your needs, which can do wonders for your neck and back.

If you have experienced back pain from a chair in the past, consider a more supportive swivel or armchair that promotes good posture as you work throughout the day. For those who want to take their workspace to the next level, consider adding an extra armchair, or even a smaller sofa, so you can be joined by a “work buddy” (two or four-legged) from time to time. 

3) Eco-Friendly Lamp

No matter if you’re an early riser that starts work before the sun comes up, or you do your best work late at night, an eco-friendly lamp will allow you to be productive at any hour of the day. With this type of lamp, you’ll get a soft, warm glow and won’t have to worry about it being on for long periods of time, as it won’t take up as much energy as a standard lamp would.  

If you’re adding a lamp to your space, we again suggest thinking of the area in which you’ll be working. Desk and floor lamps each provide plenty of light, so it really comes down to your individual need or taste.

4) Bold Bookshelf

Adding a bookshelf to your office may seem more like an extra than an essential, but when you consider the many benefits it provides, you’ll most likely want one for your space.

A bookshelf will not only store books that are important to your profession, but it can also be a great design piece to house your favorite sculptures, photos, memorabilia and more. It can show people what you’re all about, add a little excitement to the room, and serve as a great background piece for those pesky video conferences you attend. Consider adding a bookshelf with a bold design that matches the other pieces of furniture in your office to create that truly one-of-a-kind space.

When you’re ready to make the investment in a new home office, or want to add flare to your current space, think of our team at Sherwood Studios. We’ll be happy to handle your West Bloomfield home office design and furniture needs, including everything from desks to chairs, cabinets, sofas, lamps, bookshelves and more.

Call us today at 248-855-1600 to get started!

5 Tips for Giving Your Interior Design an Eco-Friendly Makeover

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Interior Design Services in West Bloomfield, MI

As creatures who benefit from the Earth and all of its natural resources, it is our responsibility to take care of it in return. This sentiment has grown exponentially over the last several decades, so much so that it has become a trend in a variety of industries far and wide—interior design included.

Creating a sustainable home interior has become a shared goal of many designers and homeowners alike. To really feel good in your home, it helps to know that you’re doing your part to protect and preserve the environment. Of course, there is always room for improvement. So, if you’re looking for new opportunities to make your interior design eco-friendlier, we’ve got some effective and stylish ideas to get you started!

1) Choose eco-friendlier materials for furnishings and surfaces.

Cultivating your space with furniture and materials made from natural, renewable resources is a great way to make your interior design more sustainable. Eco-friendly options for design elements such as your furnishings, flooring, countertops, backsplashes, and even décor are becoming more readily available. Look for organic, recyclable materials such as reclaimed wood, stone, bamboo, recycled metal, cork, bio-glass, and jute fibers.

2) Use wall paint with low or no VOC content.

VOCs are volatile organic compounds that are used in products such as household cleaners, paint, and finishes. The VOCs found in these products emit gases that are harmful to the health of the people in your home as well as the environment. Minimizing VOC concentrations will help reduce the number of toxic emissions in the atmosphere. When choosing wall paint, look for products labeled as low VOC or no VOC. Or, consider other sustainable design options for your wall, such as bamboo or reclaimed wood panels, tile, or wallpaper.

3) Incorporate plant décor.

As far as environmentally-friendly décor goes, it doesn’t get much better than plants! Plants help improve the air quality in your home by filtering harmful gases and toxins from the air (by trapping and photosynthesizing them in their leaves) and outputting clean oxygen. Plus, decorating with plants and flowers will provide your space with a natural fragrance, lively warmth, and ambiance.

4) Maximize your natural light.

Relying on natural light to brighten your home will conserve energy by reducing the amount of artificial light you have to use. Outfit your windows with light treatments and sheer or light-colored curtains made with lightweight fabric, to help optimize the amount of light shining in. Just make sure your windows are well-insulated, so you’re not sacrificing heat energy for the sake of light. Choosing a light color scheme and using reflective accents (such as mirrors, metallics, glass surfaces, etc.) are a few tricks to help the light that you get bounce across the room.

5) Upgrade to energy-efficient appliances and fixtures.

Energy-efficient appliances are much more affordable these days than they once were, and they make a huge impact on your energy usage and overall environmental footprint. Upgrade any current appliances that don’t meet sustainability standards, such as your washing machine, dryer, dish washer, and refrigerator, to energy-star models. Take your energy savings a step further with conservative showerheads and faucets for water efficiency too. Keep in mind that although you may be spending a little more money on your initial purchases, you’ll also be saving money on utilities in the long run.

Whether it’s sustainability, functionality, aesthetics, or all of the above that you strive for in your space, Sherwood Studios will help you achieve your interior design goals.

Our West Bloomfield interior design services are available for any type of space to turn any vision you have into a reality. Whether you want to overhaul your entire home or just redesign a single room, there is no project too big or too small for our talent, skill, or passion.

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

The Do’s & Don’ts of Accent Walls

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Interior Designers in West Bloomfield, MI

Sometimes, you need something daring to wake up a tired interior design scheme. Whether you’ve simply had the same aesthetic for too long or have suddenly decided you’re done playing it safe, there are a lot of great design features you can use to energize your space. One easy, yet very effective, way to add something striking to a room is with an accent wall.

An accent wall gives you a lot of options for getting creative and making your space unique. But it takes more to achieve the look you want than to just slap any old color on any one wall. Let’s take a look at some accent wall do’s and don’ts to help you pull it off correctly!

DO choose the right wall.

The wall you designate for your accent wall should be the natural focal point of the room. When you walk into the room, which wall is your eye drawn to first? That’s the one you should accent.

If one of the walls has a standout feature, such as a fireplace or bay window, making it an accent wall will accentuate that feature even more. If all of the walls are pretty much the same, choose the most open and visible one.

DON’T be afraid to choose a bold color.

Don’t assume you have to choose a color that blends in with the rest of the room. The point of an accent wall is to be bold and draw attention! As long as the wall color works with the color scheme throughout the rest of the room, it won’t look out of place. You can choose to match the accent colors in your décor and accessories, or go bolder and contrast your primary colors for an even more dramatic effect.

One thing you don’t want to do though is match your accent wall to too much of the room. A purple accent wall with a purple couch, for example, will sort of negate the accent effect and look overwhelming. Also keep in mind that bold doesn’t have to mean bright. A deep cool color can be just as striking and vibrant.

DO balance your accent wall with the other walls.

If you’re going to be doing an accent wall, it’s best to leave the other walls in the room fairly neutral, so it doesn’t overwhelm or look like a mish mosh. An accent color that’s a light to medium shade compared to the neutral shade will help maintain flow in the room and avoid being too stark.

You can even keep the room neutral and still have a bold accent wall. A dramatic contrasting neutral, such as a black or dark brown wall in a white or beige room, will achieve the same dramatic effect.

DON’T limit yourself to just paint.

As we mentioned, you have a lot of options for creating an accent wall. Wallpaper is another great way to make one wall stand out and add visual interest to your space. Or, if you’re nervous about committing to wallpaper, use wall decals instead. You could even use tile or stone wall panels, or create a full gallery wall of your favorite photos and art.

If you still want to use paint but do something outside of the box, paint your accent wall with different colors and patterns, like stripes, polka dots, or geometric lines. A one-of-a-kind mural is another unique way to paint an accent wall.

Nervous about botching your accent wall? Sherwood Studios can step in and help! Our team of interior designers in West Bloomfield, MI, will work with you to understand your vision for your space and come up with a design that brings it to life. Floor plans, furniture layouts, custom pieces, artwork, accessories, accent walls—we can do it all.

Contact us today to get started with a consultation!