Furniture Arrangement Tips

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Tips for Furniture ArrangementThe way you arrange your furniture will set the tone for your room. Will it be formal and elegant, or informal and relaxed? Will people use the room to socialize, or does it encourage you to just pass through?

Here are some furniture arrangement tips so you can create your desired effect:

First, get out your tape measure

It’s important to know exactly how much space you have, as well as the size of any entryways leading into the room. If you need to walk around any piece, leave about 30 inches of space around it. Make sure to place chairs and sofas that face each other no more than 8 feet apart to encourage easy conversation.

Keep entryways clear

Nobody likes to feel like they have to climb over hurdles to enter or exit a room. Make sure your furniture arrangement leaves entryways and exits unobstructed.

Get people talking

Place seating in conversational arrangements rather than having all seating in a room facing forward. Angle chairs toward one another and don’t place them too far apart.

Pick a focal point

The rest of the room will come together more easily when you choose an attractive focal point, like a picture window, fireplace or unique work of art.

Prefer to leave furniture arrangement to the pros? Call Sherwood Studios! Not only do we sell furniture at a variety of price points and in numerous styles, we also offer full interior design services. Call us today at 248-855-1600 so we can get started arranging your furniture!

Tips for Choosing Between a Sectional and Couch

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Modern Sectionals and Sofas

Looking for some tips for choosing between a sectional and a couch? Here are the questions you should ask yourself:

How will you use the space?

A sectional may be a better choice for a cozy den where you and your family will cheer on your favorite teams and squeeze in together to watch a movie. However, if you’re using the room as an elegant space to welcome guests, you may want to choose a couch. A couch plus a couple of armchairs will give people who are less familiar with one another plenty of personal space.

How much room do you have?

A large sectional can overwhelm a smaller room, whereas a couch would look just right. If you’ve got a large space, a sectional in the middle of the room can help establish definition.

How much flexibility do you want?

Sectionals typically have just one configuration, and you’re committing to a lot of the same fabric. If you choose to mix a couple of couches with armchairs, you’ll be able to reconfigure your space more easily and vary upholstery fabric and colors.

Now that you know whether a sectional or a couch would work best for you, shop for both at Sherwood Studios. We have a wide variety of stylish, comfortable seating options at multiple price points. Need more comprehensive help? Consider our full interior design services. Contact us today so we can design the space of your dreams.

Interior Design Trends For 2019

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Interior Design 2019 is right around the corner, and there’s no better time to give your home a makeover than the new year. If you’re planning to sell your home, updating your interior décor is a great way to get maximum market value for your space. Even if you’re not planning to sell anytime soon, on-trend interior design will make your home feel fresh and exciting.

Here are some of the top interior design trends for 2019:

Natural and sustainable fabrics

Home design will go green in 2019, with upholstery and accessories in natural textiles. This trend can work with a variety of overall styles, from French countryside to Scandinavian to boho.

Curved furniture

Choose an unexpected piece to contrast with the straight lines we’ve all come to expect, like a ‘60s-inspired curved sofa in a fun fabric.

Unexpected finishes

Think of tables and fixtures in marble, terrazzo and blown glass.

Bar carts

The ultimate 2019 touch for your living room? A glamorous mid-century or Art Deco bar cart. Go for elegant metallic finishes to get the look.

If you’re ready to give your home a 2019 makeover, browse the fantastic selection of furniture at Sherwood Studios. You’ll find stylish pieces for every room in your house, for any style and at every budget. If you’d rather let a qualified professional make the decisions, we offer full interior design services as well. Contact us today so we can give your home a brand new look for 2019!

Tips for Choosing the Perfect Bedroom Bench

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Bedroom Furniture You’ve picked out the bed, the side tables and some one-of-a-kind art for the walls. What more could your bedroom need? A bedroom bench! This useful, versatile piece of furniture adds storage, a seating area and style to your space.

Here are our tips for choosing the perfect bedroom bench:

Take out your measuring tape

The perfect bedroom bench will stretch across most of your bed, leaving a few inches on either side. Measure the width of your bed and choose a bench that is 80 to 90 percent of that measurement. Height is another measurement to consider. Choose a bench that’s a few inches shorter than the bed.

Choose a contrasting material

Unless you’re buying a complete furniture set, buy your bed first. Then, choose a bedroom bench in a contrasting material to create visual interest. For example, if your bed frame is wooden, look for an upholstered bench, and vice versa.

Think about function

One of the best things about bedroom benches is the added storage space they provide. If you’re short on dresser space, pick a bedroom bench with drawers, which could function as a mini-dresser. If you like to sit on the bench and take off your shoes at the end of the day, look for a bench that has a shelf for shoes.

If you’re looking for the perfect bedroom bench, check out Sherwood Studios. Need help designing your bedroom? We proudly provide complete interior design services as well. Call us today at 248-855-1600 so we can get started creating the bedroom of your dreams!

How to Choose an Accent Chair

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Accent Chair A chair can be so much more than a place to sit. The right chair can also add style, personality and color to any room. If you’d like to know how to choose an accent chair, here are the questions you should ask yourself:

How will this accent chair be used?

Do you want a cozy armchair you can sink into at the end of a long day, or are you looking for a chair that will add interest to an entryway but that you’ll rarely sit in? Determining how you’ll use your chair will help you narrow down size, material, durability and comfort.

How big should the accent chair be?

There’s nothing more annoying than picking out a chair that you love in the showroom only to find that it’s too big or too small for your space. Put tape or paper on the floor to get an idea of how the chair will occupy the space. Will it impede traffic flow in the room? Will it overpower your other furniture?

Does the accent chair fit in with your decorating style?

An overstuffed floral armchair will clash if the rest of your furniture is mid-century modern. Pick something that matches the rest of the room in terms of both color and overall look.

You can find the perfect accent chair for any room at Sherwood Studios. Browse our selection of accent chairs, which come in a wide variety of styles and price points. Want a pro to pick out your accent chair for you? We offer full interior design services as well! Call us today at 248-855-1600 or contact us online so we can start decorating!

2018 Fall Decorating Trends

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Fall Decorating Trends Even if your back to school days are long behind you, fall always feels like a time to refresh and reinvent. You may already be shopping for fall fashion trends, so why not give your home a new look as well? Whether or not you’re planning to put your house on the market anytime soon, fall is a great time to update your home décor.

Here are some of our favorite fall decorating trends for 2018:

Oversized florals

Move over, delicate patterns—oversized florals are in for fall. Think dramatic prints and jewel tones for wallpaper, cushions and bedding. Keep the rest of the room simple to let the florals take center stage.

Velvet

A luxurious cooler-weather classic, velvet is one of the top trends this autumn. Use it to add lush texture to chairs and accent pillows. Pair with gold, another major fall trend, for maximum opulent effect.

Plaid

Not just for flannels anymore, plaid makes a seasonal statement when used in upholstery or on throw blankets.

Dusty pinks

Pair this of-the-moment shade with the new darker neutrals or with gray. Not into pink? Warm, autumnal shades of red and orange are also in right now.

If you’re ready to update your interior décor this fall, take a look at the wide selection of furniture available at Sherwood Studios. You’ll find stylish pieces for every room in your home, no matter your budget or taste. If you’d rather leave the hard work to the pros, we offer full interior design services. Call us today at 248-855-1600, so we can make sure your home is on-trend for fall!

How to Use Mirrors in Your Design

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Interior Design Tips Why are mirrors sometimes known as a decorator’s secret weapon? Done right, they can make a room look larger or brighter, frame views and add interest to any room.

Here’s how to use mirrors in your home’s design:

Let there be light

Placed next to or opposite a window, a mirror can amplify the natural light that fills a room. If you’ve got an extra-large space to illuminate, place a mirror next to the lamp or wall sconce. You can even bring the outdoors inside by arranging a mirror or group of mirrors opposite a picture window.

Center of attention

Use mirrors to create a focal point in a room. If you’re not sure what to do with a blank wall, try putting a unique mirror there, like a sunburst or an antique mirror. You could even try hanging multiple mirrors of different sizes to create a one-of-a-kind arrangement.

Go big

Want to make a room look larger? Prop a mirror against the wall. This works particularly well with short passages you want to appear longer.

Now that you’ve learned how to use mirrors in your interior design, it’s time to pick out some furniture to complete your vision. Check out the amazing selection at Sherwood Studios to find furniture that fits your unique style and complements your décor. Prefer to let a pro do the designing? We offer full interior design services to any homeowner. Contact us today to learn more.

Three Must-Know Wallpapering Tips

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Tips for Applying WallpaperThis isn’t your grandma’s wallpaper. Gone are the prissy patterns, the difficult application process and the sticky residue that’s left behind when you remove it. Wallpaper in 2018 comes in a variety of trendy patterns and is easy to apply and remove. It’s no wonder that wallpaper is back in a big way!

Here are some tips for choosing the perfect wallpaper and wallpapering your home the right way:

Wallpaper trends

Today’s wallpaper trends include vintage-inspired botanicals, bold geometric patterns and subtle metallics. Just remember that for bigger, brighter patterns, less is often more. Wallpaper an accent wall rather than the entire room. If you go this route, paint the rest of the room in a color that complements the wallpaper on the accent wall.

To DIY or not to DIY

You can install wallpaper yourself (see below), but it’s often more effective to call a pro. Wallpaper installation requires precision and skill, and the pros can often install it affordably.

  • Handy tip: if you have more than one room to wallpaper, schedule them all at once, since a significant chunk of the labor costs are related to setup.

If you’re handy

Here’s a comprehensive guide to putting up wallpaper on your own.

Now that you’re up to date on wallpapering, it’s time to pick out some furniture to complement your wallpaper choices. Check out the amazing selection of furniture at Sherwood Studios to find pieces that suit your style and complement your décor. If you’d rather let a pro make the decisions, we offer full interior design services. Give us a call today at 248-855-1600 to learn more!

The Difference Between Accent and End Tables

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Accent and End TablesQuick: do you know the difference between accent and end tables? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Learn about these two types of tables and how each of them can add to the décor of your home.

End tables explained

End tables come in a variety of finishes and sizes, but what they have in common is that they are primarily designed for utility. They add extra table space in areas where we need it—think of putting your coffee cup down on an end table next to your sofa or setting your book down on a table next to your bed, for example. End tables are primarily rectangular and designed for a compact fit next to other furniture items.

Accent tables explained

Accent tables, by contrast, can go anywhere in your home, and are designed primarily to add to and complement the rest of your interior design scheme. They come in a variety of shapes. Some are even abstract for a striking ornamental look. While accent tables absolutely have functional uses—like serving as a display area for your coffee table books—they are meant to be seen.

Now that you know the difference between accent and end tables, shop for both at Sherwood Studios. We have a variety of accent and end tables in plenty of styles and price points. Need a little more help? We offer full interior design services to homeowners in West Bloomfield as well as anywhere in the USA. Call us today at 248-855-1600, so we can design the interior of your dreams!

How Interior Design Can Influence Your Mood

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Interior Design Affects Your MoodInterior design is about so much more than a well-chosen sofa or carefully curated pictures on a wall. How you decorate your home has a profound effect on your day-to-day mood.

Read on to learn more about how interior design influences your mood, and how you can design your home for maximum calm and positivity.

Color me happy

Award-winning kitchen and bath designer Kristin Whalen says, “Color has the power to revitalize, to soothe, to inspire creativity and even stimulate the appetite.” Bright reds and oranges can promote energy, and soft blues and greens evoke calm. Earth tones can be uplifting and de-stressing at the same time, because of their associations with nature.

Let there be light

Therapist Traci Bank stresses the importance of light—preferably natural. She says that light “can help mitigate depressive symptoms” by stimulating cells in the retina that are connected to a part of your brain that regulates circadian rhythms. In other words, exposure to natural light not only improves your mood, it also helps you get better sleep.

Go green

A space filled with plants can help you feel both relaxed and focused by connecting you to nature. No green thumb? Artificial plants can look great as well.

Want to decorate a home that puts you in a good mood, but don’t know where to start? Sherwood Studios is here to help. We offer full interior design services in the Oakland County area that take into account your personality, lifestyle, tastes and budget. Call us today at 248-855-1600, so we can design spaces that make you feel good.