Coastal Cottage Style: Dos and Don'ts

When you think about coastal cottage décor, many images may float through your mind, such as tiki bars, neon palm tree lights, fishing nets, tons of seashells, and pink flamingoes. Not that touches of kitsch isn’t good for a fun and funky vibe, and if you love a little pink flamingo, by all means, put some in. But too much is too much.

Coastal Style should evoke a casual, breezy, relaxing mood without overdoing it with beachy paraphernalia. However you do coastal, it should have these things in common:

• Plenty of natural sunlight
• Ocean-inspired colorway
• Casual furnishing that features natural textures and fibers
• Hints of sparkle and shine from glass, metals, and mirrors
• Natural elements found by the seashore as accessories

That gives you a lot of leeway to create a home that fulfills your vision of a calm, tranquil retreat by the sea – even if the coast is miles away. Once you have the basics down, here are some dos and don’ts to fine-tune your coastal style.

Do Choose the Right Colors

The coastal color palette is inspired by the sky, ocean, and sand. This means neutrals such as warm, soft sand and weathered driftwood grays as well as nautical navy blue, crisp whites inspired by sailboat canvas and bleached white seashells. Navy walls create the perfect backdrop for the crisp white of the Sandcastle Buffet by Hooker Furniture. Woven panels on the door fronts emanate coastal style and give the room a relaxed feel.

Do Add Color with Accessories

If you like a little color, choose subtle greens found in sea glass, beach grass, and kelp, aquas, and watery sea blues, and steel grays and deep blues reflective of storm clouds over the ocean. Muted reds and oranges are also great accent colors.

Do Let in Tons of Natural Light

When you think of the beach, of course, you think of sunshine and plenty of it. Coastal homes are never dark and gloomy. Keep the window treatments simple, airy, and light so that the sunshine streams in.

Do Choose Traditional Shapes in Tropical Woods

The furniture in coastal style is comfortable and casual, but still elegant and stylish. Choose natural materials such as rattan, wicker, cane, and seagrass for chairs. Slip-covered sofas help keep the look casual, or choose durable fabrics for a more tailored feel. Bring in a distressed accent piece to round out the look. Look for pieces that reinvent traditional styles, such as the Bali Hai Cedar Key Oval Back Side chair from Tommy Bahama. Modeled after a traditional side chair, this version features a striking rattan back that is gently rounded with smooth curves and an oval back.

Don’t Get Too Theme-y

Seashells, fish netting, and beach-themed fabric from pillows to sheets will make your coastal cottage style look dated. This goes for lighthouses and life preservers, too. Bring in touches here and there with a nod to classic coastal style. For example, use fish netting as a whimsical curtain tie-back and let the subtleness impress.

Do Add Area Rugs

While carpeting can be a problem if you actually to live near the ocean – think sand, humidity, and musty carpets – area rugs are perfect for this look. Not only are they easier to clean, but they also complement the style and show off gorgeous flooring underneath.

Don’t Forget to Add a Little Artwork

Prints that feature the ocean, sea life, or seascapes are great for coastal cottage walls. A piece of driftwood with your favorite quote painted on it adds a personal touch. Framed prints of pictures you, or someone in your family, has taken add a personal touch.

Do Accessorize with Found Treasure from the Sea

This is where you get to let you and your family’s personality shine. Coastal accessories include glass jars filled with shells or sea glass, specimen pieces of coral, driftwood, and more. Add some brass lamps, silver vases, and coastal prints of throw pillows.

This is also where you can have a little fun. Still thinking about that pink flamingo? Wouldn’t it look great on a throw pillow? Remember, it’s your home, after all, and if you can’t have a little fun with it, who can?

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6 Foolproof Home Decorating Rules

Most of us know what we like and don’t like when it comes to decorating our homes – we’ve browsed enough magazines, watched enough HGTV, saved enough Pins to our Pinterest boards, and wandered through enough furniture stores to know what we want or don’t want in our rooms. But decorating requires more than just a sense of style to look good, the proportions of your pieces are equally important.

You’ll hear interior designers talk about scale, balance, texture, and more when referring to good décor. If your furniture pieces are too big or too small, or your room is unbalanced, it will look off. There’s no getting around it, these rules will help you create the perfect space. And the great thing about these home decorating rules is that once you know them, you’ll also know how to break them.

6 Design Trends We're Happy to See Go Away

While we all love the thought of a timeless space, the way home décor trends seem to come and go make getting a classic look a challenge. One day everything is shabby chic and the next thing you know it’s all minimalist wabi-sabi (we like).

Not that there is anything wrong with either of those design styles if that’s what you love. There’s nothing wrong with experimenting with a trend or two, mixing a few unexpected elements into your home décor. However, there are some trends we’re happy to see go away, hopefully never to return.

Baer's Furniture Reviews: Great Customer Service Brings Back Customers

In business, as in life, a first impression is often a lasting impression. That’s why Baer’s Furniture considers great customer service an important part of their continued success. From the salesperson on the floor to the in-house design professional and delivery personnel, Baer’s works to create the ultimate furniture buying experience.

Read Baer’s Furniture reviews to find out more about Baer’s commitment to customer service.

Best Ways to Use Loveseats in Interior Design

What’s not to love about a loveseat? Compact and comfortable loveseats are the perfect pieces of furniture for apartments, homes, or offices. Their origin can be traced to the 17th and 18th century, when they were developed to accommodate the huge, ornate dresses that women wore in those centuries. Over the years they became more commonly called loveseats, since they comfortably fit two people and are often used for snuggling.

When furnishing a small space, a loveseat is the perfect piece of furniture. They not only fit right in, but they also make the space seem larger and roomier. They can make your room look neat, organized, and put together. To know more about ways to use loveseats in small spaces, read on.

What Is a Loveseat?

If you think of canoodling when you think of loveseats, you are not alone. Loveseats got their name because two people can sit close together on them, exchanging secrets, and yes, even a kiss or two. But they are so much more than that.

Loveseats can be used as mini sofas in small or awkward spaces. They are just the perfect size for an apartment, bedroom, guest room, or even extra seating in the family room. Because of their diminutive dimension, they are easy to move around and so can be placed wherever they are needed, whenever you decide to reimagine your furniture placement. Bigger than a chair-and-a-half, but smaller than a sofa, a loveseat can range from about 58 inches long to as long as 71 inches.

Add a Little Love to Your Interior Décor

One of the best things about loveseats is that you can use them to bring a little something extra into your décor. They come in so many patterns, designs, sizes, and fabrics, including leather, that they can be used to add texture, color, or interest to your space.

Finding a loveseat you'll love is not all that difficult. For example, the stylish Huntington House Customizable Loveseat is an elegant seating option suitable for any space. You can choose from a myriad fabric options, arm styles, bases, and backs to get the perfect piece.

Consider the size of your space as you look for the perfect loveseat. If it's on the small side, choose a simple style with straight arms – this will make the space look bigger than it is. You’ll have room for a small table and maybe even a chair to go with it. If you are choosing a loveseat for your bedroom, choose one with curvy arms and hidden legs. You’ll want something comfy, cozy, and luxurious for your sanctuary.

In a guest room, home office, or even your family room, choose a sleeper loveseat. This will give you a way to offer a place for guests to sleep without losing the functionality of your space during the day. This is a great option for a guest room that doubles as a home office or craft room. The Luonto Nico Contemporary Full Size Loveseat Sleeper allows you to convert your loveseat into a bed in minutes. It features an innovative, easy-to-open sleeper mattress mechanism that makes setting up your guest’s bed a breeze.

Whether you want extra seating or to make a small space seem larger, a loveseat is extremely versatile. Pair one with a sofa in a large room, or use two together to make the most of small spaces. With so many options, loveseats can work with any style to make your home design look fresh and modern.

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What's the Difference between a Couch and a Sofa?

Most of us aren’t too confused if someone says couch or sofa. We know they mean a rather large piece of furniture meant for sitting. So, is there really a difference between the two? Is one more formal than the other? Do they look or feel different?

At first glance, these two pieces of furniture may seem identical, but there are some differences. And although many designers use the term “sofa” exclusively, there are some subtle differences. Knowing the differences may not change what you call this piece of furniture, but will be a useful addition to your fun-fact arsenal.

Learn more about the subtle differences.

A Couch Perfect for Napping

Some consider “couch” a more casual term than sofa, and this could be because of the word’s origin. The word comes from “coucher,” the French word for “to lie down.” This piece of furniture gained popularity in the Victorian era. They generally had one armrest, or none, and a tapered back, so were more casual in both form and function.

Although our modern couches are rarely without arms, a couch is more likely to be something you curl up on, take a nap on, and let the dog sit on. Couches also tend to be smaller than sofas, seating 2-3 people comfortably. This Nantucket casual style seating option by Rowe with plush pillows and a skirt-covered base is perfect for a casual family room or den.

In most cases, couches are found in informal and casual settings such as a cozy family room or man cave. And while functionally, these two pieces serve the same purpose, people tend to prefer the term couch when they are referring to a casual, un-stuffy room.

A Sofa by Any Other Name

Sofa, which comes from the Arabic term “suffah,” always seems a little more formal. It was originally a wooden bench covered in cushions and blankets. Not the best place for napping or curling up. Most design professionals admit to rarely hearing people using the word “couch,” and “sofa” does seem to be the industry standard.

Sofas tend to be bigger, seating four or more people, making them a perfect choice for people who enjoy entertaining. This 3-piece, L-shaped sectional sofa from Huntington House provides plenty of seating. Unlike its Arabic namesake, this sofa is actually perfect for curling up on or stretching out and napping. Sofas, in general, are perceived as being more formal and giving out an elegant and classy vibe.

When should you use couch or sofa? Sometimes it just depends. The general consensus is that couch is the older term, probably in use since the Middle Ages. It became more popular during the middle ages when "fainting couches" became common. Either word is appropriate for a big, comfortable piece of furniture perfect for lounging, relaxing, snuggling, and yes, napping.

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How Long Will Leather Furniture Last?

You make a lot of decisions when shopping for new furniture. Style, color, and what type of upholstery are the top three. It can be a long, convoluted process and you may have last minute doubts about what is best for your home. And if you are thinking about leather furniture, you may have some questions about how long leather furniture will last.
If you are considering adding some leather furniture to your home, here are some facts that will help you make your next purchase with complete confidence.

Myth: Leather Furniture Doesn’t Last

Since leather is one of the most durable upholstery choices available, I don’t know where this little bit of misinformation came from. Leather furniture can last a lifetime, and often does. A good leather sofa may begin its life in the family room, move to the den or a man cave, and end up in a college grad’s first apartment without batting an eye. Leather is a natural product, so in addition to being durable, it looks better with age.

Myth: Leather Furniture Is Hard to Take Care of

The fact is that leather furniture is extremely easy to take care of. Just wipe up any spills as they happen, give it a wipe down or dusting when needed. Do not use regular cleaning products such as soap, detergents, and solvents. Only use products specially formulated for leather.

Myth: Leather Furniture Is Easily Damaged by Pets and Children

Unless your cat uses your couch as a scratching post or your dog thinks it is a chew toy, your leather furniture is safe. Since spills can be easily wiped up, leather is also a good choice for homes with children.

Myth: Leather Furniture Is Too Warm in Summer and Too Cold in Winter

Again, not so. If you think that your leather sofa will get hot and cold like the leather seats in your car, consider that seats in a car are exposed to more heat and cold than the furniture inside your home. When it is indoors, leather furniture warms to your body heat in winter. And in the summer, since leather is a natural product that can breathe, it stays nice and cool.

Myth: The Only Types of Leather Are "Real" and "Fake"

A common misconception is that there are only two types of leather: "real" and "fake." Many of the negative impressions people have about leather is when they have been misled and bought, fake, imitation, or bonded leather without realizing it. Baer's features 100% leather, high-quality furniture with great value and something they can purchase with great confidence.

The bottom line is that good quality leather furniture lasts much longer than a fabric sofa or chair. It’s also more difficult to puncture or tear than fabric. It looks better as it ages and, with proper maintenance, can last a lifetime.

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