bed buying guide bedroom ideas Archives

Posts

How To Choose A Rug: Insider Tips from an Expert Rug Buyer

March 12, 2021/0 Comments/in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Buying Guides, Tips & Guides, Tips & Guides /by Modsy

Rugs. They really help pull a room together and make it feel complete—but they can be quite the chore to pick out and purchase. With a wildly broad range of prices and so many styles to choose from, rug shopping can get overwhelming quickly. We’ve been there! And, because we have, we want to help simplify the rug-buying process and help make it easier on you!

So, if you’ve been asking yourself, “What rug should I get??” for far too long, keep reading. We’re going to break down how to choose a rug, with considerations from price and material to size and style! Plus, Modsy’s Senior Director of Product Development and Sourcing, Meg Donovan, also shares her best rug insights!

Rug Prices

One question we hear quite often is, “Why are rugs so expensive?” And it’s a fair question. While you can find rugs for under $200, you can just as easily stumble across rugs that are $2,000 or more. Why the huge price discrepancy? Well, according to Meg, it generally depends on the rug size, material, production process, and country of origin.

Meg says, “When it comes to construction, a hand-loomed or hand-knotted rug will be more expensive than a power-loomed rug, as it takes way longer to produce.” Makes sense, right? And, since rugs are priced by the square foot or square meter, larger rugs will be more expensive.

In terms of material, anything that’s more durable or more difficult to source will cause a rug to be more expensive. So, since natural fibers, like wool, silk, or cotton, involve a plant or animal-based growth process (whereas synthetic fibers are merely produced) so they’ll often be a bit pricier.

And then there’s the country of origin. Meg notes that labor costs and the skill of the workers involved varies greatly in the rug industry. So, a rug that’s machine-made in China (which has lower labor costs and doesn’t require as specific of a skill set) will cost less than a hand-knotted rug from Morocco that’s made by a family who’s been in the rug business for generations.

Want to find a higher-quality rug for less? Meg suggests looking for used or secondhand rugs. Don’t be afraid to scour estate sales, flea markets, and even thrift stores or online marketplaces. You can sometimes score a real gem for a low price from someone who’s moving or is redecorating and simply wants to get a rug off their hands.

Want to dive deeper into this topic? Check out our tips on figuring out how much to spend on a rug and our stylists’ favorite picks for rugs at any budget.

Rug Sizes

Different spaces in your home require different rug sizes—so, it’s important to consider what size of rug you need before making a purchase. Because there’s nothing worse than getting a rug you’re super excited about, only to find it’s too small for your space! (Though we do have a good tip for that later in this section!)

High-level, you’ll want to consider the shape and size of your room, as well as the furniture in the space and the overall layout. These details will help determine the rug size you need. When arranging a rug in your living room, we often see people choose too small of a rug size. Here’s our big advice: skip the 5×8 rug, and don’t go any smaller than a 6×9. However, most living rooms do best with an 8×10 or 9×12 rug. That way, you can define your space with the rug (a 5×8 just can’t define a large space) and all of your furniture can be at least partially on the rug, which will make your layout feel more intentional.

In a bedroom, an 8×10 rug is the most popular size, as it is large enough to go with a king-size bed but doesn’t feel too large for a queen or even full-size bed. However, in a large bedroom you can bump up to a 9×12 for more floor coverage, and for a smaller bedroom with a full bed, you can get away with a 6×10. And in a bedroom with a twin-size bed, a 5×7 rug will do just fine!

If you already bought a rug only to discover it’s too small for your space, don’t be dismayed! Meg is a big believer that, with some simple rug layering, you can make use of this too-small rug. Here’s her trick: layer a larger rug underneath the small one. Our favorite way to do this is to use a large natural fiber rug as a base, layered under a more highly colored and patterned rug. That way, you get the floor coverage you need, while still making use of a smaller rug you love. This is also great for those who have antique or vintage rugs they love but that are too small! Learn more about how to layer rugs here!

Want us to walk you through the process of choosing the right rug size for your space and layout in a bit more depth? Check out our living room rug size guide and our bedroom rug size guide for more details and a ton of specifics to help you find the perfect rug size!

Shop This Look

Rug Materials

We already talked about how different rug materials will impact the overall cost of a rug. But Meg suggests that you shouldn’t make a decision on rug material strictly based on your budget. You’ll also want to think about where your rug will be placed and what lifestyle factors you should consider when purchasing a rug, since both of these factors influence what rug material might be best for your space.

Shop This Look

Natural Fiber Rugs

As we mentioned earlier, natural fibers encompass everything from silk and wool to cotton, jute, seagrass, and sisal. Natural fiber rugs are just that: natural. So, you don’t have to worry about extra toxins or chemicals used in the production process. Natural fiber rugs also tend to be easier to clean, making them great for high-traffic areas.

Meg’s Top Pick: Wool

Wool is a favorite material of Meg’s. She loves this material for how long it lasts and how easy it is to clean. It’s also naturally antimicrobial—so, essentially, it’s naturally self-cleaning when it comes to airborne spores! “You’re paying more for wool, but you’re getting more for your money,” says Meg. “Wool rugs are more durable than other materials. A wool rug can last more than 50 years if you treat it well!” While wool does tend to shed a lot at first (it comes from a sheep, after all, which sheds just like most other animals), this lessens over time. And a hand-knotted wool rug sheds less than a power-loomed wool rug. Because wool rugs are so easy to clean—they’re virtually stain resistant—a low-pile wool rug is also Meg’s top pick for high-traffic areas in your home, as they can handle a bit more wear and tear than other materials.

Shop This Look

Synthetic Fiber Rugs

“You can get a lot of look for a low price with a synthetic fiber rug,” Meg says. But, similar to fast fashion, that can come at a cost. Synthetic rugs tend to not last as long as their natural fiber counterparts. Why, you ask? These materials are man-made and are usually petroleum-based. Because of this, they tend to reject water and hold onto dirt. Translation: this makes cleaning a challenge. But if you’re on a tight budget or have kids or pets you know will give your rug a run for its money, synthetic may be the way to go. Just know that you’ll likely have to replace it sooner than you would a natural fiber rug.

Meg’s Top Pick: PET

If you do go for a synthetic fiber rug, Meg says that PET is your best bet. (This is what indoor outdoor rugs are typically made of.) This material is made from recycled plastic—hello, eco-friendly!—and the threads are woven in such a way that they have a look and feel that’s actually very similar to wool. This is because the way the material is woven mimics the way you can weave a natural fiber. And this is the easiest synthetic fiber to clean, too. All you need is some diluted bleach, and you can clean most stains and spills from a PET rug. This makes it a great material for households with kids and pets, while being a material that still feels soft underfoot!

Other Rug Considerations

Once you’ve landed on a rug size, the material you want, and what your budget is, there are just a few other things to consider when choosing a rug! First, what’s the foot traffic like in the area where this rug will land? Second, how cushioned do you want the rug to feel underfoot? Finally, what style do you want?? Read on for a few more details.

Shop This Look

High and Low-Traffic Areas

When choosing a rug, it’s worth considering how much foot traffic it will get on a daily basis (think, is your rug a 4-lane highway, or a less-traveled side street). We generally consider the living room, entryway, and hallway to be high-traffic areas. In contrast, a bedroom or dining room might be lower-traffic, since there will be fewer people walking there and your rug won’t experience as much wear and tear.

Learn more about how to choose a rug for your dining room in our dining room rug guide!

High-pile rugs are great for low-traffic areas, and lower pile rugs are better for high-traffic areas. But Meg notes that this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. Low-pile rugs simply tend to be easier to clean, which is good for a high-traffic area. But you can also do something different if you’re prioritizing aesthetic over sheer practicality.

Shop This Look

The Cozy Factor

A big benefit of rugs is the coziness they add underfoot. So, this is another factor you want to consider when choosing a high or low pile rug. Meg says this is ultimately a matter of personal preference—so think about your lifestyle, how much of a “cozy factor” you want in your space, and what aesthetic you’re going for. But also consider how often you want to vacuum. Rugs with a high pile need to be vacuumed more often!

Rugs that have a high pile are more warm and give you that cozier feeling. Meg recommends going high pile in colder climates and anywhere you might be walking around in bare feet, like a bedroom. However, in a standard room you’ll probably want to go for a medium or low pile. And then there’s flatweave rugs! Meg says this is another great way to get a lot of look for less money, and these rugs tend to be lower maintenance. They give a room a streamlined look, but they don’t offer any plushness.

Rug Pads

However, coziness isn’t’ just about the rug pile. Rug pads are a great way to give an area rug a little bit of extra cushion and comfort. Instead of getting a rubberized non-slip rug pad—which can damage your floor and doesn’t offer any extra cushion—opt for one made of recycled materials. This style is sold in different thicknesses and can be cut to the exact size you need—so you can add a little extra loft to your rug and can help it stay put and not slide around! Plus, rug pads can help a rug last longer.

Shop This Look

Rug Style

Finally, consider the rug style you want. There are so many different styles out there, so this might seem a bit overwhelming. But once you’ve nailed down your personal interior design style, you can more easily figure out what style to look at. Some people prefer brightly colored rugs and others want something more neutral. Some want patterned rugs and others go for a solid color or simple neutral. What you choose is up to you and your personal preference! This is where you really get to have fun and let your personality shine!

Need help landing on the right rug for your space?

Start My Project

Buying Guide: The Ultimate Bedroom Furniture Checklist

January 21, 2021/0 Comments/in Interior Design Buying Guides, Tips & Guides /by Modsy

If you’re designing a bedroom from scratch, or even if you’re just giving your current set-up a facelift, you might be wondering what furniture is necessary to include and what you can go ahead and skip if you’re short on space. Well, we’re here to help you through the process! With our interior design buying guides, we’ll walk you through the essential pieces for a space, the nice-to-haves, and the little touches that make a space shine.

At Modsy, we’re experts in helping people transform their bedrooms into havens of relaxation and comfort—whether you have a ton of space to work with or are just trying to squeeze a sleeping space into a studio apartment. And with that expertise, we can guide you through the pieces you absolutely can’t live without and what you can wait on and save for.

Today, we’re giving you a bedroom furniture checklist of what you should absolutely include in your bedroom (a bed!) and what pieces help when it comes to functionality, organization, and relaxation. Because bedrooms really should be a place where you can unwind at the end of each day and get ready to face a new day each morning!

Early Considerations

But first things first—how much does it actually cost to design a bedroom from scratch? Well, it can vary quite significantly and totally depends on your tastes and needs for the space. Depending on what those are, your total cost could go up or down. But here are some general price ranges for the essentials:

Opening Price Point: $2,500
Mid-Range Price Point: $5,000
High Price Point $8,000+

So, take stock of what you need and how much you’re able to spend on everything combined to keep within a comfortable price range. To help you figure this out, we’ve also included a general price range for each piece of furniture in our bedroom buying guide.

Other considerations? The size of your bedroom and how you want to use the space. This can help determine if you have space for a king bed or just a queen. It can also help guide your decisions on if you’d like to add a sitting area or perhaps a small desk. Ultimately, the extras you include beyond the must-have pieces depend on your bedroom size and how you want to make use of the rest of the room.

Now, on to our bedroom furniture checklist!

The Bedroom Essentials

When you design a bedroom, these must-have pieces of furniture are where you’ll want to start. They establish the function of the space and make it what it is—primarily, a place to sleep and get ready for your day. But that doesn’t mean these pieces are just about function. They can also help establish the interior design style of your space!

Bed Frame + Mattress

One of your most basic bedroom furniture needs? A bed. (It’s not really a bedroom without a bed!) Start by choosing a bed size and mattress. Bed sizes will depend on your personal preferences, and the size of your room. If you’re single, you may just want a full or queen bed, but couples tend to go for a queen or king. If you have kids or pets that crawl into bed with you—then probably the bigger the better!

Once you’ve landed on bed sizes, you get to choose a bed frame. This is where style preferences come into play. There are so many different types of beds—from just a utilitarian metal bed frame or minimalist platform bed to a fully upholstered bed and headboard and so much more! Think about if you want a more trendy, stylish bed or something more timeless that can be used for years. And consider your lifestyle, too. Do you want something low maintenance or have pets with lots of fur? Opt for a solid wood headboard instead of an upholstered bed. If you like to read in bed at night, a high upholstered headboard may be good for you. If you need extra storage, look for a storage bed or one that sits high off the floor so you can place bins underneath.

Check out our bed frame style guide for more information! (And remember, some bed frames necessitate the use of a box spring, while others don’t!)

Stylist Tip: Consider where your bed will go in your space. If you have low ceilings, a king canopy bed might not work. If you want to place your bed under a window, look for a bed with a low headboard.

Price Range: $300-$5,000

Shop This Look

Nightstands

Another bedroom furniture necessity? Nightstands. Nightstands go next to your bed, and you can either have one on each side or just have one, depending on the size of your bedroom or your needs. They offer very necessary and practical storage and surface space next to the bed—offering you a place for a lamp, books, a glass of water, your phone, and more!

There are many different types of nightstands, and if you have two they can either be identical or mismatched. It all depends on your style preferences! (Like the mismatched look? Check out our guide to mismatched nightstands.) Just make sure it fits your needs. If you need drawer storage space or a larger surface area, put that into consideration! From there, simply find a nightstand style you like, then make sure it’s the proper height in comparison to your bed so it will be comfortable to use when you’re sitting in bed. Our nightstand size guide has more info on that.

Price Range: $100-1,000

Shop This Look

Clothing Storage

Even if you have a closet, you’ll probably want a secondary source of clothing storage in your bedroom. Dressers or armoires are typically better for clothing that needs to be folded—plus, dressers offer surface space to display decor or put practical items like trays and jewelry boxes, or even a TV. You can choose from many different styles of dressers, from a long and narrow dresser with six drawers to a tallboy dresser that’s narrow and tall. Need more storage space for hanging dresses or tall clothing than your closet allows? An armoire can be effective as clothing storage, too. But whatever style of bedroom storage furniture you choose, it should feel like it blends in with the vibe of the rest of the space, since a dresser or armoire is the second largest item in a bedroom after your bed! But before choosing a size and style, make sure you measure your space to guarantee the dresser can fit through doorways and comfortably fit within your bedroom.

If you like the idea of matching furniture sets, you can find dressers that match your nightstands or other elements in your space. Often, furniture designers will design dresser sets as well, with one tallboy and one lower, longer dresser if you have space for two pieces. If you like antiques, dressers are a great way to incorporate an antique element into your space. Most antique dressers have simple designs and are made of solid wood so you can have them for a long time and even pass them down in the future! Dressers can definitely be investment pieces, though, with material impacting price. As you’d expect, the more solid and quality the build and material, the more expensive. Dressers can be made of solid wood, medium density fiberboard, or even plastic or metal (and many mixes in between).

Price Range: $300 – $3,000

Shop This Look

Window Treatments

If you have windows in your bedroom (and hopefully you do), having privacy is important—especially if you live in an apartment or if your bedroom window is close to a neighbor’s house. Plus, for quality sleep, you want to be able to block out light, so some type of window covering is necessary.

Styles of window treatments vary greatly. You can have simple roller shades, wooden blinds, roman shades, or full drapes. You can even have a mix—having both functional shades and stationary drapes. And with drapes, there’s a lot of variety—from airy linens and light cottons to heavy velvets and blackout curtains. The cost of window treatments will also vary greatly, depending on what style of window treatment you choose, the size of your windows, if the window treatments are custom, and how many layers you have.

Price Range: $20-$300 per panel

Shop This Look

Bedroom Nice-to-Haves

Once you have your must-have pieces in place, you can consider what extras you have the space and need

Task & Accent Lighting

Lighting is essential in every room of your house. And, while many bedrooms have both overhead and natural ambient lighting, additional task and accent lighting is nice to have. Table lamps on your bedside table (or sconces hung above them) give you soft lighting for the evening, while floor lamps or other table lamps and sconces give additional lighting to other corners of your bedroom. And don’t forget about candles, which add lovely ambiance to your bedroom! Ultimately, having light sources other than your overhead light gives you more flexibility to tailor your lighting throughout the day. (Especially in the evening when you want your space to feel cozier!)

Price Range: $50-$1,000

Shop This Look

Seating

Having a place to sit in your bedroom can add a nice functional and stylistic touch—whether it’s a stool or small upholstered dining chair or a full-on bedroom seating area with a lounge chair or loveseat! What you choose greatly depends on the space you have available in your bedroom and how you want to use the space. If you want to lounge and read, a loveseat or large chair would be nice. But if you just want a place to sit and fold laundry, a simple upholstered bench at the end of the bed can work perfectly. Just remember that the seating you choose should fit right in with the style and scale of your space. You don’t want to cramp your bedroom by squeezing in a chair that doesn’t fit!

Price Range: $50-$1,000+

Shop This Look

Rug

Rugs add style and functionality to a bedroom. Functionally, they help insulate a room (especially if you have a wood or tile floor) and are great sound barriers. In a loft or a large room with hardwood floors, they can help dampen noise and keep the space from feeling echoey. But stylistically, they can help pull the whole space together with their colors, patterns, and materials. You can opt for something simple like a jute rug or go for a Turkish rug that brings lots of color and pattern into your space! And sizing definitely matters—you want a rug that covers a good bit of flooring under your bed! Check out our bedroom rug size guide for more details!

Price Range: $350-$10,000

Shop This Look

Mirror

Most people get dressed and ready for the day in their bedroom—so a mirror, while not a necessity, is very nice to have for outfit checks and doing your hair and makeup. Try putting a mirror above or beside your dresser for a complete dressing area. If you have room for a full-length mirror, we love the look of a leaning floor mirror—but a beautiful wall mirror is great, too! Mirrors are also great double duty items; not only are they practical, but they can also act as decor in your space. So, pick one that coordinates with the style of your space! And remember: mirrors can be expensive, but quality is key to make sure it’s stable and the glass doesn’t warp.

Stylist Tip: Since mirrors help reflect light, they can help a small bedroom feel larger! Even a smaller hanging mirror will help in a small bedroom design.

Price Range: $100-$1,000

Shop This Look

Bedroom Finishing Touches

To make your bedroom feel truly complete, add some finishing touches. These decorative items will drive home the style of your space and bring in some personality and life!

Artwork

Artwork adds color, pattern, style, and a personal touch to your bedroom design. It can be a whole gallery wall or just a single piece of art; what you choose depends on the style of your space and what look you want to achieve. But it should coordinate with the design of the space and be safe (no heavy frames over the bed!). If you don’t want artwork, you could also frame personal family photos or your own photography in your bedroom, which adds a very personal touch. And, while original artwork can be quite expensive, you can find prints for very reasonable prices.

Price Range: $40-$5,000

Shop This Look

Throw Pillows

Besides the pillows you sleep on, throw pillows add a lot to your bedroom. They help give your bed a polished look and are a great way to add color and pattern to your bedroom. They’re also great for leaning on while reading or for propping up a book or laptop! As for the amount, that’s totally up to you. You can pile eight throw pillows on to a big bed or just choose one for a more minimalist look. (Just remember that you’ll have to take them off and put them back on each day—so choose an amount based on the amount of work you want to put in each day!) In terms of style, throw pillows should contrast with your bedding, but also coordinate in some way.

Stylist Tip: Since throw pillows are relatively inexpensive, you can easily switch them out seasonally or when you want to make a style change! A simple way to update the look of your bedroom!

Price Range: $25-$150 per pillow

Shop This Look

Greenery

A pop of greenery is just the thing to give a bedroom that finished feel! Greenery adds texture, color, and a sense of life and hominess to a space. And with so many realistic faux plants, you can go for the fake ones if you don’t have a green thumb! You can go for a big plant in the corner, or just put a sprig of eucalyptus in a vase on your dresser—or any mix of sizes in between! Another option? Fresh flowers in a vase that you swap out weekly. Whatever size and style you choose, it’s a great way to add a bright, finishing touch to your bedroom! Just be conscientious of price. Fresh flowers can be $10 for a grocery store bundle, but a faux tree can easily cost up to $500.

Price Range: $10-$500

Shop This Look

Small Storage

Small storage is nice to have for smaller items in your bedroom—like throw blankets, shoes, and your collection of “currently reading” books. And woven baskets are our favorite small, multifunctional storage solution for bedrooms. They’re great for a place to stash things when tidying up in a pinch, and they add texture to your room and can help visually fill empty spaces. They also make great under-bed storage!

Price Range: $20-$500

Shop This Look

Want more bedroom design ideas? Check out our best bedrooms designs of 2020, walk through our guest room checklist, and learn how to design a bedroom with a TV.

Need some extra help with your bedroom design?

Start My Project

Furniture Shopping Guide: When’s The Best Time to Buy Furniture?

January 15, 2021/1 Comment/in About Modsy, Behind the Scenes, Interior Design Buying Guides, Tips & Guides, Tips & Guides /by Modsy

If 2020 caused you to take stock of what’s working in your home and what it’s lacking, 2021 may be the right time to pull the trigger on some new furniture to help your home be more stylish and functional. But it’s no secret that good furniture can be quite the investment. However, it’s not impossible to find furniture that suits both your style and your budget!

If budget is a factor when shopping for new furniture, it’s worth strategically planning your purchases throughout the year. Because different types of furniture and decor tend to go on sale at different times of the year, so there are better times to purchase certain items.

Shopping for a specific piece of furniture? Be sure to check out our interior design buying guides for the full scoop on sofas to side chairs!

In general, the furniture industry operates on a spring and fall schedule, with their biggest collections launching biannually. So, if you want to save some money, shop right before new styles hit retailers—in January/February and August/September. These are the months that retailers tend to discount their stock to make room for new collections. President’s Day and Labor Day sales tend to coincide with these seasonal patterns, which means these are some of the best across-the-board sales of the year.

If budget is less of a concern, you may want to consider shopping in March and September, when new collections launch, so that you can choose from the broadest (and newest) assortment of furniture and decor.

Today, we’ll walk you through the best time of the year to buy furniture—from being mindful of annual sales to knowing when new collections typically launch. Keep reading for our month-by-month breakdown!

January

After the rush of the holidays, when many households buy new furniture for hosting guests, January tends to be a slower month for furniture sales. Because of this, retailers often put furniture on sale in January. This is also a time of year when they’re clearing out inventory before their spring collections launch.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

Keep an eye out for New Year’s sales at the very beginning of the month. Many brands also run big sales around MLK Day.

It’s a great time to buy…

Bedding: Bedroom furniture, as well as sheets, linens, and other bedding tend to be a focus in January and February.

Office Items: Some retailers also put office items on sale in January to coincide with New Year’s Resolutions involving organization and productivity. So, you’ll see a lot of organizational and storage items on sale this time of year.

Holiday Decor: In early January, you’ll see holiday-themed decor go on major sales. Retailers are looking to clear out their holiday inventory. So, plan ahead for next year and stock up on lights and decor at your favorite big-box retailer or department store so you’re ready with a fresh look next holiday season! And if you’re in the market for some post-holiday winter decor ideas, we can help you there as well!

February

February is the month that many furniture retailers are clearing out inventory before spring collections launch. So, you’ll see plenty of furniture sales, especially around President’s Day. Sometimes retailers will even start to preview their spring collections or pre-launch certain items. So, if you want to jump on a new collection, keep your eyes peeled in February.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

You won’t want to forget about President’s Day sales, which tend to be fairly robust!

It’s a great time to buy…

Textiles: Retailers often focus on bedding and other home textiles in the month of February, with smaller sales accompanying this focus.

March

March is when new spring collections launch—so you’ll see a lot of fresh furniture and decor hitting stores this month. If you’re not as concerned about shopping sales, this is a great time to get in on fresh, new merchandise.

Shop This Look

It’s a great time to buy…

Seasonal decor: Whether you simply want to refresh your home with some new spring decor or are in need of some kitchen items for hosting Easter or Passover meals, March is a good time to make these purchases.

April

Outdoor furniture collections often launch around April, making it a great time to get your outdoor spaces ready for the summer. It’s also a great time of year to do some spring cleaning and give your home a little refresh with some new greenery, window treatments, and lightweight fabrics!

Shop This Look

It’s a great time to buy…

Lightweight textiles: Strip away those heavy winter wools and knits and make space for linens and other lightweight and gauzy materials. April is the perfect time to switch out winter blankets, drapes, and bedding for fabrics that are light and airy, and more suited to the warmer months.

May

May is a big sale month, with most mainstream retailers hosting robust sales around Memorial Day. This is a time of year when many people pull the trigger on new sofas and other large furniture items. With the school year ending around this time, this is also when “moving season” is in full-swing. So, it’s also a great time shop secondhand.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

Memorial Day sales start in late May—and they tend to offer huge discounts.

It’s a great time to buy…

Big-ticket items: With Memorial Day sales, it’s a good time to buy big pieces of furniture like sofas, beds, and furniture sets. Memorial Day sales generally include all types of furniture!

Second-hand furniture: Since this is a time of year when many people move, many people donate or sell old furniture around this time of year. So, if you’re looking for budget-friendly second-hand items, this is a great time to snag some great used items.

June

June means that school’s out for the summer! So, it’s a great time of year to dive into summer decor and take advantage of sales on outdoor furniture and rugs.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

Some retailers will start big Fourth of July pre-sales in late June, so keep your eyes peeled.

It’s a great time to buy…

Summer decor: Not everyone switches out their decor seasonally—but if you do, June is the time to bring in the summer decor. While furniture retailers generally have larger spring and fall collections, they’ll often release smaller collections of summer decor in May or June.

July

The Fourth of July is—of course—only four days into the month, but that’s when the biggest sales of the month occur. And, although July is when summer is at its peak, it tends to be the time when early Fall decor and back-to-school items start hitting stores. So, it’s a good time to start assessing your home office needs for the fall.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

Retailers generally host sales the days leading up to the Fourth of July, as well as the weekend (or weekends) surrounding the holiday.

It’s a great time to buy…

Outdoor furniture: With retailers wanting to clear out their outdoor furniture inventory by the end of the summer, the Fourth of July tends to be when they start putting outdoor items on sale. The 4th of July through Labor Day is the best time to get good deals on outdoor furniture. (And sometimes some indoor furniture as well!)

August

By August, back to school “season” is in full swing. This means figuring out what office furniture and organizational pieces you may need for the new school year. It’s also when new fall decor collections officially launch, so you can get inspired by seasonal trends.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

Many retailers have smaller End-of-Summer sales, a time when they really clearance outdoor furniture. Depending on when Labor Day falls, you may also start seeing pre-Labor Day sales start in late August.

It’s a great time to buy…

Office furniture: With the new school year looming, you may realize your child needs a desk for a dedicated homework space, or that you’re in need of additional organization in your home office. Some retailers have office-specific sales in their end-of-season sales, otherwise you can generally find good discounts on office furniture during Labor Day sales, so August is a good time to assess your needs.

Fall decor: Want to refresh your decor for fall? Start shopping in August so that fall decor isn’t picked over or sold out by the time you actually want to decorate for fall!

Outdoor furniture: If you didn’t pull the trigger in July, but still want to purchase some outdoor furniture, make sure to shop for it in August, before inventory is cleared out. This is when you’ll find the best discounts on outdoor items, making it one of the best times to buy these pieces.

September

September is when everyone is getting back into their school-year routines—and realizing what furniture pieces they need for a productive work-from-home or homework space. Some retailers start releasing holiday products as early as September. And speaking of the holidays—this is a good time to look ahead and assess your needs and holiday and hosting season looms closer.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

Labor Day sales—like Memorial Day sales—tend to feature big discounts on almost all furniture categories.

It’s a great time to buy…

Large furniture: Anticipating hosting for the holidays? With production and shipping lead times, the discounts you’ll find during Labor Day sales makes this one of the best times of the year to purchase any big furniture items you’ll need in time for the holidays. This could be anything from storage furniture or a new guest bed to a dining table and extra seating.

October

October is when retailers tend to launch their holiday decor collections—and it’s also the perfect time to start thinking about your holiday hosting needs. Whether you need new furniture or want to refresh your decor before guests arrive, plan ahead so you’re not left scrambling at the last minute.

It’s a great time to buy…

Tabletop decor: With the holidays approaching, it’s a great time to purchase anything you may need for holiday hosting. From new dinnerware and serving dishes to candle holders and centerpieces, now’s the time to prep for holiday hosting!

Dining furniture: Didn’t order furniture during Labor Day sales? If you still need a dining table or chairs for holiday hosting, don’t wait past October. Order this month to make sure your items arrive before your guests.

Holiday decor: If you want new holiday decor this year and don’t mind paying full-price, now is the time to buy, before holiday collections are picked over and start to sell out.

November

For many retailers, Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren’t just two days of big sales—they’re sales that now start before Thanksgiving and often bleed into December. These sales can be a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. So, spend early November doing some planning ahead so that you know exactly what you’re looking for when the sales begin!

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

When it comes to November sales, it’s all about Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

It’s a great time to buy…

Large furniture: Not concerned about getting new furniture in time for the holidays? Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are a great time to make larger furniture purchases.

Fall and Halloween decor: After Halloween, retailers dive head-first into the holidays. So, if you want a good deal on Fall or Halloween decor for next year, hit up your favorite stores in the first week of November, when retailers will be clearing out their Fall and Halloween inventory.

Holiday decor: Take advantage of Black Friday sales to get some good deals on new holiday decor!

December

In December, many retailers have sales going on throughout the month. With a focus on gifting, these sales are often on smaller items like decor and art. But, after the holidays, the focus tends to shift toward organization and storage furniture as people make resolutions for the new year.

Shop This Look

Notable Sales

While there are often sales going on throughout the month, many retailers have large end-of-season sales post-Christmas.

It’s a great time to buy…

Holiday decor: After Christmas, retailers put holiday decor on clearance—so it’s a great time to scoop things up for next year.

A Quick Recap

If you’re looking for indoor furniture, shop President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day sales. Specifically, February and August tend to be when retailers are discounting inventory to make space for their new spring and fall collections. Specifically, living room and dining room furniture tend to be on their best sales in the winter months, and office furniture is often discounted at the end of the summer for back-to-school sales.

For outdoor furniture, it’s all about that time between the Fourth of July and Labor Day.

Of course, if you can’t wait for a big sale, many retailers have smaller sales going on each month so you can get at least a bit of a discount! Pro tip: If you start a Modsy design project, you’ll have access to a diverse array of brands, and we guarantee that you’ll find the best price if you shop through us! Affordable interior design and access to great sales year-round? Now that’s a win-win.

Ready to score some deals?

Start My Project

Bed Frame Styles: A Guide to Finding the Perfect Type of Bed For You

December 11, 2020/15 Comments/in Interior Design Buying Guides, Tips & Guides, Tips & Guides /by Modsy

When it comes to finding the type of bed frame that’s perfect for you, picking the right mattress size is the easy part. But there are so many other factors to consider—like the color, material, and bed frame style—that you can easily feel overwhelmed.

Not to mention questions like, do I need a box spring? What about a headboard and footboard? Is a canopy bed too much? What’s a sleigh bed and is it just for log cabins?

If parsing through all the different types of bed frames and variety of styles has you ready to take a nap, this guide is here to help!

We tried on the most popular bed frame designs, added a few newcomers for 2020, and are breaking down the pros and cons of each. Read on to find out which type of bed frame is right for you.

The Platform Bed Frame

Out of all the types of beds, one of the most popular frame styles is the platform bed. Platform bed frames come in a wide range of styles and offer a sleek, low-profile look. You can easily spot a platform bed frame by its flat base—all you need is a mattress, no box spring required!

Shop This Room

The Pros:

Cost-Effective: Platform bed frames are generally more affordable, as you don’t need to purchase a box spring to go with them.

Use Any Mattress: You can use any type of mattress with your platform bed. They’re especially perfect for memory foam mattresses.

Small Space Friendly: Platform bed frames are one of the best frame styles for small bedrooms. Why? Their sleek design takes up less floor space, which will help you minimize clutter.

The Cons:

Climbing In and Out: Platform beds tend to be low to the ground, so climbing in and out of bed takes getting used to. If you have back or knee problems, consider if this is something you want to do daily!

A Note for Side-Sleepers: Because the mattress sits directly on top of a solid platform or wooden slats, platform beds tend to be firmer. For side-sleepers, a firm mattress can create too much pressure and might become uncomfortable.

What to Look For:

Platform beds are made for comfort across the board, so find a design or style that appeals to you. Many styles also feature hidden interior storage—an added bonus for small-space dwellers!

Perfect For…

Small spaces, such as urban lofts or small apartments. They also work well for open floor plans, as platform beds have a sleek look and feel that won’t add visual clutter.

The Upholstered Bed Frame

If it’s luxury you’re looking for, upholstered beds have you covered. These beds are super comfy, bold, and can easily fit into a wide range of spaces.

Shop This Room

The Pros:

Ultra-Comfy: The cushioned support and a soft headboard means you can comfortably read or watch TV in bed.

Variety: There are tons of different types of fabric, color, and pattern choices, so you’re bound to find a design that works with the rest of your bedroom.

The Cons:

Maintenance: You’ll need to keep your upholstered bed in tip-top shape with frequent and light vacuuming to keep dust and pet hair at bay. If you’re allergic to dust, an upholstered bed might not be for you.

Wear and Tear: Because fabric is simply less durable than wood or metal, dents, impressions, and grease spots can develop over time.

What to Look For:

Make sure the bed frames are made of sturdy hardwoods and choose a fabric and color that can stand up to a little wear over time, such as a deep purple, navy, or gray. Check out our guide to upholstered beds for more helpful tips.

Perfect For…

Classic and traditional-style bedrooms or a large master bedroom that needs an infusion of cozy vibes.

The Storage Bed

Designed to help you maximize storage in the bedroom, the storage bed is the most multipurpose and space-efficient of the bed frame styles.

Shop This Room

The Pros:

Storage (Duh): Storage capabilities are designed and built directly into the bed frame, so you have a bed frame that is one cohesive unit, stocked with everything you need!

Sturdy: Many storage beds are made with beautiful woods that give them good looks as well as a sturdy and solid construction.

The Cons:

Difficult to Move: Because they have all those extra parts and pieces, storage beds are heavy. And since they’re often built as one large piece, they tend to be difficult to move.

More Expensive: Equally hefty is the price tag on storage beds. They can often be more expensive than other bed frame styles.

Maintenance: It’s hard to maintain the hardware and track rollers that are built into the storage units underneath the bed. Over time, these can fall off or become loose and require repair.

What to Look For:

Opt for a platform bed with storage built into the base. This approach guarantees your bed will have firm mattress support given the flat surface, deep storage units, and a stylish streamlined look.

Perfect For…

Modern and eclectic style rooms, especially a city apartment bedroom where storage is limited. Just make sure there’s enough space to fully pull out the under-bed compartments! Storage beds are also great for kids bedrooms where extra and easy storage is always welcome.

The Sleigh Bed Frame

Simply put, the sleigh bed is exactly what it sounds like—a bed that’s shaped like a sleigh, with a high headboard and footboard. This is one of the types of bed frames that has serious style and works in any setting.

Shop This Room

The Pros:

Slay With Style: A sleigh bed is an instant statement piece that’s sure to become the focal point in your bedroom. Sleigh beds come in styles ranging from solid wood designs to upholstered versions with more streamlined appeal, so you’ll have endless options to choose from.

The Cons:

Limited Leg Room: If you’re tall, a sleigh bed with a footboard might not be the best option for you.

Difficult to Move: Traditional sleigh beds are made entirely from high-quality solid woods so they tend to be heavy. Modern upholstered versions are lighter, but can still be unwieldy to move.

More Expensive: Sleigh beds are generally quite expensive, given their design and construction.

What to Look For:

If you’re considering an upholstered sleigh bed, make sure the bed frame is made of wood and not metal for durability.

Perfect For…

Grand, classic-style rooms and modern, open bedrooms alike. They’re suitable for spaces with distinctive interior architecture, like exposed wood beams or ornate molding.

The Headboard

For a bed that gives you all the style without the full frame, a beautiful, standalone headboard is a great choice.

Shop This Room

The Pros:

Cost-Effective: You have the option of getting the headboard alone, which is less of a commitment and more cost-effective. A standalone headboard works with a range of setups, like a box spring or a metal mattress stand, and still looks super stylish from afar.

Easy to Move: Freestanding headboards can be easily attached and detached from a bed frame, making them easy to move.

The Cons:

One-Piece Wonder: A headboard is just that—a headboard, not a full bed frame. If you’re looking for something to also hold your mattress, this might not be the option for you.

What to Look For:

Headboards that are made with solid or kiln-dried hardwoods, or an upholstered headboard that coordinates with your design style and bedding.

Perfect For…

When you’re looking to upgrade from your IKEA furniture on a small budget. Standalone headboards are perfect for guest rooms and kids rooms, too, because they’re simple, clean-lined, cozy, and versatile.

The Canopy Bed Frame

Also known as a four-poster, the canopy bed has been gaining popularity in recent years with more streamlined and modern designs cropping up in the marketplace.

Shop This Room

The Pros:

Stylish Statement: It’s difficult for other bed frames to compete against the ultimate stylishness of a canopy bed frame.

Cozy Vibes: Canopy beds make a room feel immediately cozy thanks to its enveloping design. Add some draped fabric for extra cozy vibes!

The Cons:

Maintenance: Dust tends to collect at the top, so you’ll want to clean it regularly.

Size Restrictions: Many of today’s canopy bed designs are built to fit into spaces both large and small, but you’ll still need tall ceilings in order for a canopy bed to work in a room.

Difficult to Move: Because of their size and construction, canopy beds will require a good amount of assembly to move in and out of your bedroom.

What to Look For:

Consider a modern canopy bed with a built-in headboard for a piece that can evolve with your interiors over time—meaning you can redecorate and it will still blend nicely with your decor.

Perfect For…

Classic and modern bedrooms alike. They’re best in lofty spaces with lots of space and high ceilings, but would also be perfect in a master bedroom that gets a lot of light.

The Wrought-Iron Bed Frame

When it comes to longevity, a wrought-iron bed outshines all other bed designs given its strong metal construction. These beds also come in a wide array of styles.

Shop This Room

The Pros:

Low-Maintenance: They’re extra durable, since metal doesn’t warp or fade over time. Wrought-iron beds don’t require the same amount of cleaning and care that wood and upholstered bed frames do.

Durable: Wrought-iron beds are durable and can hold a lot of weight, making them a great investment that will last for many many years.

Easier to Move: They’re not as heavy as you might think. In fact, they’re often lighter than other solid wood and platform beds.

The Cons:

Limited Styles: While there are lots of wrought-iron bed shapes to choose from, these beds have a very distinct look that can be difficult to decorate around if you’re looking to change up your bedroom design in the future.

More Expensive: Price points vary greatly and wrought-iron beds, in particular, can get super expensive. But that’s because of their high-quality construction, with perfectly welded joints.

What to Look For:

Try wrought-iron bed frame styles that have a painted finish to them for a more versatile option, such as bright, antiqued white.

Perfect For…

Rustic and boho spaces alike. They’re great in starter apartment bedrooms where you want a bed that lasts or in guest bedrooms and kids rooms where you want a bed that’s durable and low-maintenance.

The Daybed

If you love multipurpose furniture pieces, then you’ll love this. A daybed is a bed and sofa in one. Typically a twin-sized bed, it can be used for sleeping, reclining, lounging, or as an extra seating option.

Shop This Room

The pros:

Space conscious: Because of its dual purpose, it’s great for homes with limited space, where you need furniture to pull double duty.

Stylish: Daybeds can be more stylish than a typical bed. They have an almost luxurious feel that begs to be used for lounging.

Good for split-use spaces: Have an office that’s also a guest bedroom? A daybed is the perfect option, as it can be used for seating during the day and a bed at night.

The Cons:

Size: You don’t have a lot of versatility in sizing since daybeds typically only come in twin size frames.

Bulky: Despite holding a twin size mattress, daybeds are bulkier than a typical twin bed, so you’ll need to consider that when thinking of the space where you want to use it.

Party of One: Since daybeds hold twin-size mattresses, they only sleep one person. So, this isn’t ideal in a guest room if you tend to host more than one person at a time!

What to look for:

Daybeds come in so many different styles, so you can definitely find one in the style you want. Look for one that functions for how you’ll use it—like opting for a style with a three-sided “headboard” if you want to primarily use it as a sofa. Many daybeds also have trundle bed add-ons if you want additional sleeping space.

Perfect for:

Small spaces like studio apartments, where your bed also needs to function as your sofa during the day. They’re also great in guest bedrooms and kids rooms—or in home offices and basements where you just want another sleeping option for guests!

The Shelter Headboard

These tall headboards wrap slightly around on the sides—almost like the bedframe version of a wingback chair. They give the illusion of a safe shelter around your bed, enveloping you in cozy comfort.

Shop This Room

The pros:

Cozy: Shelter headboards are typically upholstered. Between that and the shape, it gives a cozy feel to your space.

Style Statement: Their unique design makes a bit of a statement, adding a stylish flair to your bedroom.

The Cons:

Size: These headboards are very large, making them unwieldy to move or less-suited for small spaces.

Accessibility: Because of the wraparound edges, they can block easy access to your nightstand. You’ll either have to float your nightstands a little bit away from the wall to make them more accessible or just be willing to reach a bit further to grab your glass of water at night.

Maintenance: Upholstery tends to need extra cleaning and special care, so these headboards are a bit more high-maintenance than a wooden or metal headboard.

What to look for:

Since these headboards are taller and wider than average, you’ll want to choose a style that fits in your space, considering both ceiling height and the width of your room. You’ll also want to choose a headboard with sides that don’t block too much of your nightstands.

Perfect for:

A master bedroom suite, where you want your bed to make an elegant statement. They’re also perfect for creating that cozy bedroom feel.

Mid-Century Modern Bed Frame

If mid-century modern design is your jam, opt for a mid-century-inspired bed frame! This style has tapered legs, simple forms, and are often made of polished wood in a blonde or acorn finish.

Shop This Room

The pros:

Sleek design: These beds are stylish, sleek, and simple—great for a modern space. Their sleek forms also mean they visually add less clutter, making them a good design choice for small spaces.

Low-maintenance: With simple forms lacking extra ornamentation, they’re easy to maintain and clean.

Versatile: While they have mid-century lines, this style of bed can be incorporated in rooms of many styles, making it a very versatile piece.

The Cons:

Not soft and cozy: While polished wood is beautiful, it doesn’t have the soft, cozy appeal of upholstered bed frames.

Style-specific: While these frames are simple, they definitely have a specific style and vibe, more specific to mid-century, modern, and eclectic spaces.

Price: Solid wood frames can be more expensive than other materials. And since mid-century style is popular right now, price tags for this style are sometimes marked up.

What to look for:

Look for a frame with sleek, modern lines and tapered legs. These styles are often labeled as mid-century in the product description, which can help point you in the right direction. Look for polished natural wood—but make sure it’s not raw with knots, as this gets to be more rustic than modern.

Perfect for:

Modern and minimal spaces, where you want a bed frame that matches the style of your space without being a statement piece of furniture.

The Spindle Bed Frame

Spindle bed frames are classics—and for good reason. They have a timeless, traditional look that’s still very versatile. What is a spindle bed frame, you ask? It’s a bed frame with—you guessed it—spindles, arranged in a row to create a headboard, and often a footboard. Typically these bed frames are wood, but occasionally you’ll see one made of metal.

Shop This Room

The pros:

Open + Airy: The open space between each spindle creates an airy look and feel.

Lightweight: These bed frames are often more lightweight than a typical solid headboard—a great option for those who love to constantly rearrange their room.

The Cons:

Not comfortable for reading: Since the headboard isn’t a solid piece of wood or upholstery, it’s not the most comfortable to lean against. So, those who love to read in bed will either need to pile on the pillows or opt for a different style.

Style-specific: Spindle bed frames are a very specific style, so you don’t have the versatility of it translating as well to new spaces.

What to look for:

Spindle beds can range from very traditional, with slightly more ornate spindles—like the Jenny Lind style—or lean a bit more minimal and Scandinavian modern. You can find spindle beds in natural wood finishes or many-colored finishes.

Perfect for:

Rustic and traditional bedrooms—or even for acing the modern farmhouse trend. This style is great for people who aren’t used for reading a lot in bed, where the less comfortable spindles won’t have a negative impact.

The Bunk Bed

Want to make use of vertical space in a kids bedroom or at the cabin? We love the space-saving features of a bunk bed.

Shop This Room

The pros:

Saves space: The most obvious reason to love a bunk bed? You’re getting two beds for the floor space of one!

Fun for kids: It’s a truth universally known that kids love bunk beds. There’s something so fun and adventurous about them! It’s also a perfect design solve for shared kids bedrooms or when you’re short on space.

Great for sleepovers + guests: Bunk beds offer wonderful extra sleeping options for both guests and when your child’s friends sleepover. Opting for a double bed on the bottom bunk gives even more space and versatility!

The Cons:

Climbing: When it comes to top bunks, there’s no avoiding climbing steps or a ladder to get to it. This isn’t ideal for kids under the age of six.

Not easy to get in and out of bed: Whether you’re on the top or bottom bunk, getting in and out of bed is more difficult in a bunk bed. You either have to climb up and down a ladder or watch your head if you’re on the bottom bunk.

Size: Even though bunk beds take up the same amount of floor space as a normal bed, they’re obviously larger with the top bunk. You’ll want to make sure you have enough ceiling height to accommodate someone sitting up in the top bunk.

What to look for:

Look for style and construction that is easy to use for the age group using it. If you have younger kids, opting for a bunk bed with thicker ladder rungs and side rails. Then, consider if you want a twin over twin bunk bed or a full-size mattress on the bottom bunk, depending on how it will be used. We also recommend choosing a style that can be repurposed as individual beds when your kids grow out of wanting to bunk together. Finally, make sure you choose a set that fits the height of your space and matches the room’s overall design style.

Perfect for:

Households with kids or families that host a lot of guests. We also love using bunk beds in vacation homes and cabins where you’re likely piling lots of people into a smaller space!

Ready to see some bed frame styles in your space?

Start My Project

Buying Guide: How to Choose a Dining Table for Your Needs

October 16, 2020/1 Comment/in Interior Design Buying Guides, Tips & Guides /by Modsy

When shopping for a dining room table, there are many things to consider—from dining table styles to dining table shapes and sizes. But sometimes, before you can consider those things, you first need to assess how you use your dining room to begin with.

Before You Shop for a Dining Table

When thinking about dining room design ideas, a couple different factors can help you make design, style, and layout decisions based on your own personal use cases. First, consider how much space you have to work with and how your dining room flows and connects with the rest of your home. The size of your dining room will have a lot of bearing on what goes inside of it—so this is a good place to start when choosing the right dining table for your home.

You also want to think about how you use the space and even who in your home uses it the most. Does your dining room double as a home office or homeschooling zone? Do you entertain a lot or have pets? Who uses the dining room table, how it’s used, and even how often you host dinner guests are all big factors that will influence what you need in a dining table.

Wondering how to choose a dining table for your needs? Keep reading for our complete buying guide on choosing the right dining table for the size and layout of your space, as well as your lifestyle needs. This guide will help you find the perfect dining table for your home!

Shop This Look

If You Have a Small Dining Room

Look for a smaller or expandable table: In a small dining room, you want to choose a table that is proportional to the size of your space. As a result, you’ll obviously want to go for a smaller-sized table in a small dining room. If you like entertaining, consider an expandable table that can be at its smallest size day-to-day but expand when needed to accommodate extra seats.

Get creative in extra-small spaces: For an extra small dining room—or if you only have a breakfast nook, or no dining space at all—you can still create a dining area. You could put a small cafe table and two chairs in the corner of your living room, or even use a console table with stools against a longer wall. We also love the idea of having a desk that can double as a dining table.

Eliminate sharp corners: Oval or round tablesare best in small dining rooms. They don’t have sharp corners you could bump into when navigating between chairs and the wall, which makes them easier to move around in a small space. They’re also better for squeezing more people around in a pinch, since there are no corners that limit the number of people you can fit.

Reduce tripping hazards: In a small dining room, you’ll also want to make sure your chairs can comfortably slide under your table. If they don’t, they’ll stick out into the room and create less walking space and can easily become a tripping hazard. So, choose a table style that allows you to push your chairs in.

Shop This Look

If You Want to Fill Out a Large Space

Choose a table table that commands the space: In a large dining room, you can go for a standard-size dining table, or even a large, oversized table. Like in a small dining room, you still want your table to be in proportion to the space. So, if you have a particularly large space, opt for a table that has some heft and visually commands the space, like a farmhouse-style table. You could also opt for an extra-long table for a communal eating feel. Regardless, with a large dining room, you have the space to have a large dining table set up year-round rather than needing to expand a table or set up extra eating spaces when hosting guests.

Try a rectangular table: Rectangular tables are the most common dining table shape, and they work well in large dining rooms. They’re best for formal dining, where you want someone to sit at the head of the table, and they’re also great for filling out a dining room. However, there are some larger oval-shaped tables that can give your dining room a softer, more organic look.

Shop This Look

If You Have an Open Living Room/Dining Room

When your dining room is open or connected to your living room, you not only want to consider the size, but also how the elements within each room interact with each other. So, consider proportion to properly fill out (but not overfill) the space, and choose furniture that mixes well with the style and proportion of your living room furniture. Rectangular tables are best for open living room/dining rooms, as you can use the table to help partition the two rooms and create a sense of organization within the open space.

Shop This Look

If You Have Young Kids

Pick the right material: When you have young children, a big thing to consider is the material of your dining table. Glass tables are hard to keep clean and are easier to break—so avoid that if you have kids. Instead, choose something more durable, like a solid or composite wood. Veneer can also be good, but it chips and scratches more easily. Another super durable option? Sealed stone, like ceramic or concrete. However, avoid marble in lighter shades, as it can easily stain. Rustic surfaces like weathered wood or metal are best for rambunctious kids. They develop a natural patina, so nicks and scuffs easily blend in. Darker finishes help hide accidents, like spills and stains, but they can sometimes show more scratches.

Avoid sharp edges: We also recommend avoiding sharp edges. While some rectangular tables have more rounded corners, certain styles and materials have very sharp corners, so we’d veer away from those. Sometimes tables with metal legs have decorative elements that could also pose a risk to small children.

Consider the base of the table: You’ll also want to think about the leg style of a dining room table—specifically, if you want a table with four legs or more of a pedestal style. Both can work with kids, but it’s good to consider if you can fit a high-chair and dining chair side-by-side between the legs of a table, or even how the base of the table will affect clipping a child’s seat to the table.

Shop This Look

If You Live Alone

If you live alone or just don’t eat much at your table, go for a smaller table and fill out the rest of your dining space for accent furniture. It’s nice to have the option to use a dining table if you have people over, but you can get something smaller so you don’t have a large table going unused when it’s just you. This also allows you to choose a table that can work for the size of your space if you’re in a smaller apartment.

Shop This Look

If You Need to Seat a Lot of People

Large dining tables can seat 6-8 people, so they’re great for larger families, allowing your whole family to sit around it at once. Sometimes you can seat even more with large tables that are extendable. This is not only great for large families but also for those who entertain a lot.

Shop This Look

If You Have Pets

If you have pets who like to chew on your furniture legs, consider a table with a pedestal base or with metal legs. This way they won’t be able to get their mouths around the base to gnaw on it. If you like the look of a table with slender legs, simply consider metal legs rather than wooden ones, which your pet won’t want to chew on.

Shop This Look

If You Love to Host

If you host often, you’ll want to consider that when choosing a dining room table. Like we mentioned earlier, if you have a large dining room, you can have a large dining table set up year-round.

Try an extendable table for extra seating options: But in a more average-sized dining room, extendable tables are great for hosting. For everyday use, you can keep the table smaller and fit just your family around the table. But when you have guests over, you can add a leaf or two to increase the number of people you can fit around the table.

Shop This Look

Go for a drop-leaf table in small spaces: If you love to host but only have a small dining room, you could consider a drop-leaf table. This allows the table to get pretty compact, and you can push it up against the wall when not in use. But, when having friends over for dinner, you can pull it out from the wall, put up the leaves, and fit a few extra people around the table.

Squeeze in more people with a round or oval pedestal table: When hosting, do you tend to try to squeeze a lot of people around your table? You may want to opt for a pedestal table rather than one with four legs so extra chairs can squeeze in without interference. You could also go for a round or oval table rather than a rectangular one, as a rectangular table will limit the number of people you’re able to seat around it due to the corners.

If Your Dining Room Doubles As Your Home Office

If your dining room doubles as your home office, and you use your dining table as a desk, make sure your table is large enough for your work supplies and at a comfortable height for you to work at. If you’re going to sit somewhere for eight hours, you want to make sure it’s ergonomic! In a small space, consider a bar-height table, which can double as a standing desk and gives you room to sneak in some storage underneath.

Shop This Look

Need a little extra help choosing a dining table for your needs?

Start My Project

How to Pick a Coffee Table Shape to Go With Your Sofa

August 13, 2020/0 Comments/in Interior Design 101, Interior Design Buying Guides, Tips & Guides /by Modsy

After landing on a sofa (or a sectional), a coffee table is one of the next most important pieces of furniture in your living room. It helps tie together your seating area, and offers the practicality of a surface for placing a drink, kicking up your feet, and displaying your favorite coffee table books.

But with so many different coffee table sizes, shapes, and materials to choose from, it can be overwhelming to land on the right coffee table for your living room. So, today we’re going to help you out with a coffee table buying guide! We’ll walk you through the different coffee table shapes, show you how they work with different sofa shapes (think sectional or sofa chaise), and ultimately help you find the right coffee table for your space!

The Basics of Choosing a Coffee Table

But before all that, you’ll want to consider a few general rules of thumb when it comes to choosing the right coffee table.

Coffee Table Height

First up: coffee table height. You want your coffee table to be no more than 2-3 inches above or below your sofa’s seat height. (Though, the closer to the same height, the better.) If it’s too tall or too short, it won’t be as practical to use and frankly just won’t look as good.

Coffee Table Length

And, in terms of length, consider the space you need to walk and navigate around your coffee table within the rest of the room. A good rule of thumb is leaving about 17 inches from each end of your coffee table to the edge of your sofa for walkability. With that, in general you’ll want your coffee table to sit on the center of your area rug, no matter what sofa style you have or what shape of coffee table you choose.

Explore more coffee table do’s and don’ts here! Ready to dig in? Read on for our ultimate guide to choosing a coffee table to go with your sofa.

Best Coffee Table Shapes for Standard Sofas

If you have a standard sofa, you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to picking a coffee table. You can safely go with just about any shape, and it’s just easier to know where to place it. (Simply center the coffee table on your sofa, and make sure it’s about two-thirds the length of your sofa.) So, really, it just comes down to preference. Below, you’ll see how different coffee table shapes work with a standard sofa.

Shop This Look

Rectangular Coffee Tables

A rectangular coffee table fits well with a traditional, standard-size sofa. It offers a lot of surface area—providing a surface not only for people sitting on the sofa but also on the side chair. And, the coffee table pictured is a perfect example of the right height in comparison to your sofa. We’d say that, for a standard sofa, a rectangular coffee table is your best all-around choice. This is a no-brainer shape that you really can’t go wrong with.

Square Coffee Tables

When it comes to a square coffee table with a traditional sofa, our stylists recommend doing two squares side-by-side rather than just one. A single square coffee table would feel small and awkward on it’s own with a long rectangular sofa—leaving your seating area feeling unbalanced. So, doubling up on the squares gives your living room a more balanced, cohesive look. Plus, with two squares, you get double the surface area! It gives you the concept of a rectangular coffee table, but with more visual intrigue.

Round Coffee Tables

If you want to add visual interest to your living room, along with creating a bit of a statement in your space, go for a round coffee table. Just make sure it has a large enough circumference to balance out the length of your sofa! You don’t get as much surface space in comparison to a rectangular coffee table, so we recommend supplementing your seating area with some side tables for extra surface area. You could also consider doing two round tables, and either replacing them side-by-side like the squares, or staggering them, with one closer to the sofa and one further away. Staggering a set creates varied walking space around your tables and sofa and more visual interest to your set-up.

A round coffee table—whether you go for one larger table or a pair of smaller ones—is the most versatile shape and our pick for best all-around coffee table shape for any sofa style. Whether you have a standard sofa, a sectional, or a sofa with a chaise, a round coffee table will tuck into any shape, as long as the size proportions are correct. Round coffee tables are also the most kid-friendly shape, since there are no hard edges or corners.

Oval Coffee Tables

An oval-shaped coffee table is another great shape for a standard sofa. It’s obviously a bit longer than a round coffee table, so it gives you as much surface area as possible while still offering a softer, more organic shape. And choosing an oval style with a more unique base, like this one, adds some visual interest. Like a round coffee table, and oval is also great if you have kids, because of the round edges—no sharp corners here!

Abstract/Organic Coffee Tables

An abstract or organic-shaped coffee table is great for inspiring movement in your living room, adding a functional statement to your space. There’s a sense of fluidity when you opt for a more organic shape—though, depending on the specific style you choose, it can give a totally different vibe to the space. Here, we have both a table that’s a soft triangle shape with three legs, and a more heavy, organic style, which each create completely different looks to the seating arrangement. With the second one, you’ll want to make sure you figure out the balance—since it’s such a heavy, solid piece, you wouldn’t want to pair it with a delicate or small sofa. With all coffee tables, consider the size and scale of your sofa and pair a coffee table accordingly.

Regardless, abstract and organic shapes in coffee tables work well with a regular-sized sofa, offering a more dynamic look. We love that, whatever vantage point you have in the room, you’re going to see it differently. This gives your coffee table the feeling of being an evolving object within your space that adds dimension and a sculptural quality.

Best Coffee Table Shapes for Sectionals

While all of the same shapes are available to you when you have a sofa with a chaise or a sectional, different shapes and sizes work differently within this context. While we’re just showing you how these shapes work with a sofa with a chaise, the same principles apply to a sectional with a full L-shape.

Shop This Look

Rectangle Coffee Tables

If you opt for a rectangular coffee table with a sectional or chaise, you’ll just want to make sure the length of the coffee table fits with a safe amount of space between the edge of the sofa and the chaise, without the end of the coffee table going past the other end of the sofa! A rectangular coffee table gives you more space relative to the rest of your seating arrangement though (in this case, in the foreground of the image) since the shape means it’s not protruding into the side of the seating area that’s opposite your sofa.

Square Coffee Tables

A single square coffee table works really well for a sofa with a chaise or a sectional. It tucks perfectly into the angle of the chaise while still giving you enough breathing room. It’s also great for those who love a more traditional take on a seating arrangement, since the lines of the coffee table align with the lines of the sofa, with edges meeting edges and the square shape echoing the angle of the sofa. This is our pick for a no-brainer coffee table shape that you really can’t go wrong with when you have a chaise or sectional.

Like the look of a square but want softer edges? An ottomoan is a great coffee table alternative, which also provides a comfortable, makeshift seat or footrest!

Round Coffee Tables

A round coffee table with this sofa shape has a grounding element and is easier to navigate around than other shapes. It offers more room to play around with the chair placement within your living room, and overall is easier to design around since you don’t have hard lines or edges. As with a traditional sofa, you can also opt for two smaller round tables versus one larger round coffee table. This creates a more playful look that’s very flexible and forgiving. You can stagger them and even swing one around to be a side table when you want to. It breaks up the angle of the L-shape on the sofa and adds an organic element that brings some breathing room to your layout.

Oval Coffee Tables

An oval coffee table works really nicely to balance out the edge of the sofa. The table pictured is a smaller model; we’d recommend sizing up if you’re going to do an oval with this type of sofa. But just make sure you have enough room for walking on all sides of the table.

Abstract/Organic Coffee Tables

An abstract or organic coffee table would also give you that ability to break up the angle of the L-shape of the sofa. The soft triangle table fits really nicely in this setting and adds a bit of a statement to the center of the room. This is a bigger table, but it doesn’t feel too large for the space. That’s because, since its legs lift it off the floor, there’s a sense of airiness to this look. (One of our favorite tricks to help a space feel larger.)

The more solid, geometric coffee table also works in this set-up, but it’s definitely a heavier approach. It anchors the center of the room and visually balances out the weight of the chaise versus the chair that’s diagonal from the chaise. However, since it’s a solid, heavy table, it’s not very moveable.

Explore Coffee Table Styles

Choosing the best coffee table to go with your sofa also means finding one with the right style. As evidenced by the variety of coffee tables featured in this post, there are so many styles to consider! If you’re uncertain about what style or shape of coffee table to choose, take our style quiz, or work with one of our designers to find the best furniture pieces and layout for your whole living room!

Ready to find the perfect coffee table for your space?

Start My Project

New Home Furniture Buying Guide: Where to Skimp vs. Splurge When Furnishing Your New Space

July 14, 2020/3 Comments/in Interior Design Buying Guides, Tips & Guides /by Modsy

So you just bought a new home. Congratulations! A new home, whether it’s your first home or you’re simply moving somewhere new, is a big and exciting venture. And it’s also an opportunity to design a home you love, from scratch!

But you also just bought a house—so you may not have a ton of cash to spend on filling your whole home with fancy new furniture. Though you also don’t want to wait to purchase everything and end up living out of boxes for months with no place to sit! Trust us, there’s a middle road, and it involves making some purchases now and holding off on others until you’re more settled in and have time to save up more money.

Since buying furniture can be quite the endeavor, we polled our designers to get their take on what to invest in right away, where you can skimp, and what to buy over time. Without further ado, here’s our new home furniture buying guide!

The Furniture to Buy Right Away

There are certain pieces of furniture that our designers recommend buying right away, so you have them from the get-go in your new home. These pieces will help make your home more comfortable and give you some interior design ideas to help define the style of the space.

Sofa

A sofa is a piece of furniture that gets heavy use. As the central object in your living room, it’s a piece around which you can build your entire room. Because of that, it’s a great piece to buy right away—and don’t be afraid to splurge. A sofa isn’t just a trendy style piece; it’s a versatile piece of furniture, and an investment that will last for years. So, make sure you buy one that you really love! Wondering what type of sofa you should buy? Check out our guide on the benefits of a sofa vs. sectional.

Shop This Look

Media Cabinet

The other big piece of furniture you’ll want to invest in right away is a media cabinet. Having a place to safely house your TV and electronics is a must! This is another piece that can last for years—perhaps even longer than a sofa, since it doesn’t endure as much daily wear and tear. As a possible focal point in your living room, give plenty of thought into the style of the cabinet you choose—and make sure it’s the right size for your TV. With its longevity and style status in your living room, think of a media cabinet as an investment and be willing to spend a little extra money on it.

Shop This Look

Window Coverings

Unless you don’t mind your neighbors seeing right into your house at night, be sure to buy window treatments right away! This is one thing you can buy cheap right away and upgrade later. But, if you’re ready, you can also just go for the splurge! If you’re ready to buy a long-term solution, opt for drapes and shades. Otherwise, you could always just buy some Ikea curtains or even tape up some butcher paper for an immediate solution!

Shop This Look

The Furniture to Hold on Purchasing

With any home, regardless of budget, there are a few things you probably want to hold off on purchasing until you’re more settled in and have a good grasp on the style and feel of your home. Here’s what our designers suggest holding off on for a while.

Art

Art can make or break a space. That’s why we’re big believers in waiting to fill your new home with art, and take your time finding the perfect pieces for your space. Original artwork, or even large-scale prints, tend to be pricier. But quality art is an investment worth making, especially when it can directly support the artist who made it! And the great thing about art is that, if you already have a piece in mind, you can build your whole room around it. But you can also do the opposite and find artwork that suits the space that you’ve already created.

Shop This Look

Rugs

Rugs can be tricky—not only is it important to find one in the colors and style that will best suit your space, but you also want to find the best size for your space! With all that in mind, it’s best to wait until you’ve been in your home for a bit before you buy a rug. That way, you’ll get a feel for how you’ll use the space (which will influence the material and pile of rug you choose) and will help you determine the size you need. Rugs can be expensive—so this can feel like a splurge regardless. But waiting also gives you time to save up for the rug of your dreams!

Shop This Look

Small Decor

Want some tips on how to decorate a room? We’ll start here: Don’t clutter up your new space with cheap knick knacks and random decor! Instead, buy small decor over time, and take on a curator’s mindset. Find decorative objects you truly love, and thoughtfully create collections on your shelves and surfaces rather than just filling your space with cheap stuff for the sake of filling out shelves.

Shop This Look

The Furniture to Buy Cheap and Replace Later

There are some things you’ll need right away to keep yourself from living out of suitcases and boxes and make your home more comfortable. But that doesn’t mean you have to blow a bunch of money to fill your space. Below, we’re covering the pieces of furniture that you can buy on the cheap now and upgrade later.

Clothing Storage

Clothing storage is absolutely essential. But dressers and closet systems can be quite expensive! So, either use something you already have for the time being, or buy some inexpensive clothing storage right away. Then, over time, save money and give yourself time to find the perfect dresser later on! A quality dresser is something that will last a long time, so it’s worth the wait and the eventual investment.

Shop This Look

Side Tables

You need side tables as a surface for books, drinks, lamps, and more—but finding the perfect pair takes time. For now, buy some inexpensive side tables that are simple and practical, then splurge on a set that perfectly embodies your style later on!

Shop This Look

Bookcases

Bookcases—whether in a living room, office, or children’s room—are important pieces to house books, toys, office supplies, and decorative objects. So, you may need one or two right away to help with organization throughout your home. So, buy an inexpensive bookcase at first, then upgrade to something more substantial once you find the right piece and have the budget for it. This will also give you time to gauge where you want to place your bookcases, which will help you determine the size and style you want!

Shop This Look

Need help designing your new home?

Start My Project

10 Master Bedroom Designs To Inspire Your Perfect Bedroom Escape

February 21, 2020/0 Comments/in Bedroom Interior Design, Decor Inspiration, Style Ideas, Style Inspiration /by Modsy

Bedrooms are our own personal at-home oases. They are places just for us to use as escapes from the go-go-go of daily life. Not to mention that it’s the single place we spend the majority of our time in! Even if we’re asleep, those hours still count. That’s why your bedroom design is the best place to let your unique personality really shine through!

Because master bedroom design is so important, it can be hard to decide which bedroom look is right for you. First, you want to think about what design style you like—Modern? Rustic? Contemporary? Industrial? Then consider a color palette, decor, artwork, etc. And you don’t want to forget about the layout! All the different factors involved can start to feel overwhelming. If you are embarking on a bedroom update, we rounded up 10 master bedroom designs to use for a little inspiration.

The Look: Rustic Minimalist

Rustic minimalist style is all about a neutral color palette that creates a soothing vibe. Rustic touches and natural materials add warmth to keep the minimalism from coming off as too stark.

The Key Elements

The grey-blue accent wall here is the only color in the space, giving the space an easy, serene feeling. The warm acorn wood bed frame gives the room visual texture and warmth. Sleek, minimal foundational furniture and industrial accents—like the nightstands—create a cohesive style. Natural materials like wood, jute and ceramics and the few pops of pattern throughout all contribute to the cozy vibes here.

This Look is Perfect for…

This master bedroom design makes a perfectly relaxing pit-stop for the busy professional. It’s ideal for anyone who likes casual clean bedrooms with a modern edge!

The Look: Rustic Warmth

The rustic warmth look is a blend of rustic and transitional styles into one cohesive bedroom design. It’s a simple design with a timeless style and warm, inviting energy.

The Key Elements

For this look, think substantial wooden pieces paired with solid/hearty foundational furniture. It draws on simple rustic forms with no frills or ornament—just the basics! Then add in a classic black metal bed frame and light fixtures for extra stately sophistication. The light, celery green walls let the room breathe and lift the otherwise heavy furniture combo. Top it all off with a variety of finishes which work together to create a cohesive and dynamic style!

This Look is Perfect for…

Anyone who likes unpretentious but bold statements.

The Look: Refined Rustic

Another cool approach to rustic master bedroom design is the combo of traditional rustic with a classic, formal style. This look blends an inviting mix of classic items paired with low key, casual elements for a look that’s rustic with a refined edge.

The Key Elements

Start with classic pieces, like the shelf, side tables, and upholstered stools to lend an air of sophistication. And then bring in some warmth with low key, casual items like the rattan chair and headboard. This room also has slight beach vibes with a nod to classic style, and it feels eclectic and casual. The ocean print, shell chandelier, and neutral color palette with pops of blue add a little glam to the space. And the dark and light woods mixed together add depth and visual contrast to this master bedroom design.

This Look is Perfect for…

Those who want something classic and timeless but still relaxed enough to kick back in.

The Look: Mod Collector

For a cool take on a modern bedroom, check out this blend of mid-century modern, eclectic, and rustic styles. This master bedroom design blends mid-century forms and design principles with a rustic flair.

The Key Elements

Start with natural materials like woven elements, a jute rug, natural wood nightstand, rattan bed frame, etc. These help to lend a boho vibe to the space and also give it a rustic flair. The linen curtains and woven baskets are great accessories for this style, too. The high contrast neutrals pop against the subtle earthy-green wall color for a funky, eclectic look. Plus, we love using green in master bedroom design!

This Look is Perfect for…

Anyone who likes boho style but wants the bedroom to still feel like a low-key, soothing escape.

The Look: Mid-Century Chic

Mid-century chic is what happens when mid-century gets mixed in with a splash of glam. It’s an update on traditional Mid-Century Modern style with a lot more sass and glitz. It’s a cool style combo that feels cozy and inviting with a modern twist.

The Key Elements

This chic master bedroom design starts with a minimalist base like the subtle styling and restrained color palette. Then, layer in lux accents like brass and velvet to add a little glam to the design. The clean bedroom layout adds flow to the room while the dark gray walls are extra cozy and comforting. The contrast of warm wood finishes with metal and black and white color palette, and the monochrome prints make an impact with high contrast.

This Look is Perfect for…

Those of you who love mid-century design but can’t resist a glamorous touch.

The Look: Chic Collector

This modern bedroom design blends a monochromatic color scheme with an eclectic mix of styles like classic, mid-century, and a little bit of romantic drama. The overall look has the exquisite tastes of a collector and just the right amount of moodiness for the boudoir.

The Key Elements

The monochromatic color scheme here is tied together with pops of crisp whites and soft pinks for a look that’s relaxing and refined. It lends a sophisticated and curated edge to the whole space. Dusty reds and pinks create a totally contemporary sense of drama and give the room an earthy undertone. Mix soft furnishings like the headboard, velvet chair, and fur throw with classic items like the mirror, lamps, and chandelier. Mid-century pieces like the lamps and bedside table also complement this chic style.

This Look is Perfect for…

Anyone who isn’t afraid of a little drama but still wants a relaxing and zen bedroom to come home to.

The Look: Beachy Blue Bedroom

If you want your bedroom to feel like vacation all year round, then this beachy blue bedroom design might be just right. This look blends rustic elements with beachy colors for a super serene style.

The Key Elements

This coastal style is all about the classic beachy color palette. The soft blue walls are reminiscent of a summer sky or gentle waves and the natural woods and neutrals are earthy like sand. Throw in a little playful pattern mixing to add a preppy touch—like the pinstripes and polka dots. Work in plenty of natural textures to get the beachy style—bamboo blinds, woven wall art, woven bed frame, macrame planters, and the jute rug all add visual depth and a cozy rustic feel.

This Look is Perfect for…

Anyone who wants to bring the outdoors in, in a cozy beach house style.

The Look: Woodland Chic

Another bold approach to classic design is this woodland chic style bedroom. It blends elements of classic and glamorous design, to find the right balance between sophistication and whimsy.

The Key Elements

This look is refined and delicate, but the high-contrast palette gives it an artsy edge. It’s the kind of style that’s fit for Snow White after she moves out from the seven dwarves’ place! Whimsical furniture pieces like the bedframe, studded club chair and fur stool, also add a modern flair to the space. Geometric patterns like the rug and pillows give a slightly modern edge to princess-worthy spaces and the white bed frame makes a statement but still feels subtle.

This Look is Perfect for…

Anyone who dreams of a magical forest getaway as their own private escape at the end of the day.

The Look: Mod Enthusiast Bedroom

Mod enthusiast style is what happens when mid-century meets transitional design. It’s a bold take on modern with an extra dose of stately personality.

The Key Elements

This look makes us think of a contemporary mad-men bedroom with a moody, jewel toned twist. It’s an updated version of the classic mid-century modern style that brings in a contemporary edge. Rich jewel tones and deep wood furnishings provide a luxe air that’s super grown-up but still easy to maintain. The mix of patterns in desert hues and neutrals is balanced and earthy for a warm, organic feel.

This Look is Perfect for…

Those who value efficient design that doesn’t hold back on style.

The Look: Rustic Bohemian Glam

Part eclectic, part rustic, part boho, part glam—these are the style inspirations behind this funky master bedroom design. The look is very bohemian and blends in a variety of elements to give the sense the design has been collected and curated over time.

The Key Elements

This look features an eclectic mix of styles. The bed, chandelier, and standing mirror with rounded edges offer touches of art deco glam. Mid-century modern pieces like the brass light fixtures and nightstands add that cool, collected vibe. The entire space has an effortless edge with style touches like plants, the funky leaning mirror and the mix of patterns for visual texture.

This Look is Perfect for…

Anyone who wants a room to show off your style and personality. This look is a great way to give your unique tastes a chance to shine.

Feeling inspired for your master bedroom design?

Start My Project