When you’re designing your living room, it’s important to think about every element of the space. Consider style, tone, color scheme, and most importantly, practicality. Be realistic about your living room use and lifestyle. For instance, if you love to watch TV, make sure you have one that’s in a focal and comfortable to watch space. Check out these tips for designing a living room.

Purchase a couch

The first piece of furniture you should get when designing your living room is a couch. The couch you get will set the tone for the room. Make sure the design is in-line with your home’s overall tone. For example, if you have mostly modern pieces throughout your home, going for a ranch-house-style couch might seem ill-fitting. Comfort should also be a focal point when sofa shopping. You’ll spend a lot of time on this piece of furniture so, it better be comfy.

Choose a rug

Once you have a couch, you can start the search for the perfect rug. Make sure you avoid the pitfall of buying the wrong sized rug. Too small and it will be what is referred to as a “flying carpet,” held down by nothing other than your coffee table. Too big and it will make your room seem tiny. A good rule-of-thumb for sizing your rug is making sure at least two legs of every piece of furniture sit comfortably on it when set up.

Look for tables

After situating the rug, you can look for tables. A coffee table should be as useful as it is stylish. Don’t hesitate to mix and match shades and shapes. Eclectic is a style of its own. For side tables, think about convenience first. When you’re holding a glass, where would you naturally go to place it down while in your living room? That’s where an end table should go. Another quick trick is to place an end table on either side of the couch, and one within reach of each chair or additional seating option. This could mean one in between two chairs or one on the left side of each chair. Go with whatever flows best with your room’s setup thus far.

Accessorize

Here comes the fun part: accessorizing. This is what can turn your living room from a plain, “show-room” living room to a space that’s neat but naturally lived in. Showcase some personality and style with your extra pieces.

Don’t forget throws

Here is where color, pattern, and accents can thrive. Once your entire base of furniture is picked out, you get to experiment with throw pillows. You should get comfy throw pillows and invest in custom pillow covers so you can make sure they are the exact right color and design for your brand new room. You can also get a fun throw blanket to keep on the back of the couch for added comfort and style.

Accentuate table-top décor

Many people forget about the style a set of coasters adds to a room. If you get coasters that stand out, they can become a conversation piece—plus, it will help encourage guests to always use one. You should also start thinking about what coffee table book you want to display. Some people go for a seasonal approach, while others go with a tried-and-true historical or educational one.

Patio furniture may have begun as plastic chairs, but there are new options available. Take your patio from a blah outdoor space to a perfect blend of indoor comfort and outdoor living with the newest emerging trends in patio furniture. Now is a better time than any to update your patio and move it into the new decade.

Natural materials

Plastic is out. Get on-trend by updating your patio furniture with pieces made of natural, eco-friendlier materials. Bamboo, wood, rattan, seagrass, and wrought iron are all popular materials that will look perfect on any patio. Don’t be afraid to mix and match materials—eclectic is all the rage in home décor right now.

Neutrals with pops of color

Natural neutrals are the trendiest base colors for patios right now. Natural frames paired with beige or tan cushions are a can’t-miss. Too much neutral can fall flat, though, so try to jazz it up a bit with some bright pillows or throws. Plus, outdoor carpeting is out—but rugs are in. Pick out a nice outdoor rug made of natural materials to add a pop of color or an interesting pattern to brighten up a neutral space.

Indoor/outdoor blend

The indoor/outdoor living trend is taking over this year. People love having indoor comforts even as they enjoy the outdoors. This means fully upholstered outdoor seating is a must for a patio that feels as cozy as a living room. Sofas and daybeds are also popular choices for cozy alternative seating choices. Protect your upholstered outdoor furniture by getting an outdoor twin mattress cover to protect your daybed. Remember to store cushions and to put rain protectors on your plush items when it rains or snows.

Firepits as a focus

Firepits are taking over as the focal points of outdoor living spaces, so center your patio around a firepit. Now that modern firepits with easy on/off switches exist, there’s nothing stopping families across the country from flocking to the trend. Consider getting a firepit that doubles as a coffee table so that you can cover the pit when you’re not using it and continue to have a helpful space on which to set drinks and other items.

Updating your home can make it feel brand new, but many renovations threaten to break the bank. Some minor changes can make all the difference in the way a home makes an impression. You don’t need to shell out money to make your home appear more expensive than it is; there are subtle changes you can implement to make your home impress and stand out. Here is a guide on how to make your home look expensive on a budget.

Outdoor space

Curb appeal is an often-underrated element of a home that can make or break how it is perceived. People will make a judgment on your home and its value within the first few seconds of viewing it. The way your outdoor area looks matters, and some small updates can increase your home’s perceived value instantly.

Update patio cushion covers

Your porch or patio may be easily viewable from the street or your driveway. If you’re using old, worn down cushions, or simply left them out in the rain one too many times, you can make a simple update to revive them. Add patio furniture cushion covers to your old cushions to make them look brand new again. This can be a fun way to add color, style, and practicality to your home. It also can help protect your furniture longer—with a cover on, you’ll be able to remove and wash the cover as needed to keep it looking great.

Add intentional outdoor lighting

While you may have the standard outdoor lighting, adding more intentionally-placed lighting to your outdoor space can really transform your home. Put up lights lining the walkways, especially those leading to your door. Line your driveways with small lights as well to illuminate your entire property. Lights help to guide both the eyes and the feet of guests. If they arrive after dark, they’ll be happy they can see where they’re going—all because of your thoughtful lighting placement.

Display your house number in a new way

If your house still has the number it was built with, chances are it’s quite outdated. You can purchase new numbers from any craft or home improvement store and customize them to your home’s style. Choose large, statement numbers and hang them in a strategic location—they should be visible from the street without straining, but they can still be placed on a slope or in another non-traditional way. This adds interest and keeps people intrigued with your home. It’s also crucial to add lighting to your house numbers to help guests and couriers find your house in the dark.

Clean

Cleaning up your outdoor space can turn it from dingy to sparkling. Clean out your gutters, power-wash your hardscaping, and clean your garage door. Doing these three simple things can make it look like professionals care for your home.

Trim

Mowing the lawn often and keeping your shrubbery trimmed can give the appearance that you have a full-time landscaping crew under your employ. In reality, you can trim your shrubbery yourself and mow your lawn. These are upkeep tasks that should be done weekly and scheduled into your life. The difference a trimmed lawn makes on a home’s perceived value is exponential. If your lawn has dying plants, take them out and replace them with new, lively plants or lawn ornaments.

Indoor space

Once your guests are inside your home, you have many options to really make your home look like a million bucks—and you’ll spend very little! Subtle and small changes inside your home can make a big difference in your living areas’ overall feel.

Curtains

High ceilings indicate an expensive home. While you most likely can’t literally raise your roof, you can give your rooms the illusion of loftier ceilings with your curtain placement. Place your curtain rods much higher than your windows and make sure your curtains touch the floor to create an illusion of higher ceilings and larger windows.

Backsplash

There are stick-on backsplashes you can purchase that are inexpensive and will transform your kitchen. There’s no need to do a full kitchen remodel to make your kitchen seem updated—you can make small changes, such as adding a backsplash, installing new cabinet handles, re-grouting your floors, and washing your rugs. These are all small and inexpensive changes that add color and style to your kitchen. If you do all of these small updates, your kitchen may just look brand new.

Mirrors

Investing in a mirror or two can make your space feel larger and add a touch of class. Purchasing a mirror doesn’t have to be a big expense; you can simply purchase a cheap, frameless mirror and add a regal frame to it later. Resale shops are full of fancy frames just waiting to be hung with a mirror on the wall. Mirrors—especially in rooms with lots of natural lighting—can visually extend your space.

Hardware

Any hardware around the house may be outdated. Items such as lighting fixtures and faucets are easily overlooked and forgotten about. Since these are staples you look at and use multiple times a day, it’s easy to block out their outdated look. If you’re not looking to invest in brand new hardware just yet, there’s an easy trick to bring your hardware into the present day. Spray paint can transform your fixtures and hardware. Try a copper tone for a modern look or a polished silver for an upscale, classic feel. There are endless options that make your home brand new with a simple spray paint can. Bonus Tip: Don’t forget about your outlet covers! These are easily painted and can really tie your home together.

Bathroom

Think about the last time you updated your shower curtain hooks. It’s most likely been a while, and if so, they are ready to be swapped out again. New shower curtain hooks can cut down on dirt, make your shower curtain slide easier, and make your bathroom look brand new. You should also take a look at your toothbrush holder. Wash it out, and if it’s beyond salvaging, buy a new one. These small changes make a big difference in how expensive yourhome appears to guests.

When deciding to order a custom slipcover, it’s important to measure your items correctly to ensure the best fit possible. Every manufacturer will want you to measure and communicate your findings correctly and accurately, so you receive a slipcover that fits perfectly. We share a comprehensive, step-by-step sizing guide that explains how to measure furniture for an easy ordering experience. Here is a brief description of how to measure for a sofa slipcover.

Custom couch slipcover

When purchasing a custom couch slipcover, go to our website and choose your preferred fabric. Click “Price or Order,” and it will redirect you to an interactive page that will help you find your perfect fit. First, let us know if you have T-shaped or square seat cushions on your couch. Next, tell us what the back of your couch looks like—there are photo examples to make this process easy. After this, you’ll need to select your couch’s arm style. Then, our convenient tool will start to walk you through the measurement process with graphics to help you visualize the measurements needed. Measure all parts in inches—do not round or change actual dimensions. Here is the order to measure in:

1. Seat length
2. Cushion height
3. Base length
4. Arm to arm
5. Base depth
6. Arm depth
7. Base height
8. Desired skirt height (if any)
9. Back overlay
10. Arm width at the top
11. Arm width at the bottom
12. Arm height
13. Seat depth
14. Back height
15. Measure of sofa
16. Measure the top to the lowest point of furniture back
17. Backing width at the bottom
18. Backing height
19. Backing width at the top
20. Backing height in front
21. Width of the back of the sofa
22. Floor to top
23. Floor to top of the back of the arm
24. Floor to top of the front of the arm
25. Length of the front of the couch at arm level

While this is a lot of measuring, it is well worth it when your brand new, custom made, perfectly fitting slipcover arrives just a week after ordering. After you complete the measuring process, decide if you want pleats, options for a sleeper, and separate seat cushion covers. Further, let us know if your back cushions are detachable or not. Then upload photos of your couch, and we can handle the rest. We provide many other custom products to match your exact needs. From sofa slipcovers to custom pet bed covers, we have what you need to create a cohesive and attractive environment in your home.

Velvet furniture is a bold and fun choice to add color, class, texture, and style to your home. Adding velvet to your home is a great way to upgrade your aesthetic and customize your living space without major modifications. Velvet is notoriously delicate and requires regular care and maintenance. Here is an easy guide on how to care for velvet furniture—and what to do about spills and stains, should they happen.

Regular care

Velvet is prone to marking and matting, so it’s important to regularly care for your furniture to preserve its life and look. You should clean your velvet furniture on—at least—a weekly basis. Once a week, vacuum your furniture with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum. Take care to be gentle when doing this, as velvet can mark easily and vacuuming too roughly can cause damage to the delicate fabric’s weave. After vacuuming your fabric, remove any covers or cushions to shake them out. Once both tasks are completed, gently brush your velvet furniture with a soft-bristled brush or a fabric brush to prevent matting issues.

Spill and stain maintenance

Spills and stains happen to all furniture, and a small spill doesn’t have to be devastating. All fabrics need different care to properly prevent or get rid of stains, and velvet is no exception. With velvet, being gentle is key to maintaining the fabric’s integrity and preventing any irreversible damage. For larger spills and deeply set-in stains, consider a professional velvet cleaning service. For smaller stains or less severe ones, you can handle it yourself with a few easy steps.

Spills

Try to address the spill as soon as possible after it happens. Take a dry cloth and very gently dab the spill location—take as much of the substance out of the furniture as possible to prevent it from setting into the cushion. Be careful not to rub or apply too much pressure, as these actions can severely damage the fabric. If this isn’t effective, try the method to remove stains.

Stains

Just like with spills, don’t rub the stain. Begin by choosing a cleaning substance. Many people choose to stick with a simple soap and water solution, while others opt for upholstery cleaners. Whichever cleaning method you prefer, make sure to test it on a small piece of your furniture that isn’t easily seen. This is to check how the solution will affect your fabric. Once you know how the solution affects your fabric and are pleased with the results, apply the cleaning solution to your stain by gently dabbing it. Once the stain is lifted from the fabric, dry the area with a hairdryer—but make sure to hold the dryer at a safe distance. Once the velvet is dry, brush over the spot with a gentle bristled or fabric brush to prevent matting and encourage the spot to match the rest of the furniture. If you’re thinking about getting velvet furniture but aren’t sold on the idea yet, consider getting a velvet wedge pillow cover to test how you like the look and feel in your own home. Plus, if you decide you do want to invest in velvet furniture, your wedge pillow will help tie your home together!