Utilizing Your Bedroom Decor: How to Stylize a Smaller Space

Whoever coined the phrase, “Life’s a journey” wasn’t kidding. As we ascend up the ladder of our careers, and forge new relationships, we may not always occupy the ideal space for ourselves. Sometimes this is out of our control; in the case of noisy neighbors, passing trolleys, or unclean roommates. Conversely, it may not be your surroundings, but the size of your space itself that is bugging you.

Today, Curly’s Furniture is here to tell you that there’s hope yet, regardless of how large, small or cramped your bedroom may be.

Be Focused, Be Purposeful

When you enter a room, the first thing you do is look around until your eye catches something. A smaller bedroom poses a unique challenge here, limited as it is in terms of the quantity, and size of its decor. But knowing this basic truth, you can plan around it.

Designate a spot in your bedroom—be it your headboard against a wall, or your nightstand and a classic lampshade—as the focal of the space. With your gaze, and those of your guests oriented toward a specific spot, you can decorate accordingly, by expanding out from here.

Minimalism Reigns Supreme

Inside a small space, you may have a million different ideas and a whole collection of accents in storage; but be mindful of how much you furnish. Heed our wisdom here, by determining exactly which size bed will work best for you, then complement it with some classy decor.

Because it can be tucked behind your bed, we highly recommend an upholstered headboard: the perfect bedside cushioning, and the ideal vehicle for the aesthetic you want in your bedroom.

Stylize Your Space, Bit by Bit

But at the end of the day, this mantra being repeating: “Decorating is not a race.” Give yourself a chance to feel out your space, piece by piece, until you reach a state of satisfaction. Whether it’s a modern nightstand or chic dresser that calls to you, don’t purchase the first thing you see; give it a try, in-person, before you bring it into your bedroom.

Consult Your Locals and Save

Here in Dekalb, Illinois, Curly’s Furniture is the destination for sampling bedroom decor. Visit our furniture store to discuss your own ideas for your bedroom with us, be they tiny or gigantic. We’ll find the right set, at the right price, just for you.

New Ways to Arrange Your Living Room Furniture

Ask anyone about the living room in their home and you’re bound to receive a real burst of emotion from them. As the hub of our social activities, and the space in which we forge some of our happiest memories, the living room and its furniture means more to us than perhaps than any other form of decor. 

When you arrange your living room furniture in a way that’s open and inviting, it’s as if there’s a magnetic force that emanates from the walls, into the air and over your upholstery. But neglect how you decorate and organize the space, and don’t be surprised if guests stay on their feet and inch towards your door. 

Today, Curly’s Furniture of DeKalb, Illinois will review just some of the new ways you can rearrange, and re-imagine your living room furniture—from the layout of your room, to the sofas and accents you place in it.

A Living Space As Adaptable As You

Here’s a given: most of us own a sofa, a couple chairs and a table or two. The key to the modern, flexible, and fully adaptable living room is not to overburden it, but to maximize what’s already in it.

While you may know your space so well that you could sleep-walk through it, think about how your friends and family would navigate it on their first visit. Your sectional sofa may look great in one corner of your room, but is it as accessible as it could be?

The Living Room with a Focal Point

Sometimes the simplest, and most logical way to arrange your living room is to find a focal point, and furnish around it. In most cases, that focal tends to be the TV; or in the more rustic stretches of the state, a cozy fireplace. 

Round up your guests by strategically placing your recliner sofas and accent ottomans in view of something centralizing, like a LED TV or coffee table. Grabbing yourself some throw pillows or poufs could be a wise move here as well.

Symmetry: A Way to Arrange Your Life

Always tried and true, the classic symmetrical arrangement works wonders in virtually any living room. If you have a large occasional table in your space, place a pair of fabric sofas, side by side, angled towards it. 

Of course, adhering to symmetry with your living room furniture doesn’t mean you need two of everything. It’s safe to say most rooms will only require one sectional sofa. But a second accent chair, and accent pillow to boot, could work wonders for you. 

When you feel the itch to rearrange your living room, swing by Curly’s Furniture to talk to our experts in-person!  

Designer’s Tricks: Cut the Clutter or Just Look Like You Did!

Even the most harried, high-energy household can sport a peaceful, ordered space you will look forward to coming home to. Don’t laugh yet. Really. Our furniture and interior design experts share with you these time-tested tips from top designers to streamline your home by keeping an excess of things out of the way. The Chinese art of feng shui even claims that clutter blocks life-giving energy (chi in the jargon) from flowing through your home, denying you peace. And this has recently been backed by science, in that clutter makes it harder for you to focus. So, amidst the bustle of your school and work schedules, here are our favorite ways to help you decompress and enjoy your home for a change.

Manage Your Home’s Stage Through Optical Illusions

“Does this room make me look fat?” Truth: just like you don’t want horizontal lines on a plus-size dress, your home’s current design might be sabotaging your war on too much “stuff.” One design-studio trick you might find helpful in your home’s look is to use vertical space in your home furniture and cabinetry, such as curio cabinets. Another is to group like items, such as literally having all your knives in one drawer. Out of sight when not in use equals visual harmony in your newly decluttered home. Oversize ottomans do this trick nicely as well. And don’t forget that the right accent cabinet works not only to store seasonal mementos in rotation but keep your home office organized.

Keep Some Things and Toss Others

Sounds pretty straightforward, right? But as you know, things carry memories you don’t want to throw out. Don’t worry; the memories won’t fade. Feng shui makes putting items in your discard pile simple: if it doesn’t bring you joy (anymore), toss it. Only save the items that mean the most to you. “Give till it feels good”: donate the items you don’t need to a worthy charity or three. You might be congratulating yourself on your moneymaking talent by planning to sell the items online or in a yard sale. But designers warn that for too many people that’s just an excuse to procrastinate. Sell only if you know you mean it. Otherwise donate. Another word to the wise from decluttering pros: if you know you can buy the same item below a certain cost, why hang onto it now where it’s only wasting space? Pace yourself: give away a few clusters of things a week at a time.

So whether you’re just breaking a hoarding habit or downsizing the empty nest, we hope these pieces of advice renew your living space as you hope.

For more interior design inspiration and advice, stop by our Streator, IL store or one of our other locations.

Ways to Use Area Rugs to Enhance Your Interior

One element that you can introduce into your interior design scheme that always enhances your home’s aesthetic is a classic area rug. Professional decorators will always have an area rug in mind when designing a space, as it is an essential piece in their toolset, a home accessory that should be more than an afterthought, as with all home accent pieces. Whether bold or subdued, your area rug can “pull together” seemingly disparate elements of your home décor. Bold geometric patterns can “wake up” your room while smaller ones in neutral tones can have a calming effect. There are numerous reasons to purchase an area rug for your home, and not all of them involve leaving them on the floor. Curious? Continue reading to learn how to use an area rug to appreciate the character of your home.

An Area Rug as Your Room’s Focal Point

Perhaps the simplest use for a beautiful area rug is to place it in the center of your sitting room or living room, to serve as the room’s focal point. Connect every furnishing component together by placing the front feet of your seating and end tables just over the edge of the rug, orbreak the rules and keep everything off the edge by a few inches. In either case, a complementary area rug that matches your existing furniture helps to anchor the room by drawing the eye toward the center, allowing each individual piece to unite as a whole.

Think Outside the Box with Your Area Rug

Of course, there are more interesting and creative means to use an area rug in your interior. One such way is to hang your area rug on the wall for a unique alternative to wall art on canvas. Hanging your area rug can also separate large, open plan spaces as an intriguing substitute for wooden room dividers. Anyone who notices your area rug, whether on the floor, the wall, or hanging from the ceiling, will certainly bring it up, thus making something you otherwise would have taken for granted into a fun conversation piece!
To find the ideal area rug for your floor space, check out Curly’s Furniture at our DeKalb, IL showroom or any of our other 3 stores.

Tips for Choosing the Right Home Entertainment Furniture for You

You’ve invested a lot in your TV, perhaps even getting high definition, the biggest revolution in home video entertainment since the advent of color screens. So of course you need furniture for your home entertainment room to perfectly complement your screen as the center of the room’s attention, attractive but also very useful. If you’ve never picked entertainment furniture before, the task can be daunting but it need not be. Read on to learn from the entertainment furniture experts here at Curly’s!

Finding the Perfect Fit: The Basics of How and What to Measure

First, find out the measurement of your TV screen. Actually, the first figure you need is the screen’s diagonal measurement, corner to corner. This number, in inches, is quoted both on your TV’s box and in the descriptions of the TV stands and entertainment centers (wall units) you will be looking at.

Now, taking your handy tape measure, check your TV’s height (from the bottom of the TV’s base up) and width (side to side of the TV frame). Write down these numbers and check them against the same measures of the screen space in the unit you are interested in.

If your TV set happens to be older so it does not have a flat screen, be sure to measure its depth and compare that, again in person with your tape measure, to the depth the unit can hold.

Use your tape measure to see how much floor space your TV room has to accommodate the furniture you like.

Extra Measurements for Best Viewing

Make sure your line of sight when seated is level with the lower half of your TV screen. Have someone measure you sitting down, from the floor up to your eyes, and compare that to the screen measurement in the furniture pieces you like.

Remember your parents’ warnings about sitting too close to the TV? They were wise; heed them! For optimum viewing, a 29-inch TV needs 3 to 4 feet of space between you and the set while a 39-inch one requires 4 to 5 feet and a 46-inch one 5 to 6 feet. If your TV is bigger than that, allow for 7 to 8 feet.

Stop by any of our 3 Illinois showrooms to find the best in entertainment furniture.

Entertain Friends with a Home Bar

As far as home improvement projects are concerned, one of the finer—and more fun—additions you can make to your home is by installing your own personal bar. There are two types of home bars: a wet bar, that involves rigging up new plumbing to a sink devoted to cleaning your glassware; and a dry bar, which is simply a dedicated counter space or a standalone bar with shelving for bottles and glassware. Either way, having a bar in your home can bring numerous benefits. Alongside savings and comfort, one of the biggest benefits from having home bar is the social aspect. By keeping a bar in your home, you have a unique opportunity for entertaining your guests, making your place a go-to destination for all things fun.

Home Bars and Bar Tables

While setting up a small bar in your home is certainly an investment, it pays off over time. At Curly’s Furniture, we have a selection of bars and bar tables fit for entertaining a few or many. You can have the freedom to fill your bar with all your favorite drinks to entertain friends and family for a night of enjoyable libation and conversation. Plus, with no last call, and full quality control over how your cocktails are poured, you and your guests can wile away the hours at your home bar and not pay a dime on tips or cabs.

Bar Stools

One of the major downsides about going out for drinks is arriving to the bar and finding nowhere to sit. Or worse, sitting next to an inebriated stranger. With your own bar at home, of course, that doesn’t pose a problem (and if it does, you may want to change your locks). With the generous selection of bar stools available from Curly’s Furniture, you can always count on a comfortable spot with your name on it. Choose from a range of modern or classic styles that will fit right in with your home bar.

Do you think your home could benefit from a bar that is uniquely you? Then be sure to visit Curly’s Furniture in Streator, IL for home bars, bar tables, and bar stools to entertain your guests in style.

Types of Beds: Which One is the Right Fit for You

Shopping for a new bed is not always easy. With so many options to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? At Curly’s Furniture, we want to add ease to the furniture shopping process, by helping you better understand the benefits and characteristics of each type of bed that we offer. For your convenience, we have created this simple product guide to help you determine which type of bed will best meet your needs.

Panel Beds

Panel beds include a headboard and footboard, along with a set of side rails that are meant to accommodate a mattress and a box spring. These beds generally feature simple, classic designs that can coordinate with nearly any furniture style. While panel beds may not have as many bells and whistles as other beds, they are exceptionally affordable and perfect for someone who wants to buy a new bed on a budget.  

Platform Beds

Platform beds are modern and versatile. Featuring a platform of thin wooden slats, these beds eliminate the need for a box spring. Platform beds are perfect for small bedrooms, since many of them come with built-in storage features. We sell platform beds with front and side storage drawers, and even bookshelves.

Sleigh Beds

Sleigh beds feature curved headboards and footboards that will give your bedroom a touch of elegance. While sleigh beds can be made from a variety of materials, they are most often made with wood, which gives them a sophisticated and traditional look. With their distinctive design, sleigh beds are meant to make a statement, and serve as the focal point of your bedroom.

Poster Beds

Poster beds have decorative pilasters at each corner, along with adorned headboards and footboards. Some poster beds have short pilasters, while other have ones tall enough to support a canopy. While most poster beds are ornate and traditional, we do offer a few models featuring modern and contemporary designs.

Now that you have more information about our diverse bed selection, it is time to start shopping! Stop by Curly’s Furniture today to browse all the stylish and affordable products we have to offer. You can visit us in DeKalb, IL or at any one of our three furniture stores throughout the state of Illinois.

How to Choose the Perfect Kids Bed

Are you on the hunt for a new kids bed? Whether you are replacing an old bed or you are buying your toddler their first big kids bed, the furniture shopping process can be tricky. Fortunately, at Curly’s Furniture, we can help. Our home furnishings store offers an assortment of stylish and durable kids beds that you and your child are sure to love. We have whimsical daybeds, colorful bunk beds, and everything in between. With our wonderful products and our helpful recommendations, we can help you find the perfect kids bed for your child. Read on for our three helpful shopping tips!

When Selecting a Kids Bed, Consider Your Child’s Needs & Habits

When shopping for a kids bed, ask yourself some questions about your child. For instance, is your child a peaceful sleeper or do they toss and turn through the night? Does your child require a small amount of space or do they sleep sprawled out across a large area? If your child requires a large amount of space to sleep soundly, then you may want to opt for a Full size kids bed over a Twin size bed. A Full kids bed is 15 inches wider than a Twin bed, offering extra comfort and wiggle room. If you have two siblings sharing one room, it’s also important to note that bunk beds may be the right choice for some; however, trundle beds may be a better fit for restless sleepers who fall off the bed from time to time. Taking time to consider your child’s sleep style and their daily habits will help you to make more informed shopping decisions.

Search for a Bed That Expresses Your Child’s Interests

Choosing a bed for a child is not quite the same as choosing a bed for an adult. While style and durability are the main concerns for most adults, kids are far more interested in having furniture that is fun, unique, and tailored to their personal interests. At Curly’s Furniture, we are pleased to provide an extensive selection of kids beds with over 100 diverse options to choose from. Does your child dream of being a princess? We sell elegant kids poster beds that will make them feel like royalty. Do you have a child that loves bright, bold colors? We have dozens of panel beds available in virtually every color of the rainbow. Whatever your child’s loves and interests, we can help you find a bed that they’ll be proud to call their own.

Choose a Bed Size That Accommodates Your Child’s Growth

When shopping for a kids bed, it’s important to remember that your child will continue to grow all throughout their childhood. While a child’s growth slows down around their mid to late teen years, it can be difficult to anticipate when and how much your child will grow before that time. When your child is in their preschool and elementary school years, a Twin bed should provide more than enough space. However, when your child beings to approach middle school age, it may be a good time to transition to a Twin XL or a Full size bed. With a bigger size bed, you will be prepared for any growth spurts that may come, which will allow your child to keep the same bed as they progress through their adolescence. 

Shop with Us Today!

If you are ready to start shopping for a new kids bed, come to Curly’s Furniture today! We offer all of these great products, plus an extensive selection of furniture for your child’s entire bedroom. To shop our complete collection of kids beds and kids bedroom furniture, you can visit us in DeKalb, IL or at any one of our three Illinois furniture showrooms. We hope to see you soon!