For some people, the task of redecorating is one that is undertaken with energy and enthusiasm.  These people want any excuse to repaint a bedroom or move a sofa to the other side of the room.  However, this is probably not most people.  For most of us, redecorating is a chore.  A task that takes valuable free time and fills it up with shopping, comparing prices and paint chips.  It is boring and expensive.  But even if the act of redecorating itself is not your bag, it is possible to put a positive spin on the situation by thinking about these benefits of redecorating your space.

An Excuse to Clean
Cleaning in an of itself may not seem like fun, but having an excuse to spend careful hours going through your things and getting rid of what is broken, what you have never liked and what is no longer useful to you can be a huge relief.  Redecorating is the perfect excuse to spend this times purging your things and freeing your life out from under the clutter that all of us seem to accumulate.

Create a Space for You
Redecorating your home can also be a good time to create a space for you and you alone.  Especially when you have a family, you may feel like your kids have taken over every corner of the house.  When you go to redecorate, it may be time to finally clean out the old guest room and turn it into a sanctuary for yourself. Having this space can make all the difference since having a place that is all for yourself where you have chosen the décor can be the most calming gift you can give yourself.

Upgrade Existing Pieces
Everyone knows that moving can be a huge expense, so when you first moved into your home you may have not had the budget to buy the high quality but also higher priced items that you really wanted.  If you have lived in your home for a while now, your budgetary situation may have shifted.  It could be that you can finally afford the statement couch that you have lusted over or the solid oak dining set that was out of reach before.  Investing in these kinds of heirloom pieces can make your home that much happier for you and for your family.


A New Lease on Your Old Space
This doesn’t have to mean a literal lease renewal, but rather a feeling of having a new space.  A coat of paint and the rearranging of some furniture can make you feel like you have a completely new home without the discomfort and stress of actually moving.  This feeling is energizing, exciting and mood lifting, even in the resulting exhaustion that comes with redecorating. 

You deserve to be truly happy in your space and to surround yourself with things that you love and that make you feel peaceful.  Don’t underestimate the power of redecorating in improving your entire life.

Whether you bought it brand new from a furniture showroom or got it for free when your neighbor moved across the country, your sofa has been with you through thick and thin not to mention through a whole lot of naps.  That’s why it can be painful to consider the fact that one day you will need to replace it.  We’re here to help you decide if that day is today.

Is the upholstery dingy or stained?
Depending on how long you have had your sofa and where it is situated in your home, the upholstery on it may become dingy or worn before it is time to replace it.  This can especially be true if it sees a lot of direct sunlight.  As far as stains go, if you have pets or small children, a few stains on any sofa are inevitable.  Before investing in a new sofa, consider having your current sofa reupholstered which may be considerable cheaper and find you with a sofa that looks as good as new.

Is it sagging or lumpy?
The question of if it is time to replace a sofa becomes more complicated if the structure of the sofa has been compromised.  If your sofa is sagging in the middle or if it has become uncomfortably lumpy, it may be time to invest in a new sofa.  After all, an uncomfortable sofa isn’t doing its job.

Would a slipcover help?
The case may be that you are just sick of looking at your sofa, even if it is in perfectly fine condition.  If this is the case, you may want to consider investing in or, if you’re a bit crafty, making your own slipcover.  This can breathe new life into a tired sofa.  Slipcovers are available from many furniture and department stores for very reasonable prices.  A slipcover could be a cure for your sick of my sofa blues.

What about some new pillows?
New pillows are another way to spruce up an old sofa without going to the trouble and expense of completely replacing it.  A new pop of color (and an easy way to camouflage that wine stain) may make a once sad old sofa cheerful and welcoming once again.

Can you afford it?
Of course, there may be no way around it.  It may be time to replace your sofa.  But instead of worrying about whether or not you can afford it, start looking at what is available because the fact is that many stores have affordable options that you may not even think possible.  You can replace an old sofa and still stay within your budget, it may just take a little more patience and shopping around at the right stores.

Good luck with all your sofa endeavors.  Everyone deserves a comfortable place to nap.


Nearly every living room has a low table that is used for various purposes, whether it be actually holding coffee as its name suggests, or just acting as a footrest when you are watching television.  However, if you want your coffee table to truly stand out, you won’t want to leave it bare.  Instead, put a little work into find the perfect centerpiece to decorate that coffee table that will not only set it apart but also showcase your personality and good taste.  These are the three most typical coffee table centerpieces and what they say to visitors about you:

Flowers
A large or shallow vase of fresh cut or even high quality silk flowers can be a lovely addition to a coffee table.  The wonderful thing about fresh flowers is that they can change with every season, giving the room a new accent color as the seasons or even your personal preferences change.  Of course, this can also be an added expense and hassle but it may be worth it for your living room to be welcoming and bright.

A Coffee Table Book
You don’t have to choose a traditional coffee table book if you choose to use literature in your décor, though you may go that way if you wish.  Instead, look for books that truly showcase your personality rather than choosing by the color of the dust jacket and how it matches your sofa.  You may even want to stack two or three regular books instead of one large coffee table book to let guests know what you care about and that you are someone who is intellectual and thoughtful and who is always up for a rousing conversation about literature.

Pottery
Any type of pottery can look lovely as a coffee table centerpiece.  Large bowls that are filled with colorful baubles can be bold and playful while shallow trays filled with smaller trinkets can be more delicate and still lovely.  A piece of nice hand made or vintage found pottery shows off your fine taste and appreciation for bohemian art and comforting décor.

The truth of the matter is that you can put whatever you like in the center of your coffee table and it is an area that you will end up seeing often so you may get quickly sick of one centerpiece and decide to change it out for something else.  The good news is that you are of course allowed to do that and it is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to refresh your coffee table and your living room at any time.