ConstructionDeal.com Update

You've remodeled your basement or added a family room on to the back of your house. Now you need to add new furniture to complete the space. The first thing you're likely to do is rush out to the local furniture store.

And that's probably a big mistake.

Here are some helpful tips from Sixwise.com that can make sure you avoid a furniture shopping disaster.

1. Compare Prices Online First: Even if you don't buy online, do some research to find out how low the prices might be on some similar items. Some are even buying furniture online, which I don't recommend because you can't really test it out and returning it is not easy (if it's even possible.) But information and price comparison can be very valuable
2. Negotiate the Price: Most people hate the haggle. But furniture can be expensive so hold your ground to get a 10 to 20% discount at mid to high end retail shops. If you can't get them to drop the price, work out better financing or hold out for a sale
   
3. Ask for Extras: Ask for a deal on delivery or assembly if it's an extra cost. Get a warranty in writing, too
   
4. Shop Prepared: Know your room dimensions before you leave the house. Know what styles you like and that are right for your room. Know what colors you have to work with (curtains, other furniture, blinds, carpet, hardwood floors, interior paint, etc.) Get swatches from a paint store that match the items already in the room and take them to the furniture store. Find out what the store return policy is in case the new items don't work in the room
   
5. Mind your Cushions: The cushions are the most important component of any chair or sofa. Ignore talk of the frames and springs and construction. The cushions make or break the comfort and usability of the furniture. Test it out, try it out, and make sure it will work for you for a long period of time
   
6. Skip Fabric Protection: you can apply all the fabric protection you need aftermarket and for a lot less (if you don't mind the chemical factor)
   
7. Higher Prices Don't Mean Higher Quality: in '02, the FTC pulled accurate label requirements for furniture which means you cannot trust what you believe on any label or from any salesman anymore. Just because it says it contains this or that or can do this or that, don't believe the hype.

If you need more home design help, an Interior Designer can do wonders for you. And it doesn't mean you have to be a millionaire just to talk to a designer. But it could help to have a consultation to make sure you're buying what's right for your home and buying it from the place that is right for your budget. Interior Designers know where to look for the right item, how to match the colors correctly, and how to get the best price.

ConstructionDeal.com can help you find Interior Design Pros at no cost. Simply submit a request and get contact information for or phone calls from local designers. It's that easy. And there's no obligation.

RELATED POSTS:
Interior Design Trends for 2007
Remodeling Ideas: Kitchen Design Ideas
Remodeling Trends: Wrought Iron Elegance

Labels: Design Ideas, Interior Design

We always know what's going to be the latest trend and which product will be the new "must-have" each year. When it comes to home improvement and remodeling, it's no different.

What is different is that most renovation projects you do in your home will last much longer than the latest clothing trend or cell phone. When you redo your kitchen, you're going to be stuck with it for quite some time...

However, a new coat of paint, some accessories, and some window treatments can completely change the look of your room - for just a few hundred dollars - and if you don't like it in a few months... you can always change it again.

If you're interested in hiring an Interior Designer for even more help -- post your request with ConstructionDeal.com.

We've got a plethora of information on Design Trends for home this year. Check them all out:

2007 Home Design Trends has a new look at what's hot!

Wendy, over at the Spacelift Blog, has some insights into the coming 2007 trends in interior design. She talks about what's going to be hot in color choices (Color), comfort choices (Atmosphere), sustainability (Building) and touches on luxury products that could be trending your way... if you're rich (Luxury. Elevators?!)

To touch on a little of her insight (she's an Interior Designer in Omaha), she talks about new colors for '07 - oranges, greens, and blues. She mentions that these colors have been hot in fashion and you may have been seeing them in magazines and in stores but that it takes a little while for trends to move over to the interior design world. She predicts blues, greens, and oranges will be the "must haves" for this year.

I also like her idea of homeowners going for a more comfortable style. As people have rushed, in the recent past, to expensive materials to fill their kitchens and baths, it's nice to know that the stuffy or formal is fading away.

I've got an article on our Kitchen Remodeling blog that talks about Jumbled Kitchens - which is about homeowners who are looking for a mix of materials in their new kitchens. They don't want a solid row of kitchen cabinets that are all the same size and all the same color. They're mixing it up for a more comfortable, European flair. Mixing wood with steel, adding quartz counters alongside a bamboo counter, or maybe even putting a marble center in the middle of a hardwood floor.

Whatever you do with your interior design this year, please don't renovate or decorate just to "show off" like some do just to get a picture of their living room in a magazine. It always looks forced and overly formal. Untouchable. You want to strive for whatever makes you happy and whatever lets you and your guests feel comfortable in your own home that will be the latest and greatest for 2007.

Finally, consider ConstructionDeal.com for any home improvement, decorating and design professional that you need. We've got a network of over 65,000 service pros, contractors, and designers to help you.

And it's all free for you to find a quality pro!

RELATED POSTS:
Kitchen Design Trends 2007
Remodeling Trends - The Home Office
From CNN: 5 Home Remodeling Trends

Labels: Design Ideas, Interior Design, Remodeling Trends, Trends

I'm a big fan of the Italian style of kitchen design. I wanted to provide you with a "photo blog" post of several Italian kitchen pictures. Hopefully, it can give you some ideas for any future kitchen remodeling project you may have planned.

Not all of the designs are modern or ultra-contemporary (although I've included some stunning modern kitchen design pics) in style, they also have some classical examples:

And when it comes to a more modern and sleek look -- the Italian designers have some wonderfully exotic creations:

Don't be afraid to use color in a kitchen. If you like contemporary styling, you can choose bright reds, blues, greens. They make a great contract to brighter and whiter flooring or wall paint colors. It's better to have darker colors than lighter ones if you have a lot of natural light in the room.



In modern kitchen design, it's important to make sure the room is still inviting and comfortable. Many didn't like the harsh or industrial look and it turned many off because it seemed too cold. By adding the rounded surfaces, accent lighting, and the colors to the stainless steel, the modern kitchen can have a softer look. If you'd like to check out some Italian Kitchen design websites, I've picked out a few that you can visit for even more inspirational design ideas!

Italian Kitchen Design Companies:
Ged Cucine
Fiamberti
Aster Cucine

When you're ready to renovate your kitchen, you can always post your project with ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free way to find a local kitchen remodeling company in your area.

RELATED KITCHEN POSTS:
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
Kitchen Remodeling Budgets
Remodel Your Kitchen: Save Your Sanity
Kitchen Remodeling: Form AND Function

Labels: Design Ideas, Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodeling