Textures like velvet and linen may be trendy, but you can never go wrong with plain, old-fashioned cotton. This is especially so when it is time to pick out furniture. If you are planning to purchase a new sofa or to reupholster an old one, you might be tempted to embrace popular textures like velvet or linen. However, if you are looking for something durable, easy to maintain, and worth your money, you might want to look towards cotton.  

Cotton Is Not a Boring Choice

Cotton does not have to be bland. Depending on the fabric, it can be pretty formal or modern chic. Cotton fabrics can take on many different patterns and looks based on the way it is woven. For instance, casual slipcovers are typically canvas-woven, whereas damask or velvet weave is reserved for more formal or elegant pieces.  

Choosing High Quality and Durable Cotton Furniture 

If you are searching for furniture that can last for several years to come, cotton is your best bet. For high-quality cotton, you will need to invest in cotton that is produced from long staples. Premium cotton produced from long staples provides a fabric that can feel just as smooth and luxurious as silk. Fabrics that use shorter fibers are less durable. You can typically tell the difference between long and short fiber pieces. When shopping for the perfect cotton furnishing, you will want to know if it was produced from long or short cotton fiber.  

The weave also determines durability. Muslin or percale woven cotton is thin and less durable than other cotton forms. You will find that heavier cotton fabric with densely woven threads are much more durable and lasts longer.  

Why Should You Choose Cotton Furniture? 

Cotton furniture will always be an excellent choice for upholstery. It is super breathable and does not trap in moisture or heat-this makes it comfortable to sit and rest on in Arizona. Also, cotton has good abrasion resistance, which means you can expect it to be long-lasting. If it is important to have a material that can be easily cleaned or that is washable, cotton is no doubt your best bet.  

For more household tips and tricks, be sure to visit our blog hub at Fulton Homes.

Mirrors serve a variety of purposes in the home. They can be used to reflect light, visually expand small spaces, and they are aesthetically pleasing when implemented the right way. Before you start hanging mirrors around the house, it is essential to follow a few guidelines. Here are some tips for designing with mirrors:

Large Mirrors in Small Rooms

Use an oversized mirror in a tiny space to instantly create the illusion of depth. However, you do want to give some consideration to where exactly you place this mirror. For instance, in a small dining room, you should put the large mirror above the dining room table. The mirror will reflect the chandelier making the room seem more significant than what it actually is.  

Be Careful When Installing Mirrors in the Kitchen and Bedroom

While mirrors are not necessary for the kitchen, often homeowners use this as backsplashes. Mirrored backsplashes would require a lot of maintenance due to the fact that they are easily marred with visible watermarks and other types of stains.  

Mirrors in the bedroom are often used as the decor of this area. If you are set on using mirrors in your bedroom decor, you should place it in a not-so-obvious area such as up behind your headboard. 

Use Mirrors to Accent the Focal Point 

What is the focal point of your room? You can use mirrors to emphasize the focal point further. Try placing a mirror above a fireplace or as a piece of artwork. If the room lacks a focal point, you can use mirrors to create interest. You can also use lighting fixtures to enhance mirrors further.  

Visually Expand Narrow Spaces

Mirrors also work in areas of the home that often get neglected, such as staircases and hallways. Small horizontal mirrors can expand narrow hallways and staircases.  

The Mirrored Furniture Trend 

Mirrored furniture is a great way to utilize mirrors in your home’s decor. A mirrored coffee table, dresser, and nightstand are some subtle ways to add mirrors into your design by creating a chic and modern look.  

How do you use mirrors in your home design? Let us know below in the comment section.

Let’s be honest; no home is complete without some type of wood accent sprinkled throughout the house. Yet, finding high-quality wood furniture can seem nearly impossible. Often, you will find a piece of wooden furniture that looks great in the store only to discover that it is flimsy and built poorly. To avoid wasting your hard earned money, check out these tips for spotting poorly constructed wood furniture:

Is It Made from Solid Wood?

When shopping for wood furniture, you will want to check to see if it was constructed from solid wood. Solid wood is also referred to as hardwood or softwood. Generally, furnishings made from this type of wood material are constructed from single board pieces that are glued together since trees are not as naturally wide. Be sure to ask the associate if the entire piece is formed from solid wood or just specific parts of it. Common hardwoods you will find in stores is oak, walnut, cherry, and ash.

Is Plywood Furniture Worth the Investment?

Plywood is considered engineered hardwood that is formed with thin layers of solid wood on top of each other. A layer of stained and wood finish is applied in the final stage; this is also known as a veneer. What makes plywood an attractive option is that it can hold up in all kinds of climate. Also, it will cost you a fraction of a genuine solid wood piece. So, what are some of the drawbacks of investing in plywood furniture? The quality of plywood depends on the quality of the veneer used. A poor quality veneer often reveals a low-quality wood beneath the finish. Once it becomes damaged, the repair process can be complicated since the wood species, and the veneer is of different materials.

What is MDF?

Furniture labeled MDF, or Medium Density Fiberboard is derived from a combination of wood waste products and resin. MDF furnishing can be finished with a real wood layer or a non-wood laminate. MDF furniture is less expensive than plywood and solid wood pieces. Although it is budget-friendly, and it can be easily damaged and repairing it is very difficult.

When shopping for wood furniture, do your research. Take a close look at all of the products and compare their characteristics. Sometimes the quality of a piece will drive up the cost, but buying furniture is an investment.

Home staging is an incredibly useful tactic that interior designers use all of the time. Whether they are staging a model home, a newly remodeled home or helping sellers set up their home for the marketplace, staging your house can add value and increase appeal. For tips and tricks on staging your home, be sure to keep on reading!

Eliminate Clutter

You know those bins or boxes of packed items sitting in your living space; the ones that have to go but you have not had a chance to address. Before you begin designing your home, you want to start with a clean slate. That means any unwanted clothing taking up space in the closet, old furniture, and equipment that you no longer use. It is crucial to create a moveable environment for guests to be able to navigate the house without bumping into everything. Make sure you do not skip out on cleaning out the pantry, closet spaces, and the basement. Though often unseen, these areas can lead to hidden clutter.

Reorganize the Furniture

IIf upgrading to more stylish pieces is not in the budget, opt for organizing your existing furniture so that it complements the space. The right arrangement can make a room appear bigger. Play around with your furniture until you find the right angles. You may be surprised by what a new furniture layout can do for your room’s appearance.

Lighting

There is nothing that can make a home look super polished than a well-thought lighting scheme. Play up the natural lighting in a space by using sheer curtains or light drapes that allow the sun to stream into the room. Implement trendy lighting fixtures to brighten up corners and add extra light wherever you see fit.

Area of Interest

Whether it is the kitchen, living room, or the hallway, find an area in the home where you can create a focal point or an area of interest. A focal point will immediately grab the attention of guests. Plus, creating a focal point does not have to be expensive. A beautiful piece of artwork or using a patterned border around the walls can make a huge difference.

Thorough Cleaning

Before you invite guests, you should conduct a thorough cleaning of the interior. Polish the floors, organize the garage and basement and clean all of your surfaces. The purpose of home staging is to make your home look like a model home, something that is right from a home decor magazine.

Looking for more tips and tricks? Be sure to check out our blog hub here.

Traveling throughout the United States, many homes are influenced by diverse cultures and environments which are incorporated into their styling. If you have ever traveled to the southwest, you probably noticed a very distinct change in the housing styles. This Southwestern home styling is very common in New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. While not every home follows this styling, it has many advantages that help combat the American desert heat. This beautiful look is easy to capture with incorporating just a few simple elements:

Stucco

Where side vinyl and stone may be common practice elsewhere in the United States, stucco rules king in the southwest. Stucco is a plastering material used on the outside of homes. It is applied wet and dries into a decorative, durable coating. This exterior insulator can withstand extreme heats and does not crack. The look is considered southwestern and adds an artsy appeal to the home. Stucco can reduce noises from outside and has an extremely long lifespan.

Landscaping

When you visit the southwest, the first thing you will notice is the dramatic landscape and environmental changes. Instead of flourishing, green lawns, pride is found in the true rich nature of the desert. Incorporating rocks, stones, cacti, and desert shrubbery is a must. Southwestern homes also facilitate elements of dry creek rock beds, pergolas, and stucco privacy walls. While grass is considered a luxurious lawn amenity, you will see the pride in the brilliance of pebbled and clay landscaping. Concrete driveways and pools are also common in this Southwestern look.

Clay Roof Tiles

Traditionally, this Spanish and Mediterranean design was functional; it is also very beautiful. Soon it became more common in Southwestern homes. Clay roof tiles are renowned for their longevity and resistance to rot. They handle very well against extreme weathers, such as heat, monsoons, and frost. Requiring little maintenance makes this roofing system ideal for Southwestern homes.

Southwestern Style homes are very beautiful and cultural inspired. This style flourishes with aesthetic appeal and overall beauty. Enjoy the lifestyle these homes have to offer with their unique styling.