Whether you love canary brights, muted mustards, rich golden tones or delicate pastels, there’s a yellow that works for your interior style. Read on to discover top tips for embracing this optimistic shade.

Which rooms work best with yellow?

Morgan sofa | @poursomecolouronme

Because yellow is such an upbeat and happy colour, it’s always best to use it in rooms where you want to add extra energy. However, yellow can quickly overwhelm the senses, so if you’re just beginning to experiment with this shade, start with smaller doses by introducing accessories, artwork or soft furnishings before moving on to walls or larger pieces of furniture.

Using yellow in the living room

Oliver sideboard | Harris chair

In a living room, a bright yellow accent chair or sofa can inject a pop of colour, creating a striking contrast against dark wood furniture or adding warmth to cool-toned walls.

Hope wall art | @nouk.home

If you’re unsure about bright seating, accessorise a simple beige sofa with vibrant yellow cushions. Bring the look together with a yellow floor lamp and wall art that complements the colour palette, creating a cohesive interior scheme that’s filled with energy.

Inca corner sofa | @morkily

If you enjoy decorating with the seasons in mind, choose accessories that are easy to update, such as cushions, throws, candles, and vases in different yellow tones. Mustard shades add warmth in the autumn and winter months, while brighter yellows bring a sunny finishing touch in spring and summer.

Using yellow in a hallway

Original Rustic console table | @stylishhomesearch

In an entranceway, bold yellow walls might feel too intense, or a lack of natural light could prevent this colour from reaching its full potential. Instead, keep the look subtle and airy by choosing some brightly coloured yellow flowers or unique lighting to create a warm welcome. This happy shade, even in small doses, is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face!

Using yellow in the bedroom

Parquet bedside table | @home_of_roberts

When adding yellow into your bedroom, consider a statement wall colour or wallpaper, a bold headboard, or rich curtains to combine with softer shades to create an intriguing yet restful look that’s anything but boring.

Copenhagen chest of drawers | @renovating_wynd_house

A yellow accent chair, small sofa, or chaise can add a fun and engaging touch to a children’s bedroom, perfect for reading time. Draw on this lively shade for inspiration when selecting art to decorate the walls — tying the whole space together effortlessly.

Bevel bedside table | @myhomeat122

For a calming look, opt for tactile textiles, such as cushions or throws in your preferred shade of yellow to add a touch of vibrancy. Combine with more soothing, restful colours to keep the room relaxed for when you are ready to unwind.

Using yellow in the dining room

Dorset dining set | @acton.life.and.home

Brighten up your dining space with cheerful yellow accents that evoke warmth and positivity. Even something as simple as a vase filled with fresh daffodils or vibrant sunflowers can instantly lift the mood and create a welcoming atmosphere. Whether used as a centrepiece on your dining table or styled on a sideboard, yellow florals add a fresh and optimistic touch to the space.

Parquet dining table | @thelightshesees

For an inviting tablescape, take inspiration straight from the kitchen by incorporating food-themed elements that feel both stylish and fun. Lemon-inspired tableware is a popular choice, bringing vibrant pops of yellow that instantly energise the space. Pair citrus-printed napkins, plates, or even the real thing with blue or natural woven placemats for a touch of escapism. This citrus-inspired decor adds a playful charm, perfect for brunches, summer dinners, or simply brightening everyday meals.

How will you be using yellow in your home? We’d love to see! Share your snaps with us using #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome on Instagram. For more yellow interior inspiration, check out our blog post about Dulux colour of the year, True Joy.

The post How to decorate with yellow appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

It doesn’t have to be back-breaking or time-consuming, just follow these spring cleaning hacks from influencers and experts and you’ll have a spotless home in no time.

What is the fastest way to clean a house?

Newton coffee table | @livingwith_sienna

We all want to spend less time on housework and more time doing the things we love. The best way to spend less time cleaning is to keep on top of it in the first place, with storage organisation and quick daily cleaning sessions that maintain your house on a regular basis. That said, there are ways to speed up the process if you’re not starting from an already clean jumping-off point.

Tackle the worst thing in each room first to get it out of the way and make the biggest impact. Taking care of that will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to carry on.

How do I deep clean my house like a pro?

Highgate triple wardrobe | @somerford_manor

Professional cleaners use certain tricks of the trade to consistently get homes to look and smell fantastic. Their number one tip is to declutter first, then work from top to bottom as you clean. If you start by tackling ceiling cobwebs and dusty high shelves, any dirt and debris will be shifted to the floor, where it can be picked up by sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping as your last step.

In addition to moving from top to bottom, the pros also work in sections. They move from the back of the room to the front or visually divide the room up by pieces of furniture. By focusing on just one area at a time, they can clean it effectively and move on to the next section efficiently.

Cleaning hacks for kitchens

St. Ives dining set | @athomewiththepurcells

Start with your hob as it’s often the worst part. To clean grease off a flat-top hob, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda across the surface and lay lukewarm damp tea towels over it to soak. After about 15 minutes, you can use the tea towel to wipe off the bicarbonate of soda and all of the loosened grime.

Plus, the tea towels can go straight in the washing machine with any other load, as there aren’t any harmful chemicals involved in this cleaning hack. A similar method can be used to clean your oven as well, all you need to add to the soda is some vinegar and dish soap for this handy TikTok tip.

How to clean Tupperware

If you want to reuse greasy plastic take away boxes or have Tupperware that’s stained and difficult to clean, then you need to try this TikTok hack from @uzy-au. Just put some hot water, a pump or two of soap and a piece of kitchen roll in the box. Then close the lid, shake it around for 30 seconds, and voilà, they’re now beautifully cleaned ready for a rinse and dry, and then perfect for storing leftovers.
Keeping your cleaning clean…

Make sure you’re not spreading germs around the kitchen with a dirty sponge. Put a damp kitchen sponge in the microwave for 90 seconds to disinfect it. Studies show this will reduce bacteria by up to 99%. This trick saves you creating a small pile of sponges from just one clean while still keeping your home as germ-free as possible.

Easy ways to remove limescale

If you’re worried about the chemicals in traditional limescale removers, this might be a great alternative to try. Buy a large bottle of lemon juice or white wine vinegar, and every time your kettle needs descaling, fill it up halfway with either solution and boil it. Leave to cool and if there is still some limescale left, repeat the process again. Once you’re happy with the results, empty and boil it once or twice more with tap water and you’re all ready to go.

If you live in a hard water area, adding some white vinegar to your dishwasher will also prevent your glasses from getting mineral build-up, which can often be difficult to remove.

Cleaning hacks for bathrooms

Pexels | Karolina Grabwoska

Stay on top of your bath or shower cleaning with weekly wipe downs. Ideally, you want to quickly remove limescale and soap residue before they build up. However, if you’re too busy for a daily clean, you can tackle the hard-to-shift limescale using WD-40 as demonstrated by @rubycleansthings on TikTok.

Use what’s at hand

If you want to fit in some more regular cleans but don’t want to store cleaning products in the bathroom, then this surprising hack might be for you. Some experts say shaving foam works great for breaking down the limescale on shower glass. Just pop it on, wait 15 minutes and wash it off.

Go eco without the effort

If you’re trying to stick to eco or DIY products (or just don’t have time to nip to the shops) try this lemon and salt hack. Dip half a lemon in salt and scrub the limescale residue. The acid of the lemon and the abrasive salt work together to break it up. As a bonus, your shower will smell lemony-fresh too.

A bath of bicarbonate

We’ve already talked about how useful a dash of bicarbonate of soda can be when it comes to effective cleaning hacks around the home, so this one might not come as a surprise.

If there is a stain or build-up you just can’t get rid of, then try this trick. Just mix some washing up liquid with bicarbonate of soda and sponge it onto those hard to shift areas. Give it 10-20 minutes and then rinse it off, and you should be left with a sparkling clean bath.

Cleaning hacks for living rooms

Morgan sofa | @51stinthemanor

Living rooms are the cosiest room in the house, but they’re also a magnet for dust and hair. It’s easy to forget to clean fabrics as well as furnishings, but make sure you give your sofas, blinds, lamps and cushions the attention they deserve. Use a lint roller or vacuum brush attachment to clean them properly.

When it comes to cleaning your sofa, consider investing in a carpet cleaner or renting one to give it that extra fresh spruce. And, if you’re looking for the products you need to take proper care of your sofas, check out our fabric and leather care kits.

Cleaning hacks for bedrooms

Parquet bedside table | @new_build_forever_home

Your bed is one of the largest pieces of furniture in your home, and it’s where you’ll spend a good chunk of your time. Although we change and wash our bedding regularly, most of us overlook the mattress itself.

Freshen up your mattress on a monthly basis by sprinkling bicarbonate of soda on it and allowing it to sit for a few hours. When you vacuum up the bicarbonate of soda, it will have soaked up any odours and made them disappear.

How to get fresh sheets everyday

We all love that feeling of getting into freshly washed sheets, but there’s a surprisingly easy hack that can help give you that feeling every day. Buy some fresh smelling tumble dryer sheets, and pop one or two under your bed sheet in a place you don’t sleep on (like the top corner). This will give a faint but refreshing scent to your sheets for longer.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that if you make the bed as soon as you wake up, it might actually be better to wait and let it cool before doing so. Studies have found that an unmade bed could help get rid of dust mites and potentially reduce allergy or asthma symptoms. While not conclusive, you could try making your bed towards the end of the morning instead of the beginning and see if it makes a difference.

Cleaning hacks for dining rooms

Parquet dining table | @hausfifteen

In most households, the dining room has become a central hub for family life. In recent times it’s become truly multi-functional as a home office, a home work and crafting station and more. As it’s such a hive of activity, the dining room’s biggest challenge is being adaptable and tidy enough to accommodate all of these different purposes.

When it comes to cleaning your dining room, the top-to-bottom rule applies here. Dust cobwebs and light fixtures, cabinets and wall art, and then move on to the table, and finally hoover right at the end.

If you’ve got young kids or just love a good cocktail party, it’s easy for fabric dining room chairs to get messy. If you’ve run out of a proper fabric care kit, you could always try using fabric upholstery spray for cars, as this is often extra tough on stains. Watch @daysharae’s TikTok tying this to see just how impressive the results are. If it doesn’t remove the stain the first time, you might just need to do another round, so don’t give up.

Ready for a full spring declutter?

Malvern Sofa | @_homebyalessia

Let your pre-loved pieces find a new purpose with the help of our British Heart Foundation partnership which offers a complimentary furniture collection service. Schedule a slot at your convenience, and let the local heroes from BHF whisk away your items to be resold and raise money for this incredible charity.

We hope these cleaning hacks are useful for giving your space a new year refresh. If you’re loving how these hacks make your space look and feel, share images with us by tagging #OakFurnitureland on Instagram. We can’t wait to see your homes sparkle!

The post Simple steps to a spring clean appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

While duck egg blue is a year-round favourite, it leads the pack as one of spring’s favourite hues. Read on to discover different ways to incorporate this peaceful shade into your home decor.

Highgate bed | Highgate bedside table | @our_skelton_in_the_meadow

Combining duck egg blue with similar shades is one of the most effective ways of using this colour when styling your home or choosing your decor. Delicate greens or turquoise tones work particularly well with this shade, creating a tranquil look that’s perfect for your living room or bedroom. Or opt to team with inky blues for a more dramatic look that’s still tranquil enough for a bedroom.

Parquet large sideboard | @roseontherow

It also contrasts beautifully with rose pink for decor that radiates pastel perfection. If you’re wary of going overboard on this pastel pairing, opt for subtle touches in accessories such as lamps, artwork or picture frames.

Brompton bed | @a_house_and_its_chows

For a fresh look, embrace a more coastal style by combining it with white painted furniture. We love this peaceful calming bedroom scheme that features duck egg wall panelling and coordinating cushions and decorative accessories that bring the look together seamlessly.

Detroit console table

Our dark-stained Detroit range teams perfectly with a duck egg backdrop and instantly softens the space. Use houseplants to add a refreshing pop of green that finishes off the look in style.

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to use duck egg blue in your home. How will you be using it? We’d love to see! Share your snaps with us using #OakFurnitureland on Instagram!

The post How to decorate with duck egg blue appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

Whether your style is bold and dramatic or elegant and subtle, steeped in period details or on the cutting edge of contemporary design, you can find a colour that works beautifully with our oak furniture and painted ranges with oak tops.

If you’re struggling to grasp which colours to team with your oak furniture, read on for plenty of ideas and real homes to inspire you.

Consider oak’s undertones

Romsey chest of drawers | @athomewithellesmith

Let’s first look at oak as a natural product. More often than not, oak furniture will have warm undertones, from subtle reddish hues to deeper yellow tones.

Stain colours will affect the final look and so darker shades tend to deepen those undertones, bringing out the reddish quality of oak. While paler and more natural waxes tend to bring out tinges of yellow or orange. Either way, you’re working with a warmer undertone.

When pairing this warmth with other colours, you have two very different choices. By working with similar undertones, you’ll be bringing out the natural warmth of wood. By contrasting it with cooler undertones, you’ll be creating more contrast in your space.

Saturation plays a role as well. From deep, dramatic shades to bold brights, soft neutrals and subtle pastels, each brings with it a chance to bring out oak’s best qualities. Here are some ideas to recreate in your own home:

Dramatic contrasts

Parquet sideboard | @atnumberfourteen_

For those who like their furniture to stand out, consider choosing an opaque colour to go with your oak furniture. Natural textures look beautiful against a backdrop of darker shades such as aubergine, navy or forest green.

If you don’t want to commit to painting your walls, choose bold accessories to add a bit of contrast, or opt for our darker painted ranges with natural or rustic oak tops to introduce statement colour in your furniture.

Soft neutrals

Dorset dining table | @thehouseofmatilda

If you prefer a subtler approach, look for colours that share similar earthy undertones with your oak furniture. Warmer beiges and taupe shades will allow your pieces to blend in, making your room appear larger and more open.

Use accessories to provide texture and subtle contrast to ensure the room still has character. Woven baskets, knotted rugs and knitted fabrics will add depth to a neutral scheme without taking away from a softer look.

Bold and bright

Parquet bedside table | @aliceincolour

When working with bold colour, oak furniture can be a perfect pairing. While darker shades will give a room a cosy vibe, more saturated hues create energy and life in a space.

Colours like cherry red, ochre yellow, lime green or rusty orange will bring out those warm hues in oak for a zesty palette that warms up a space. With cooler brights like vivid blue, deep teal or raspberry reds, oak will add warmth to these spaces, balancing out the cooler palette and grounding the overall look.

Pastel perfection

 Original Rustic coffee table

Natural, light oak finishes blend beautifully with pastel shades to create a relaxed and airy feel in your home. Introduce decorative details in delicate pinks, yellows and duck egg blues to add subtle colour that brings grown-up style to any room.

If you’re looking for more contrast with your pastel tones or want to give your space a more traditional feel, then rustic and deeper oak finishes are perfect for you.

Monochrome magic

Bevel bedside table | @ourhomeine4

Crisp white walls teamed with oak furniture creates the perfect balance of contemporary style. Adding warmth to an otherwise stark scheme, the pairing works particularly well when accented with black accessories, such as throws, candles, and artwork, to give a subtle nod to monochrome palettes.

Hopefully this has given you plenty of scope to start your decor journey. Discover our full ranges of natural oak and rustic oak furniture to find the perfect piece for your home.

We’d love to see which colours you have teamed with your oak furniture. Share your style by tagging us at #OakFurnitureland on Instagram.

The post How to match colours with oak furniture appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

Banish the cold

Romsey large sideboard | @herandhers_

In the summer, our home is filled with natural light that adds brightness and warmth, complementing homes painted in cool colours, or bright whites. However, in winter months as the light changes, the lack of natural light can change these colours, making your space feel cold and gloomy. To help banish that chilly feeling, incorporate brighter and warmer tones that can help to combat the starkness, such as peach or rose pink.

If you prefer a dark colour scheme, then make sure to incorporate some pattern or texture. A dark room with no texture can make any room seem cold and dull, and this is only worse during the winter months. Adding in thick weave fabrics, velvet textures and pops of colour or pattern in a rug or feature wall can instantly brighten up the space.

On the bright side

Original Rustic coffee table | @walcot_home

For darker homes that feel even darker during the winter, there are some simple ways to brighten things up. Decluttering is a great way to tidy up and make your house feel lighter and brighter. Arrange items that you particularly love on shelves to create a tidier display that doesn’t make the house feel dim and dark.

Another great idea for dark houses is to avoid over-covering the windows. Heavy curtains can block out lots of light, even when they’re open so choose a slightly longer curtain pole so you have the option to avoid obstructing the window. You could also switch to blinds or more lightweight curtains to let more light in and brighten up the house. You should also avoid placing anything in front of the windows that may block light, such as furniture, or bushes or trees on the outside.

Reflective surfaces add warmth and light, so introducing these into your house is key. Do this in subtle ways, for example, with mirrors, mirrored photo frames or lamp bases, or even reflective fittings on kitchen or bathroom cupboards. But don’t overdo it! Too many mirrored surfaces can feel cold and clinical, so make sure to balance this out with warm toned and soft textured accessories.

Let there be light

Parquet bedside table | @atnumberfourteen_

When it comes to brightening up your home over the dark winter months, adding extra sources of light can be a quick and easy solution.

Don’t simply rely on harsher, overhead lighting. While this may be ideal for daytime working or studying, you’ll want to add lighting at different layers for different rooms and activities.

When it comes to the kitchen or bathrooms, you’ll want task lighting. Opt for LED strips beneath upper kitchen cabinets or around a bathroom mirror for perfect lighting without harsh bright light.

For living room and bedroom areas, however, you’ll want to opt for cosier lighting such as wall lights, lamps, and candles. Layer your lighting with lamps at differing heights and levels, and cater it to your room. Pop a tall floor lamp in the corner of your living or bedroom to create a cosy reading nook, and place table lamps at the side of your sofa or bed for warmer evening light.

Choose warmer lights

When choosing your lighting, you’ll want to offset colder, bluer tones as much as possible to create a warm, bright and inviting atmosphere. Opt for lampshades that help to diffuse light, and swap out any cool white bulbs that provide light like those often used in fluorescent tubes.

Lighting tips from the experts

If you’re not familiar with light bulbs beyond your normal choice of an incandescent bulb, there are so many options nowadays that it can be tricky to find exactly what you’re looking for. To help you out, we teamed up with experts The Lightbulb Company to give you a quick and easy guide to choosing the right light bulbs for your space. Here are a couple of things to look out for:

1. Correlated Colour Temperature (CCT)

CCT is a scale that ranges from cool or blue light like sunlight, to warm like candle light. It indicates what shade of white the light bulb will be. Check the packaging of your bulbs to find the CCT rating. While colour temperature names differ from brand to brand, the actual number is often more helpful than relying on the descriptor alone.

2. Lumens

Lumens indicate the brightness level of a light bulb. The level of brightness you need depends on the room you’ll place it in and the type of tasks you will be performing under them:

800 lumens or higher for reading and other focus-intensive tasks
400 lumens for general lighting
100-200 lumens is perfect for entertaining

If you’d like to maintain some flexibility with your lighting, The Lightbulb Company recommends getting a brighter bulb that is dimmable or comes with three-step dimming built in, so that you can have a range of brightness levels even in lamps without dimming capabilities.

3. Colour Rendering Index (CRI)

CRI rating indicates how accurately a light bulb renders colours on a scale from 0 (very poorly) to 100 (as accurately as daylight). Look out for light bulbs with a CRI rating of at least 80.

This may not seem overly important if you’re not colour matching shades for a design project, but it can make a big difference to light quality – something that’s important when displaying artwork – and makes it easier to do things like reading.

Now that you know what to look for when choosing your bulbs, you can change your lighting to match the mood and feel you’re trying to create in your home.

You should now be ready to brighten up your home and if you need more inspiration, find plenty more winter-themed posts on our blog. And, make sure to tag us on Instagram using #OakFurnitureland to show us how you style your pieces!

The post How to brighten up your home this winter appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

Could your bedroom do with a refresh? From colour inspiration to organising your furniture, we have the best tips and tricks to help you avoid any design mistakes and create a bedroom with the perfect feel for you. 

Bedroom colour scheme inspiration

Brooklyn bed | Hove bedside table

Unsure of where to start on your design journey? A well-chosen colour scheme will set the stage for your bedroom. From bold bursts of colour to neutral tones, when choosing your colour scheme, it’s important to think about how to pair it with the remainder of the room. 

How to style your bedroom

Once you have your chosen colour palette, it’s time to think about styling. Opulent and indulgent, or cute and cosy? Choosing functional furniture that will work for you and your family can be a difficult task. 

Ideas for small bedrooms

Romsey double bed | Brindle chest of drawers

If you’re working with a small bedroom, finding the right furniture in line with your design ideas and room configuration can be a feat. Thinking of how best to multipurpose furniture and storage, as well as placements of accessories such as mirrors and lighting, can be a huge help. 

Organising and accessorising

Bed styling

When it comes to choosing accessories for your bed, it can prove a challenge. As the focal point of your room, it’s important to make your bed stand out, including the little details. From the seemingly simple choice of duvets and pillows, cushions and throws, to patterns and textures, you want to find the happy medium between cosy and warm, and bold and beautiful. 

Before letting yourself loose on the design scheme, take a look at some advice on how to best mix and match your bedding, as well as some innovative ways to style your bed that will be sure to spark your creativity. 

Organising

Detroit dressing table

As the centrepiece of your sleep space, it’s important for your bed to take the spotlight. Yet that doesn’t mean you can forget about the rest of your room. Having an organised and uncluttered room will contribute towards the calm and ensure a restful nights sleep; some even say just making your bed in the morning makes for a more successful day! 

Budget and decorating advice

Working to a short-time frame or a restricted budget? A quick turn around is completely possible, and simply changing a few aspects can spruce up your bedroom in just a couple of days. Whether it’s the walls, the floors or some accessories, read on for some advice on how to transform your bedroom in 48 hours.

Equally, revamping your bedroom doesn’t necessarily need to be a complete overhaul. Breathe some life to your room with some plants, or get luxurious with some layered throws, as advised in our tips for achievable and affordable bedroom ideas.

Optimising your sleep

Now that you have made your room a sanctuary, turn your attention to enhancing your sleep. A beautiful room will create the ideal ambience, but choosing the right bed and mattress is crucial to driving better sleep, and therefore a happier and healthier lifestyle. If you’re unsure of what it is you need, take a look at our guide to buying a bed, and the telltale signs that it might be time for a new mattress.

Ready to transform your bedroom with some beautiful furniture? Take a look at the versatile and stylish ranges available today.

Already in the process of transforming your space? Make sure to share your before and afters with us on Instagram, using #OakFurnitureland to share your new rooms.  

The post Tips to update your bedroom appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

As such, a fresh palette of cool blues and calming greys paired with warm, natural pieces creates a mindful space for us to thrive. We’ve pulled together all the inspiration and tips you need to create the fresh start look for stylish pared-back calm in your home this year.

Fresh start living room

For the ultimate in relaxation, consider a sofa that wraps around your room, making use of every inch of space. A grey corner sofa is a perfect choice for a fresh palette when combined with tonal hues of blue, black and grey.

When you are working with a limited colour palette such as this, texture and pattern come into their own so consider a mix-and-match approach with mismatched cushions, contemporary patterned wallpaper and a cosy rug underfoot to add dimension, interest and comfort to your living room.

Looking for more tips on styling your living room? Check out our post on creating a bright and cosy space here.

Fresh start dining room

In the dining room, consider layering soft shades of grey in your finishes rather than stark brilliant white for a feeling of calm and serenity. Our Shay extending dining table combines two features of this fresh start look – a creamy painted base with an oak table top which gives the room warmth and a natural texture.

This style benefits from artisanal pieces where quality is revered and imperfection is welcomed so look out for table settings where the hand of the maker is evident and natural finishes are celebrated.

Fresh start bedroom

Shay king-size bed | Romsey dressing table / Romsey dressing table mirror / Romsey bedside table

Pull the fresh start look into your bedroom with an easy mix of finishes including our painted Shay bed alongside our Romsey range of solid oak furniture. Layers of linens create an inviting display so be sure to include luxe linens in tonal shades with cobalt blue, deep teal and dove greys.

Shay king-size bed  | Romsey bedside table

The layers don’t need to stop at the bed. Consider topping a natural carpet with a contrasting throw rug to add colour and texture and bring in a few natural touches like simple fresh flowers on the dressing table or on your bedside table.

Fresh start kitchen storage

Romsey large dresser

Finally, this calm look benefits from plenty of storage options and our Romsey dresser makes use of any vertical space you may have in the kitchen or dining areas. Bring nature indoors with potted houseplants and plenty of woven textures in baskets to make storage both practical as well as pretty.

With both open and closed storage, allow your own pieces to shine by decanting dry goods into clear jars and stacking cookbooks into the open shelving. Everyday dishes can also be easily reached while the large surface area allows an extra spot for prep, display and serving.

The post How to create a fresh and calming look at home appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

However, if you are yearning for the cottage style in your own home, you certainly don’t have to have a period property to enjoy it. Every home – even a new-build – can enjoy this easy-to-live-with, charming and forgiving country cottage look simply by incorporating all the classic elements of cottage style.

Classic Styles

Shay Dining Set & Shay Small Dresser

One of the most charming aspects of country style is its collected nature. Mixing classic and traditional details is a must, grounding the space in timelessness. Look out for pieces – either new or old – with elements that hark back to centuries-old tradition.

Pale and Airy Colours

Shay Double Bed, Shay Bedside Table, Shay Blanket Box, Shay Double Wardrobe & Shay Drawer Chest

Generally speaking, cottages tend to have lower ceilings and smaller windows. In order to keep things bright and cheerful, keep your palette light and airy, mixing creams and whites with soft pinks, duck egg blue, mint greens or buttercup yellow.

Comfortable Deep Sofas and Chairs

Gainsborough Sofa, Original Rustic Lamp Table & Original Rustic Large Sideboard

There’s no room in cottage style for stiff or unforgiving furniture. Give in to comfort by choosing sofas and chairs with deep seats, plush arms and comfy backs to sink in and relax a while.

Painted Furniture

Kemble Dining Set, Kemble Large Dresser & Kemble Small Sideboard

One of the most common elements of cottage style is painted furniture. While the popular shabby chic look relies heavily on distressing, there’s a fine line between the shabby and the chic. So make sure you mix in some newer painted furniture alongside more distressed furniture to keep the look fresh and welcoming.

Floral Fabrics and Chevron Patterns

Kemble Side Table, Kemble Coffee Table & Kemble Tall Bookcase

For the perfect country cottage look, choose your fabrics wisely. Soft florals reminiscent of a country meadow work well with this look as do chevron patterns. Mix these with plain and textured fabrics in a mix of coordinating colours.

Flowers and Plants

Bevel Drawer Chest

Of course, the country cottage look wouldn’t be complete without the inclusion of fresh flowers and greenery. Avoid the long-stem-red-roses grandeur and look out for flowers that could have been plucked from your back garden. Loosely arrange them in vintage pitchers or vases for an unfussy but perfectly pretty embellishment for your space.

Vintage Accents

French Farmhouse Dining Set

And finally, be sure to bring some personality into your country cottage look with vintage lighting, accents and accessories. Hit up your local charity shops or car boot sales (or your older relatives’ loft space!) for inexpensive pieces that add life and history to your room.

If you are looking for more cottage style inspiration, check out our blog post here!

Is this a look you love? We’d love to see how you’ve incorporated cottage style in your own home! Share with us over on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram!

The post How to Create a Cottage Style Home appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.

Asian-inspired décor highlights calm, peach and tranquillity – the perfect combination for a relaxing bedroom. From full-bloom florals to rich energising colours, if you are ready to get zen with Oriental-inspired décor in your home, today’s post will show you how to use these elements in a modern bedroom.

Mix and Match Style

Oriental décor takes its cues from various Asian cultures – from the simplicity and balance of Japanese styles to the more ornate and embellished Chinese offerings and even the explosion of colour and life found in Indian homes. While I would never recommend sticking rigidly to any ‘theme’, elements from any of these cultures can create a more worldly, curated look. I’d encourage you to dip in and out of what appeals most to you to create a look all your own.

Elements of Nature

Source: Diane Hill

One of the most prominent themes in Asian-inspired décor is nature. You will often see hand-painted cherry blossoms, birds and trailing leaves as a backdrop to a space and this is a wonderful way to create a nod to Oriental style in your space.

Combine it with more traditional or contemporary furniture and keep the colours more neutral, allowing the design to shine.

Balance

Source: Murals Wallpaper

In many Asian cultures, symmetry and balance are keys to creating a calm and tranquil space. Consider using matching bedside tables and lamps on each side of the bed for an understated elegance. Symmetry is easy for our brains to process and creates balance so take advantage of this trick for easy Oriental style.

Floral Motifs

Source: Swoon Worthy

Of course, you don’t have to stick with neutrals to create modern Oriental style. Consider a bold oriental-inspired wallpaper in a vivid hue and carry that look throughout your bedroom by using tones in the same colour family. In the bedroom above, a bold turquoise wallpaper is combined with a striking royal blue headboard in a more traditional style.

The eclectic mix of patterns could feel chaotic but sticking with a colour palette of blues throughout provides a sense of calm and makes it much easier to live with. If you wish to use a more saturated palette, consider choosing tonal shades to achieve a similar effect.

Oriental-style Furniture

And finally, consider more contemporary takes on traditional Oriental style furniture. You don’t need to fill your room with black lacquer to get the look – natural wood furniture gives a nod to Japanese culture of our Bevel range.

Using natural furniture keeps the look from appearing overly themed for the perfect balance of old and new.

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