Accent furniture is a statement piece that stands out from the rest of the room by adding colour, definition, or drama to a living space. It’s a perfect way to add some personality to your home with new colours, textures, or shapes. Plus, accent chairs are versatile enough to be used anywhere such as in your lounge, bedroom, office, hallway – or perhaps a quiet nook where you might like to take a seat and have a few minutes of peace.

So, in the hunt to find your perfect accent chair, we’ve pulled together some things to consider…

How will I use it?

Alexander chair | Henley tallboy

If you’re creating a reading nook, then depending on the space, you might want a chair that is a little bigger to relax in. If the chair is to be a focal point in your living room and is likely to be used quite regularly then you could consider something that reclines, or perhaps team it with a matching footstool for a bold style statement.

In the bedroom, a chair can create a cosy ambience but probably needs to be a bit smaller to allow free movement around the room. Likewise, for a hallway or any other high-traffic area in your home, a smaller, more compact chair would be most suitable.

You could also use your accent chairs as extra seating for your dining table. The perfect way to cater for additional or unexpected guests, without the need to have spare dining chairs stored away or having to get the wobbly stool out of the cupboard! Ensure that you select firm, sturdy chairs that are the correct height for the table to allow your guests to reach the table comfortably – as a guide, a chair that has a seat 16-18 inches from the floor works best.

What colour armchair should I choose?

Harris chair | Richmond nest of tables

Now here comes the most fun part of choosing new furniture.

Since you want your accent chair to create visual interest in a room, it’s a good idea to choose something that contrasts with the existing decor – think ‘opposites attract’. If you have a room that is full of colour or pattern, then choosing a simple plain piece can add variation and depth.

Alternatively, if your room is decorated in a more muted style, a striking chair that picks out a colour or tone in the room can bring a pop of colour. Or throw total caution to the wind and choose a colour that is completely different to make a statement. In a nutshell, when it comes to colour there are no rules, anything goes!

Do I need to consider the fabric?

Aside from colour, it’s also worth considering the fabric you choose. If the room has a lot of woven fabrics, perhaps a leather chair would offer a bit of variety and provide a durable, hardworking solution for busy rooms. Similarly, if leather isn’t your thing,why not go for a plush velvet to add an interesting texture?

How do I pick a style of armchair?

Halle chair

As you have probably guessed, we favour contrasting our accent furniture with the rest of the room, whether that be through colour, fabric, or even style. A modern, fresh, and minimal room will look fantastic with a traditional wingback or curvaceous chair in a paired back colour, adding an interesting silhouette to the room. When it comes to choosing accent furniture, then the possibilities are endless!

We’d love to see how you use accent pieces in your home. Don’t forget to share your photos with us by tagging us on Instagram or using #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome.

The post How to choose an accent chair 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.

Even if you’re pinching pennies, there are plenty of simple but really beautiful ways you can uplift your home. Here are our easy tips for decorating with minimal fuss.

Reorganise your home

Decluttering will improve the quality of your space and mark a new beginning. This is a simple way to start, but it will have a huge impact on your entire home. You may wish to make some physical changes here too; install open shelving for both functional and display purposes or invest in new pieces that won’t break the bank. Browse our smart storage options like slimline tallboys for tricky spaces or multipurpose blanket boxes that can double up as a window seat.

Make bookcases beautiful

We love bookcases because they’re not only useful, but they also have gorgeous display capacities. Order books by the colour of their spine rather than in typical A-Z fashion for a dazzling ombre effect. You can also line the interior of the bookcase with wallpaper to make yours one-of-a-kind.

Copenhagen small bookcase

Recalibrate

While you don’t necessarily need to reorder your life to adhere to the principles of feng shui, it won’t hurt to press reset on your home decor. Try moving things from room-to-room and make pieces that are usually tucked away in more private spots, like the bedroom, the focal points of communal rooms and spaces.

Looking to channel your home redesign energy into your bedroom?

Be open to the possibilities of paint

You don’t need to be a Picasso to paint your home, nor do you need to splurge on a decorating team to get elbows deep for you. If you’re a DIY novice, enlist the help of a friend or partner and tackle the task together. Make the job uncomplicated; paint a feature wall, the skirting boards, or even a two-tone wall. If you’re feeling confident enough then you could undertake the ‘fifth wall’ – the ceiling! A fresh lick of paint can have transformative effects on the rest of the room.

Bevel king-size bed | Hercules side table

Upcycle

Similarly, you can repaint ageing but beloved pieces of furniture to give them a new lease of life. Reinvigorate their original coat or try a whole new shade to totally reinvent the piece.

You can also use new materials to recover upholstery that you’ve become a bit bored of. This technique requires precision, but works a treat on sofas, armchairs or accent chairs. If you don’t have much experience, try practising by making new cushion covers with eye-catching prints or textural materials like velvet.

Check out our living room ideas on a budget for more expert home style advice that won’t break the bank.

Refresh soft furnishings

Speaking of soft furnishings, updating yours is not only incredibly easy, but it’s a cheap update in the grand scheme of things. For example, a new area rug can shake up the whole room’s appearance and introduce a refreshed colour palette for you to bounce off. Alternatively, you can craft your own dining table runner with spare fabrics that you might have lying around.

Orrick king-size bed | St. Ives bedside table

Tap into tile

You don’t need to retile the entirety of your kitchen or bathroom – you could make a feature of the backsplashes around the hob or sink, or make the area around the shower a prime focus. Either way, refurbishments like these could be the small refreshes that your home is crying out for.

If you’re not feeling that brave, then tile paint could be a simpler alternative to revamping your space.

If you want some home design tips specific for your budget, check out the blog where we breakdown what’s realistically possible for what you want to spend.

Renovate your windows

Unsightly curtains can have a hugely unpleasant effect on an otherwise lovely interior design scheme. Maybe you’ve always wanted to change yours; if you’ve got a little more room in your budget, you might want to install French shutters, a fresh set of blinds or billowing curtains. If you’ve got less cash to work with, even a new trim can completely alter the appearance of curtains.

DIY displays

Original art and prints – though an incredible addition to any room – are often not very budget-friendly. Instead, frame old magazine covers for your bathroom or last year’s calendar pages in the hallway, giving paper destined for the recycling bin a new use. Otherwise, give your kids’ artwork pride of place over the dining room table or have family, friends and guests contribute to a hilarious Polaroid wall.

Brindle small sideboard

Don’t forget the details

Even slighter changes come in the form of replacing handles on cupboards and drawers – this is a great way to personalise key features of your home without making any drastic updates. You can also swap out lampshades for a similar effect. You’ll be surprised how minor details can give your decor a whole new look.

Hopefully you enjoyed our tips, and are ready to give your home a well-needed thrifty uplift! And make sure to show us your new home updates over on Instagram, using #OakFurnitureland.

The post Home decor updates on a budget 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.

Show us in your oriental inspired bedroom decor using #oakfurnitureland on Instagram!

The post Oriental Décor in a Modern Bedroom appeared first on Oak Furnitureland Blog.