Q. My dining room is part of my living room (its a combo). Do u think my dining room furniture has to match the colors of my living room furniture, or can it be a different color scheme?
A. Since it is one room there should be something similar in the design or colours. Example..if you have espresso coloured tables in the livingroom, then a dark or espresso dining set would be nice with the same lines as the livingroom furniture. You can use the same curtains in both ends of the room, or pick up similar colours in art or photos on the wall, or use the same runners on tables..that sort of thing. You can be different, but if you are doing that, then make it a colour for example of the chair upholstry that will match well with the livingroom. Just keep something uniform between the two rooms to unify them.
Where can I get fairly good living room furniture, for a good price?
Q. hey im 20 and getting ready to move out of moms for not twice but the THIRD time ;p anways this time im living on my own without roomates, we rented really nice leather furniture last time.....but this time i dont want to go down that route again, where can i get GOOD cheap living room furniture/tv stands etc.?
A. You are going to get your best furniture for the money second-hand.
I used to sell new furniture and I was surprised to find the $3000.00 bedroom sets I was selling were attractive veneer over pressed wood. (A corner chipped from the footboard of the bed and exposed the pressed wood.)
I used to be in the antiques and collectibles biz and your best furniture for the money will be from the 1950's and before. It will be solid wood. The dresser drawers will have solid wood sides, backs, and bottoms. The back of the piece will often be wood, also. They may even have dovetailed construction attaching the sides of the drawers to the front of the drawer. Check out drawers nowadays. The sides and back are not wood, and neither is the back of the piece. They use this cardboardish stuff a lot of the time.
The dining tables will be solid wood, as will the cocktail and end tables. Find a piece with the shape or design you like. You can always spray paint it and/or change out the hardware. One or both of those two steps can completely transform a piece.
I had an incredibly unattractive chest of drawers once-they were in brown and yellow. I was going to get rid of it but before I did that, I examined it. It was superbly constructed-I just hadn't paid much attention to it because I had found it at a great price and bought it for resale. I re-did it for a child in my family in blue and white with pewter looking Winnie the Pooh hardware (knobs). It looked great.
You can get armoires from the 1940's that are sturdy and can be used for your TV and other electronics. (Make sure the sides and back can support the strong shelving you need.) Since they are not that old or valuable you don't have to feel badly about drilling holes in the back (for the cords) or installing shelves. Dealers order this furniture from England in big shipping cartons. Find someone who does that-you can probably get the piece for $150 or less. You can change out the piece later and install bookshelves or as a hanging closet (it's original use) if you choose to.
Another TV stand option is a sofa table, cocktail table, or chest of drawers. The drawers can be used to store music and DVDs. You can paint it a flat black and put silver or pewter hardware on the drawers for a contemporary look. You can even put a piece of clear glass or mirror on top for more sparkle.
Thrift stores, garage sales, consignment shops and even the curb (you can't believe what I have found on people's curbs that they were discarding) are all good furniture options. Think outside the box, look at the lines of the furniture and what it can be, not what it currently looks like. (That's what paint is for). Avoid cheap furniture-anything of pressed wood or with pseudo wood grain on it.
Note: There are some specific techniques to spray painting:
1-Initially shake the can upside-down for three minutes. I know it is boring but it makes a difference.
2-Do not try to cover the piece in the first coat. Each coat must be light. The first coat will leave much of the original finish showing. Count on at least three coats. Four if it is a surface that will get handled or used a lot. Shake often. If you get impatient and coat it too heavily, it will run. Not attractive and easily avoided with care and patience.
3-Unless it is a small,inexpensive, decorative piece that will rarely get handled, don't buy the cheapest spray paint at $1.00 per can. There is a quality difference. The more expensive paints have more pigment and cover better.
Good luck with your new place.
You'll have more success if you don't worry about furnishing it instantly and take your time looking. Great things will pop up if you are patient.
It does not have to be done in one week or even a month.
If your room seems empty as you are looking for furniture, add a couple of large trees or plants to the space. Tell people you are going for the minimalist look :)
Where to buy living room furniture on budget?
Q. I am going to medical school and am buying my first condo. I have saved substantially for this moment, but I am by no means rich. I will be renting out a room in the condo to pay the billls. The point is, I don't have a lot of money. Where can I buy living room furniture on a budget? I've tried rooms-to-go. Any other suggestions??
A. Ikea often has very cheap but good and fashionable furniture. You could also try a local Salvation Army thrift store or one run by a similar charity.
Certain pieces can be got on the cheap from places like Target - they may not sell couches and armchairs, but they have cheap and durable coffee tables, shelves and TV stands.
I'd also suggest yard sales and a local classified ad section, and asking friends if they have any furniture to get rid of. Look also for estate sales.
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