5 Ways to Make Your Home the Comfy, Cozy Retreat You Need Right Now

For many, homes have become a catch-all space.

Almost everything — meetings, school, meals — happens in the same rooms. While we're living mostly at home, it’s natural to crave something that makes our days feel brighter, fresher, and less stressful.

Try these cozy home décor ideas to create a space that helps you find your calm. Keep in mind that what makes you and your family feel comfort is personal, so use these ideas as a starting point for turning your home into a comfy retreat from what is often a hectic world.

1) Warm It Up with Color

Cozy colors make even a large space feel snug and intimate. They wrap you in a warm hug as you enter the room, making you feel relaxed and rested.

These palettes tend to feature saturated tones and warm hues of orange, chocolate brown, caramel, and charcoal, but even cooler colors can feel cozy in their deeper hues like moss or navy. Adding these to your home will make every space feel welcoming.

Make a Pinterest or mood board that includes your favorite colors and images that make you feel warm, comforted, calm, and relaxed. Use this as your color inspiration.

You don’t have to repaint the walls, though - chances are these colors are already in your space. Just add some of the cozy touches below to emphasize your calm color palette.

2) Layer on the Texture

Be generous with layers of texture, mixing tweedy fabrics, fur, wood, or rattan. This brings depth and warmth into any room. Adding a wicker accent chair will immediately give a room warmth and depth.

Rugs are another attractive and quick way to add texture, so much so that we’ve devoted an entire section to area rugs below.

Blankets displayed on a ladder, a basket mindfully placed in a corner, or a mound of pillows on the bed can bring instant cozy comfort.

3) Soften the Space with Area Rugs

A quick and easy way to cozy up your home is to add softness with area rugs. Walking in the door, taking off your shoes, and relaxing at the end of the day is always a comforting feeling, but it’s even better when you step into a plush, fluffy rug. This not only amps up your style but also puts extra cushioning under your feet. You can also use the concept of layer here by placing a patterned design over a sisal rug.

4) Bring in Blankets, Throws, and Pillows

Keeping blankets, throws, and pillows handy not only looks comfy-cozy, it is comfy-cozy. Draping light blankets or large scarves over the arm or back of a sofa or chair keeps warmth in easy reach (not to mention adding tons of texture). You can easily wrap yourself up in a blanket and relax into soft pillows whenever the mood strikes.

Some think there is a limit to how many pillows you should place on a sofa or bed, but when you’re going for warm and cozy, it's up to you! Chenille, velvet, and faux fur are great options for both comfort and texture. The rich, luxurious vibe of these fabrics adds the perfect comfy touch.

5) Breathe in Comfort

Because scents are so closely attached to memories, they can affect your mood. You can easily make your space feel warm and comforting by using scents such as vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves. Other people find coffee, eucalyptus, or lavender soothing. Candles are the perfect way to liven the air with scents, and their soft glow also adds to the comforting ambiance.

Rich colors, plush pillows, and natural textures are just a few cozy home décor ideas that can create a space that helps you find your calm. This list is just the beginning - use it to spark your imagination and bring more comfort into your space.

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Baer's Interior Designers 2021 Trend Forecast

In 2020, feeling comfortable in your home became more important than ever. This trend will likely continue into the New Year. Home is where we work, relax, recharge, and spend quality time with family and friends. People want their homes to look and feel comfortable, so expect soft shapes, plush fabrics, and some traditional styles to return to living rooms and bedrooms. While inspiration blends with function in these spaces more than ever, there are other home décor trends our interior designers see coming our way. Here are some of the major trends we see for 2021.

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Browns and Beiges

One of the things we’ve seen again and again is a rising interest in browns and beiges. Bright sandy colors, warm taupes, and pretty khakis are all trending. Pretty much any earth tone is gaining popularity. It’s a shift from whites and grays, but still neutral. These colors also work well as accent colors, bringing warmth to white or gray palettes. So you don’t have to repaint all your walls to easily warm up a space.

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Expanding Outdoor Space

Homeowners are increasingly looking to expand their living space, and this means turning outdoor areas into places they can relax in comfort. You can feel the South Beach vibe with these super modern architectural pieces. This space is made for dining, lounging, and enjoying the ocean breeze.

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Harmony with Nature

Natural materials have been relevant for years, and that trend is going to continue. Wood, stone, glass, and metal still reign in interiors, and natural fabrics are chosen over synthetics. Especially popular will be unpainted stone textures, wood surfaces, ceramics, wicker furniture, and live plants. Decorative elements and prints will also echo this trend towards nature. Images of birds, animals, leaves, and flowers are being used in urban interiors. Intense floral prints and vivid tropical motifs in wallpaper and upholstery fabric will continue to surge in popularity.

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Multizone Kitchens

These days, homeowners want their kitchens to accommodate a variety of tasks. This means they are evolving past the traditional triangle shape and towards a work trapezoid that includes a variety of areas for all the action that takes place: baking, chopping, and prepping as well as drinks, snacks, and meals.

 

Metals Still Shine

Metal materials will continue their migration from kitchens and bathrooms into living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms. Warm metals such as copper, bronze, and brass are still popular, while cool silvers and blacks are rapidly becoming stylish. Metal lamps and coffee tables shine against plush upholstery and dark brown wood.

Individualization, of Course

It may seem counterintuitive, but the most important trend of 2021 is to ignore these trends and personalize the design to create a space that reflects your personality. In this individual approach, everything you love is concentrated, and your interests and tastes guide the design. 

This means your interior design isn’t limited to the framework of a particular style, but follows the needs and preferences of the people who occupy the space: you and your family.

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Best Furniture for Pet Owners

Can pet-friendly furniture and great style co-exist in your home? Absolutely! You may have to give up dreams of a velvet sofa or loose-weave area rug, but there are still plenty of great-looking fabrics and materials – even leather! – that are surprisingly forgiving when it comes to scratches, pet hair, odors and random accidents.

Here's what to look for if you’re in the market for new furniture that won’t get wrecked by your fur babies.

Choose Pet-friendly Upholstery Fabrics

Fabrics with high polyester, acrylic, or other synthetic material content should be your first line of defense for everyday spots. Most of these fabrics can be cleaned with an over-the-counter carpet or fabric cleaner instead of calling in the professionals. Just wipe with a damp cloth to clean, and remove pet hair with a dry microfiber cloth, pet sponge, lint brush or tape.

Convenient, but not sexy enough for your living room, you say? Read on.

Outdoor Fabrics

At Baer’s, we’re big fans of Sunbrella fabrics. The colorfast acrylic fabric was made to repel spots, spills and soil, but comes in beautiful colors and patterns that look and feel like high-end velvet or linen! Added bonus: you can take your cushions outside to clean with a hose.

Microfiber

Smooth and soft as suede, microfibers, including microsuede, are a tight weave of polyester fibers which are as much as 1/100th the diameter of a human hair (finer than silk!). This is a dream fabric for pet owners, because that soft, luxurious surface repels allergens and odors. Liquid spills bead up and sit on the surface, giving you time to blot them up before they soak in. Soil can be cleaned with a little dishwashing soap, and tears and pulls are nearly non-existent.

Leather

Real leather furniture is four times more durable than fabric. It will last for 20 years, so go ahead and splurge. Protected leather such as "corrected grain" or "top grain" – which is treated with a resin coating - is the most common type of leather upholstery, because it’s easy to clean, odor and scratch-resistant. Of course, distressed leather is the most forgiving. If you like the look, that may be your best bet of all.

Just make sure you are getting the real thing, or your furniture isn’t going to withstand your furry friends. Faux leather will fall apart faster than you think.

Custom Upholstery

Since you are investing in a new look, comfort, and more, you can design pet friendly couches with custom upholstery. At Baer’s, we have hundreds of options to customize your choice piece of furniture. You can outfit your entire living room with custom upholstery for a fresh, pet-friendly new look.

Camouflage Non-friendly Fabrics with Patters & Colors

If you have your heart set on a certain sofa that doesn't come in a pet-friendly fabric, you have options. Try choosing a geometric or floral pattern or darker color – an earth tone, gray or green – can camouflage daily spots and shedding. Try matching the color to your dog or cat’s coat. Treat sofas, chair and pillows with Scotchgard to make messes easier to wipe up.

Cover Your Couch in Style

If you’ve been draping your furniture with throws to cover pet stains and keep them at bay, consider a slipcover instead. Today’s slipcovers are durable, easy to wash and come in a wide variety of patterns and colors. You can give the sofa you already love a fresh look every year or so and have the fun of updating your living room to match without the expense of buying all new things.

Baer’s offers a full collection of Sunbrella furniture, microfiber and leather furniture for pet-owners that will preserve the style you love and keep you and your four-legged family members happy for many years to come. 

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How Much Are Sectional Couches?

Do you wonder "how much are sectional couches," and why some seem so much less than others?

The quick and easy answer is that prices can vary based on the quality of the materials, how the piece is constructed, and if the sectional is built to last.

A sectional is a versatile piece of furniture that you can use in many ways. Once you purchase one, you’ll find that it lets you maximize your space and offers tons of seating for family and friends. You may even wonder how you survived without one.

That’s why it’s important to make sure you get a quality sectional couch that will seat your family for years to come. Let’s break it down.

Cost of Materials Makes a Difference

There are several factors that determine the price of sectional couches, however, the main driver is the cost of the raw materials of its main components — the foam used in the cushions, the wood used in the frame, and the upholstery that covers it — as well as the labor it takes to build it.

Cushion Quality

Cushions are one of the most important features of a sectional. Most people do the sit test or even the nap test when shopping for a sectional sofa, testing the cushions to see if they are comfortable. Comfort, and durability, depend upon a cushion's material.

Foam products used for cushions range in quality. For example, a sectional at a lower price point is likely to have a 1.8 density cushion that will last about 2-3 years. It’s almost always the cushions that break down first, since they get the most wear and tear.

The thicker the cushion, the more it costs the manufacturer to produce the sectional, but the longer it will last. A sectional at a higher price point is likely to have longer-lasting foam that offers consistent weight distribution and ensures individual comfort for each seating area.

Upholstery Fabric

The same goes for the upholstery fabric — better material means higher cost. For example, leather and velvet are more expensive than cotton but also last longer. Microfiber is less expensive but also wears well.

Every fabric has a rub count, similar to the way sheets have a thread count. The lower range for a sectional sofa will have 15,000 double rubs. As the rub count goes up, so does the durability, and in turn, the price.

Intricacy and details also add to a sectional's price. Patterned fabric, thicker upholstery, embroidery, and piping can all contribute to a pricier (and better-looking) piece.

The Frame

When it comes to frames, the price varies based on the wood used. Solid oak frames cost more than plywood frames, and plywood frames cost more than medium-density fiberboard (MDF). That tells you a little bit about which one might be used in quality furniture.

A mix of solid woods and plywood are generally used in higher quality sectionals.

Why Choose a Better Sectional Couch

The drawbacks in purchasing a subpar sectional are compromising your comfort and sacrificing longevity.

If you skimp on a sectional, your cushions will likely lose their shape, the upholstery may rip, and the frame could break — all sooner than you would like them to (and maybe without a warranty). When you choose a quality sectional, you can expect a long-lasting love affair with a comfortable, durable couch.

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'Tis the Season to Snuggle: Cozy Family Entertainment Ideas

As the holidays approach, many of us would rather stay in and spend more time with our families. If you fall into this group, you may be looking for family entertainment ideas to keep everyone happy and, well, entertained.

While we all love Netflix, binge-watching the latest shows doesn’t bring on the bonding. Here are some activities that can bring the family together and encourage them to interact with each other, not just their screens.

Baking with Family

You don’t have to wait until the holidays to bake a batch of cookies. Get in the holiday mood by starting your baking early. Baking with the family is an excellent way to kick-off the holiday season. There’s nothing better than the aroma of fresh cookies, cakes, or pie wafting through the house. You’ll need those baked goods for future family fun nights, so pull up the counter stools, get out the ingredients, and get ready for some yum.

Decorate for the Holidays

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, so it’s never too soon to put decorations up. From Halloween to New Year’s Day, your home can be dressed up for the holidays. Start with the entryway and give your console table the holiday treatment. Move on to other areas to bring festive air throughout your home.

Give everyone a specific task, and soon your home will be transformed into a joyful abode. It sets the mood, is always super exciting, and everyone can snuggle in and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Family Movie Night

Gather everyone for a special movie night. Family movie night is more than just sitting in front of the TV with the fam, it creates memories. To do that, you need to be a little creative and make the night special. Snuggle into that comfy leather sectional and enjoy the show.

Have a special treat — it doesn’t have to fancy, but something you don’t usually have. Pizza, popcorn, and s’mores are my ideas for the perfect family movie night menu.

Make it relaxing — it can’t get easier than pizza and popcorn, so you’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy yourself.

Get them excited — excitement is contagious, so talk it up and get everyone hyped.

Family Game Night

Old-school game nights are back in style, although to be honest, they never really went out of style. They differ from movie night in that they can be louder and rowdier and don’t depend on people staring at the screen. Board games and card games are great for small groups, and interactive games like charades are crowd-pleasers. They bring people together and get them talking. Break out Monopoly if you are in it for the long haul.

Just throw some snuggly floor cushions around the coffee table. Set out chips, dips, pretzels, nuts, and other snacks. Pull the games out of storage in your entertainment furniture, pull up the floor cushions, and get ready to play.

Don’t forget chocolate chip cookies or mini cupcakes for those who like to indulge. And who doesn’t like to indulge?

Work on a Puzzle

Puzzles run the gamut from super-easy to super-hard. So aim for something in between (unless you know you’re dealing with expert puzzlers) and set up puzzle night with a cool picture or illustration you can work on as a group. Make it more interesting by setting up two puzzles and racing to the finish!

You can also surprise everyone by turning a favorite family photo into a puzzle to work on together. Pull up some floor pillows around the coffee table and remember to do the outside edge first.

Volunteer Together

When you think about family entertainment ideas, remember the joy of helping others and the feeling you get from giving back. You get to spend the day together working for a cause you all support and making the world a better place. You’re together and engaging with others, feeling energized — and everyone’s focused on the same goal: doing good. When you get home, snuggle together on the couch and realize how lucky you are to have each other.

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Tips for Spicing Up Your Rooms with Area Rugs

When you want to spice up your living room, adding an area rug is one of the best things you can do. Area rugs are on trend these days since many people are opting for wood floors instead of wall to wall carpet. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes and are a practical way to change the look of a room. If you are wondering how you can spice up your room with an area rug, here are some handy tips.

Soften It Up a Little

There’s nothing like stepping out of bed in the morning and setting your feet down on a soft, fluffy rug such as one from the Zen collection by Nourison. Not only does this make getting out of bed easier, a soft, fluffy rug makes a nice contrast against wooden or laminate floors.

Add Some Stripes to the Room

Choosing a striped rug will make the room look bigger. Stripes will also give your room a contemporary modern feel. However, if you are adding a rug to your bedroom, and your walls are already striped, a plain area rug will work better.

Mix It Up with Minimalism

If your style is minimalist, you can still add an area rug as a finishing touch to the space. Keep surfaces clear of clutter and stick to neutral colors. Plain walls with a plain, solid color on the area rug anchors the space. Or go bolder with this geometric pattern from the Décor 1 collection by Nourison. It’s minimalist and effective.

Break Up the Color

On the other hand, if you have too much of the same color in a space, an area rug can break it up. Choose one in a complementary color to liven up the palette.

Wall to Wall Area Rug

Even though wall-to-wall carpet is no longer in style, nearly wall-to-wall area rugs are all the rage. Make sure all the furniture sits on the rug to anchor and balance the space.

Blend in the Grays

A gray area rug may seem like an old-fashioned choice, but that’s not the case. Gray is making a comeback. Gray on gray is a popular and beautiful choice. Gray on the walls paired with this gray plush area rug from the Zen collection by Nourison, makes for a clean, classic look.

Create the Right Vibe

Keep in mind that the rug you choose will affect the mood in your space, so consider more than color when choosing an area rug. If your style is traditional, choose classic patterns or solid colors. On the other hand, if you like something more bold or eclectic, choosing dots and stripes will make the room feel more upbeat.

Careful Positioning

The furniture in your bedroom should be placed over one-third of the rug. This is called offsetting the rug. In the living room, all the furniture, or at least the front legs of the couch should be on the rug. This works exceptionally well with heavily patterned rugs.

These days, we like our rooms comfortable and cozy. The right area rugs will not only cozy-up your rooms, but it will also add style and a unique vibe to your home.

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Bedroom Makeover Ideas You'll Love

As one of the rooms in your home that you spend a lot of time in, your bedroom is your place to relax and unwind. It needs to be comfortable and calming enough to sleep in, but also functional and stylish. Since it’s a space that is primarily for you, it has to be a space that you love. Whether that means bringing in new furniture, changing or adding color, or adjusting the lighting to be more soothing, you can turn your bedroom into your sanctuary.

If you’re not sure where to start, try these bedroom makeover ideas to turn your bedroom into one of your favorite spaces in the house.

Use Soothing and Calming Colors

Your bedroom should be a retreat where you can feel at ease after a long and tiring day. Or just relax and sleep in on the weekends, if anyone does that anymore. Choosing soothing colors is a great way to turn your bedroom into a sea of tranquility. And since the bed is the centerpiece of your bedroom, this is a great place to start.

The Newport Transitional Queen Upholstered Pane Bed with Metal Ferrules from Hooker Furniture brings simple luxury into the space with its sophisticated and modern look. The simple, clean silhouette goes well with the ornate, channeled headboard and cabriole legs, giving you a look that you’ll love waking up to every day. And even more importantly, it’s a look so soothing, it will be a pleasure to fall asleep.

Keep the bedding colors simple and avoid bright colors or patterns that might be too energetic for sleep. Instead, add tactile elements, like a fringed or furred throw and sumptuous pillows.

Choose a Theme That Expresses Your Style

Need some inspiration? Choosing a theme might be just the thing for getting your bedroom just the way you like it. For bedrooms, one great theme is decorating it like a spa that will make the hustle and bustle outside your bedroom door fade away. A gentle gray or cream on the walls will keep the mood just right. Use some vintage touches, like a pretty chandelier and wooden furniture that melds traditional elements with modern, clean silhouettes.

Kick It Up with Bold Patterns

Neutrals aren’t for everyone, that’s what makes the world interesting. Take inspiration from the Victorian age, when bold patterns were used with wild abandon in every room in the house. If you want something more dramatic in your bedroom, try a wallpaper featuring a bold, botanical print in vibrant greens, blues, reds, yellows, and oranges. Find a duvet cover with a pattern in the same colors to complement the look. This will give your bedroom a look that is as distinctive as you are.

Be Inspired by the Sea

It’s easy to see why people connect the sea with tranquility and relaxation. The pale blue, barely there gray, and sandy beiges are naturally calming to your body and soul. It’s easier to relax when you feel like you are in a room that reflects the essence of the ocean.

Paint your walls a soft gray and layer in natural textures on your bed to recreate the look and feel of the shore. The Ivory Key Queen Bed from Tommy Bahama Home features woven raffia panels on the headboard, footboard, and sides, capturing interest and building character. Keep the floors simple and use classic pieces of furniture to give your bedroom a timeless feel.

If you are looking to spice up your bedroom’s interior décor, try one of these bedroom makeover ideas. You’ll quickly find that your bedroom is your favorite place to be.

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5 Beautiful Focal Point Ideas for Family Rooms

What is a family room focal point? It's where your eyes land when you first enter a space. In a bedroom the bed usually takes center stage. But in a family room, it could be a window, wallpaper, artwork, the sofa, or an architectural feature.

The focal point usually faces the main entrance of your family room. And while the focal point can dictate the furniture placement in your room, the seating does not have to face it. Also, in some cases, you can have more than one focal point, just make sure they complement rather than detract from each other.

1) Create a Focal Point around a Stone Accent Wall

If you have an architectural feature or textured wall, you can use this to create your focal point. Highlight the wall by adding lighting that makes a statement. Stylish, rectangular wall sconces do the trick. Then add a sofa such as the Bedford Customizable Sofa by Lexington.

The sofa’s relaxed contemporary style complements the casual feel of the stone wall. Since the sofa is customizable, you can choose the upholstery, arm style, cushions style, and more to create the look you want.

2) Create a Bold Family Room with Wallpaper

Bold wallpaper can make a great focal point. A dramatic print paired with a large round mirror makes an unforgettable focal point. Place a leather couch in front and accessorize with pillows, plants, and a curated arrangement of glass vases. Since the focal point is so bold, remember to keep everything else streamlined and simple for maximum impact.

3) Bold Black and a Gallery Wall

Sometimes all you need in your family room is an eye-catching gallery wall as a focal point. The key to creating drama is using art that can be seen from the family room’s main entrance. The dramatic gallery wall makes a dramatic backdrop for the Grandview Sectional Sofa by Bernhardt. It makes this family room the perfect place to gather. This cozy sofa brings classic design to your family room with its smooth rolled arms, nailhead trim, and thick block feet.

4) Make a Dramatic View More Dramatic

If you have a large window that automatically grabs attention, highlight it to make it even more dramatic. With its architectural shape and posh marble top, the Ariana Vernay Console Table by Lexington adds more than a dash of panache to any space. It features elements of modern sophistication with its impeccable layering of colors and textures. Tuck a pair of Laurel Canyon Wheatly Ottomans upholstered in bold yellow underneath for extra seating.

5) Plants Make Beautiful Family Room Focal Points

A beautiful specimen-sized palm or a collection of smaller palms make an attractive and refreshing focal point. There’s a lot to think about when choosing the best plants for your family room, lighting being the most important. The potted palm behind the Astuzia Reclining Sectional from Natuzzi is thriving because of the sunlight it gets from the nearby window. This wall-saver recliner slides slightly forward instead of straight back, allowing you to keep it close to the wall without disturbing the plant.

Creating a focal point is one of the most essential elements of interior design. Whatever you choose will be the first thing people see when they enter your family room and will be the center of your layout. A few small tweaks can take your design to the next level.

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Baer’s Furniture Reviews: Selection and Service

When starting your furniture buying journey, online research is the way to go. And that means looking for reviews of your local furniture stores. These reviews can tell you what to expect and help you weed out the stores that don’t live up to your expectations. Read the Baer’s Furniture reviews below to see what you will experience when furniture shopping with the best.

Baer’s Customer Service Means Customer Care

“… Jed was very kind and helpful. Delivery was on time and thorough. The guys worked through construction and electrical. They were perfect. …”
-Patty Berwald
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“My husband and I couldn’t be happier working with Paulette at the Baer’s store in Boca. … She has a great eye for decorating and the patience of a saint. We enjoyed working with her. My family room looks beautiful.”
-Amy Portney
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“The whole experience was great. … handled professionally by Terri who was able to get the order in quickly to secure all the pieces for a quick delivery to accommodate a narrow availability window. … We couldn’t ask for a better furniture shopping experience.”
-Murl Casey
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“Everything was wonderful from the moment we entered Baer’s … Mark Hudik was our salesman and was terrific … a very positive experience!”
-Phil Baccarella
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“Salesman Rich Pollock is the BEST. … First class service from Rich and the delivery team. We are very pleased.”
-Susan Young
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Baer's Customer Service Extends Past the Showroom

“Super quality and service from start to finish. Extra special thank you to Jim and all the delivery staff. We look forward to shopping Baers again …” -Jean Massaro Simpson Read more of the review.

“… greeted at the door by a young man with a bow-tie. We had never been to this Baer's location before and Richard P. gave us the 'grand tour' … pleased to find out that Richard does interior design house-calls, at no charge. … Thanks again, Rich with-the-bow-tie! We will make sure to ask for you the next time we visit Baer's Furniture in Naples! You have made new friends and left Gabby and I happy and smiling!”
-Felix Babineau
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“Tory was wonderfully helpful and was able to adjust my delivery day. … I am very pleased!”
-Ann Borne
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“Kat Becker is the most fantastic designer. I have been fortunate to work with her for the past two years. The selection the Naples store has encompasses every price point. … Shout out to Oscar and Martin who made the delivery of the sleeper sofa look effortless.”
-Deborah OPrady
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“… Selection is good with some things that are just drop dead georgous. Our new bedroom set is just that. Salesman was helpful and took his time working with us. … ”
-Stan Luber
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“Great experience … All of the sales associates made it very easy to choose Baer’s. They made me feel comfortable, and were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. … I’d recommend Baer’s Furniture to anyone! Thank you!”
-Taylor Reidel
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Shopping for new furniture can be fun and exciting if you’ve done your research. And once you’ve read Baer’s Furniture reviews, you know you’ll get the best service and selection during your furniture shopping experience.

8 Interior Design Tips to Create the Perfect Space

Tackling interior design for your home can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. While there may be no set “rules” when it comes to defining your style, everyone can use a few tips when putting a room together. Following these tips will help you do anything you want with your space.

Plan a Space That Suits Your Life

The interior design process begins with space planning. This means blocking out interior areas, taking note of traffic patterns, and planning furniture placement with those elements in mind. Before you even decide what furniture to put into a room, evaluate a room’s functional deficiencies and how they can be overcome to meet the needs of you and your family.

For example, your living room may boast huge windows that let in plenty of light, which is all to the good. This may, however, limit your wall space and TV placement. Choosing the right media console and furniture placement will help solve this problem. In a room with limited space, the Bali Hai Pelican Cay Media Console by Tommy Bahama Home gives you a multi-functional piece of furniture that houses all your media components. This lets you place your media in a central location in the room and gives you plenty of space for seating.

When planning your space, ask yourself what do you need in your space? How does it make your day easier? Sometimes it means Marie Kondo-ing your space, and sometimes it means adding a few perfectly chosen pieces.

Create Your Vision

I say create your vision because it is your home, so it should reflect you. Your space plan should support your aesthetic and allow it to be functional. Taking a global approach will help you create a cohesive design. Rather than just choosing a piece of furniture or a paint color, think about the story of your entire space. Pick a color or style to bring the look together, and then add pieces that give it life and texture.

Choose Materials That Stand the Test of Time

Big pieces, such as your sofa or dining room table, need to stand the test of time. Choose well-made furniture with solid wood construction. Good quality furniture has a feeling that’s different from poorly made furniture. Whether you go for something traditional, or something more eclectic like the Artistica Trunk Segment Round Dining Table With Glass Top, make sure the construction is solid and the materials are quality.

Choose Contrasting Elements for Dramatic Flare

Combining different shapes, patterns, materials, and textures can enhance their intrinsic properties. This may seem counterintuitive. If you find yourself gravitating towards similar patterns and colors, that’s okay. It’s what’s you like, but if you are not careful, they may end up having the same visual value.

Creating an interesting space is all about contrast, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose something you don’t like. Juxtaposition allows you to appreciate the differences in color, shape, and materials. For example, if you like geometric patterns, you can’t use all squares. Try a circle to make the squares stand out more.

If you like a bold pattern, make sure the other elements in the room are quieter. This will make your stronger pattern stand out. Too many bold patterns can make a room too busy.

Choose Details to Layer Mindfully

Now let’s talk about the supporting players in design. It’s so easy to fall in love with so many products, but they can’t all fit in your home or your design. These details support and amplify your design, so be mindful of what you choose. When choosing accessories consider: do they meet your goals for the space? If not, they may not be the right ones.

Show Your Personality with Unique Items

It’s your home, so it should be personalized to you and your family. If you have heirloom furniture, travel mementos, and family photos, be sure to include them in your design. This gives the space originality, authenticity, and uniqueness. Whether it’s your grandmother’s Tiffany lamp or a vintage find, go ahead and keep them in your plan. Even if you are going simple and modern, incorporating something unusual and quirky will make the room more interesting.

Keep It Focused and Balanced

Every space has a focal point, but don’t let this distract you from creating a balanced design. In fact, if you work on balance, you may not have to deliberately make a focal point. Start with the room’s architectural features such as doors, windows, and archways, and add pieces until the room feels balanced.

Edit, Edit, and Edit Again

As with any work of art, review and edit until you get it just right. Add and take away until you get the effect you want. Give the space some breathing room by incorporating negative space into the entire design. Don’t be afraid to get rid of things.

Whether you do it yourself or hire an interior designer, keep these tips in mind. An interior designer can help determine which elements are weakening each other. They often know when to take away or add to get the aesthetic you want.

Learn more about Baer's Furniture. Find more design inspiration and read Baer's Furniture reviews on Houzz.

Transitional Design: Dos and Don'ts

When some people think of “transitional design,” they think it means no style at all. Or they think of something like eclectic design. Neither is the case. Transition means changing or moving forward from one place into another. You can understand the style by looking at the root of this word. When applied to design, it means seamlessly blending traditional and modern elements into a design that makes sense.

This design style is more than just tossing all the rules aside and mixing traditional elements with modern, minimalist or clean-lined furniture. Done well, it creates a beautiful, balanced space. Done not so well, then not so much. If transitional design is something you are interested in, these tips will hep you mix seemingly unrelated styles into a balanced design that works in your home.

7 Important Finishing Touches to Style Your Home

Once you’ve got your walls painted and your furniture placed just so, you’re done, right? Of course not. By now everyone probably knows that it is the accessories and final touches that give a room its personality. These are the details that show you what the energy of the home is. A potted palm might bring to mind thoughts of the tropics while a framed concert poster tells you that your host likes music.

There’s no rule that states your accessories can’t be an eclectic mix. You just want the room to feel lived-in and inviting. Here are seven ways to add finishing touches to your home.