katie.lacy@letsgetcoffee.co.uk, Author at Modish Living

How to tackle a cluttered bedroom

Standford Reclaimed Wood Tall Chest of Drawers

Life in the 21st century is often hectic. That’s why it’s so important to have a space where you can unwind after a busy day at the office or running kids to and from their many commitments. But it can be hard to unwind in a space full of clutter. Here are a few top tips for creating a blissful bedroom you’ll always look forward to retreating to.

First, work out the source of clutter.

It’s easier to come up with a solution for your clutter if you can categorise it. Along the way, you’ll probably also find items you really don’t need any more which can be sold, donated or thrown away if they really are beyond use.

For example, a pile of washing or bedding which doesn’t have a home will clutter your bedroom and your brain. A wooden blanket box at the end of the bed provides the perfect home for bulky linens and unseasonal blankets and throw cushions, and can look uber stylish too if you find a storage chest which matches the other furniture in your room.

Alternatively, if your chest of drawers has become a makeshift dressing area laden with products, your hairdryer and hairbrush, perhaps think about investing in a dressing table (and one with some drawers to keep everything tucked out of sight when not in use).

Think about what you want in your bedroom.

Along the way of organising your clutter, you’ll probably find items which definitely don’t belong – a vacuum cleaner and your children’s toy cars don’t exactly scream serene. Make a pile of things to pop back in their rightful home and try to keep on top of the clutter which will inevitably work it’s way back into your bedroom.

Think about storage solutions.

We often buy storage pieces thinking it will solve all our problems when it comes to the items cluttering our spaces. But sometimes, dreams don’t quite play out in reality and your stunning storage piece is not as practical as you may have hoped. It may be that by categorising your clutter, you find that rearranging where items are stored, there is a better way of organising which will result in less clutter. However, you may discover that your current storage doesn’t work as well as you had once hoped.

If that’s the case, think about a switch with your furniture. This is where your categorising comes into play as it means you can make a smart switch for one more practical piece without expending thousands on an entirely new bedroom suite. For example, a bedroom bedside table with a couple of small drawers will undoubtedly make room to show off a beautiful vase of flowers or an ornate table lamp. Alternatively, if you like to keep a lot by the bed, a small chest of drawers on one side might be a good solution – just make sure to find a style with a couple of small drawers on the side of the bed so the items stored inside are easily accessible.

Ban the floordrobe.

Ah, the floordrobe. It’s an easy habit to get into – not hanging your clothes up as you’re rushing around to leave the house. But once the pile starts growing, tackling it becomes increasingly daunting.

A good combination of storage solutions should be able to solve the problem. Large wardrobes are fantastic but when you have the space, it’s easy to keep piling new clothes in until it’s full to bursting and you can’t see what you have to wear anymore.

So, instead of letting that happen, go through your wardrobe twice a year – perhaps spring and autumn – and organise. Create a pile to donate to charity or friends and family, a pile of the pieces which are unseasonal, and a pile of things you’ll love and wear in the next 4 months. With the clothes that are unseasonal, under bed storage is a great option to tuck it neatly away (but in a place which is still within easy reach if British weather decides to surprise us all!).

Investing in a tall chest of drawers to place beside your wardrobe is also a fab idea creating the perfect space for the items which don’t need to be hung like pyjamas and denim but without taking up too much floor space.

Think about decor.

If decluttering has got you in the mood for a spot of redecorating, think about the colour, opting only for colours which you feel are calm or peaceful – whites, blues and greys are the colours which often come to mind but there might be a different colour which is equally calming to you.

When it comes to items, like photo frames, mirrors, table lighting and decor pieces, try to keep it to a minimum, only bringing in items you absolutely love. Add a couple of scatter cushions and a cosy throw onto the bed to accessorise white bedding in the colour you’ve opted for to keep everything coordinated and to maintain the feeling of calm you’ve created.

Are you in the mood for decluttering your bedroom?

The bed dilemma – A high footboard or low footboard?

It is a conundrum as old as the hills, and so we decided to ask you, our discerning customers. We felt this was such an important but simple question: which would you opt for, the high footboard to your bed or a low footboard? Whether you’re looking for reclaimed wood furniture or not, this is an important choice….

We Asked, You Answered

There was a clear winner and it was… drum roll please!… the low footboard.

There were a few people who opted for a high footboard for their reclaimed furniture. And just because they are in the minority, doesn’t mean we should not discuss its pros and cons.

The high footboard bed

There is a pleasing sense of proportion about the high footboard bed, a staggering example of reclaimed bedroom furniture. For those who prefer it as an option, there is a feeling of being ‘safe’, cosseted and cocooned in its frame.

The duvet stays put, not draping to the floor and any throws that keep us snug and warm on cold, winter nights stay where they should too – on our feet!

The Standford high footboard bed is stunning but there is something we need to consider. It can’t be avoided but in the smaller bedroom, the high footboard may cloud the vision. It may look too big, too chunky, too imposing, too much.

But, every interior design decision is a personal one. If this is the look you want, then go for it.

The low footboard bed

The majority of pollsters opted for the low footboard bed for their wooden furniture. And we can understand why.

There is an openness to the low footboard that many people enjoy. And there are many pros to this style of bed;

Dimension-friendly – a posh way of saying that the openness of the bed, like the Standford low footboard bed, is ideally suited to any size bedroom especially the boudoir where the dimensions are limited and bijou. In other words, if you have a smaller bedroom, the low-end bed doesn’t prevent the eye from falling across the entire room.
Sits well with other items of bedroom furniture – when it comes to styling and dressing a room, some people feel that the high-end bed is too absolute. For example, adding a wooden blanket box at the end of a low-end bed gives it a boundary or a frame but is also a stylish addition to the bedroom (and a functional one too!)
Frame it – in fact, for many people,a problem with having no footboard or a very low one is the way that the duvet seems to migrate to the floor and the fact that the openness of it feels too lax. From adding a wooden blanket box to a pretty upholstered ottoman, adding something to the foot of the bed forms a boundary. But it isn’t permanent and can be changed.

We need to consider the focal point of a bedroom too and it is, undoubtedly the bed. It is the main piece of furniture, coming second to nothing in the bedroom.

A high-end bed demands attention. It is the attention grabber, no matter style or colour it is. The low-end bed can struggle sometimes, to have the same impact.

It can blend into the background of the style in the room or you can draw attention to it. A focal point of a feature wall at the end of the bed draws attention and then the eye can lazily take in the rest of the bed.

Which is your choice?

What options are there for reclaimed bedroom furniture?

Reclaimed wood furniture is not just available in the dark wood option. Colour and tone vary with the type of wood, as well as the finishing processes but with dark furniture set to make a comeback, we thought we take a poll of what our Houzz followers thought about the colour options of reclaimed wood furniture for the bedroom.

We Asked, You Answered

The Houzz poll simply asked which of the three options would they prefer in their bedroom – the painted pieces from the Dorset range, the delightful chunky wood style of the Beam Collection or the brooding moodiness of the Winchester Collection.

The results were interesting. A small number of votes opted for the dark Winchester suite of items whilst the remaining pollsters were evenly split between the painted Dorset range and the mid-colour Beam Collection.

How to create your own unique reclaimed wood bedroom style

Imposing, yet elegant – the Winchester dark wood look

It may not have been the most popular but there is no denying the beauty of the Winchester collection. Dark wood furniture is stunning, with a patina that affords it’s a classic elegance of its own.

Use in a bedroom with a neutral palette to really get the darkness to stand out or choose a darker wall colour and accessories to bring a sense of cohesion to the space.

If you are opting for dark wood furniture, there is no getting away from its moodiness so don’t hide from it. Instead, embrace it and reward yourself with a romantic boudoir that is truly stunning.

Light and fresh – the painted reclaimed wood furniture of the Dorset range

Not just for the bedroom, the Dorset collection of pieces is exquisite and more than suitable for every room in the home.

But in the bedroom, it is sublime. The painted bedroom furniture pieces with their slightly rustic finish gently sizzle with an understated finesse, the Dorset is perfect for the bedroom if you want the painted look, but without the ‘tweeness’. Frankly, the sleigh-shaped Dorset king size white wooden bed is perfect for any bedroom.

For the on-trend look, opt for barely-grey walls or fall for the blue tones of duck egg, and marry with brass accessories but with a light tough. Don’t let anything overpower the Dorset pieces, sublime yet outstandingly beautiful.

Chunky, satisfying, stylish – the rustic furniture English Beam collection

Again, like the Dorset range, there are English beam pieces for every room and space in the home but for the bedroom, the options are just perfect.

The Sweet Dreams Beam reclaimed wood bed is unlike anything you will find anywhere else, in any other collection. Nothing touches it. Crafted and beautiful, there is a satisfying presence to it.

Complemented by other heavyset looking pieces, there is a femininity to these pieces that makes it one of our most popular rustic furniture collections.

Better still, it offers something to everyone. If you prefer the appeal of darker wood, opt for the dark wood finish. Or play it safer with the medium finish or be daring and tick the ‘neutral’ box and wait to see the unique finish and colour of your chosen piece.

Whichever colour, finish or collection you choose, with reclaimed wood you are guaranteed one thing: a uniqueness that is all your own.

How to bring warmth to your home with reclaimed wood

In the past two to three years, more people have been opting for reclaimed furniture in their homes. But that doesn’t make it a trend which will go out of style any time soon – reclaimed wood furniture offers a classic, luxurious style you’ll get enjoyment out of for many years to come.

Why should you opt for reclaimed wood?

With each piece having a rich history, reclaimed wood furniture feels particularly exquisite when placed in any room in your home. Additionally, no piece of furniture is identical. With no pieces being mass produced, you are guaranteed a truly unique piece of furniture.

Looks aside, reclaimed timber prevents unnecessary waste from entering landfills, repurposing old wood and turning it into something beautiful. It also creates less of a need for cutting down trees, essential to reducing carbon emissions and providing a home for wildlife around the globe.

A rundown of our collections

To add a little bit of luxury to your dining room or kitchen, our simply stunning Kensington collection is perfect. Something like our reclaimed wood table is a fantastic statement piece when paired with velvet upholstered chair and a pop of colour. In an otherwise-simple colour scheme, the Luxe Kensington dining table is bound to become the star of the show. For classic style, something like the Barclay collection is great – the reclaimed wood desk is a real head-turner (which will hopefully make your day that little bit easier).

If you are looking for beauty on a budget, our Standford Industrial or Farringdon collections may be just the ticket. The Standford is perfect for injecting warmth into any decor scheme with the deeper colour of the wood whereas the grey undertone of the Farringdon collection makes it enviously easy to blend in with existing furniture.

How to mix reclaimed wood with your home decor

One of the great things about reclaimed wood furniture is how flexible it is when it comes to home decor. If you get tired of the decor scheme which matched your light wooden reclaimed furniture perfectly, there’s no need to worry.

Blend classic reclaimed styles with steel for an industrial look which will work wonderfully with sleek glossy kitchens and ultra contemporary furniture, or use painted or stained wood to create a chic, country look. Painted bedroom furniture looks simply superb with crisp white bedding and soft gold accessories to create that tranquil setting you’ve always dreamt of.

In terms of colour scheme, with light wood styles, opt for subtle colours to create a calming Nordic scheme which will keep even the smallest rooms bright and spacious. With darker woods, neutral colours will work to create a classic, sophisticated scheme you’re unlikely to tire of. Alternatively, deeper jewel tones are fab for creating a bit of drama – just ensure to add good lighting and a large mirror to reflect light around the room if you’re opting for dark colours in a small space.

What’s your favourite thing about reclaimed wood?

Is a blanket box only to be used in the bedroom?

Aimee Reclaimed Wood Trunk Coffee Table with Storage

As you know, we regularly conduct polls on interior design blog Houzz. And our followers never disappoint, offering us a glimpse into what they think of the latest styles, trends and ideas, from reclaimed wood furniture to lighting ideas.

Our latest Houzz poll attracted attention because we asked about the blanket box and how people tend to use theirs or, if you would like one, how would you like to use it. As always, our followers and customers gave fantastic feedback.

We Asked, You Answered

Traditionally, the blanket box or chest was exactly that: a place to store blankets and usually, the box was located in the bedroom.

And it made sense at a time when the need for an extra blanket or two on a cold night was common. But times changed, as did our bedding. No longer were beds made up of layers of sheets, blankets and a top eiderdown. The continental duvet became the simpler, easier and, some say, more stylish way to dress the bed.

And that meant the blanket box would either become a relic of the past or we would find a new use for it. Thankfully, the blanket box hung around and is still a common piece found in homes today.

But we wanted to know, how would you use a wooden blanket box?

In the bedroom

For a storage chest in the bedroom was the most common answer and we can understand why. The key to successful storage is accessibility.

Being able to get at bed linen, blankets, spare duvets and towels quickly is something that a wooden blanket box offers. Simply lift the lid, extract or store what you need. Is there anything more complicated about a wooden blanket box.

But simplicity doesn’t mean ditching style. Who could fail to love the simmering broodiness and the smooth arched lid of the Winchester wooden box?

Toybox and hallway bench

It was a tie between these two uses of the humble blanket box and we can see what this would be the case.

Again, for a toy box, the beauty lays in the quick access and the fact that a box, its generous proportions – like the Dulwich blanket box– means most things fit. And as far as a large toy box goes, it has a stylish aplomb all of its own. In other words, it sits well within the rest of the room.

As a hallway bench, we can see its versatility too. The Savannah blanket box, with its sturdy lid and hinges, along with the painted base would suit all hallways, offering plenty of storage for shoes and boots too. As far as small hallway ideas go, you’d be onto a winner with this.

In the living room

And finally, people also said that they used the storage chest or blanket box as a coffee table with storage, which, to us, seems an excellent use of its generous storage proportions and sturdy table top.

And with so many styles and finishes to choose from, it seems that the blanket box could perform all of these options at some point. It could be a blanket box when needed, and then a toy box and then a perfectly serviceable seat in the hallway, maybe ending up in the living room, hiding all the junk when unexpected visitors arrive…

Beautiful reclaimed dining tables for all budgets

Farringdon Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and Bench

As you know, from time to time we share customer stories and photos of how they use items from our reclaimed wood furniture collections in their homes. In this post, we are taking a look at dining tables and how, no matter what your budget, you can get a fantastic look for your home.

Top end budget

The Kensington dining table is a firm favourite and so, if your budget will stretch, it is well worth the investment.

Just a Little Build and I am Emily Halil shared photos of their Kensington reclaimed wood dining table with us and we think you will agree, in the setting of their kitchen diner, with the modern dining chairs, it looks simply stunning.

Opt for the same table with glass top and polished stainless steel legs from the Kensington Collection.

The mid-price range

For a similar look to the Kensington but at a slightly lower price, the Beam reclaimed wood dining table is a fantastic alternative. If your budget is tight, there is a rustic version that offers no less in terms of style and elegance, siding more with the rustic interior design trend that so many of us enjoy.

Still, with an industrial pedigree, it also comes with a dining bench, fantastic for when you need some extra seating and a little more space too.

If you prefer dining chairs, Allegro leather dining chairs are ideal table partners for the Beam dining table.

For a similar price, you can also enjoy the luxury of upholstered dining chairs. We think the neutral tone of the Florence dining chair offers fantastic scope for creating a beautiful styled landscape to any dining room or kitchen diner.

Affordable, stylish and chic

Of course, money isn’t everything and just because you spend thousands on a table doesn’t mean it does any better a job than a cheaper alternative.

And that’s why we love the Farringdon trestle table. A design that is both familiar and chic, the trestle style table is perfect in so many ways, as shown by our discerning customer Chess Harris. Showing the versatility of a combination of chairs and dining bench, you can see what can be achieved.

The Farringdon extending dining table is also a hit with another of our customers. The dining bench coupled with the table gives Pretty Little Home Things the perfect appeal to their dining space. Clean lines don’t have to mean harsh angles and sharp corners, as this homely style shows us.

Again, for these tables the upholstered or leather dining chairs wouldn’t go amiss, more so when combined with the versatility of a dining bench. If you want a hint of decadence, consider the rollback leather dining chair or why not opt for the simplicity of an industrial style upholstered dining chair.

We have a dining table for every budget, and fantastic dining chairs and dining bench options too. And we would love to see how you styled your dining table and chairs – share your photos with us!

Get the perfect reclaimed TV unit for your budget

Whether your budget is tight, or you have an unlimited pot of cash, choosing the right TV unit is not just about the money. It is about style too! Whether you want a TV cabinet with doors, drawers or without storage at all, we’re sure to have something to suit your style and budget.

The bestsellers

On this journey through TV units, we are going to start with two best sellers. We can seek inspiration from the choices of others.

The first best seller on our list is this TV storage unit from the Dorset collection. Its rustic appeal marks it out from all other TV units with storage. It makes a statement but does so without being too ‘over the top’.

The second on the best seller list is similar is that it has a white painted body contrasting with the wooden top. Slightly more refined in appearance, this TV unit with storage from the Savannah range, a reclaimed wood furniture collection that has long been popular.

In terms of pricing, both are in the lower price bracket so great news on all fronts.

When budget needs to work really hard…

This reclaimed wood TV unit with a handy shelf and drawers has refinement and appeal that you have come to expect from us. This wouldn’t look out of place in a farmhouse styled home or one with a rustic appeal either. It delivers what you need from a TV unit stand – and its uber-stylish too!

Fair to middling price range

Right in the middle of the budget range are exquisite examples of TV units that are a pleasing mix of function and style.

In a similar price bracket is the industrial style Standford TV unit with a small shelf and plenty of drawer space. The other similar priced TV unit is the deliciously quirky – but rustic in its appeal – Ashburnham TV unit. With a cabinet at either end and a shelf in the middle, this rustic TV unit comes with two holes pre-cut in the backing from hiding all the cables that come with modern TVs and gadgets.

Climbing the price bracket we are looking at the refined Beam TV unit. Delightfully sturdy in appeal, this is one of those investment pieces that we all seek because we know it will morph to any style and any colour scheme. In other words, this is a future-proofed investment – you just need to find the long-term investment comfy armchair to match!

The top end

We carefully select which designer collection to stock, handpicking every item so that we are confident when our customers make an investment in an item, they are buying a high-quality piece.

This isn’t just about style and composition but the detailing that sets something apart from all else. And so, when it comes to the top end of your budget, you can be confident we have everything covered, from style to quality, to excellent craftsmanship.

The Barclay range is popular -as we knew it would be – possibly down to the elegant appeal of the detailing. The Barclay TV unit from this range had an accessible combination of storage of shelf and four long drawers, hidden behind the handles.

Pipping it by mere pounds in the steel framed Maddox TV unit. Made from worked steel and reclaimed elm, there is a weight that makes this two-shelf TV unit substantial. Deceptively simple, it is a piece of furniture built to outlast all others.

Which would be your choice?

A single coffee table or a nest of tables – which would you choose?

Hudson Living Kielder Oak Nest of Tables

At Modish Living, we conduct regular polls on Houzz and Instagram. We love knowing what our customers and followers think of the latest must-have trend or interior design style – sometimes, the answers surprise us!

In this instance, we asked people about occasional tables. Would they opt for a single coffee table or a nest of coffee tables?

We Asked, You Answered

It was an almost even split between out followers opting for a single coffee table to those who loved the versatility of a nest of coffee tables.

Whilst the answer may not give us a decisive ‘one way or the other’ answer, it gives a clear message – the coffee table, no matter its shape or form, is an essential, must-have piece of furniture in the living room.

In fact, a lounging space without a coffee table is not as easy to use and somehow, looks unfinished. This is because the coffee table is the item that helps frame the room. Which is your coffee table of choice?

A single coffee table

The styles we choose to use in this poll reflects two of our best-selling ranges – the un-complex Scandinavian furniture range and the Hudson collection, a range of modern appealing items that ooze luxury and sophistication.

When it comes to choosing a single coffee table, there are a few things to consider. Do you need a coffee table with storage, for example? How small or large does it need to be to be useful for your home?

The Hudson coffee table has a lower shelf ideal for storing various items. Its simple design is superb in any living room.

Along similar lines is the Wycombe coffee table with a ladder shelf beneath and a beautiful expanse of a coffee table top. A large coffee table made from the finest oak there is a pleasing simplicity about this item too.

Perfect for framing a living room sofa, the design and light colour sill be pleasing to those who enjoy the Scandinavian style in the home.

Why not…?

As an alternative, why not use a reclaimed wood blanket box as a coffee table with storage in the living room? perfect for hiding a multitude of sins when unexpected guests arrive.

A nest of coffee tables

The beauty of a nest of tables is the versatility that it offers you when it comes to expanding and retracting to meet the ‘demand’ of coffee cups, cocktails glasses… and the like!

The box shape is so very pleasing, so simple, uncluttered and far from overbearing that the Hudson oak nest of tables is a sheer delight in any living room.

Most interior design styles demand at some point in their orchestration, simplicity that is understated. Smaller details such as adding nests of coffee tables into a room is a way of adding storage and other solutions, without cluttering the space.

Everything about this set is divine, right down to its small cubed feet.

Which would you choose?

5 of the best armchairs for compact spaces

Every home has one – a compact, smaller space that is hard to dress – but with these fantastic seating ideas are ideal when space is limited but you have big stylish ambitions.

Less clutter, more focus

In a smaller space, the less ‘fuss’ there is to clutter the eye, the bigger the room looks and, it has to be said, the more stylish too. The Scandinavian style is perfect to mimic in the smaller space because it focuses on lighter colours and natural materials.

As armchairs go, a brown leather small armchair is the perfect example of Scandinavian furniture. All natural material, a simple, unfussy design and yet, more comfort than you can imagine. Sit the armchairs in a pair, with a small occasional table between, and frame it with a light-coloured rug.

A hint of ‘the industrial’

The Scandinavian style is so very appealing but if you feel you need a change from the swathes of wood that characterises the style, include an industrial style element to ring the changes.

This brown leather armchair, complete with polished steel frame is stunning. A slightly lower slung seat instantly adds an appeal of ‘sit back and relax. Choose a shelving unit that has similar traits – a high polished steel frame and reclaimed wood, for example – so that there is a sense of cohesion between the main players in the small space.

Traditional. Comfort. Statement

If you lust after the Scandinavian style, then you will understand the importance of understated colour. It may use a neutral colour palette but that doesn’t mean just cream, white or magnolia.

Keep the background of the room neutral and understated, introducing a small note of colour with this fantastic high backed tradition, comfortable statement piece of a grey armchair.

The stud work is not a million miles from the Scandinavian style either. As for detailing, it is understated and yet delightful on the eye.

For colder winter months, add yet more comfort and warmth with a sheepskin rug.

The element of surprise

Just because the space is small, and it dimensions limited, doesn’t mean you should limit your stylish ambitions for the room.

We are all for introducing a note of quirky or the unexpected. Staying true to the Scandinavian style, we haven’t chosen a highly coloured piece but again have opted for the style to be different.

This spoked armchair is unlike anything you will find mimicked on the high street, enough to make it a best seller. But the open frame of the chair makes it the perfect addition to any room, from the bedroom to the living room. for a smaller space, it is ideal.

We love its simplicity.

Check pattern and natural wool

The Moon wool armchair, with its check pattern and flicks of colour, is also ideal for the smaller living room or space. If you favour a more traditional style but want elements of the Scandinavian approach, then this is the armchair that ticks all your boxes. Team it with oak living room furniture and you have the perfect relaxed setting.

Dressing a smaller space may seem difficult and yet, with carefully chosen elements, it is so very simple and effortless.