Wooden furniture advice

It is possible to make your living room appear to be much larger than it really is with just a few simple modifications and changes. Just because you can’t move the walls doesn’t mean you can’t make your living room bigger. Read on for our top tips on making your living room appear larger than it really is.

1. Space is key - Don’t clutter your living room with several large pieces meaning you can no longer see the floor. Leave some space for people to walk around. If you can’t walk more than a couple of steps before you reach a piece of living room furniture you will need to remove some. Be ruthless and only keep what is really useful, remember less is more.

*Top Tip – Placing a couch a few inches away from a wall will give it a little breathing space and make the space seem larger.

2. Mount your TV on a wall – Moving a flat screen TV off the floor TV stands and onto a wall will save a huge amount of space. Your TV will take on a new modern look on the wall and the extra space that has been created can be used to reposition some existing furniture enabling you to create larger space for people to walk past.

*TV wall mounts can be found for as little as £50 and many come with a lifetime guarantee

3. Lighting - Draw focus and attention to particular areas with spotlights. Light up a picture or family portrait or vary the lighting in different areas of the room. Adding a living room mirror can make a room feel bigger and more open as light can be reflected across the room making it feel more spacious. Placing a mirror opposite a window will achieve this.

*Vary the lighting options you have - lamps, spotlights, wall lights, LED lights, tall lamps – the options are endless.

4. Wall Décor – Go big. Having larger pieces on the wall, such as pictures and mirrors, will make a living room look bigger than it is. Try and avoid having lots of small frames and pictures as this will just look like clutter. Again, less is more!

*Invest in a signature piece such as large, decorative mirror.

5. Colour scheme - Use light colours, such as soft pastel colours and white on the walls to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your family and guests. Narrow stripes can make the ceiling appear higher, this is a useful trick if you have a low ceiling or low beams in a living room. Don’t just go for that standard magnolia; try out some bright greens, blues and purples to add interest to your living room.

*Remember – Light Colours

None of these tips require any magic or witchcraft but the you will be able to create the illusion of space no matter how big or small your living room is. Visit PineSolutions.co.uk for our top living room furniture that will create more space in your home.

Once you have invested in some new furniture it is essential to maintain and protect your solid pine or oak furniture. Our top tips are simple enough that they can be carried out on a daily basis, leaving your furniture in pristine condition.

1 – Protect your furniture from direct sunlight
Strong UV rays from direct sunlight can change the colour of the wood. Discolouration of the wood can occur when furniture is left in direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. Depending on where your furniture needs to go, try and position the furniture so it won’t be in direct sunlight for too long. Curtains, blinds, and net curtains will help to block out some of the sunlight during the day. A thin film can be applied to a window to keep out UV rays.

2. Make your furniture scratch proof
Although scratched furniture can often be repaired, the best way to avoid this scenario is by taking some simple steps to stop your furniture being scratched in the first place. Use placemats and table cloths on dining tables to protect the surface from hot plates and scratching. Full length mats add colour and style while place mats can also be used as a decoration. Coasters can be used for drinks but also ornaments and lamps. This will considerably reduce the amount of scratches that will appear on the surfaces of coffee tables and sideboards.

3. Clean your furniture regularly
Dust and clean your furniture a couple of times per week as this will prevent dirt building up on the surface of the wood. Use a soft cloth or duster to remove the dirt from the surface. Alternatively, a damp cloth can be used to clear dirt but this must be wiped with a dry cloth immediately afterwards. Try and avoid using oil based polishes or aerosol sprays as these can remove the natural finish that can be found on solid oak and solid pine furniture and could leave a sticky, dry finish to the wood.

4. Clear up spills immediately
If you spill anything directly onto the surface of your furniture it is important to clear the spill up quickly using a lightly damp cloth. It is important that the spill is not wiped off as this will spread the spill across the furniture. Blot the spill and remove all of the fluid carefully and once the spill has been removed give the surface a quick clean.

5. Touch up the finish of the wood
Give your furniture an upgrade by touching up the waxed or oiled finish that is already there every 3-4 months. The manufacturer of the furniture will be able to tell you what sort of finish was applied when the product was first made. Re-applying this finish will help to prolong and protect your furniture against scratches and leave it looking fresh and new.

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