Blog posts of '2018' 'July'

Furniture is often something you intend to buy in hopes that it will last for years to come. But how do you know that you will still love the same piece of furniture twenty or even forty years from now? The fact of the matter is, you don’t! The good news is that you can do a few things to create the home look that you want at an affordable cost. Whether you have a piece of furniture that you know needs some sprucing up or an item that’s been handed down to you, you can use one of these useful tricks to update the look of your furniture.

Paint old pieces

Consider painting your outdated piece of furniture. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to paint wood furniture that best reflects your new sense of style.

1. Remove hardware like drawer handles and pulls.
2. Erase any trace of sticky or tacky residue from your furniture. Do this by first wiping down furniture with a solvent made to remove this type of residue (liquid TSP substitute works well for this step). A simple solution of mild soap and warm water will also work in some cases. Here’s more information on our blog on how to properly clean different pieces of furniture.
3. Once completely dry, use a soft cloth to remove dust.
4. Sand down to get a smooth and even finish. For larger pieces, you may want to consider purchasing or using a professional sander. For small pieces of wood furniture, you may be able to use handheld sandpaper to get the job done. Be sure to sand with the grain to ensure a silky surface.
5. Carefully dust off all of the excess wood particles to ensure a smooth paint job.
6. Prime your wood furniture with a nice coat of clear shellac made for furniture.
7. Now you can paint! Use a paint that can easily be used on wood furniture. Have your heart set on a favorite color but don’t know if you can use it? Ask your local home department store if you are unsure about a paint product. Some safe choices in paint include chalk paint or paint with a satin or matte finish. Paint a second coat based on the directions on the paint can you are using.
8. Use a top seal coat if necessary and let dry completely.
9. Replace hardware and enjoy your new piece of furniture! BONUS TIP: Purchase new hardware to update the overall look of your wood furniture.

Refinish old wood

A fun way to refinish your old wood is by using 100% natural coconut oil. First, you may want to fill in any imperfections or holes with wood glue. Then, you can sand in some sawdust with the glue to create the perfect fill. By using a steel wool sponge and a bit of coconut oil, buff the oil into your wood to give it a sheen of moisture. Wipe away the excess coconut oil to refine its finish.

Table lamps can be a fantastic way to bring in some extra light into your home when your ceiling light just doesn’t do enough to illuminate the room. They can also make great accessories and add decorative flair on top of side tables. Today, table lamps come in a number of shapes and sizes at affordable prices. But how do you know if the one you like will fit your room? How tall should a table lamp be to make my home look more welcoming? Here’s an easy-to-follow guide of what to look for in a table lamp.

Measure carefully

Buying a lamp before you have measured your space can be disastrous. Your lamp height can stand too high, which would light up too much of the room, or it can sit too low, which would defeat its purpose. You do not want to spend good money on something that doesn’t fit. You can avoid this from happening by measuring the table you hope to place your new lighting piece on, and take note of its circumference to get the right lamp size. Here are a few different ways you can map out how high your table lamp should be in each room.

• A good rule of thumb for a living room setting is that you will want your lamp shade to sit within eye level, or about 24 - 34 inches tall. That way you’ll be able to read your favorite book or work with ease under enough light when seated.
• If you plan on having bedroom lamps, you will need to purchase a lamp based on the height of your nightstand. The top of your nightstand should reach to the top of your mattress. From there, the bottom portion of your lamp shade should be about where your chin is when you are sitting upright in bed (about 24 - 27 inches).
• The placement of your table lamp will depend on the type of desk you have in a home office. Your lamp should sit high enough to illuminate whatever it is that you are working on when seated (about 30 inches).

Choosing a style for your table lamp will depend solely on your personal taste. Here are a few categories you help get the hunt going.

Modern - To match a modern home look, find a table lamp that features clean lines and solid colors. Select shades like cream, buff, and off-white to go with a neutral room. Opt for bold pops of color like red or navy to stand out, or color block for an artsy touch.

Traditional - If bold colors and sharp lines aren’t your scene, try a traditional table lamp with a simple stable base and shade to coordinate. Solid or lightly patterned shades work with most decor.

Classic elegance - If you like to live for a little bit of color, a stained glass table lamp might be for you. Delicately crafted and painted table lamps can give off a colorful glow while looking refined.

Artistic flair - Explore cool designs that replicate works of art when looking for a table lamp. It can not only be a good conversation starter but can also double as a piece of decor.

Take photos of your home to bring in store and explore your table lamp options before you buy. Read care instructions and remind yourself to clean your lamp appropriately. In most cases, a weekly dusting will keep it looking brand new every time you turn it on.

Lighting quality

Now that you know how tall should a table lamp be, you can pick out the type of lighting you want in your home. Keep in mind that different lamps may require different bulbs. Jot down the wattage your lamp allows and then you can decide what lighting you want from there. If you enjoy a brighter lighting situation, you might want to look into cooler lighting that more closely resembles daytime. This type of lighting does well in a larger area like the living room. If you would like to create a space that is more relaxing, warm lighting might set the mood for you just right. This variation of lighting does best in a room that is meant to be more cozy like a bedroom or a library. If you find that you don’t have any room for a table lamp, a good floor lamp might be what’s best for you.

Take a look at our selection of lamps and other tabletop accessories to add style to your home. Shop Texas Furniture Hut and save on luxury furniture every day.