Different shades of furniture - What do I do now? Help!
InterestedDecor
When I first moved into my apartment in NYC I was very excited because it was my first apartment ever. However, I didn't think about decor when I bought my furniture because I wasn't really interested in home decor at the time. My furniture choices were based on cost and space and I'm on the minimal side for both of those. Now I have different shades of wood because I bought the pieces at different times and really didn't think about how it would blend. In my living room/dining room, my entertainment center is different from my dining room table which is different than my futon. My bedroom is the same where I have one shade for my nightstand, another for my computer table, and another for my chest of drawers. None of the shades are the darker shades of wood but they are in the light to mid colored wood family shades. I'm not sure of which type of wood each piece is. As the years go by and I'm now into interior design and decoration, I am now irritated at my color shade choices and am embarrassed to entertain in my apartment. How do I make it work/blend on a budget and teacher's salary in NYC?
ju-ju
I sympathize with you since I too have a collection of furniture from over the years that doesn't all match in wood tones.....but, to be honest, I don't think that everything should match. I tend to not like "matchy" furniture anyway. I think that it gives more character and personality to your home. However, I would say that 2 different wood tones in a room are o.k., but, if you have more than that, I would consider refinishing some. It is a bit of work to paint furniture, but, with a little sanding, a good primer and some paint, you should be able to acheive a good result that will be worth your effort. If you opt to paint, I would leave any large and well used pieces in their present finish and work with the rest. For example, paint your entertainment center (a deep chocolate brown-which is a modern choice, and is a neutral, so it goes well with almost any other colors you have going on in your home) then leave your dining table as is, and blend your futon into your space with a chocolate brown futon cover, and accessorize using your existing color palette and the chocolate brown, so that it all works together.Another option is tinted waxes that you can apply onto your wood furniture pieces and can alter their shade subtly. Or if you want to go all the way, sand down to bare wood and re-stain. Which I would personally avoid. I did it once...and will not be doing it again! oh p.s.- I have had luck painting pieces in both latex and oil....the oil is harder to work with, but, it will last longer than the latex. Ask your local paint retailer what he recommends to the specific pieces you want to paint.
catwoman708
I agree with ju-ju, that not all shades of wood furniture have to match. You can stain or paint them to be more similar, or if they are different styles and you can't afford to replace them, then cover them up. Throw a cloth over them and don't worry about it. You can also try swapping furniture from room to room to get more cohesive colors in each room.
My-2-Cents
That is so true~ Mix it up! It adds interest. As long as you have a candle here or there that match or lamps or scarfs and a throw. You have a theme going. If they really bug you, paint a couple of pieces black. If you can't, Craigs list is a great place to sell your's and pick up a new piece. Don't be embarrassed, friends come to see "you." BTW~ I love teal/aqua and chocolate. Did my FR in those and love them.
My-2-Cents
Oops forgot to add this and you'll notice I have varying wood tones, but it seems to work. http://ratemyspace.hgtv.com/SNC/ViewItem.aspx?pguid=6db6be3f-1720-4ba3-a081-999042c09b6b&itemguid=3f84e118-1611-4e96-a0e8-0e7e63902fa2Just have fun with it and make it "you".
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