Believe it or not, NOW is the time to start planning your exterior design at the Lake of the Ozarks. Even though there's snow on the ground and the temperature is below freezing, very soon the sun will be shining and you'll be ready to enjoy a newly designed deck, patio, or other outdoor space. If you don't get started soon, then you could be behind the starting line this spring and your project might not be ready in time to enjoy all summer. John Elliott Interiors is the best furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have great pieces to help complement or complete your exterior design at your lake home. Check out the rest of today's blog for tips on how to design the best exterior design possible!

Comfortable Seating

While this may seem like an obvious point, it can be difficult to design a space that meets all the needs of your group while taking full advantage of your property. If you have a lakefront home, it's a good idea to make sure your lounge furniture is facing the water for the best views. If the furniture is facing away from the Lake, you may find yourself and your guests frequently turning around their chairs to get a look at the beautiful sunset and activity on the water.

When planning your seating arrangements, think about how you will use the space ahead of time. Will it just be you and a few family members? Then it could be useful to have several areas set up to spend your time. One area can be set up for dining under the shade, while another can feature lounge furniture for spending lazy afternoons together. If you expect large groups of guests to regularly visit your lake house, it may be better to have one large area designed to host your whole group. John Elliott Interiors can help you design the perfect outdoor space for everyone in your crew to enjoy.

John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks. That means we see and design a lot of beautiful condos throughout the Lake area. Condos are a great option for a lot of people at the Lake, but they can also present some challenges when it comes to design due to their smaller size and the inability to do a structural remodel or add-ons. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to approach the your condo design at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Pick an Overall Style

When designing for a large home, you can pick a few different styles and have them separated throughout the house. You might choose contemporary for the main floor, industrial for the basement, and minimalism for the master bedroom. Because the spaces are so large and separate, it's easier to explore a few different styles without them clashing. 

However, when designing a condo, you have to be more selective. Condo layouts tend to be more open, so spaces blend together a bit more. Condos also tend to have less square footage than houses, so there's less space to spread out your design elements. That is why it's best to choose one overall design style before you begin buying pieces and planning your design. 

Plan in Sections

Because condos have a more open layout, you will need to be creative about how you arrange your space and think carefully about how to give them some degree of separation. For instance, your dining space may simply be an open area in between the kitchen and the living room. If you're not careful, it could be easy to over-decorate in the living room and start to take over the dining area. Instead, think of your design in separate sections and make sure you aren't crowding one section with the design and décor from another. This will help keep the pathways between spaces clear and prevent your condo from looking cluttered.

Choose a Focal Point

In each section of the condo, choose a focal point for the room. In the kitchen, it may be the gorgeous oven with eye-catching backsplash and a shiny pot filler. In the dining room, it will likely be the dining table itself. In the living room, you have a lot more discretion on what to use as your focal point. Great focal points can include a fireplace, a high-end couch, or a large and beautiful piece of artwork. Be sure to pick only one thing as the center of attention, then design around it. 

Start with the Essentials

When decorating a condo, you might be tempted to buy a bunch of pieces that catch your eye... Like a great piece of fine art or the perfect side table. But, if you start with accessory items, you could end up trying to build your design around something nonessential. Instead, start with the main pieces of furniture that are non-negotiable. The bed in the bedroom, the dining table in the dining room, the couch in the living room, and so on. Then, once you have your major pieces picked out, you can slowly add pieces you love to enhance your design without clogging up your space with too much STUFF. 

Hire a Professional

If you've recently purchased a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks, or you're looking for a condo remodel, give John Elliott Interiors a call! Being the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks means we have a lot of experience designing beautiful condos and creating the space of our clients' dreams. Come visit our high-end home store to find your foundational pieces and get inspiration for your new design. We are here for you!

Redesigning your home this year? That's so exciting! As you think about your upcoming design, there are a few things you can do to get ready and make sure you will get the most out of your design experience. John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, and we have the important tips to help you get started. Keep reading to learn more! 

The True Colors Personality test is a really popular tool that a lot of businesses use to learn more about their employees and support them in their roles. Today, we're taking a different spin on True Colors and talking about what kind of interior design fits each personality type. John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks and we are here for you with all the design tips to help make your interior fit your own True Color personality.

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