When you're not quite ready to start from scratch for a completely new interior design at the Lake of the Ozarks, you can still achieve a fresh new look for the rooms in your home. This can be done by simply changing out or moving around the items you already have or adding just one new spectacular piece from John Elliott Interiors. Here are a few easy tips for giving any room a quick makeover.


Paint
Adding new color to a space can make it feel like a brand new room. You can go all out and paint every single wall in the room or just paint an accent wall to add a bit of flair. Adding color to the backs of open shelves is also a wonderful way to change things up.

Change the Layout
An excellent way to quickly freshen up the look of any room is to rearrange the furniture. Switching the positions of two chairs or simply moving the couch away from the wall is a small change but it can make a big difference to both the look and flow of the space. You can even switch out furniture between rooms for a bigger change.


Add One New Item
You don't have to replace every single piece of furniture in a room to create a new look. Adding just one brand new piece can bring new life to the items you already own. We carry a fantastic selection of home accents, wall art, sculptures, and more at our home interiors stores at the Lake of the Ozarks if you only want to add something small. If you want to make a bigger change, consider a new sofa, a side chair, or maybe even a new area rug.

Create a Focal Point
Every room should have one piece of furniture or a design element, such as a fireplace or large picture window, that serves as a focal point. It brings your focus to a certain point and draws you into the room. This is also a wonderful starting point for designing the rest of the space. There is often an opportunity for more than one choice for a room's focal point. When you're ready for a change, arrange items in the room so that focus is drawn to a new area and away from the former focal point.


Switch Out Seasonal Decor
Each season has something about it that sets it apart and you can showcase that through the home accents you display in each room. In the spring, put away those heavy winter throws and bring out lighter, airier decor. Every new season and each holiday is an excellent excuse to change things up and give a room an entirely new look.

Display a Prized Collection
Your favorite things can be used in a clever way to decorate a room. It's best to group a lot of pieces of a collection together in one area or two rather than dispersing them individually throughout the space. If your collection is large, you don't need to show it all off at once but instead choose a few pieces to highlight and switch them out when you feel like it. Your collection of prized possessions is not only terrific for decorating but those items also serve as fun conversation pieces. They also give you something specific to keep an eye out for when you browse the showroom of our Lake of the Ozarks luxury furniture store.


A room can feel like a brand new space without changing every single thing about that room. The talented professionals at John Elliott Interiors can help you find that one special item to bring new life to a space and fit in perfectly with your existing decor. Of course, when you are ready for a complete redesign, our Lake of the Ozarks interiors designers are up for that challenge as well! Bring us your ideas and we will help you turn them into a beautiful reality. 

If you're not careful, it's easy to use a coffee table as a catch-all for everything that comes into a room. That's a shame for a couple of reasons. Firstly, all of that clutter hides the gorgeous coffee table that you found at our Lake of the Ozarks luxury furniture store!

Also, all of that stuff is displeasing to the eye and ruins the overall look and feel of your interior design. You'll find lots of beautiful home decor items at John Elliott Interiors that will look much better on top of your coffee table. When you take the time to stage a small "scene" there with decorative accessories, this can help to discourage people from leaving random items laying on top of it.


Accessories for a coffee table can be purely decorative, possibly showing off a part of a collection or providing an interesting conversation piece. You can also find lovely accessories that serve some type of function in the room as well. Here are a few ideas of items you may want to incorporate.

Trays or Bowls
A wonderful way to contain a portion of your coffee table display is to use trays or bowls to hold the accessories. They can help to give your room a less cluttered look because items are collected within it. This also allows items to quickly and easily be removed from the table if you need more open space, and the tray can come in handy if you are serving refreshments to guests.

Candles

Filling an entire house with furniture can be a costly feat if you're doing it all at once. If you're not working with an unlimited budget, you may want to save on some items now and upgrade each of them over time.

There are a few furnishings that are definitely worth splurging on right away. John Elliott Interiors is the perfect place to come for those because you know all of the pieces in our luxury home furnishings store at the Lake of the Ozarks are of the best quality and will last a long time, which means money well-spent. Here are some of the items that we think are always worth splurging on.


Beds
It is suggested that you get 7-9 hours of sleep each night. When you don't, you won't function productively during the day. The bedroom is also your private escape from the rest of the household, so you want to create a space that you can truly relax in. A gorgeous bed with a comfortable mattress will do wonders for improving your day-to-day life. Consider splurging on some nice sheets too while you're at it.


Sofas
This is a piece of furniture that gets a lot of use in every home. For this reason, you want to make sure it is both comfortable and durable. (When you shop at John Elliott Interiors, you know it's going to be stylish as well!) When you purchase a good quality sofa that will stand up to lots of daily use, you won't have to replace this big piece of furniture often. It's a lot easier to replace the smaller items around it if you want to create a fresh look, so go ahead and spend a little extra on your sofa.


Rugs
A great rug can elevate the look of a room to a whole new level. This is definitely an item where you get what you pay for. Inexpensive rugs won't last long in high traffic areas, so you will want to spend a little extra to make sure it isn't worn out before its time. Look for materials that are durable but still have a natural feel. Wool rugs are excellent for this.


Art
A beautiful piece of art makes a room look better, but the sight of it can make you feel better too. Art is a personal experience, so look for a piece that speaks to you in some way. Treat yourself to at least one quality piece of art, although once you have that, there's a good chance you'll want to collect more. Our home decor store at the Lake of the Ozarks features hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces of wall art as well as many gorgeous statues and display pieces. An added bonus with art is that there is always a good chance it will increase in value over time.


Statement Pieces
Every time we talk about designing a room, we always suggest having a good focal point that pleasantly draws the eye as you enter the room. This is a great place to splurge to make sure you get something with a real "wow" factor. If you are furnishing a room that has a focal point built in, like an incredible picture window with beautiful scenery outside, buy some luxurious drapery to frame it. For spaces lacking a focal point, pick out a large and attractive piece of wall art or a statement piece of furniture that is a gorgeous conversation starter.


It's wonderful if you can outfit an entire house all at once, but if that's not the case, purchase quality pieces one at a time when you can. Soon, you'll have a house full of amazing home furnishings. The showroom at John Elliott Interiors is full of many wonderful items that can be mixed and matched beautifully. Come in soon to browse our extensive collection. You're bound to find the perfect pieces that you are happy to treat yourself with and splurge on!

If you are getting ready to decorate a small space, there are some things that can be done to make it appear larger to the eye. Limited space does not mean that you have to limit your style. Our Lake of the Ozarks luxury furniture store has a few tips to help you add a whole lot of beauty into a little bit of space. 


Intrigue the Eye
Interesting elements in the room that draw a person's eye add interest to your space, no matter how small it may be. The addition of moldings bring dimension to the walls and give them an upscale look. Don't be afraid to mix patterns in the room with pillows and throws. One bold side chair with a unique pattern or textile makes a very grand statement. If there is a beautiful element built into the room, such as a fireplace or large picture window, dress it up as a focal point. 

Less is More
The goal is to fill your rooms with gorgeous pieces without adding so much that the spaces are overwhelmed and begin looking cluttered rather than decorated. Scale home decor and collections down to a few favorite pieces. Any extra items can be stored out of sight to be switched out with current pieces when you're in the mood for a fresh look. When there is less to look at, the items that are on display will take center stage and get the attention they deserve. 

As for the furniture, you'll need fewer pieces if you find items that do "double-duty" and work toward more than one purpose. For example, some ottomans can be used as seating, a coffee table, and even storage if they have hidden space inside. Beds with drawers or a shelf built into the headboard limit the need for extra chests of drawers.

Choose the Right Rug
A tiny rug will make a small room feel even smaller. Choose one that is large enough for most of the furniture to sit on it. This could be a good place to incorporate an interesting pattern to bring in some texture to the design and intrigue the eye as we mentioned above.

Use Large Scale Wall Art
One large statement piece of art alone on a single wall is an excellent focal point and will make a big impact in the room. This also lifts the eye up, utilizing empty wall space for decorating purposes. Our home interiors store at the Lake of the Ozarks always offers an excellent, ever-changing selection of one-of-a-kind wall art in every possible style. 


Lengthen With Drapes
A wonderful trick for making a small space both seem larger and much more luxurious is to hang drapes that reach all the way to the floor. It will make the ceiling seem higher adding to the illusion that the room is larger than it truly is. Choosing drapes made with a rich fabric is an easy way to add luxury too.

Let There Be Light
Some spaces can appear smaller because there isn't enough chance for natural light to shine in. Use a variety of light sources to make up for that. Layering lighting elements at different heights adds beauty and is extremely functional. Since there is less floor space available in a smaller room, choose beautiful pendant lighting, wall sconces, and table lamps.

Another great trick for adding lighting, as well as the illusion of extra space, is incorporating mirrors into the design. Cleverly placed mirrors can amplify the light in a room and break up visual clutter in small spaces. Behind furniture and across from windows are wonderful places to hang mirrors.

Add Sculptured Items
If you have a room with lots of straight lines from the furniture to the decorations on your walls, add luxurious pieces that have unique shapes and stand out among the flatter elements of the room. You could choose a sofa with a curved back or seat shape, a coffee table made from a tree, or actual sculptures. These artistic touches will bring depth and interest to the entire room.


Those are just a few simple tips that can make a small living space seem larger and more luxurious. Our interior designers at the Lake of the Ozarks are always on hand to offer detailed advice and share their expertise for adding beauty to any space. Let John Elliott Interiors help you create stunning rooms that you are excited to show off and delighted to call home.

Entryways in a home aren't always considered an actual room, but it's still an area that you should put some thought into when planning your interior design. It's the space that welcomes you back home each time you return and the area where guests get their first impression. (After the curb appeal, that is.) John Elliott Interiors has put together some tips to help you create a stylish, welcoming, and functional entryway.


Work From the Ground Up
An area rug is a wonderful way to define the entryway area and add beauty at the same time. Since this is an extremely high traffic area, make sure to choose a fabric that is sturdy and can easily be cleaned. Runners are nice here too. The long, extended shape literally draws guests into your home. 

Seating & Storage
Most entryways don't offer a lot of room so you will want to find pieces that "work" for you, possibly doing double-duty to save space. It's nice to have a place to sit just inside the front door. You can stop there to take off your shoes, quickly flip through the mail, or sit while you wait for others to get ready before leaving the house.

If space is limited, look for seating options that also offer storage, like a chest or storage bench. For entryways with enough room, a separate table, dresser, or drawered console can be added. This is where you will keep the things you need before heading out the door, like a dish or tray for keys and mail. Furniture with hidden storage also allows you to keep bulkier items near the front door but out of sight for a clutter-free look. A coat rack is another good addition that won't take up a lot of space but can hold a lot of items. 


Don't Forget the Walls
For entryways with limited space, look to the walls for extra storage options. Hanging coatracks or even simple hooks give jackets, hats, and purses a designated spot and gives your entryway storage without taking up any floor space.

Consider using a patterned wallpaper or wall color here too. This will help to define the space from the room it leads into. 

Look Up
Small spaces don't leave a lot of room to decorate, so you want to make sure to advantage of every inch. Overhead, think about hanging a statement chandelier or some type of lighting fixture that is eye-catching for a "wow" first impression. 

Make It Say "Welcome!"
Once you have the key pieces in place it's time to decorate the space. The overall feel you want to go for is a welcoming vibe. This is a great place to hint at the rest of the home's style and show off your personality.

You'll find many decorative items at our home decor store at the Lake of the Ozarks to fit every possible style and color scheme, as well as gorgeous wall art. A mirror is wonderful in an entryway both for reflecting light, brightening the space, and for taking a last look at yourself before heading out for the day. Mix artistic pieces with collectibles or mementos to add a personal touch to your entryway. Shadow boxes full of vacation souvenirs and galleries of family photos are a nice addition.


Our luxury furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks is filled with exquisite pieces to outfit every space, including entryways. Come in soon to take a look at the many wonderful items at John Elliott Interiors in Lake Ozark that can give you that welcoming feeling every home should have. If you don't happen to see exactly what you have in mind, never hesitate to ask. Simply let us know what you need and there's an excellent chance we will be able to find it for you and bring your imagination into reality inside your home.

Summer is almost here meaning bright, sunny days ahead full of colorful, natural, outdoor beauty. Bringing some of that warm and adventurous look indoors to your Lake of the Ozarks interior design is an excellent idea!


Whether you want to create a lake atmosphere with nautical style or a bright and inviting space with flowers and exciting colors - this is a perfect season to do that. At John Elliott Interiors, we have everything you need to add some summer sensation to your home and today's blog features a few tips to help you get there!
This is the perfect time to use fun colors, interesting patterns, and maybe even go a little "wild" with your choices. Have you always wanted to try out a bright yellow shade in your living room? Nothing screams summer like a bright shade of sunshine yellow! If you’re nervous about including a lot of bold color in your home, you can start with accent pillows and floral arrangements to let you see how it will look in your space.
It’s time to trade out those bulky warm fabrics for lighter, brighter, and cooler fabrics. While your flannel pillows were great through fall and winter, you may want to opt for a satin or light cotton now that the weather is warm. Changing out your curtains may be in order as well, but keep in mind, if you keep odd hours, the sun will be out more than it is all year. If you need to sleep in or go to bed early, you may still want to include blackout curtains over your windows or a nice shade.
Nothing says summer like bright flowers and fresh greenery. Of course, if you don’t have much of a green thumb, John Elliott Interiors is here to help! We have a showroom filled with beautiful faux plants and trees that look every bit as beautiful as the real thing. These will add life to your space without the added work!
Finally, the last thing you should take a look at is your accessories. This can be a great way to update a room without having to do too much. If you have a beautiful piece of wall art featuring a flower garden, you may want to keep it out only in the spring and summer months, and then pull out your winter scenes towards the end of the year.

If you are reading this blog on the day it's posted, we are currently having a fantastic art sale on hundreds of gorgeous original European oil paintings from the Paul Robinson Galleries. (The sale is happening Friday and Saturday, June 14-15, 2019.) Don't worry if you miss this one though, because we're bound to have another great sale again. With so many amazing pieces of wall art displayed in our showroom on a regular basis, you may not even want to wait until there's a sale! 


If turning one (or a few) of the rooms in your home into a summer haven sounds like a wonderful idea, let John Elliott Interiors help you achieve that look. Stop by our home interiors store at the Lake of the Ozarks to pick out a few gorgeous items that say "summer is here" to you. You may love this new look so much that you'll want to keep it around all year long!