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!

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! 

Whether you are moving into a brand new home or redecorating a few rooms in the house you currently own, there are some very common interior design mistakes you should try to avoid. Our talented interior designers at the Lake of the Ozarks are able to guide you away from these mishaps. Until you enlist a little help from John Elliott Interiors, here are a few of those common mistakes to keep in mind (and not make!)


Not Paying Attention to Scale
You'll need to do a little research before blindly going into our Lake of the Ozarks luxury furniture store to pick out a few new pieces. Everything that is included in your new interior design should fit together nicely, both with each other and with the room being furnished.

Lots of small pieces of furniture in a very large space may seem awkward and cause the room to look unbalanced. On the flip side of that, trying to fit large pieces into a small space can make a room appear cluttered and overwhelming. Know your room's measurements before shopping and be sure to measure the furniture you're interested in purchasing so you can be positive it will fit into the space easily. Many pieces are available in different sizes, so always ask if you don't see exactly what you're looking for. 

Over-Furnishing a Room
Trying to squeeze in more furniture than is actually needed can cause a room to look like a dumping ground of collected pieces. Overly furnished rooms can feel small and cramped. You want to arrange furniture to be functional, look appealing, and leave enough space to create movement and flow.

If you notice this to be a problem in any of your rooms, try moving the furniture around first. Sometimes simply arranging the pieces in a new way can alleviate the cramped feeling. If that doesn't help, then pick and choose the furniture you truly need and move the rest to another room.


Over-Accessorizing a Room
The accessories you will find in our home decor store at the Lake of the Ozarks are meant to add to the beauty of your interior design, not overwhelm it. A good balance of items scaled to compliment each other and arranged in an eye-pleasing fashion is your goal. Too many knick-knacks placed around a room will make it look cluttered rather than decorated.

Go through everything that you have and choose a few favorite pieces to display. Move the rest to other rooms, get rid of them, or store them away to use later by switching out items currently on display.

No Focal Point
A focal point provides direction and order in interior design. This is a statement piece that draws one's eye immediately when entering a room. A few examples of a good focal point are a beautiful piece of furniture, an awe-inspiring piece of art, a large fireplace, or a big window with a view. When imagining the room's interior design, begin at the focal point and build out around it. It is possible to have more than one focal point in a room as long as they don't compete with each other for attention.

Pushing Furniture Against Walls
Some furniture may need to be placed directly against a wall, but don't think that you have to outline the room with furniture. Pulling some, or all, of the pieces together into a tighter arrangement will create groupings that are conducive to conversation. The space behind the furniture not placed against walls will add to the flow of the room.


Limiting Lighting Options 
Lots of natural light is always the best way to highlight a beautiful interior design. On top of that, "layer" a variety of lighting options to add depth and interest to the room. A combination of floor lamps, table lamps, overhead lighting, and wall sconces allow you to create different ambiances. Placing mirrors to reflect the natural light of windows or another light source will bounce it all around the room, creating additional illumination.

Rushing Decisions
It can be tempting to buy everything at once so that you can have a finished room perfectly put together right away. Sometimes this is possible, but there is nothing wrong with picking up a few pieces here and there over time, curating a collection you can be proud of. Take your time to find exactly what you have in mind and build the room of your dreams step-by-step.


Now that you are thinking about the design tips from John Elliott Interiors listed above, you will be on the lookout for possible problems and avoid them before they can happen. Knowing what to keep an eye out for will also make it much easier to find the perfect pieces to furnish your new rooms when you shop at our home interiors store at the Lake of the Ozarks. Don't be afraid to ask us all of your interior design questions too. We're always happy to help! 

Whether you are designing a room for a home being built from scratch or redecorating one you currently live in, hiring our talented Lake of the Ozarks interior designers can make the entire process go a lot smoother. The professional help from John Elliott Interiors can also save you time and money in the end. Here are 5 reasons why hiring an interior designer to help with your project is a great idea.


Save Money
Some people want to skip hiring an interior designer because they don't want to pay extra for that service. In reality, it could end up saving you money in the long run. Our training means we have the knowledge to make that idea in your head come to life and our experience allows us to avoid many costly mistakes the untrained eye might make. Certain pieces may look gorgeous to you in the showroom, but once it's in the space you are furnishing, it might not work as well as imagined. An interior designer will be able to tell you this before any purchase is made.

Another way that this professional will save you money is by keeping you on the budget you set. We will be able to find the right pieces needed to complete the look without "breaking the bank." Also, an interior designer's special touch can increase the overall value of your home when you're ready to sell it.


Save Time
You're also going to save a lot of time when you hire an interior designer. We can make a professional assessment at the beginning of the project and create a solid plan and timeline for executing it. Since this is our job, past experiences help us to avoid common decorating mistakes that the average homeowner might make. Our interior designers will also be able to anticipate certain obstacles that could arise before they are a problem.

You might have to spend a lot of time finding the perfect pieces to use in your new interior design. A professional will already be aware of what is available and bring you those perfect pieces to choose from, eliminating lengthy searches. You can still make the final decision but without all of the extra time involved searching for them. 


Enjoy a Smoother Experience
As a part of the industry, interior designers have contacts we already know and trust to reach out to for the things your rooms will need. This also comes in handy should any problems arise because we'll know just who to call to get it handled.

We also know the lingo when it comes to talking to contractors, architects, and others involved when you are building a new home. We are able to imagine the space more accurately even before it is completed and work ahead on the process. 


Acquire Unique Pieces
Our luxury furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks has access to many unique pieces of furniture, fabrics, and home decor that the general public does not. Just because you don't see it in the showroom, that doesn't mean we can't get it! From your description of what you have in mind, we can find items that will be unique to your home. If you're not really sure what you want, our experts are excellent at figuring that out for you simply from your list of likes and dislikes. 


Get That "Wow" Factor
Last, but certainly not least, you're going to end up with rooms that literally make people think "Wow!" when they walk inside. (They might even say it out loud!) Interior design is a delicate balance of both art and science. We know how to find items that are beautiful plus how to make them work together so it seems as if they were made for each other. If you experience that wow factor simply looking through our portfolio of previous work, then you can be assured we can do the same thing for your home. 


John Elliott Interiors has the luxury furniture and decorative home decor to fill the house of your dreams plus the talent, knowledge, and experience to use those items together to create a truly amazing overall look. Stop by soon and speak to one of our interior designers at the Lake of the Ozarks. Together we can bring the rooms you are dreaming about into reality!

Summer days and nights are best enjoyed outside, especially in the lake area. Time can be spent hosting BBQs, lounging by the pool, or hanging out watching the kids play in the yard. John Elliott Interiors in Osage Beach can help you make that outdoor living space both comfortable and gorgeous for a season full of fun in the sun!

You'll find the most beautiful and luxurious outdoor furniture at the Lake of the Ozarks inside our showroom. Inside today's blog, you'll find a few helpful tips for getting your patio into shape for now through next fall before the winter cold chases us indoors once again.


Create Shaded Areas
On sweltering summer days, sometimes the only way to be comfortable outside is with a little bit of shade. Adding a pergola to your patio creates shelter from the summer heat and makes it cozy enough to enjoy through the fall. A pergola also creates a comfortable 'room' and can be used to separate a seating area from the rest of the outdoor space. Even the addition of a large, beautifully decorated umbrella over an outdoor table can give you some much-needed shade from the hot summer rays.

Add Natural Color
You can easily add your favorite colors to an outdoor living space with seat cushions and accessories, but don't forget to take advantage of some natural pops of color as well. Flowers not only make your patio area look stunning but they also make the yard smell amazing. Even if you live in a condo without a yard, add some beautiful blooms in pots instead. 

If you don't have a green thumb, try planting succulents. They are super trendy and require little to no effort. Succulents thrive on sunlight, only need a little water, and live for a long time so they are the perfect no-fuss plants for a vacation home. 

If you live with your family or entertain often, many of the rooms inside your home may be designed with the comfort and enjoyment of others in mind. Planning your bedroom interior design, on the other hand, allows you to decorate a space that is all for you! (And possibly the special person you share it with.) Our Lake of the Ozarks luxury furniture store has many options available and the tips in today's blog will help you pick out the pieces that are perfect for you.


Choose Color Wisely
The colors that you choose for your bedroom can make a big difference in the feeling you get while you are in there. For the walls, soothing shades of blues and greens are the most common for relaxing. Bolder jewel-toned colors like deep purples and rich topaz bring about cozy, comforting feelings. Bright primary colors are best left for other rooms. 

When you incorporate more neutral tones, it will allow you to add pops of color with bedding, rugs, and accessories to spice things up. It's a lot easier to make quick-changes often to the look of your bedroom by switching out those accessories rather than the larger pieces of furniture. 
A good bedroom needs a bed, 1 or 2 bedside tables, and a dresser. It is wise to try to keep at least 3 feet between the bed and the side walls. Also strive to have at least 2 feet between low furniture such as bedside tables, dressers, and chairs. Not crowding everything together too much will help to give you that open, more relaxing feeling a bedroom should have. When space allows, you can begin adding more items like a comfy chair or possibly a bench at the end of the bed.


"Layering" the lighting in your bedroom (and all rooms) is a wonderful idea. Small bedside lamps, floor lamps in the corner, and possibly accent lighting over a gorgeous piece of artwork all lend to different vibes at different times, depending on how they are used together. Sheer curtains and lavish window dressings frame a pretty view when you want to let natural light in, but incorporating thick curtains or blinds that can keep the light out is a good idea for those days when you want to sleep in. 

Mother's Day will be here very soon (Sunday, May 12) and you will be searching for something special to give that very special woman in your life. Something to add beauty and comfort to her everyday life is an excellent idea, and John Elliott Interiors is the perfect place to find something like that! Here are a few Mother's Day gift ideas that we're willing to bet any mother would love.


Small Gifts
Home decor items make a lovely gift. They are generally small enough to wrap up and deliver yourself, unlike larger furniture items. (Which our Lake of the Ozarks home interiors store is always happy to deliver for you in the area!) You'll find pieces to fit every style and color scheme. There are some beautiful artificial flower arrangements and plants that look very much like the real thing but don't require your mom to water or take care of them.


In addition to wonderful decorative items to display on a coffee table or bookshelf, we also carry an extensive selection of gorgeous wall art. There are hundreds of one-of-a-kind pieces to choose from. We also carry a fantastic selection of area rugs, lamps, and throw pillows to brighten up any room.


Bigger Gifts
If you have a little more to spend on your mother this year and want to give her a bigger treat, consider something she can get comfortable in. A cozy chair for her to cozy up in and read or maybe a lounge chair so she can relax outdoors. You could even go for something a little bigger and grander, a "throne" for the queen of the house!   


Some other furniture gift ideas are pieces to sit next to your mother's favorite chair. A unique bookshelf to hold her reading material or a decorative wine rack to hold a wine collection. We have a nice variety of gorgeous footstools as well. You may even be able to find an adorable bed for her four-legged companion. 


The Sky's the Limit 
If you've got the best Mom in the world and money is absolutely no object, maybe you'd like to repay her love and kindness while she raised you all those years by gifting her an entirely new room! Our Lake of the Ozarks interior designers can help you create a brand new room in your mother's home that is filled with all kinds of comfortable and beautiful things for her to enjoy. You might even want to bring your mother in for a shopping trip and pick out some items herself.

When it comes to Mother's Day gifts, it's really the thought that counts and moms appreciate just about anything their children do for them. Adding a gift from John Elliott Interiors is just a nice bonus surprise that will make her feel extra special. Come in soon and take a look around. You're bound to find something absolutely perfect for Mom!