What To Look for in a Living Room Accent Chair

Finding the perfect accent chair for your living room transforms your space from ordinary to extraordinary. As a busy mom, you need furniture that works as hard as you do—pieces that combine style, comfort, and practicality without breaking the bank.

The right accent chair serves multiple purposes in your home. It provides extra seating for family movie nights, creates a cozy reading nook for stolen moments of quiet time, and adds that finishing touch that makes your living room feel complete and welcoming. But what should you look for in a living room accent chair? We’ve got the details below.

Choose the Right Size for Your Space

Measuring your space before shopping saves time and prevents costly mistakes. Your accent chair should complement your existing furniture without overwhelming the room or creating awkward traffic patterns.

Consider these key measurements:

• Seat Height: The chair should align with your sofa’s seat height, typically 17 – 19 inches.

• Chair Width: Allow at least 30 inches of walking space around the chair.

• Room Proportion: The chair should fill about one-third of the wall space it sits against.

Prioritize Comfort and Support

Comfort becomes nonnegotiable when you factor in long days chasing kids, helping with homework, or finally relaxing after bedtime routines. Test the chair’s support system before purchasing.

Look for chairs with quality cushioning that bounces back after sitting. The seat depth should allow you to sit comfortably with your back against the chair while keeping your feet flat on the floor. Armrests should support your arms without forcing your shoulders up or causing you to slouch.

Select Durable, Family-Friendly Materials

Your accent chair must withstand daily family life. Performance fabrics resist stains and clean easily—important when dealing with spilled juice boxes or muddy shoes.

Leather and faux leather wipe clean quickly, making them excellent choices for busy households. If you prefer fabric, choose tightly woven materials in darker colors or patterns that camouflage inevitable wear and minor stains.

Avoid delicate materials like silk or light-colored fabrics that show every fingerprint. Your furniture should enhance your life, not create additional cleaning stress.

Match Your Existing Style

Your accent chair should complement your current decor while adding visual interest. This doesn’t mean everything needs to match perfectly—contrast creates depth and personality in your space.

If your sofa features solid colors, consider a patterned chair to add visual texture. When working with existing patterns, choose a complementary solid color that picks up tones from your room’s color palette.

For families following a living room checklist for new homeowners, selecting versatile pieces that work with different decor styles provides flexibility as your tastes evolve.

Consider Functionality Beyond Seating

Multi-functional furniture makes sense for busy families. Swivel chairs allow you to easily turn toward different conversation areas or keep an eye on playing children. Chairs with built-in storage provide space for throw pillows, magazines, or kids’ toys.

Recliners offer ultimate relaxation for those precious quiet moments, while rockers or gliders work beautifully if you’re still in the baby and toddler phase.

The perfect accent chair balances style, comfort, and practicality for your family’s unique needs. Take time to evaluate your space, test comfort levels, and choose materials that support your busy lifestyle. When you look for a living room accent chair, consider the factors mentioned above and how they suit your family.

Unique Ways to Mix Up Your Home's Design and Feel

Revamping your home doesn’t have to mean a full-scale renovation; sometimes it just take mixing and matching a few details. By incorporating thoughtful, creative changes, you can transform your living spaces into a fresh and inspiring sanctuary that you and your family will enjoy. If you’ve been feeling like your home’s look has been a little drab or outdated, we’ll dive into a few unique ways to mix up your home’s design and feel.

Play with Color and Texture

One of the simplest ways to change the vibe of a room is by experimenting with color and texture. Consider painting an accent wall in a bold hue to create a focal point or swapping out area rugs and pillow covers for ones with eye-catching patterns.

Layering textures, such as velvet cushions with woven throws, can add depth and warmth to your space. These small tweaks go a long way in making your rooms feel fresh while reflecting your personality.

Reimagine Your Furniture Layout

Transforming your home's feel can be as easy as rearranging your existing furniture; take time to reevaluate the placement of your sofas, chairs, and tables to optimize flow and functionality.

Try angling your furniture pieces for a unique perspective, or create zones within open spaces to give each area a purposeful feel. This approach can breathe new life into your home without requiring additional expenses.

Modernize Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is the heart of your home, and updating it can significantly enhance its atmosphere. Swap out old cabinet hardware for sleek and modern options to immediately boost the aesthetic. Look into a new Zellige backsplash for a bold look; there are many different ways to update your home’s look with Zellige, a backsplash is just one of them.

If you’re looking for subtle changes, consider replacing dishware with visually cohesive sets or displaying decorative storage jars. Even something as simple as adding fresh herbs in stylish pots can make your cooking space feel both functional and inviting.

Personalize with Statement Pieces

Show off your personality by incorporating statement pieces into your décor with unique artwork, sculptures, or handmade items that resonate with you, and make these the centerpiece of your room.

A dramatic light fixture or a vintage piece of furniture also works wonders in adding character. Personal touches like family heirlooms or travel mementos bring life to a home and spark meaningful conversations with guests.

Integrate Natural Elements

Enhance your home’s ambiance by bringing the outdoors inside; plants of various shapes and sizes add a lush and calming element to any room.

You might place larger plants like fiddle-leaf figs in unused corners or hang trailing greenery in macramé holders for a touch of bohemian charm. Natural materials like wood, stone, and bamboo also create organic textures that provide a grounding and serene atmosphere.

Enhance Your Home

Transforming your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With a few small changes, personalized touches, and a focus on what makes you feel at ease, you can create a space that truly reflects your personality and meets your needs. Whether it’s adding a splash of color, incorporating cozy elements, or upgrading key areas, incorporating special ways to improve your home’s look will give you a space that it uniquely yours.

How to Clean Out a Nasty House After an Eviction

We partnered with a real estate company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

How to Clean Out a Nasty House After an Eviction

By Joy Gebarah, Owner of Kernvestors

After flipping more than 100 homes across California, I’ve learned that some of the most challenging projects begin the moment an eviction ends. A house can look perfectly normal on the outside while the inside tells a very different story—trash piled up, food left out, broken furniture, and sometimes damage that goes far beyond clutter. It’s never anyone’s favorite job, but knowing how to clean out a home safely and efficiently makes the process manageable.

Whether you’re a landlord, a new investor, or simply curious about what really happens behind the scenes, here’s a realistic step-by-step look into how to clean out a property after a tough eviction. These steps also come from the perspective of someone who buys houses in Bakersfield and other cities in California, where I’ve had to deal with every kind of cleanup imaginable.

1. Start With Safety First

Before touching anything, gear up. Gloves, boots, and masks are non-negotiable. You never really know what’s hiding under a pile of clothes or what’s been sitting in the fridge for weeks. Sometimes I bring in an air scrubber for a few hours just to clear out the smell and dust before doing any physical work. If the property has structural concerns—soft floors, exposed wiring, or damaged plumbing—address those first. A safe cleanup starts with a safe environment.

2. Do an Initial Walkthrough and Categorize the Job

Every eviction cleanout falls into categories:

- Light debris: Trash, clothing, discarded items

- Heavy debris: Furniture, mattresses, broken appliances

- Hazardous situations: Mold, pests, needles, rotting food

Your approach changes depending on which one you’re dealing with. Some landlords underestimate how long a job will take because they try to jump straight into cleaning without evaluating the full scope.

3. Remove All Trash and Debris First

Most properties require a big dumpster on-site. I usually start from the farthest room and work toward the front door. Big items—sofas, beds, dressers—come out first. Smaller trash fills in the gaps. This phase always takes longer than expected, especially in homes where tenants left behind years of belongings. But once everything is out, the house immediately feels more manageable.

4. Deep Clean Room by Room

When the debris is gone, the real cleaning begins. That means:

- Scrubbing walls

- Disinfecting kitchens and bathrooms

- Cleaning or removing appliances

- Shampooing or ripping out carpets

- Treating any odors that soaked into drywall or flooring

Sometimes replacing is cheaper than restoring. After hundreds of flips, I’ve learned that a ruined carpet or heavily stained tub isn’t worth salvaging.

5. Repair, Refresh, and Get the House Market-Ready

Once the home is clean, minor repairs are surprisingly quick:

- Patching holes

- Repainting

- Replacing fixtures

- Installing new flooring

- Updating broken windows or doors

Whether the owner plans to rent it again or sell it, this is where the house starts to look like a home again—not a project.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning out a property after an eviction isn’t glamorous, but it’s part of the reality for anyone managing rentals or investing in distressed homes. As a company that specializes in buying houses in Bakersfield CA, I’ve seen firsthand that even the worst situations can be turned around with the right process and a little patience. And for homeowners who feel overwhelmed, remember—we buy houses in Bakersfield, no matter the condition. But even if you choose to tackle the cleanup yourself, the steps above will help you approach the job the same way seasoned investors do.

8 Common Mistakes That Lower Your Home’s Resale Value

We partnered with a real estate company for this post. The opinions in the post are honest. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are based on our personal views. We are excited because we know you will love it.

When it’s time to sell your house, every small detail matters. A few overlooked issues can make buyers hesitate or reduce their offer price. From neglected repairs to poor curb appeal, some mistakes can quietly eat away at your home’s resale value. The good news is that most of these problems are fixable with a little awareness and preparation. Let’s look at eight common missteps that can cost sellers money and how to avoid them.

Mistake No. 1: Ignoring Basic Maintenance

Leaky faucets, squeaky doors, and peeling paint might seem minor, yet they send the wrong message to buyers. A home that looks uncared for raises red flags about bigger hidden problems. Regular maintenance, such as sealing cracks, fixing drips, and tightening loose fixtures, shows responsibility. Buyers often make emotional decisions. When they spot neglected maintenance, they assume future headaches. Staying ahead on upkeep signals that your home has been treated with respect, which instantly adds confidence and value to the sale.

Mistake No. 2: Skipping Professional Cleaning and Decluttering

Clutter makes rooms feel smaller and hides the true potential of your home. Too many personal items can also make it hard for buyers to imagine their own life in the space. Before listing, deep clean every room, from carpets to baseboards, and remove anything that distracts from the home’s features. Consider hiring a cleaning service to reach spots you might overlook, such as ceiling fans or behind appliances. A spotless, well-organized home photographs better and shows buyers that the property has been cared for in detail.

Mistake No. 3: Overpersonalizing Renovations

Your bright red kitchen cabinets or jungle-themed bathroom might reflect personality, but they can limit your buyer pool. Highly specific design choices often make it harder for others to picture themselves living there. Neutral colors and simple finishes appeal to a wider range of people. If you’ve made unique updates, consider small changes to tone them down. Repainting bold walls or replacing unusual fixtures. Buyers will see move-in-ready potential instead of extra projects they’ll need to redo.

Mistake No. 4: Forgetting About Curb Appeal

First impressions start the moment someone pulls into the driveway. Overgrown grass, faded paint, or cracked sidewalks make buyers question what other issues might exist inside. Boosting curb appeal doesn’t require huge spending just some attention to detail.

Trim bushes, add mulch, clean gutters, and pressure wash walkways. A few flower pots near the entrance can make the home feel inviting. If your budget allows, a new mailbox or updated front door color can provide an instant refresh. For homeowners in Kansas City, contacting Chris Buys Homes KC can be a smart move if you’d rather sell quickly without spending on upgrades. They buy homes as-is, saving you time and repair costs while still giving you a fair offer.

Mistake No. 5: Neglecting Lighting and Ambience

A dim or poorly lit home feels smaller and older than it really is. Lighting affects mood and can either highlight or hide a home’s best features. Make sure every room is bright and welcoming before showings or photos. Replace outdated light fixtures with modern, affordable ones and choose warm LED bulbs for a cozy glow. Open curtains during the day to let in natural light. In the evening, add lamps in darker corners to create balance and comfort.

Mistake No. 6: Ignoring Minor Repairs Before Listing

Loose railings, squeaky doors, or cracked tiles might not seem urgent, yet buyers see them as signs of neglect. These small flaws often lead to lower offers or repair requests during inspection. Fixing them early prevents negotiations from stalling later.

Take a walk through your home and note anything that feels worn or broken. Touch up wall paint, replace broken switch plates, recaulk around tubs, tighten cabinet handles, and oil any noisy hinges. These details might sound simple, but together they shape a buyer’s overall impression of how well your home has been cared for. Addressing them before listing creates a cleaner, more confident presentation that buyers appreciate.

Mistake No. 7: Mispricing Your Home

Setting the wrong price is one of the biggest reasons homes sit unsold. Overpricing turns buyers away, while underpricing means leaving money on the table. Research recent sales in your area and compare homes with a similar size, condition, and location. A good real estate agent can guide you through a pricing strategy using market data and buyer behavior trends. Staying realistic and flexible often leads to faster offers and smoother negotiations.

Mistake No. 8: Skipping Pre-Sale Inspections

Many sellers wait for buyers to order inspections, but getting one done beforehand can work to your advantage. A pre-sale inspection reveals problems early, giving you time to fix them or adjust the price accordingly. Buyers appreciate transparency, and sharing inspection results builds trust. It can even prevent last-minute deal collapses due to surprises. Think of it as an investment that saves stress and supports a stronger sale.

Bonus Tip: Overlooking Energy Efficiency and Photos

Modern buyers care about energy costs and first impressions online. Outdated windows, poor insulation, or dull photos can hurt value fast. Small upgrades like weather-stripping, LED lighting, or hiring a pro photographer can pay off quickly. Clean, bright listing photos and efficient features make your home look valuable and ready for the future.

Final Thoughts

Selling a home is part preparation, part presentation. Each small improvement tells buyers that your home has been loved and maintained. Avoiding these common mistakes not only saves time but can add thousands to your final sale price. Every detail from clean windows to updated lighting, works together to leave a lasting impression. When your house feels ready, buyers feel confident, and that confidence translates directly into stronger offers.