How do you design a contemporary home?

Some of the cornerstones of contemporary design include clean lines and open-concept spaces, like wide living spaces that connect to kitchens. That means you may have lots of space to fill when choosing your furniture, and how you style open areas is important. Reach out to the Design Desk to learn more about styling large open spaces.

How do you design a home office?

That depends on a few factors, like what you'll be using it for and how much space you have. If you'll be taking the occasional meeting in your home office, you'll want comfortable seating that's still professional, and no matter what, you'll need a sturdy desk and a desk chair you can work in for long periods at a time. Don't ignore the decor in your work space ... it's a way to inspire yourself and those around you.

What is smart home interior design?

The space where home design meets the smart home might feel like an awkward spot, but Abt has been here for years. Smart home interior design is where tech meets home style; if you're ready to expand your smart home, our custom AV team is ready to help get you there.

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Tips From Riley: How To Design Your Own Home

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Tips from Riley at the Design Desk: How To Design Your Own Home

A photo of Riley Castino beside a scene in the furniture section at Abt featuring a white sectional and coffee table.

By: Sean

Content Writer

12 min read

Homes are where our hearts fall into place, and that's why your space should feel just like you. That being said, figuring out how to design a home isn't easy, especially with how many options are at our fingertips today. Whether you're planning a whole-home renovation, shopping for a new house or looking to redo a single room, we've got experts who can help, like Riley Castino at the Abt Design Desk. Riley is joined by a team of experts in the field of home design, all of whom can be found on the second floor of Abt's Atrium. You may already know what you want or you might be searching for inspiration—either way, experts like Riley at the Abt Design Desk can help. We sat down with Riley to ask her for some tips when it comes to designing your own home, and how to manage the task.

If you haven't been to Abt in a while, you've got to check out the Design Desk and our furniture collection, a place where modern style, home design, true expertise and Abt's service combine. Fabric swatches line cabinets, furniture samples are styled across the floor, and clients can get a touch and feel for everything available. Our in-house experts like Riley have been working in the realm of design for years, and you'll be able to tell when you speak with them. It's true that you can start from anywhere in the planning process with help from the Design Desk, and Riley emphasized that.

"I love when customers show us their plans and their pictures, but we can really start anywhere, whether a person has zero ideas and is just walking by or if they have a solid starting point ... we try and help people envision what their home will look like with new furniture and decor in their space, and it's a really exciting process."

The Design Desk's collection of hundreds of fabrics on display.

One of Riley's favorite elements of working the Design Desk at Abt is creating custom pieces for clients, whether they're coming by for the first time or are repeat customers. She mentioned that with many products, the customization options are endless, all so that you can create the perfect choice as you're discovering how to design your own home. And with specialists like Riley at the Desk, you're getting real help from an experienced professional in the field. You'll be hard-pressed to find that with online-only stores. And the more information clients bring, the more experts like Riley can help. Another tip from Riley for those interested in how to design a home: bring everything you have, whether that's inspiration, fabric, dimensions or something different.

"You can start out with nothing, and we'll help you from there. Just bring your ideas, and we'll help solidify them. But people can bring in their plans, their dimensions, even pieces of fabric or something like a pillow they'd love to work off of, and we'll go from there. Maybe they bought their appliances downstairs, and are hoping for kitchen furniture that will look good beside it. We can even just walk across the floor and look for pieces that they like (or don't like) together, and then we'll have a place to start. You don't have to be intimidated when it comes to designing. Just bring what you have, or just yourself, and we can work together to create something you'll love."

Riley wanted to make it clear that anyone can head up to the furniture department here at Abt, and the team at the Design Desk will help turn thoughts into inspiration, and inspiration into home upgrades. It's all about overcoming the challenge together.

Plans for a home beside different fabrics and an Abt folder.

When it comes to discovering how to design a home, you can't rush the process. That being said, every person is different and no two homes are the same, so you may not finish or ideal dining room table in your first meeting at the Design Desk. But you'll definitely have the support you need along with a better idea of what you want than you did before chatting with a specialist like Riley.

"People can make appointments online or over the phone, and we're happy to work with walk-ins, too. And while you can get a lot done with a single appointment, it's rarely a one-and-done-situation. We'll have you come back, see the progress or the finished products, and we'll go from there. Some people know exactly what they want and can make that decision ASAP, and others need a little more support. That's why we're here."

Even better, maybe you see something in the furniture section while you're browsing and want to buy fast. Or perhaps you're shopping online and see something you can have delivered ASAP. While some Abt furniture can be shipped quickly, if you're placing a custom order with help from our Design Desk, keep in mind that it may take some time for the design to be built, finished and shipped to us or your home.

The Palliser section of Abt's furniture collection. Favrics are on desiplay next to a table and interactive touch screen.

While Riley's given out her tips on how to make the best use of the Design Desk, she's not the only one walking the floor of the furniture department here at Abt. There are four other top consultants, and they all bring a unique approach to helping clients discover how to design their own homes. You can chat with designers who've worked in the field for decades, as well as specialists who have degrees in Interior Architecture, experience with staging and furnishing, and more. When it comes to Riley herself, it's in her blood. She's the daughter and grandaughter of interior designers, and brings her own wealth of experience to the table.

"We have lots of tips and tricks that you're not going to get from some of the other salespeople ... and we have a little bit of something for everyone, no matter their style. We've got a big floor here, access to great brands and so many styles. With this kind of team and our resources, you'll find something to love here."

We'd have to agree, and between top-tier furniture brands like Flexsteel, Bernhardt, Four Hands and many more, it's easy to find what you're searching for when deciding how to design a home. Maybe your entertainment space would be great for a reclining sofa, like the kind Flexsteel is lauded for. But what about a coffee table and the right accent decor? Wherever you are in the process, we can help.

It's your home, and it should feel like it. That's one of the main reasons that the Abt Design Desk was created: to help you make your home feel like its true self, whether that's something completely new, beautifully traditional or a perfect mix of both. To get started with experts like Riley Castino at the Design Desk, you can book a free appointment and meet up in-store or online. Schedule your appointment on the Design Desk's website or call Abt at 800-860-3577 to start your journey.