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How Often Should You Reupholster Furniture?
Understanding when to reupholster versus when to replace can save
you money, help you hold onto pieces you love, and prevent you from throwing away
furniture that still has plenty of life left in it
Werner Harmsen
2 days ago4 min read


Furniture Layouts for Homes That Entertain
Learn how to arrange furniture for entertaining spaces. Discover conversation seating, traffic flow, and sight line tips for gatherings that work.
Werner Harmsen
Aug 44 min read


How to Care for Leather Furniture So It Lasts a Lifetime
High-quality leather furniture doesn't just age—it develops character. However, keeping it pristine takes a little strategy (and knowing exactly what products to avoid). In this guide, we break down essential daily maintenance routines, the right way to handle accidental spills, and proper conditioning schedules to ensure your favorite chairs and sofas last a lifetime.
Werner Harmsen
Jul 294 min read


The Complete Guide to Caring for Quality Furniture
Quality furniture doesn't just age: it develops character. However, keeping it pristine takes a clear strategy. In this comprehensive guide, we break down essential daily maintenance routines, the right way to handle accidental spills, and proper material care schedules to ensure your favorite family pieces last for generations.
Werner Harmsen
Jul 227 min read


How to Design a Living Room That Works for Entertaining
Ever feel like you’re constantly rearranging furniture before guests arrive, or watching everyone crowd into the kitchen instead of the living room? Discover how to design a beautiful open-concept living space that balances everyday comfort with party-ready functionality.
Werner Harmsen
Jul 154 min read


Designing a Home that Grows With Your Life
Stop fighting your furniture. Hosting should be about connecting with people, not stressing over awkward seating or coaster vigilance. In this guide, we break down the simple rules of spatial flow—including why the 8-foot rule changes everything, how to pick flexible multi-purpose pieces, and the secret to choosing comfortable, resilient materials that survive every stage of family life.
Werner Harmsen
Jul 87 min read


Blending Heritage-Style Pieces with Today's Homes
That heavy 1940s dresser in the spare room or the family rocking chair in the basement doesn't have to stay hidden away. In Wisconsin, we value history and heritage, but we also live in modern spaces. Discover how to intentionally blend your most meaningful family heirlooms with contemporary design, without making your home feel like a museum.
Werner Harmsen
Jun 37 min read


How to Tell If Furniture Is Well-Made
Most furniture looks great in the store—but what happens two years later? We’re pulling back the curtain on how to identify heirloom-quality craftsmanship before you buy. Discover why kiln-dried hardwood is the gold standard, how to evaluate joinery like a master carpenter, and why we encourage you to "stay awhile" in our showroom. Don't just shop for a style; learn how to invest in a legacy.
Werner Harmsen
May 138 min read


Remodel Decisions You Can't Undo (And How to Get Them Right)
Staring at floor stains and cabinet samples wondering if you’re making a $10,000 mistake? You aren’t alone. Learn how to separate the paint colors from the permanent structural pivots so you can move forward with total confidence.
Werner Harmsen
Apr 294 min read


How to Plan a Home Remodel Without Regret
Ready to remodel but terrified of making a costly mistake?
You aren't just choosing a tile; you’re managing a budget, a timeline, and the looming fear of "renovator’s regret." In this comprehensive guide, we move past the Pinterest boards to give you a calm, expert roadmap. From our "Construction Countdown" timeline to identifying the materials that actually age well, learn how to plan your home transformation with confidence, so you can love the results for decades, not just
Werner Harmsen
Apr 224 min read


Curves, Comfort, and Flow
Walk into furniture showrooms in 2026, and you'll notice softer edges, rounded corners, and pieces that seem to wrap around you rather than sit at attention. Curves are back! A stiff, angular sofa might look modern, but if nobody wants to sit on it, what's the point? Curved furniture fixes that problem. It feels more welcoming, more human, and honestly, more at home in the kinds of spaces most of us actually live in.
Werner Harmsen
Apr 158 min read


Why Texture Matters More Than Ever
We talk a lot about color and layout, but texture is the secret ingredient that makes a room feel lived-in rather than staged. It's the difference between a space that looks good in a photo and one that feels good when you're actually sitting in it. And right now, in 2026, texture is having a moment, not because it's trendy, but because people are craving homes that feel warm and real after years of minimalist, screen-smooth surfaces.
Werner Harmsen
Apr 17 min read


Why Natural Wood and Authentic Materials Are Back in a Big Way
In Wisconsin, we know the value of a solid oak table or a stone floor that handles the seasons. Explore why we’re making the shift back to authentic, intentional materials that turn a house into a permanent sanctuary.
Werner Harmsen
Mar 257 min read


Kickstart Your Spring Home Projects with Werner Harmsen!
We are thrilled to announce that Werner Harmsen will be featured at the Tri-County Home & Outdoor Living Show! Meet us there and let us help you move past the "inspiration board" phase and get real, expert advice on your 2026 projects.
Werner Harmsen
Mar 112 min read


Earthy Color Palettes and How to Use Them in Your Home
Tired of chilly, clinical grays? We’re heading back to colors that make a house feel like a home. Learn how to layer mossy greens, riverbank clays, and harvest ochres with your natural wood finishes for a look that’s pure Wisconsin.
Werner Harmsen
Feb 255 min read


The Smart Homeowner's Guide to Buying Furniture that Actually Lasts
Stop falling for the 'showroom look' that falls apart in three years. Learn how to identify true furniture quality, from solid wood construction to professional upholstery, and why investing in professional design is the smartest way to build a home that lasts for generations.
Werner Harmsen
Feb 44 min read


Bringing 2026 Home: Werner Harmsen's Guide to Stylish, Small-Town Wisconsin Living
Discover how 2026 interior design trends like earthy hues, soft curves, and classic plaid are coming home to small-town Wisconsin. At Werner Harmsen, our mission is to help you create a space you love with heirloom-quality furnishings and handcrafted custom carpentry built to last for generations. Let us help you mix modern style with timeless local craftsmanship right here in Waupun.
Werner Harmsen
Jan 214 min read


The 80/20 Rule: The Secret to a Home That Feels Collected, Not Cluttered
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a room full of furniture you love, yet wondering why it feels more like a "jumble" than a "look," you’re not alone. The challenge of decorating with a mix of styles is striking that perfect balance between harmony and personality. Werner Harmsen is here to help you navigate the design process.
To help navigate the design process, we've found a simple, effective framework that takes the guesswork out of the process: The 80/20 Rule.
Werner Harmsen
Jan 72 min read


The Art of the Mix: How to Blend Eras for a Home That Feels Collected, Not Cluttered
Blending eras is an art, but it’s one you can master with a few guiding principles of craftsmanship and design.
Werner Harmsen
Dec 24, 20254 min read


The Ultimate Holiday Home Upgrade: Transform Your Home with Werner Harmsen's 12 Days of Deals
This sale is your opportunity to invest in quality craftsmanship that will define your home for years to come. The Werner Harmsen 12 Days of Deals covers your favorite categories, from kitchen renovations to cozy living room upgrades and offers the best year-end discounts. Don't wait - visit our downtown Waupun showroom to start saving on your holiday home upgrade!
Werner Harmsen
Dec 8, 20252 min read
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