• Rug Size – Make sure to take measurements of the entryway, and do not make the mistake of purchasing a rug that is too small or big for the room’s size. The proper size of the rug is based on the scale of the rug in comparison to the room. If the rug is too small, it will be overlooked and feel simply out of place. If the rug is too large, it will overtake the entire space and weigh down the room with its bulkiness. 

• Rug Placement – First, you will want to leave enough space between the rug and the bottom of the door. Thinner rugs will be more durable and long-lasting than a thick pile rug. Plus, a thin rug will be much easier to clean in a front entryway. Make sure you can open and close the door, so the rug does not interfere with the door’s function.

• Rug Maintenance – Think about the type of debris being brought into the home. Do you experience a lot of rain and snow? Are you at the coast or desert bringing in sand? What about grass and leaves? Will you wash the rug or vacuum and clean periodically? The rug material also determines its care and maintenance. A wool or silk rug while durable, generally are spot cleaned or professionally cleaned. Most cotton rugs can be washed, but be aware they may shrink. Rayon and synthetic rugs with a rubber backing are best spot-cleaned. Natural jute rugs are maintained by sweeping and shaking out.

• Rugs with a Pattern – If your entryway feels underwhelming, think about picking out a rug with a multi-colored pattern or design. They are excellent for camouflaging dirt, debris, and pet hair. The life of a patterned rug will be longer than a solid rug because visual wear patterns are not seen as easily.

1. Do Not Pick Your Color First – Determine what you are keeping in the room. Organize existing colors in the room starting with the flooring, furniture, window coverings, artwork, and area rugs. You will also want to take a look at how much natural light comes into the room. Consider how all these various colors play off each other and choose your color to support these multiple items. We recommend selecting your main wall color from an accent throw pillow, area rug or window coverings. If you pick your color first, you may end up limiting your choices for items that match.
2. Consider the Entire Home – Think about walking from room to room and understanding that this flow is detrimental in the transition from each space. You will want the entire home to blend aesthetically from room to room. There should not be an awkward break in any space. Ideally, you will want each room to flow into the next. For example, you would not want to paint the kitchen red and have the family room be a neon green. 
3. Do Not Pick a Color Too Saturated or Bright – If you love red, we recommend not painting the entire room red because it will overpower the room. Instead, choose an accent piece like a lamp with a red base or red accent pillows to introduce the color into the room. Wall colors with a lighter more muted color like a gray work much better for the wall color. The last thing you want is for the paint colors to fight and clash with the other colors in the room.
4. Your Emotional Goals, Do Not Overlook Them – It is essential to understand what tone you are trying to set for each space. For example, your bedroom should be a peaceful and relaxing retreat. When you enter the room, the visual goal is to decompress and relax preparing you for a restful night’s sleep. Choosing a bright saturated color will have the opposite effect. Think of using a more muted green, blue, lavender or gray paint colors to set the tone of tranquility. You can use this tip for any space. Take into consideration what kind of energy you what the space to evoke and go from there. 

The three essential ways to change a room are lighting, walls, and flooring. With walls, usually the go-to is paint, but adding an accent wall or a backdrop wall behind a television or headboard can really enhance a room’s overall aesthetic. Adding a backdrop is a way to infuse your design style with a statement yet keeping a room still elegant and simple. Here are four backdrop ideas you should consider adding to your space to make a powerful statement:

Wood

Adding a wood backdrop can really make a room feel more cozy and warm. This is great to add into any room as your accent wall and looks very elegant and pristine. Most tones of wood are considered neutral, but you will want to be cognitive if a wood color clashes with the rest of your room. Some woods may have red or orange tones which may look out of place in a cool-toned room.

Tile

A backsplash of tile behind a television or in your bedroom can quickly make a room more enriched. Tile is associated with a classier atmosphere and looks great on the walls just as much as on the floor. Adding this to your home is a phenomenal way to make a statement and to help transform a bland room into a classy and sophisticated space.

Wallpaper

With so many styles and variations, you are sure to find the perfect complimenting wallpaper to accent a wall in your room. You can find wallpapers with woods, tiles, contemporary designs, subtle textures and much more. Putting wallpaper as a backdrop in your space can really transform a room’s overall appearance and draw eyes to a focal point. You can even use wallpaper on the backside of built-in cabinets for a stylish twist. The design options are truly endless. 

Brick

Brick walls can be considered a rustic or even an industrial design approach. Exposing elements of construction in your design is an artsy way to enhance a room’s atmosphere. If your home has exposed brick, we recommend not cover it. Use this element to enhance the room and own its uniqueness. This is a perfect remedy to making a home feel fun and balanced with its architectural roots.

Backdrop and Accent Walls Always Help
Adding these accent walls can really help transform a room. Think of your accent wall as a focal point of the room and a pivotal point to reflect when adding décor to your space. Your backdrops can help bring balance to your space as well as enhance a room’s design.

Hygge (HUE-guh) is more than just a Danish trend for a Scandinavian/Minimalist Designed home. Hygge is a lifestyle. It is the quest for exploring happiness through the coziness and comfort of your home. Hygge is the experience or feeling you get when snuggling up at home in front of the fireplace sipping on hot cocoa while cuddling with your loved one. We have no word that describes it in the English language, but to the Danish, this is a crucial part of their defining culture. This pursuit for comfort is beyond being content or having wealth. It is finding the beauty and comfort in the simple things despite external conditions. This lifestyle has slowly trickled itself into the design world and has been a captivating way to encompass comfort and well-being in your home. How you can bring this aspect into your home is quite simple. We put together some useful tricks to help you capture hygge and bring that soothing sense of comfort and intimacy into your space.

Fire

Denmark citizens have been considered the happiest people in the world for a long time. Though they have some treacherous winters. That feeling you get when sitting next to a fire or the mood you experience from smelling burning candles at night is hygge. Incorporating fire into the design of your home is a way to help capture this feeling. If you do not have a working fireplace, you can invest in candles and place them inside of it to produce a glowing, warm light.

Simplicity

Hygge does not come with a giant price tag sticker. It is recognized by finding happiness out of the simple things in life. Time with your loved ones, board games, relaxing in the moment without the encumbering stresses of the daily world around you; recognizing that you can slow down and enjoy the moment in your home. Play guitar, read a book, sip of your favorite warm beverage, or drink some wine. Enjoying life for its true core value is key to obtaining this style. Grab a cozy blanket and cuddle up for a bit. Treat yourself and indulge in life’s moments. You do not have to have the most extravagant belongings to experience hygge, you just need to be able to make your atmosphere inviting and relaxing, so people enjoy staying.

Comfort

Your comfort is key to hygge. Consider your home’s style a Scandinavian Minimalist lounge. Elements contributed to the pure satisfaction of relaxations is key to mastering this style. Fill your home with comfort spots, cozy rugs, fun patterned pillows, pictures of your loved ones, and incorporate elements of nature into your design. Anything that brings a warm comfort feeling to you is welcome to the design style. Remember, it is not only about mastering the design, but about embracing a lifestyle of a comfortable home and welcoming environment.

Lifestyle

Adding this style to your home is a way to contribute to your homes overall comfort. If you embrace the style of your space as being homey and comforting, it can reflect in your personal life. Try adding these tricks and tips to your home today to achieve ultimate hygge.

We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks. Be sure to check out our other blogs at Carpets N More.

Herringbone

This pattern’s name derives from the resemblance to the bones found in a herring fish.  With its zig-zag nature, it allows the room to not feel directional but enhances the design and openness of the room.  This is great to do with tile, luxury vinyl planking, or hardwood floors.  Some tongue and grooved flooring will not allow for this pattern, so check with your manufacture prior to purchase. 

Checkerboard. 

Buying your first home can being exciting, but chances are, you do not have all the furniture, décor, and living utensils you want right away.  You want to make your new place feel like home but do not want to break bank, and designing your space can be quite challenging when trying to balance your budget and do not have your dream furniture yet.  Sometimes, you will inherit a mix of colors, styles, and genres of furniture and décor to furnish your home or you are limited on a budget to get everything you want in the beginning.  Here are three helpful tips that can help you design your first home on a budget: 

Create Your Design Around What You Have

If you have any furniture when you move into your house, that is a great start.  You can design your theme around what you already have.  It may not be your end goal, but you can simply make a design off the furniture you already own.  Maybe you want to have a warm-hued rustic living room, but you obtained a modern, blue futon.  Designing your theme around your current furniture is a simple trick to save money and not have a room feel awkward.

Quality over Quantity

When buying your furniture, consider quality over quantity.  If you are getting a filler piece until you can afford your next furniture item, you are wasting money.  Start a budget towards the furniture that you really want in your home and make sure they are quality pieces.  This will ensure that you do not have to buy new furniture every couple of years.  Take care of your furniture as you get it so that it can last with your home.

Patience

Do not rush the process.  Break your home into rooms and set aside budgets.  Prioritize what matters to you.  Some people may want their master room to be done first, or maybe you have a child on the way.  Entertainment may be your primary focus, and you may want to invest in your living room or entertainment room.  Make sure that you break down you home into smaller, more obtainable projects, so you do not get overwhelmed.  Remember, Rome was not built overnight.

Do not stress about your home being complete the day you move into it.  Weigh out what needs to be done first and get quality, timeless furniture to enhance your design style.  Even though it may seem stressful waiting on doing rooms, it can help ensure that you do it correctly.