When decorating your living room, homeowners often place a priority on selecting the right upholstery, wall color, and curtains, but the same emphasis should be placed on using a good lighting scheme. After all, the living room is where you entertain guests, hang out with family, watch television, and read books. Lighting is essential for both function and the overall look of the room. It also sets the mood in the room. Since the living room is likely the first room that your guests will enter, you want to make sure you are setting the right tone. Here are tips for effectively lighting up the living room:

Layering Lighting

A pleasant living room lighting scheme uses different types of lighting that sit at different levels within the room and work together to add warmth and intimacy. You can layer lighting by using multiple lighting fixtures within the space. For instance, in addition to overhead lighting, you might want to include lamps on the end tables. Opt for dimmers since they allow you to control the level of lighting in the room according to the activity that’s taking place.

Additionally, there are three lighting strategies that you can implement in your living room:

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting is suitable for accentuating specific areas of the living room. If you want to bring attention to an architectural feature such as the fireplace or a piece of artwork, accent lighting is the best way to go. Use recessed adjustable light fixtures that highlight the area of interest. Accent lighting should illuminate as much as five times more than the other lighting sources your use within the room.

Ambient Lighting

Ambient lighting will provide overall illumination in the living room area. You can use overhead lights such as a chandelier, mounted wall fixtures, or a lamp. Ambient lighting is crucial because it is the general source of lighting and must be of quality. Be sure to look for high-quality pieces that add your room’s overall lighting.

Decorative Lighting

Decorative lighting adds some visual interest to the living room. You can use unique table lamps, hanging pendants and other decorative lighting fixtures to add that extra hint of coziness. Additionally, decorative lighting adds more personalization to the room. It is your chance to add a little bit of style and flair to your living room design.

Finish off your living room design with window coverings and floors from Carpets N More. With a wide selection of products available at reasonable prices, you are sure to find something you absolutely love. Visit us today for more information!

There is nothing that brings the outdoors inside better than plant life. Plants will add that natural element to your home that it may be missing from your design. If you have not planted inside prior, you may want to weigh out some of your options. You can have easy to maintain plants like bamboo and more difficult plants like orchids. Plants come in all different shapes and sizes. You should research plants before buying them and consider if they are pet-friendly, shade tolerant, need direct sunlight, need extra humidity, and if they are easy to kill.

Temporary

Consider how much you are willing to invest in your plant. Some plants can just be temporary like cut roses you sit in a vase for a couple of days, whereas others may be around for quite some time. Also, determine how big your plant will get and if it will eventually need to be moved outside. Plants are great to put as a centerpiece on tables and even as accent trees in corners.

Easy

If you are worried about taking on your first plant, you can take on an easy plant like succulents or cacti. Low-maintenance plants should not die if you forget to water them. Also growing herbs in your kitchen like parsley or cilantro is a fun hobby if you like to cook. Try keeping your first plant in a room that you find yourself in most of the day as this will help you to remember to water it as well.

Faux

Maybe keeping a plant alive is not your thing; try faux plants. These are great for adding greenery to rooms and can be put in hard-to-reach areas as well. Faux plants are great because you have no maintenance, so you can put them just about anywhere in your home to add some green to the room. Try putting them up above your kitchen cabinets or even on a bookshelf. It is incredible what a little green plant can do to a room aesthetics.

Adding plants around your home is a great way to make it feel livelier. Keep plants by windows so they can get their needed sunlight and do not forget to water them. Whether you go with a beautiful bush or a cactus, this is a great addition for any home.

Having your first baby can be exciting! Your home is the sanctuary your child will be raised in, and everything must be perfect. You aspire to give your child the best and safest life possible; however, your home is not childproof yet, and the baby is on the way! Everything must be perfect, and you have never done this before in your life! The stress is common, so just relax, take a deep breath. These three simple tricks can get your home childproof and baby friendly, quickly and efficiently:

Safety

Your first and utmost responsibility is your child’s safety. Babies will crawl around and bump into anything they can. Make sure that nothing can fall off tabletops or counters if the baby pushes it. You may want to provide soft surfaces in your home in rooms the infant will be. Carpet and rugs are both child-friendly for falls. Keep in mind your daily responsibilities, for example, hot liquids like coffee should not be left unattended. You will also need to keep a keen eye out for any choking hazards and remove them from the room.

Nursery

You will also want to create a nursery or a bedroom for your child. All outlets should have outlet covers, soft flooring should be installed, and dangerous corners of furniture should be covered. You can decorate the nursery however you would like and what fits best for your baby. You may want to have a chair to sit in, a changing station, and toys readily available.

Supplies

Put together some supplies prior to your baby’s arrival. Diapers, rash ointment, first-aid kits, and baby soap are a good start. You may want a baby monitor for when you are not in the room as well. Do not forget to invest in feeding bottles, pacifiers, sippy cups, and a stroller. All these investments bought pre-birth can save you time! If you are looking to save money, having a baby shower or sprinkle can help you acquire items that you may not be able to afford on your own.

We are excited for you, and congratulations on your baby! Get your home baby ready with these simple tactics. Do not stress and slowly get your supplies. This is an experience of a lifetime.

Whether you live in a small home, apartment, studio, or loft, you understand the struggle of a small space living. Being able to facilitate every square foot of the room is critical! While it can feel daunting at times to maneuver through your space, it is essential to understand the fundamentals of what makes our homes feel small. Being able to maximize your space and understanding different tactics to make it feel larger is vital! To help, we gathered the four most important tricks you need to use in your home:

Light Colors

How light travels through a room affects our perception of a space. A room with a dark ceiling may feel like it does not have much height. Likewise, a room with dark walls can feel very confined and limiting. Simply adding light, airy colors, you can make a room feel larger. You can incorporate this in your paint theme, furniture, and décor. Light colors do not always have to be neutral; you can add light pastels as well to keep the room feeling open yet colorful.

Airy Curtains

Natural light will also allow a room to feel more open. By adding light, transparent curtains, you can allow more natural light to enter the atmosphere. Airy curtains will make the space feel more elegant and larger.

Smaller Rug

Area rugs are great at making a room feel more inviting. However, some people get the size wrong. An area rug does not need to feel like a wall to wall carpet. A small area rug does not set boundaries to the room but adds comfort. Investing in the right size area rug can visually open the room more.

Open Furniture

Lastly, invest in open furniture. Minimalistic furniture can prevent setting boundaries. Envision a bulky, ornate bookshelf in a room. Now, picture one that is more open and less pack. The more open layout bookshelf will allow you to see the walls. It prevents setting boundaries in our minds, and this can help make a room look larger.

Do not let your small home restrain you from your ultimate design. Finding and manipulating your space takes time, but is worth the endeavors. How do you get the most out of your small space? Let us know in the comment section below and make sure to subscribe.

When it comes to interior design, most people fear using bold colors. If you are not afraid of using color or are interested in dabbling with hues in your living space, you might want to consider investing in a bold colored sofa. In fact, a vibrant hued sofa can liven up your living room and completely transform a space. Introducing color through furniture is a great place to start. Here are four sofa colors you might want to try:

Blue

Are you slowly developing a tolerance for color? If so, consider infusing the space with a deep, luxurious blue-hued sofa. Blue is a color that most people can easily tolerate since it is calming and still considered traditional. In addition, a blue colored sofa can complement a range of decor styles and designing a living room around such a piece is not a challenge.

From light baby blue to deep navy, there are many different types of blues you can select for your sofa color. If you want to make a significant impact, you should opt for a vibrant, blue color. Depending on the shade, you can pair it with neutral elements and natural materials.

Green

Green is another calming color that looks great in any living room style. Since green is often associated with nature, it is bound to make you feel relaxed and at ease. When searching for the perfect green couch, consider investing in an emerald-hued sofa. Emerald is a rich color that gives off luxe vibes. A green sofa works well in a contemporary or traditional style room. Also, emerald works well with other colors such as pink, yellow, and blue.

Yellow

Yellow has come a long way in the design world. It is no longer associated with a dated style. Just think, a vibrant yellow sofa can inject so much life and energy into a space. From mustard, buttercup to sunshine yellow, there are a variety of shades you can choose from in the yellow family. Yellow is a sleek and clean color that pairs beautifully with neutrals and other vibrant hues.

Purple

Purple may be the last color you would think to use in your living space, but a purple sofa could be just the thing that your living room is missing. Purple is often associated with elegance and makes for the perfect piece if you desire to inject richness and character into your living room. For a royal touch, be sure to try out a purple sofa.

Which sofa color sparks the most interest in you? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section!

Are you ready to update your bedroom design, but are not sure where to start? We have listed a few tips below that will help you get started and will not cost an arm and a leg! We do recommend to look online and visit a couple of your favorite retail stores to get an idea of the color and the style you want to convey in your design. Otherwise, let’s get started!

Headboard

When choosing your headboard, keep in mind the design’s style, color, material, and texture. Do you lean towards modern, contemporary, traditional, industrial, eclectic, or transitional style? If you decide on a certain style, try to keep the rest of the design simple throughout the room. You will also want to keep it consistent. If you have a modern headboard, try to gear your design towards modern finishes.

Bedding

You can spend a ton of money here, or you can buy sheets on a budget. If you have a little extra to spend, we recommend purchasing a higher thread count of 1,000 or higher. You can also pay more for Egyptian cotton sheets or spend less on microfiber sheets. If your bedroom is more romantic, make sure you purchase lace-edged sheets on the pillowcases and the top sheet, and you can make the sheets more special and memorable by buying monogrammed pillowcases.

Decorative Pillows

Pillows are the perfect opportunity to introduce another color and various fabrics/textures to the room. Traditionally, you will want to purchase two euro, two standard and a couple of accent pillows, but there are no set rules to follow. If you are going for a modern design style, purchase a long lumbar rolled pillow that fits the entire width of the bed.

Artwork

If you have chosen a minimal amount of color and want a quiet, serene bedroom, artwork is the perfect opportunity to introduce a pop of color, whether it is a bright or a muted tone. We recommend choosing a larger piece of art over the bed as your focal point of the room.

Area Rug

Rugs are another way to bring in textures like faux fur, natural fibers, color, and additional coordinating patterns and prints to your room’s design. Do not be afraid to add an interesting area rug or wall to wall carpet for an extra layer of comfort in your design.

Are you in the market for new floors? At Carpets N More, we provide flooring at a reasonable price to fit any budget. Stop into one of our showrooms today to learn more about our wide selection, and we hope to see you soon!

Are you looking for ways to refresh your home’s design? If so, it may be the perfect time to reconsider your window treatments. While textiles, colors, and accessories add visual interest to the room, your window solutions can be the thing that grasps the attention of your guests. If you are ready to get creative, here are some unique window treatment trends that suit all budgets and styles:

Decorative Window Films

A lot of common window treatments are drapes, blinds, and shutters, but window film can provide privacy while letting in natural light. Decorative window film is made from a flexible vinyl substance that is cut to fit each individual window. You can find window film in a variety of colors, finishes and there is a range of patterns from florals to geometrics. Decorative window films are generally inexpensive.

You may be wondering, where are some areas in the home that really benefit from window film? You can get creative in your kid’s bedroom by choosing a film featuring a funky design. Combine with curtains for more privacy. In rooms such as the kitchen that do not require a high level of privacy window, the film would be a great alternative option.

Jewel Tones

Curtains and drapes with rich jewel tones like deep, dark reds, subtle blues, and rich greens can be great additions to any room. These hues create an air of sophistication and will make you feel like you are living in a luxurious space.

Personalize Your Window Treatment

Customize your window treatments to your personal taste by adding some embellishments. This is a great idea for store-bought pieces. You can add trim to cafe style or standard sized drapes and curtains. Go further by adding beads, shells, and buttons as you see fit.

Natural Elements

Using window treatments that are derived from natural or organic materials have become a popular choice. To embrace this trend, you can select window dressings such as matchstick blinds, woven shades, or bamboo design. You can combine such earthy materials with sheer linen panels for added detail.

Layering Shades

Another trend is to layer different types of shades. For example, you can install a sheer shade next to a window that has a blackout shade hanging from it. You can also layer a sheer curtain with a thicker drape on top of it on one window.

How do you dress up your windows? We would love to hear your style and inspiration in the comment section.

“Contemporary” is a popular word that has been used frequently in the design world. Sometimes, the word is even misused. So what is a Contemporary style home, and what are some of the key elements of this type of design? Well, Contemporary is a style that encompasses a wide range of other styles. It is a type of style that evolved from modern architecture, particularly in the 21st century. In fact, Contemporary homes are a modern designed home whose primary focus is on form and function. The Contemporary style continues to change according to what is current in the industry. This includes a blend of elements that creates an air of sophistication. To help you better understand, we focused on four key attributes that create Contemporary design. Let’s take a look!

Color Is Important

Color is a crucial element to a Contemporary style home. Usually, it is offset by neutral tones on the walls. When selecting a color for the walls, try selecting colors such as pure white, off white, or even taupe for the perfect balance. If you want to spice things up a bit, you can use an accent color on one of the walls in your living room or select a bold colored couch. Vivid, stylish decorative accessories can be implemented to complete the look.

Create a Lighting Scheme

Developing a lighting scheme is vital for achieving a Contemporary style home because it is essential to illuminate the room’s design. These days there are so many different ways you can add light to a room beside the traditional lamp on the table. You can incorporate lighting sconces, and you can strategically add multiple small ceiling light fixtures. Track lighting, floor lamps, and pendant lighting are also some trendy lighting sources found in Contemporary style homes.

Metal as an Accent

Metal is a popular element in most Contemporary designed houses. Stainless steel, chrome, and nickel are some types of metal accents that make up this design. It creates a sleek and clean look. Plus, it is easy to implement metal accent in the kitchen and bathroom with your choice of faucet and appliances. To keep the design consistent throughout the home, you can select lamps, coffee tables, and other accessories with metal finishes.

Texture

The texture element is everything in a Contemporary home. Do not shy away from velvet, silk, and even wool accessories. Faux fur rugs, overstuffed pillows, and patterned window treatments offset the rigid lines of metal found in the home.

What are your thoughts on Contemporary design? Have you tried it in your own home? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section.

We are continually discovering innovated ways to create better products. As technology advances, we are looking for ways to create more efficient, healthier, and valuable products in our lives. However, some of these materials do not need to be heavily engineered and are naturally occurring. Bamboo is an extremely versatile product we have been using for centuries in our homes. This grass can grow in almost any climate in the world except extremely frigid atmosphere. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet, making it revolutionary green products. We have adapted this plant into many useful products we use in homes today. To truly understand how versatile this plant can be, we looked at three completely different and unique ways this plant can benefit your home. Let’s take a look!

Flooring

While commonly classified as hardwood flooring, bamboo is actually a grass. This exotic flooring option is extremely durable and resilient to scratching. This clean, modern flooring option can be easily cleaned and is low maintenance. Similar to hardwood flooring, you can also refinish your planks, allowing you to get even more longevity out of the product.

Bedding

When you think of bamboo, you probably envision a very hard stalk of grass. However, bamboo can be weaved into a material used for pillows and sheets. This eco-friendly solution is exceptionally soft and comfortable. Bamboo sheets are commonly desired because they are breathable and stay cool. Most people refer to bamboo sheets as feeling silky enjoy that they stay cool all night. Bamboo sheets have other added benefits like being hypoallergenic and extremely durable as well.

Furniture

Bamboo is incredibly strong. If you are looking for a green solution to furnishing your home, consider bamboo. Bamboo furniture can be bent into intricate designs or weaved together for extreme durability. This natural look can give a raw, authentic feel to your furniture inside and outside your home.

If you are looking for cleaner and greener solutions to add to your home, consider bamboo. With unique products and solutions for all over your house, bamboo is a very versatile solution. Take advantage of this abundant plant and get some of its amazing benefits today! For more eco-friendly home solutions, make sure to subscribe!

Paint is one of the most cost-effective ways to completely transform a room’s appearance. Plus, it is a task you can perform yourself when modifying your home. This project can take a couple of days, so plan to make sure you have time to finish. If this is your first time painting, it is common to have a lot of questions. We answered some of your most frequently asked questions on painting and prep:

How much paint do I need to purchase for a given surface?

Typically, you can use 2.5 gallons to cover 400 square feet. Take into consideration that textured walls will need more product. To calculate the square footage of a wall, you will determine the length times the width (length x width). If your ceiling is 7 feet and 8 inches tall, and your wall is 12 feet and 3 inches long, you have 94 square feet. You may be able to paint around four of these walls with one coat. You should also take into consideration how many coats you will need. If you are priming the wall, you may get away with just two layers; however, bold colors may take more coats. It will also take a lot of coats to take a dark wall and make it a light color. These all should be considered before purchasing your paint.

Where do I start? Walls, ceiling, or trim?

Different people may have different approaches. There is no “wrong” way. Just make sure you can keep clean lines and no overspills or runs. Most people tend to start from the ceiling down. This way if paint runs, you can cover it as you go. Perhaps, start with the ceiling followed by the walls. You may decide to remove your trim to paint to avoid splattering on the floors.

How do I remove wallpaper?

Peel away as much as you can by hand. You may need a wallpaper shaver to get started. If the wallpaper is extremely difficult to remove, consider using a liquid stripper. These chemical options need time to soak into the wallpaper to break down the paste below the paper.

If you have more question you would like us to cover, feel free to leave a question below in the comment section. Painting can be an effective way to change your home. Remember to tape off everything thoroughly to avoid splattering.

For more tips and tricks, make sure to subscribe to our blog. Thanks for reading!