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!

With social media and the high demand of modern society, we seem to find little time for ourselves. Many people are desiring to have more privacy and a secluded atmosphere. But some homeowners have pushed this a step further with off-the-grid homes as the answer to total seclusion. The idea is to live in a country oasis that can “self-survive” without means of supplied electricity or water from an external company. Therefore, “off the grid” is literally referring to going “off the power grid.” This style of living is trending more and more nowadays, and if you are considering this exclusive lifestyle, here are three things you need to know:

Tiny Homes

Typically, off the grid homes are referred to as “tiny homes.” These structures are small in size and can be around 200-400 square feet. It is important to understand how to get the most out of a small space. This “RV Style” of living creates functionality and household essentials to create a compact living structure. Sometimes, these home will have multipurpose areas and store away tables and beds until the need of use.

Is It Legal?

This question is a little more complicated than just a yes or no answer. Living off the grid is not illegal; however, zoning makes it a bit more complicated. City ordinances will allow you to camp on your property. They also allow you to generate your own forms of electricity as well as grow your own food supply. Yet, some laws make it illegal to camp on your property for over two weeks. Crazy, right? To get around this, you need to have a long-term camping permit. There are also laws which prevent you from building a construct on your property under 500 square feet. So, if you wanted to add a cabin, it may not meet codes of zoning. It is also illegal to collect rainwater in some areas. This means, unless you have a well, you may have a hard time getting water to your off the grid home.

Water and Electricity

There are several solutions for having water and electricity in off-the-grid homes. For electricity, you can invest in solar power. This will allow you to convert light into electricity. You can also invest in a generator, but this will limit your stay before you need to buy more fuel. Several solutions are available to in high wind areas and if your home will be near running water. Water may be challenging to come across. Some off-the-grid homeowners will harvest rainwater. Other solutions include water cisterns, digging a well, or gravity fed water systems.

Off-the-grid homes are a great solution for creating your dream retirement. While the investment up front may be expensive, it is incredibly rewarding. For more insight on interior design and home trends, make sure to subscribe to our blog page here.

You get into a routine of when to do certain chores. Your daily chores may be as simple as making your bed or doing the dishes, or perhaps you have grocery day and a laundry day once a week. These simple habits can become routines. When you space out chores biweekly or once a month, it can be hard to remember what day they fall on during your busy life. It can be even more tasking to remember chores you only need to tackle once a year. However, we still have some maintenance and tasks we need to do annually. We put together a simple checklist as a reminder. If you have yet to tackle these in the last year, make these your new projects this week.

Curtains

While your curtains may be suspended, they still fall victim to airborne nuisance dust and allergens. Most textiles are magnets for dust. While your carpet and couches will hold more, your curtains and drapes should be washed once a year. This can help keep your home cleaner and prevent allergies.

Gutters

Your gutters are a simple way to take the water off your roof and direct it to a run-off or a drain; however, if your gutters get congested with leaves and debris, it will jeopardize the system. You should try to take care of this once a year to ensure your gutters are working correctly and efficiently. If you live in a wooded environment, you may need to do this more frequently.

Fireplace

When you use your fireplace, the wood you burn release contaminants and soot into your chimney. This build-up takes time but should be removed annually if you are using your fireplace. It is best to tackle this in the fall, so it is prepared by winter.

Mattress

You are recommended to sleep 1/3 of your life. That means you probably spend that portion of your life in bed and matting down your mattress. To prevent your mattress from “over-forming” to your body, it is best to flip and rotate your mattress once a year.

Today’s high pace society can make annual chores the last thing on your mind. With these four annual chores, you can rest assured that your tasks are complete. You can tackle them all once a year or break them into four separate tasks that you complete quarterly. Just find a method that works best with your own schedule.

Looking for a way to add character to your home without doing a complete overhaul? Try decorating an accent wall. It is a simple solution for creating a focal point in the room, and there are many ways to approach this idea. From traditional methods to more unique materials, the point of creating a feature wall is to have a section of the room that catches the eye, expresses your style and maintains functionality all at the same time. Read on for some great ideas for accent walls.

Forever a Classic

The simplest method and usually the first one that comes to mind is a painted wall. If you want to keep things minimalistic, a solid color that is more on the “bold side” can do the trick. If you are going to add something with a little more detail, try a patina paint to bring out a metallic look, or you can stick with a solid scheme and incorporate alternating stripes or a sponging technique.

Welcome Back, Wallpaper

If you want to skip the paint, there are endless possibilities with wallpaper. Smooth, textured, simple, intricate-there will most definitely be something to suit your tastes. It is especially helpful if you enjoy a particular design but do not want to have to go through the hassle of stenciling each section individually.

Embrace the Senses

Another way to add texture to your space is by simply using a different material. A few tried and true choices you can count on for a fabulous look are reclaimed wood panels, stacked stone, and faux brick. Any of these choices will add a more earthy, warm feeling to your home.

More Modern Approach

If you are looking for a more futuristic, modern vibe for your living space, try installing 3D panels or stacked upholstered wall panels. The 3D look will be an eye catcher and conversation starter no matter what color you choose. Like art, it will jump right out and command the attention of those in the room. Upholstered wall panels are a great way to achieve a symmetrical look that pops out at you as well. The extra dimension will add some softness to the room but will not make the space look too busy.

Which accent wall idea was your favorite? Let us know your thoughts below in the comment section!