Decorating the exterior of your home for the holidays is a creative challenge that can be exciting, especially if you live in a neighborhood that embraces outdoor holiday decorations. Devising a plan for your outdoor lighting does not have to be complicated. For maximum curb appeal, consider installing lights that place emphasis on your home’s best features. This will no doubt be an attention grabber. To help you highlight your home’s best features, we created a list of  some light design ideas you could consider implementing:

Architectural Features:

When decking your home’s exterior with Christmas lights, it is always best to start at the front of the house and work your way towards the sides. You really want to do your best work at the center because it will be the first thing everyone sees. If you have distinctive architectural features, be sure to highlight them with lighting. Perhaps, you have a chimney, a large oak door, arches and other types of rooftop details. The front door should be the focal point, so feel free to go all out in this area. Also, balance is key; try to tie in the upper level with the lower level for a layer lighting look.

Festive Colors:

Many favor an all white lighting color scheme but colors are becoming increasingly trendy. Red, white, and green are popular, but you do not have to stick to these colors alone. You can play with a combination of hues, or you can stick to just one color throughout the entire design.

Light up The Landscape:

Your lighting design does not have to stop at the house. You can also extend it to the landscape or the front lawn. Try wrapping a canopy of lights around the shrubs and tree branches. Illuminate the walkways and borders with additional lighting. When done correctly, you can even highlight your yard decorations such as water fountain or sculpture.

Decorative Accessories:

You can further enhance your holiday lighting scheme with decorations. Be creative with the decorative enhancements you choose to put on display. Populate the yard with Christmas theme characters such as reindeers and Santa Claus. Use garlands, wreaths, lampposts and other seasonal decorations to add a festive flair to the outdoors. 

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with love and cheer. Thanks for reading! 

Whether you have moved into a new place, cleared out a spare room, or had a child move out, you are left with an empty room. What are you going to do with that extra space? Any ideas? If not, we have six easy suggestions for ways you can utilize that spare bedroom of yours. Let’s take a look! 

Six Ways to Use Your Spare Room:

1. Guest Bedroom. You could keep the bedroom doing what it does best, being a bedroom. This way you always have a place for friends and family to stay! Guest Bedrooms are typically easy to maintain, but may not get a whole lot of use.
2. Movie & Game Room. Need a break from the everyday norms? Create a movie and game room for you and your family members to enjoy! Having a movie/game room can be an exciting hobby. You can find new movies and games to buy and always be working on ways to improve it. Just do not forget about the recliner chairs!
3. (Wo)Man Cave. Whether it is for you or your spouse, a special getaway zone could be just what you need in your spare bedroom. You can equip it with a minibar, popcorn machine, wine cooler, and recliner chairs to capture the full effect. Make this room everything that you wish your living room could be but better!
4. Office. A home office is always a good idea! It encourages maximum workflow and productivity. You can sort through your bills, make online purchases and organize all of your paperwork in your home office. All you will need is a desk and a computer to transform your space room into a home office!
5. Gym. We always say “this year, I am going to get in shape.” Inspire yourself to workout more often by making your spare room, a gym. It is important to note that heavyweight machines should not be put on second-floor levels; therefore, you may want to stick to a couple of dumbbells and some yoga mats.
6. Playroom. Do not forget about the littles and their playtime! The spare bedroom can be the perfect place for a playgroup. Add a couple of puzzles, games and books and the bedroom is instantly a kid’s zone.

The best part is that any of these ideas can be combined! You could make half the room a guest bedroom and the other half an office. Combine to add more uses to the space and save room in other parts of your home.

If you are here to learn more about flooring, you came to the right place. To help buyers become more aware of the products within our market, we have created a quick and easy guide. This guide covers the basic types of flooring that consumers are eagerly buying. If you are interested in learning more, keep reading!

Popular Types of Flooring:

Hardwood.

One of the most classic and timeless choices for homeowners is hardwood floors. Their natural beauty and classic look create for a stunning home. Hardwood can be a breathtaking addition to any home, and it is offered in a wide selection of sizes, styles, and colors to meet your style preferences.

• Best Rooms for Hardwood: Living Room, Dining Room, and/or Bedroom(s).

Carpet.

The other most traditional flooring option is carpet. Carpet adds instant coziness and texture to any space. Carpet can also be an excellent choice for families because of its add plushness and added protection.

• Best Rooms for Carpet: Family Room and/or Bedroom(s).

Laminate.

Laminate takes on the look of popular flooring finishes like stone, wood, tile, and even concrete. Laminate flooring can be installed over top of your existing floors without the need to use nails/glue.

• Best Rooms for Laminate: Kitchen and/or Bathroom.

Ceramic Tile.

Ceramic tile can be one of the most personalized choices for homeowners. From your kitchen backsplash to bathroom floors, ceramic tile can be a beautiful addition in your space. Plus, it comes in an array of colors, shapes, sizes, and even textures for your personal preferences.

• Best Rooms for Ceramic Tile: Kitchen and/or Bathroom.

Natural Stone.

Natural stone withstands moisture and creates a stunning finish inside of any room. With its polished look, you can create a luxurious space in no time. Plus, stone can be used outside; making it the perfect option for outdoor patios.

• Best Rooms for Stone: Kitchens, Bathroom and/or Outdoors.

Vinyl.

Vinyl can be an extraordinary flooring option for homeowners who want a resilient and versatile flooring option. Vinyl flooring has exceptionally low-maintenance and high durability for homeowners who need a little wiggle room in their flooring. With its gorgeous array of choices, you can complete the look of your dreams for less.

• Best Rooms for Vinyl: Kitchen and/or Bathroom.

Are you interested in learning more about a particular product? We would love to help you. Contact us today or visit one of our locations to learn more. Thanks for reading!

The lighting in your house can affect various aspects of your home. The color of your walls can be dramatically impacted by a simple change in your light fixtures. You may even notice the impact lighting has on your furniture or even your flooring.

The way you style and arrange the lighting in your space should ultimately improve the mood of your space. Careful adjustments to your lights can potentially make a tremendous impact on the rooms in your home. To help you adjust your home’s lighting, we have three tips.

Tip #1: Use Ambient Lighting in Your Darker Spaces.

Ambient lighting is where the lighting bounces off of the ceiling to create a brighter and more open room. To master ambient lighting, you can line a track of lighting on top of your fireplace mantel or bookshelf. You want to place the lighting millwork somewhere that the object does not meet your ceiling (i.e. a mantel or bookshelf).

Another option is to paint your walls with a light, soft color. If you choose this route, you will use floor lamps or wall-mounted lights to complete the ambient lighting effect.

Tip #2: The 30-inch Rule.

Chandeliers can be a breath-taking light fixture that you can include in your dining room or front foyer. But with a love of chandeliers, needs to come with a knowledge of chandeliers. If you plan on using a chandelier in your dining room, you need to allow 30 inches between the table and the bottom of the light fixture. The “30-inch rule” will ensure that you can always see your family while at the dinner table. Plus, it gives you room to place a vase or other decor pieces in the center of the table. Once you have the height down, be sure to include a dimmer switch for your chandelier. The switch will allow you to have the maximum amount of control for each special occasion.

Tip #3: Better in Twos.

It is relatively important to master the look of your foyer. It is the first thing guests will see when entering your home; therefore, you want the area to be well-lit. While deciding on the light fixtures for your foyer, remember that lighting is better in two’s. Place two identical light fixtures on either side of a dresser or table. On top of the table, you can place a mirror to reflect the lighting. This will spread your lighting throughout the room and open the area up to your guests.

We believe that great lighting can improve the look of your already amazing flooring from Carpets N More and who does want that? For more tips and tricks for the home, be sure to check out our other blog posts!

Sometimes we do not choose the small room life, but the small room life chooses us. Whether you have moved into an older home or you recently downsized, you are faced with the struggles of owning a small room. Small rooms are an annoyance if anything. They provide limited storage, use, and even mobility. While designing your small room, you have become downright frustrated. Decorating a tiny space can be difficult and timely. To help decrease your frustration, we have created six tips for you to use while designing. These tips will help you embrace your small space and ultimately create the room of your dreams. Let’s take a look!

Six Ways to Maximize The Space in a Small Room:

Tip #1: Focus Attention.
In small rooms, we want to draw attention to a focal point rather than the size of the room. In order to refocus the attention, we need to decide what part of the room will be our focal point. What part of your room do you want to stand out the most? For instance, in bedrooms, the focal point of the room typically becomes the bed. Depending on what room you are working with, you will want to decide where you want your focal point to be. Once you have chosen, you want to make this part the most elaborate, well-thought-out portion of the entire room. Spend time designing this section of the room to the best of your ability. Read blogs and do vast research before you begin buying. If you follow this simple tip, you can instantly redirect focus from your room’s size to the focal point’s design.

Tip #2: Less is More.
In tiny spaces, less is always more. While finding decor and furniture, keep in mind that the less you buy, the more room will you have. Try to downsize on the amount of furniture you have, and you may be pleasantly surprised.

Tip #3: Keep Storage Options Open.
While searching for furniture, keep in mind that storage will be your best friend. While the room may be limited on built-in storage, you can compensate with storage-friendly furnishings. Try to find dual-purpose furniture that can give you more space and more use.

Tip #4: Embrace It.
You will not be able to change the size of your room without extreme renovations; therefore, your best bet is to embrace it. Embrace your small space by working hard to improve its design and function. Every homeowner will come across a small room in their life, and it is how you deal with it that will determine the outcome.

Tip #5: Shine Bright.
Natural lighting is the key to success in tiny spaces. Open up your curtains and buy sheer drapery to help the light flow throughout your room.

Tip #6: Rise Up.
Your room may feel small at the moment, but purchasing long curtains can transform your room’s dimensions. You want your curtains to measure two inches above your window and let the curtains reach to the floor. This simple trick can instantly change your room!

We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks. Let us know what you think in the comment section! We look forward to hearing your feedback.

Hardwood floors are one of the most beautiful and elegant flooring options for a home. They create a classic landscape with their rich color and smooth texture. But you may ask yourself, what do you pair with hardwood floors? We are here to help you answer that question. Let’s take a look!

What to Pair with Your Hardwood Floors:

Plush Rugs.
Add instant comfort and coziness to your floors with a plush rug. The rug can add a layer of warmth that hardwood floors do not have. Plus, it can help tie together the space. Be sure to have some of your furniture sit on top of the rug to pull together the room’s look.

Consistency.
We recommend providing a consistent flow of your hardwood from one room to the next. You want to try and avoid any awkward breaks/pauses in the flooring.

Mix to Match.
Initially, it was frowned upon to mix and match wood colors.  But with designing, there are no official rules. Recently, homeowners have begun to mix and match their wood finishes, and we are obsessed with the outcome. This trendy take on wood furnishings can make any room feel rustic.

Contrast.
If you choose dark hardwood floors, you may want to decorate with light tones to contrast the harsh floors. This tip can be used vice versa. If you have light floors, you want to contrast them with darker decor and furnishings.

Bright Lights.
A great way to open up a space is to have excellent lighting. By adding great lighting into a space with hardwood floors, you can showcase the beauty of your extraordinary floors.

Pop of Color.
If you are looking for a little bit of color, do not be afraid to add some colorful objects into your space. The dramatic hardwood floors help to balance the colorful pieces. Try subtly adding color into your space through a chair, dresser or an art piece.

Open Floor Plan.
Hardwood floors can be beautifully showcased with open floor plans. If your home has an open floor plan, try to continue the look throughout your home. Avoid bulky furnishings and let your floors do the talking.

Are you looking to add gorgeous hardwood floors in your house? With a wide selection at reasonable prices, you do not have to look any further. Let one of our expert sales staff help make your flooring dreams become a reality. Call or visit us today!

With the seasons changing, your home may become a little more cold than usual. Or perhaps, your home has always been on the cold side. No matter what your circumstance may be, you are cold and do not like it. To help you fight back against the chill, we have created five genius ways to use decor to add warmth to your home. Let’s take a look! 

Décor Ideas for a Cold Home:

1.  Work with Warm Tones.

The colors used within your space can actually make the room feel colder. Be sure to use a warm tone color palette within your space to help create a more comforting and cozy environment. Warm tones consist of colors like tans, browns, beiges, reds, burgundies, oranges, rusts, yellows, and olive-greens. Their warm nature will help add comfort and coziness to a chilly space.

2.   Add Comfort.

If your floors are cold to the touch, it can be imperative to begin the warming process with proper textiles and insulation. Layers can create the perfect “warming” effect that you desire. Plus, they help to add a stylish touch to the space. Be sure to add plush pillows, soft blankets, and cozy rugs for add softness and warmth.

3.  Genius Hacks.

If you know that insulation is specifically a problem in your home, you may find it helpful to hang wall tapestries. While being extremely stylish additions, they can help warm up your space and add a layer of heat. Plus, they are easy to remove which makes switching up your décor easy than ever.

4.  Focus on Windows.

Windows can, in fact, be a significant source of cold drafts. If you are looking for a stylish way to warm up your windows, you can purchase heavy curtains for your windows. The heavy curtains will help to reduce the chill caused by drafts and keep your room feeling warm and toasty.

5.  Your Getaway.

Our last and final tip for cold homes is to create a cozy, comfortable bed. With a bed that oozes warmth, you will be excited to jump into it after a long day. To help add warmth, we recommend adding extra blankets, pillows, and sheets. Plus, you can even add a heated blanket for chilly nights. Just be sure to shut it off when you are not with it.

We hope you enjoyed these tips and tricks! Let us know how you stay warm in the comment section. 

Colors relate to emotions. The color scheme that you choose for your home will help set the overall tone. While a warm-tone color palette has its benefits, cool-tone colors can make your space feel more calm, refreshed, and tranquil. Cooler hues will help you to relax and unwind at the end of the day by embodying the colors found throughout nature. If you need more reasons to make the leap into a cool-toned color palette, we have created five for you. Let’s take a look!

Reasons to Choose a Cool-Toned Color Palette:

1. Light Colors Reflect Light.

When decorating, you want your room to be 30%-50% the lightest color in your color scheme and the rest of the 50%-70% will be made up by your medium and dark shades. The reason why we love a cool-toned color scheme is that it helps project positive emotions and light. If you choose a light blue for your small bathroom, the room’s natural light will help to instantly open up the space. That being said, cool-toned color palettes tend to work best in rooms that project a lot of natural light.

2. Tranquility.

Like we mentioned before, cool-tone colors have positives emotions associated with them. With a cool-toned color scheme, you can expect a more calming, relaxing oasis. If you are searching for the perfect calming shade, visit your local paint store to view all of your color options. You may be pleasantly surprised by the wide selection and variations. 

3. White, Black, & Gray.

A great part of the cool-tone color scheme is that black, white, and gray are included. These three neutrals are some of the easiest colors for homeowners to use. From accent pieces to floors, you can easily work in these staple colors to your design. 

4. Personalized.

When deciding on your hues, shades, and values, you want to be sure that you match it with your personality. If you want a bold and energizing room, you could go for a bright green. But if you are looking for a more calming, subtle room, you will want to opt for a lighter, more neutralized cool-toned color. Just be sure that you always focus the color scheme on your personality and the tone you want to set for the room.

5. Perfect Symmetry.

With a cool-toned color scheme, you do not have to worry about your floors and furnishings. The cool-tones that we find in nature balance out the warm colored woods found in your furniture and floors.

Are you interested in taking on the challenge of a cool-toned color palette? We would love to help! Contact us or visit us for more information.

Remodeling your home for resale can be a challenging process. There are several factors that you will want to take into consideration when renovating. To help our customers before they begin the remodeling process, we created a simple guide. We have compiled four simple tips for transforming your space into a buyer’s paradise.

Expert Tips for Remodeling Your Home: 

1. Hit The Bullseye. It is important for homeowners to know their target market when selling their home. Your home is not just about you and your preferences anymore. You are trying to make your home someone else’s dream and help them to realize that they belong in your home. In order to do that, you need to take into consideration your area. Are you in a great school district? If so, that may attract younger families, and you will want to make your home a family-friendly atmosphere. Make sure you provide extra storage to put a mom’s mind at ease. If you are in an older resident community, you will want to target those buyers appropriately as well. Make sure that your home has slip-free surfaces to help them feel comfortable living on their own.
2. Fit In. This is the one time that we will say that “being average” is better than “being different.” You will need to have a firm grasp on your neighborhood and the homes in it. You do not want to be the most expensive house on the block because odds are you will not see a return on investment. Take some time to research your area and the prices of homes in your neighborhood.
3. Be Accurate. You want to invest in the rooms that buyers find most important; therefore, you will want to focus on the kitchen and bathrooms. Buyers know that is an easy fix to change the bedrooms, but they want a good kitchen and bathroom. Plan your budget to incorporate changing these rooms. They are essential in the home buying process. But be aware, you do not want to go overboard on upgrades in these rooms. These rooms are the most expensive to upgrade; therefore, you will want to make conscious updates within your budget. Take some time to see what needs to traditional.
4. Always a Classic. Instead of going bold and trendy with upgrades, stick to the classics that everyone enjoys. Odds are that you will find a buyer who will appreciate these classic factors of your home. If you are uncertain about something, ask your contractor for their advice. They have seen the ins and outs of this industry, and their expertise can really help.

We hope you enjoyed these four simple tips and if you are looking to upgrade your home’s flooring before you sell, we would love to help you. Look around our online catalog for a convenient shopping experience right at home!

When you hear the words “small home,” there is already a negative connotation associated with them. There is no reason that you should not love your small space because it is an “unpopular opinion.” Instead, we are here to encourage that you can love your small home and its embrace its character and charm. Here are six reasons why:

Reasons to Love Your Small Home:

1. Less to Clean.

With a small space, you have less to clean and manage. That means you will finish cleaning early and have more time to do the things you enjoy.

2. Cozy Meets Charm.

Small spaces tend to have a lot of character and charm. The space embodies a cozy vibe which can feel more comfortable and welcoming. To maximize the homey feel, we recommend adding soft textures and using a minimal amount of furniture items. Warm-toned colors can also help to create a more cozy center.

3. Decorating for Less.

Inside your small home, you will have less to decorate. Decorating a smaller-sized home means less money spent. You could use the extra money for a bigger decorating budget or save it for other household necessities.

4. Opportunity to Live Minimally.

If you were ever curious about living like a minimalist, now is chance with a small home. In minimalism, homeowners try to live a more simple and stress-free lifestyle. That means owning fewer items and just having the bare necessities. If you cannot fully commit yourself, try to start off simple. Slowly get rid of things that you never use to clear up space and your mind.

5. Financially Smart.

Let us be honest, living in a smaller home is more financially-sound. If you own a small house, odds are that you are paying less than you would for a larger home. This will give you more wiggle room in your budget and help you to explore the areas of life that you want to try.

6. Easier to Organize.

Lastly, a smaller home is easy for a homeowner to organize and keep it that way. If you had to down-size, you probably got rid of a lot of unnecessary items. This will make it easy to keep your stuff neat and organized at all times.

Are you in the market for a cozy rug? Take a look at our online selection at Carpets n More and discover cozy, chic options for your small home. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us or visit us. Thanks for reading!