Area Rugs: What Size is the Right Size?

I had asked on social media what topics others would like me to post about. My lovely sister mentioned the topic of area rugs and would find it helpful to know what size rug to buy for any space. Choosing an area rug that you like may be just as difficult as figuring out what size to purchase. But thanks to posts like this one, you no longer have to wonder how big your area rug should be in any room. You can thank my sister for this one ;) 

I did some pinteresting and came across some very helpful rug design guides created by Lisa Ferguson from Decor Mentor & added some extra tips as well. Hope this helps! 

Additional Living Room Tips:

1) Placing furniture halfway on and halfway off the rug as shown with size 4'x6' is a look that is used most of the time. This approach will make the room feel cozy and connect all the furniture for a cohesive look. 

2) If you're on a tight budget you may be able to splurge and get the rug you want but go down a few feet in size so all the furniture goes over the rug but not completely (think 4'x6 or 6'x9').

3) You could also so some furniture on and some off shown with the 6'x9' example above. This look will work better if you have a larger room.

4) Create a smooth transition from rug to flooring by purchasing a rug that is a similar tone to the existing flooring.

5) If you want all furniture on an area rug I would decide on the furniture placement and measure beforehand so it will make it easier to determine what size you need.

6) If you're more concerned with making sure an area covers the whole room, a good rule of thumb that has been around for ages is that there should be 18 inches of bare floor in between the perimeter of the room and the rug. This will introduce a sense of proportion and it all starts with the rug! If using this rule in a smaller room then think 8 inches in between instead of 18.

Additional Bedroom Tips:

1) In order for a rug to look balanced under a bed there should be a comfortable amount of rug space around the bed. A good range to have in mind is 12-18 inches. 12 inches for a twin bed and 18 inches for a queen or king. If your room is significantly large I would consider adding a few inches but never take away. 

2) If you don't want or need a rug directly under your bed but still have an empty space in front of your footboard you want to address, I would suggest placing a small rug (maybe a 4'x6') in front of the bed to add some interest. If you're to do this make the width of the rug wider than that of the bed to give the room balance.

If you're not able to read the tip in the picture above, when it comes to dining rooms always add 24 inches around the table to decide what size rug you need. You should be able to pull out all the chairs and the chair legs should remain on the rug.


Additional Area Rug Tips:


1) As for a hallways, the rug should cover the majority of the walking area. Make sure there's enough room so that when two people are walking next to each other they both can  walk safely and comfortably on the rug. I would suggest 5-8 inches of bare floor between the rug and wall in a hallway.

2) Don't be afraid to break up the rugs in your hallway by using 2 or more instead of one long one. You can also combine rugs in your living room or bedroom. I would suggest using two different ones that are the same or at least the same tone. Sticking to the same tone but two different patterns would work as well.





If you have any questions or ones concerning your specific space please comment and I will be sure to respond! :)




Xo,

(Sources: Decor Mentor, Houzz)

Great Rugs Under $300

Area rugs are probably the single best way to help define a space and create a warm and "homey" feel. It's also a great way to add an accent color to a neutral space or tone down a bold colored space by adding a neutral rug. Either way, rugs can get pretty expensive and let's face it...cheap rugs just don't last that long. But I've found some budget friendly area rugs that won't break the bank in all different styles and colors. From geometric motifs to simple and beautiful. Enjoy!

1 /  Kasbah Wool Rug  in Ivory 3'x5' / $199 / West Elm

2 / Hopscotch Rug 4'x6' / $199 / CB2

3 / Lael Jute Rug 5'x8' / $150 / Living Spaces

4 / Kaleen Rug Co.  Astronomy Galileo Graphite Rug 5'x 7' 9'' / $299 / Wayfair

5 / Babylon Chevron Rug 5'x8' / $210 / RugsUSA

6 / Magical Thinking Chevron Rug 5'x8' / $89 / Urban Outfitters

7 / Ombre Rug in Malachite 5'x8' / $249 / Pier 1

8 / Capri Rug 5'x7'6'' / $199 / ZGallerie

9 / Indoor-Outdoor Geometric Rug 5'x8' / $150 / Target

10 / Tuscan Palace Ikat Rug 3'x5' / $130 / RugsUSA

 It's hard to pick just one but #4 is a great style and color that would look great in a living space or even a nursery. But I'd have to say I love them all! Which one is your favorite??

Xo,

Curtains: How Low Should You Go?

I recently saw a picture of a cool-neutral living space with pooled curtains that dressed gorgeous ceiling-high windows. It then made me question what the appropriate length is for curtains in your home. So I did some research and this is what I found that answered my question:

Floating curtains are great for high use spaces because they are easy to open and close. They give the space a tailored and refined look but can also come at a high price to fit just right. If you want this look and you're buying ready made panels, I suggest placing the curtain rod at the right height so the curtains will float ever so lightly above your floor. How much space between the curtains and floor? I'd say about 1/2 - 1 inches above the floor. Any more than that it can make your room feel unfinished and wimpy (yea I just said wimpy when talking about curtains).

Breaking curtains are more relaxed than refined floating curtains. They can sit about 1 - 3 inches onto the floor. This look is perfect if you can't afford tailoring. Also, a great choice if your curtain rod is set in its location and you buy ready made panels longer than the window that break onto the floor. Who would of thought that would actually be in style?

Pooling curtains create a more elegant and luxurious look mainly for curtains that are stationary and rarely moved. I wouldn't recommend them if you need to open and close your curtains frequently. These curtains usually lay anywhere from 4 inches plus onto the floor. They look best in luxe fabrics such as velvet, silk, or satin. Textiles that look as lush to the eye as they are to the hand are perfect for these type of curtains.

There you have it. Most people just measure their windows and buy whichever curtain is long enough to cover them.  But there is more to it than that. Now you know the 3 most common lengths of curtains and what kind of style each portrays. Thanks for reading :) 

Xo,

(Sources: Pinterest, 55DowningStreet.com, ElleDecor)

Color My World: Part 1

It's been a while since I've posted some good basic design tips and I'm taking you all back to elementary school art class with this one. Choosing a color scheme in your home can be a much easier-said-than-done task. Painting a wall can change the whole look of a room! There are actually a bunch of basic rules to follow when choosing a color that will truly fit in your space and flow with the rest of your furniture and decor.  One great rule to keep in mind when choosing a color scheme is the 30-60-90 rule which I have posted about in a past post (Click here to learn more about 30-60-90). It's a great rule to know how much of a certain color you should use in your space. Another basic piece of design information to understand, not only in design but also in art, is the color wheel (ring a bell?). As a painter myself, the color wheel is something very familiar to me. I also think it's an important tool when it comes to interior design. So lets get started :) 

Just a little background info to know - Sir Isaac Newtown developed the first color wheel in 1666...quite a long time ago. Color wheel and the term color circle can be used interchangeably. There are three categories which include Primary Colors, Secondary Colors and Tertiary Colors. Below I will talk a little bit about each one. 

Primary Colors: It all starts with the three main Primary Colors which are Yellow, Red and Blue. These 3 colors cannot be made by mixing any other colors together. Every single other color is derived by these three.

Secondary Colors: These include Green, Orange and Violet. These are derived by mixing primary colors together. 

Tertiary Colors: These colors are derived by mixing a primary color with a secondary color next to it.

Color Dimensions are important to understand as well. Hue is usually referred to as a color but more specifically a hue refers to the pure spectrum colors in the color wheel. The 3 color dimensions consist of a hues tint, shade and tone.  A tint is made by adding white to a hue, a shade is made by adding black and lastly, a tone is made by adding gray. I'm sure you've all heard those terms before but now you know their true meaning. 

Now that you know basic color theory, how do you use this information when choosing a color scheme?? If you don't know, that's ok, I'm here to help. I'm going to talk more about common ways to use these colors in my next post...Stay tuned :) 

Xo, 

(Sources: Hgtv.com, ColorMatters.com)