Decorating with rugs

As homeowners shift away from using carpet throughout their entire home – instead preferring hardwood flooring – there has been a rise in demand for rugs. One might think this phenomenon is strange, figuring hardwood floors were chosen for a reason. However, rugs have a lot to offer and are more versatile to design with. If you're thinking of breathing new life into your home, here are a few tips on how you can do just that with area rugs!

Use rugs to spice up your room and add interest. You can use a rug to add a pop of color, a contrasting texture, or an interesting pattern to a plain or contemporary room. Usually, when you use neutral colors throughout your room, there's a need for some sort of visual interest. And, if you're living in an apartment, it can be difficult to achieve that because you might not be able to paint the walls the colors you like. It's no problem – you can get a similar effect just by using accent colors through throw pillows, art, and your floor coverings! That brings us to the next tip.

You can use rugs to tie color and design elements together. This is particularly true if you're using accent colors. The best way to keep continuity and flow is to make sure you're consistent. So if you have a piece of art you really like, pull colors from it to help you choose other accent pieces – and your rug. You can also work the opposite way and design your room around the rug. Just make sure you blend the colors through several pieces; the whole room doesn't have to be monochromatic, but it does need to have pieces that echo each other in color and style.

Use rugs to create a focal point. Every room needs a focal point, whether it's a fireplace or a mirror hanging over your sofa. But did you know you can also use your floor coverings to create a focal point? In a simpler space, a brightly colored or patterned rug can draw attention to where you want it—including grouped furniture, such as a living room sitting area or a dining room set. It can be used to draw these elements together in a cozy, designated area—and also visually set it apart from the rest of the room.

Use more than one rug. If you want a shape other than a square (an L-shape for corners) or to make a bigger (or layered) rug, you can combine two. Just make sure the colors work well together to prevent it from upsetting the visual balance; you can also use different sizes to provide interest and keep them from making the room seem smaller. Finally, make sure the styles and patterns match (if you use more than one). Mixing patterns can make a space seem too busy—and could even draw attention to the room's flaws.

Spring is the perfect time to redecorate and reinvent your home. There are so many ways you can go about it that it might be difficult to choose! So tell us—what are some of your favorite ways to redecorate? Leave your tips and ideas in the comments!

About FlexiRuggz

FlexiRuggz are awesome customizable rugs that you can design yourself! Pick out the color, fabric, and pattern of your squares – then have fun mixing and matching. And it's completely machine washable too!

Check us out at www.flexiruggz.com. It's hip to use squares!