Showing posts with label decorating with rugs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decorating with rugs. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Unconventional uses for rugs

Despite what people might think, you can do more with a rug than just lay it down on the floor. Rugs are actually quite versatile if you get creative; you can use them for not only practical purposes, but also for decoration too! Like we've said before, your rug is more personal than carpet because you can take it with you, so you're safe to pick a crazier pattern than you would for wall-to-wall carpeting. And even if you move someplace new and don't think you can use your rug anymore, there are some other ways you can use them that you might not have thought about.

Wall hangings. Did you know you can use your rug as a work of art? If your rug has an interesting pattern or ties together the room décor, you can hang it on your wall like a tapestry. This works best for rooms where you have a lot of wall space and the wall color is more neutral. And, having looked at some examples, I'd say it looks pretty awesome. I've yet to try this one, but if I'm ever designing a cozy, country-themed room, I might have to try it. So don't be afraid to pick out a pattern and go for it!

Door hangings. Much like wall hangings, door hangings can also be used to give a room a cozy atmosphere. This design tip isn't as versatile as wall hangings, but I think it could definitely work depending on the size of the rug and what door you decide to hang it on. I think it could even be practical, adding to insulation. I've never tried it; have you?

Dog bed. This is something I've done. If you have hardwoods or would like to add some extra comfort, then you can use a rug instead of a towel or a pet bed. My dog used a rug for a long time; it made it easy to keep the floor clean and gave her a designated place to lie – plus it can be easier to clean the rug too, if you get one that's washable like FlexiRuggz! So instead of shucking out a lot of cash for a pet bed, you can buy a rug that you can use for a few different purposes, including decorating your room when your pet's not asleep.

Mats. I have known people who used a rug instead of a door mat or a welcome mat. Although I'm not so sure about exterior use, I think it's great for using indoors. When coming in from outside, you can bring a lot of dirt or debris in, and having a rug right at the door will help prevent some of that from getting tracked inside your house. Again, if the rug is washable, you can easily keep it clean. You also have more choice over how it looks than if you were to use a regular mat.

Bedding décor Believe it or not, rugs can also be used on your beds. You can hang them or attach them to a headboard or footboard to give it a softer feel or emphasize the space. If your rug is soft, you can also lay it across the end of the bed for decoration. It gives it a heavier feeling than regular bedding, which may be something you're going for if you want a cozier, warmer feel.

These are just a few different ideas for how you can decorate with rugs. So tell us – have you ever done any of these before? What are your unconventional ways of decorating? Leave us a note in the comments and we might include your stories in a future blog!

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!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

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!