You wouldn’t think it but there are a lot of things to consider before you purchase a rug. One of the most common mistakes that people make when buying a rug is going for the cheapest option,  which is why we’ve put a little step-by-step guide to follow and make sure you make the best choice for both you and your home.

First of all you need to remember that everything looks different in a showroom setting and this includes rugs, which is why you really need to take your time when it comes to choosing the one you want. Consider your options and don’t rush into anything, the rugs aren’t going to run away and if the retailer offers them; always ask for samples. Samples are great if you have a few different ideas in mind and you can actually take them home with you to see how the rug may fit with your decor.

So what else is there to consider? Well, the simplest of things can make the biggest difference for example, the size of the room that you will be placing the rug. The thing about rugs is that they they can make a room appear smaller than it actually is, so if you are thinking of placing a rug in an already small room then it’s probably best to avoid rugs with intricate and busy-looking patterns as well as dark rugs. If you are planning on placing a rug in a smaller room then the same rule applies as does with decorating, lighter colours will make the room appear more spacious and bright.

Another important factor when it comes to choosing your rug is the texture that you opt for. The texture of the rug can add different depths to the room, for example if you chose a pile or shaggy rug then this would make the room feel cosier than your standard modern rugs, which tend to act as more of a feature.

You don’t always have to worry about your rug directly matching the decor of your room, one of the trendiest options in the rug world for the last couple of years has been antique statement rugs. You know the kind? They seem to make their way into charity shops quite a lot but in all honesty they look ideal in modern spaces. Go on, be unique and bring something ‘stand out’ to your room!

[Photo courtesy of Pixabay/pexels.com]

It’s also worth thinking about the kind of home you run in accordance with the rug you choose, for example if you were to purchase a crisp white sheepskin rug it probably wouldn’t be best placed in a home with pets and toddlers running about. That being said, it doesn’t mean you can’t have a nice sheepskin, you just need to make sure everyone knows the rules!

If you do buy a high-quality rug then there is more of a likelihood of it needing to be professionally cleaned, in fact that goes for any rug, especially if it is kept in a high-traffic area. It is advised that you have your rugs cleaned at least once or twice a year by professional cleaners, this prevents the rug becoming unsanitary and can be done on top of regular cleaning on a weekly basis.

So there you have it, just a few pointers to help make the decision of buying a new rug that little bit easier. Take your time to ensure that this rug can be the one you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

Fall is just around the corner, and this means it’s time to redecorate the exterior of your home in preparation for the incoming change of mood. If you’ve been mulling it and put off decorating the exterior of your home, now is the perfect time to get moving and create an autumn inspired look. The return of cooler temperatures brings along with it the colors of brown, yellow, orange, burgundy, reds and dark greens. Festive yet, not as pastel as the colors of summer and spring, you could use the tones to make your home look imposing yet warm at the same time. It isn’t all about looking good, the practical elements of redecorating your home, will give it usability during the next months when the rain, sleet, hail, wind and snow become a part of normal life once again. Contrary to popular belief, just because you’re going to be heading into a design that’s using bolder tones and functioning style, it doesn’t mean you have fewer options that counterpart seasons with warmer weather.

[Photo courtesy of Wonderlane/flickr.com]

Paint it bold

When the season changes, the exterior of your home goes through a lot. The hail and rain weathers and erodes the wood and brick little by little. You can see this happening if little paint flicks have started to come off to expose the wall underneath. This will only increase the longer you let it linger, but there is a way to make your home bolder and newer. You could paint your home in a strong, autumn wood color, of dark brown. First, clean the area, with a good soaking of hot water. Take a piece of rough leather and in circular motions, take the grime and dirt off. Seal and prime the walls ready for the paint. Make sure you put on at least two layers of paint, but as it’s the exterior, preferably three.

A place to relax outside

If you’ve ever thought that clearing, cleaning the garden and mowing the lawn was a task in your life you could do without, it’s time to seriously think about decking. The front or back gardens can be landscaped to replace the grass with a stable, flat surface that you can practically use. With a seating arrangement outside you can buy a couple of rocking chairs, sit outside with a blanket and watch the stars, come either rain or snow. To brave the cold, a good hardwood decking company should be contacted to come and survey the land. With their skills, they can work out, how much of your land is feasibly ready to be altered in favor or laying down the foundation and then decking.

[Photo courtesy of Tony Alter/flickr.com]

Welcoming guests in style

When guests come to knock on your door, welcome them with simple adornments of pine cones, radiant orange, yellow and red leaves. On the front door, you can hang a fall-style wreath of dark green pine tree branches, formed into a circle or heart. Perhaps the wreath could be decorated with some fruit such as red apples, cherries and some blackberries to add in a little more color to balance out the green. Consider smaller wreaths to hang above your windows on the ground level floor. Hang some winterberry holly over the corner of your home to add in a little bit of passionate red to the mix.

Want your home to look beautiful, but don’t have the funds to hire professional decorators? No need to fear, there’s plenty you can do yourself without breaking the bank! Here are a few points to bear in mind if you’re new to decorating and want to have a go.

Colours and Theme

Before diving in with your decorating, spend some time beforehand on the planning stages. This helps to keep everything looking cohesive, and you will get the best result at the end. Scour blogs and Pinterest for rooms you like the look of, picking out different colours, design features and other elements that catch your attention. Have an idea of the kind of colours and the overall look you want to achieve at the end, this saves you purchasing things that don’t look right and wasting your money. Opting for all neutral walls is your best bet if you are unsure. They will make the room look light, bright and airy and you can bring in colour with home accessories. Paint ceilings and woodwork such as skirting boards and doors in a brilliant white for a super fresh and clean look.

[Photo courtesy of ATBO/pexels.com]

Painting

It’s always advisable to try out a few paint samples on the walls before investing in a big tin. The colour of the walls underneath and the light in the room will affect how it looks once it’s dry so don’t just take a chance. Once you’ve chosen a colour to get a few samples in different shades and paint them onto the wall so you can see which looks best. Start by ‘cutting in’ which is going around all of the edges of the room neatly with a paintbrush, and do the rest with a roller which is quick, easy and gives a smooth finish. Be sure to cover your flooring with old sheets or painters dust sheets to protect it, take your time and do a second or even a third coat if it needs it. Be sure to let each layer fully dry before moving onto the next.

Wallpaper

Adding some wallpaper to the feature wall in your room is a good way to bring in personality, and is good for those who are new to decorating since it’s a smaller area than a whole room. If you’ve never wallpapered before watch a tutorial online first. Follow the techniques carefully, and ideally have another pair of hands to help you. If you’re unsure, you could use repositionable wallpaper, that way if you make a mistake it’s easy to correct. And if you’re renting it’s easy to remove at the end of your tenancy. If you’ve painted the other walls in a light, neutral colour the wallpaper is where you can be a bit bolder. You could go for a bright or bold colour, a statement design or just keep it subtle if that’s more your style.

Do you do much decorating yourself at home, or do you usually call in the professionals?