Posts Tagged ‘interior design’

Lucky Seven: 7 Budget-Friendly Decorating Tips

Sunday, June 7th, 2009
by Tammy Hoag

If you are a decorator on a budget, this is the perfect read for you. Below are some money-saving ideas for home improvement:

First, recycle. No longer is recycling the activity of the active environmentalists. Even simple folks who are not activists are welcome to recycle. In fact, with the growing awareness for environmental conservation, recycling is encouraged. No need to buy new furniture if you still have items that are in good condition. A sofa that may look worn out but can still stand, only needs a re-upholstering or a new coat of paint and it’s good to go. Interchanging the use of pieces is also a quick way to revamp a room’s look. That table in your room? You can use that in the living room as a stand for knick-knacks, while using the chair in the living room to add to your bedroom decors.

Apply a Coat of Paint- This is one of the best ways to change the look of a room. It’s also very affordable. You can use your imagination and choose an entirely new color scheme or use a set of stencils for a unique look. If you aren’t sure of the color, buy a small can of paint and test it out first.

Another DIY decorating you can do is making your own fabrics, such as pillow covers and curtains. There are materials for a lot less or if you’re on a tighter budget, you can use old garments or cloth that you no longer use and make them into coverings and drapes. As long as the colors still look okay, they will make for nice decors.

Apply new paint – colors can make a room. If you’re up for a complete change in theme, use a different color. If you have neutral or rather plain walls, accent it with a bright shade. If you want a new color but still like your old wall paint, redo a room such as the living room or the kitchen and leave the rest as they are. You can also paint only one side of the wall. Another alternative is to still use the same color but just repaint the walls for a brand new look. There are numerous ways to apply colorlet your imagination flow.

Shop in unconventional stores – visit garage sales, flea markets, bazaars, discount stores and thrift shops. You’ll be amazed at the prices and the goods. Before buying, check first for any stains, rip, tear or damage. In case you find an interesting piece but there’s damage, assess how much repair it’ll need. If it won’t cost you much, ask for a discount, buy it then repair it. No wallowing over a missed piece.

Frequent the Community Yard Sales -For those bargain hunters, check out the local yard sales and thrift stores. You will simply be amazed at the goodies you can find here. Check each item over carefully for rips, tears, stains, or other problems. If you buy something with pieces, check to make sure they are all there. Get ready to haggle; no one expects you to pay the price listed on the item.

Find New Lighting- A new lamp or light source can quickly bring a new element to a room. If your budget allows, install some track lighting or a new light fixture. You will be surprised at how quickly this can change the look and feel of a room.

These are just a few of the many money-saving decorating tips you can apply. Be creative and resourceful and you’ll have a renovated home without having to spend much.

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How To Infuse A Homely Feel To Contemporary Design

Saturday, June 6th, 2009
by Janet Fino

The hallmarks of the contemporary aesthetic are the use of neutral tones and clean, sleek lines paired with little to no excess details. This doesn’t, however, mean that you have to deck your room out with all the sterility of a hospital. Going overboard with the contemporary look almost always ends up with a room that looks and feels cold and aloof. With enough variety and a few homey touches, you should be able to achieve a space that looks modern and feels comfortable enough to live in.

Decorating your home with a contemporary design is keeping up with the pace at its best. True, it can make a house far from the idea of a homely abode to unwind after a long day at work. But, it’s not a hopeless case for achieving a cozy and warm home albeit the modern furniture and basic colors.

Don’t just focus on one kind of material for furnishing your home so that your place won’t look too sterile. Choose a primary material then accent it with another. For instance, make your space stand out by using both metal accessories and glass furnishings.

You don’t have to go all futuristic with metals, though. Wood is still a good option for decorating a contemporary room, as long as you pick the right kinds. Instead of going with the old-style oak, go for very light woods like cherry or dark ones like mahogany so that they’ll stand out in their own respect. Aside from the flooring, you could infuse wood materials through your accessories (such as with frames) and furniture (such as a desk). Even if the piece is unusually shaped, it’ll fit in as long as it’s consistent with all the clean lines in the room.

Minimal decors are what make a contemporary design chic and unique. The blessing can also be a curse as this element is also what makes a modern home quite impersonal. To add a homely feel, use textures to break the sleekness of the design. The choice of fabrics in throw pillows, drapes, rugs, cushions and the like can make a space feel and look cozier.

A contemporary design is usually lighted by a bright, overhead or ceiling lighting. This leaves little warmth to make a room look intimate. To achieve this look, make use of lamps and recessed lights. These will bring a soft glow to the room as well as add a decorative element to make the space more stylish.

Finally, area rugs can seal the deal of a contemporary yet inviting abode. A good piece of area rug can bring all the decorative elements in the room together creating a space that looks well balanced and impressively decorated. The color and texture of the rug will make the room livelier from an otherwise neutral motif and the sleek look from the modern furnishings. The soft and lush textures of the rug will also give a comfortable and snug factor to the space making it more homely. Lastly, the addition of area rugs will make the place a real knockout, especially if you make use of pieces that have attractive designs or patterns.

It’s not impossible to soften a too trendy contemporary look of your home. From the ideas stated in this article – from the colors and texture to the decors like area rugs, you can make your place a truly welcoming abode, a relaxing sanctuary away from the hectic life you lead out there in the busy streets of the city.

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Dual Flush Toilet & Steam Shower Bathroom Design Ideas

Thursday, June 4th, 2009
by Moe Kittaneh

If you are redesigning an existing bathroom or planning a new one, there are a couple fixtures you should consider: Steam Showers and Dual Flush Toilets. Steam showers multi-task, save space, and provide luxurious comfort while a dual flush toilet saves you money and headache.

In smaller bathrooms, corner stand up steam showers allow you to make the most of your space without compromising features. Less than three feet in depth, these showers can fit almost anywhere. There are even steam shower units designed to fit in standard bathtub enclosures that include a whirlpool bathtub.

This convenient design is probably the most popular, followed closely by the two person steam showers. For large bathrooms, the roomy two person showers are the ultimate luxury item. With dual handheld shower heads, plenty of interior space and a two person whirlpool tub, your master bathroom will never be the same again. By combining a luxury shower, steam room, and whirlpool tub in one unit, both space and money are saved.

In addition to steam sauna capabilities, the showers feature luxury amenities such as handheld adjustable shower heads, rainfall showers, massage jets, built in mirrors, seats, and shelves, chromatherapy, radios, speaker phone and more. The showers with tubs are fully equipped whirlpool bathtubs with jets, air systems, continuous heat pumps and more. Truly spa quality experiences can be had right from the comfort of your own home, from saunas, to spa baths and aromatherapy relaxation, and all at prices much lower than you would think.

The wide availability of steam shower enclosures from online retailers means competition and discount pricing for consumers. By doing some quick research and comparison shopping, you can have the bathroom of your dreams at the price of your dreams.

Dual flush toilets are all the rage overseas in Australia and Europe, and are just beginning to catch on in the U.S. When you compare traditional toilets with dual flush models, there is really no reason not to pick a dual flush toilet.

These toilets are unique because they offer two flush modes, .8 gallon liquid waste flush and more powerful 1.6 gallon flush for solid waste. The average traditional toilet uses about three gallons per flush, so the difference is quite significant over time. It is estimated that the average family can conserve 8-20,000 gallons of water a year just by switching to dual flush models.

So how do they do it? Well, for starters, the drain trap in a standard toilet is about 1.5″ or less. In dual flush toilets, it is usually 3″ to 4″. This means much less water and force is needed to move waste along and also reduces instances of clogging significantly.

Another major improvement is the use of a slide-out mechanism instead of the flapper valve, which often needs maintenance and is difficult to replace. The slide-out mechanisms, however, requires less maintenance, is more efficient, and easier to service. The last significant difference is the bowl wash method.

Traditional toilets use a siphon method, which is noisier and misses spots. Dual flush toilets use a full bowl wash method, which rinses the entire bowl after each use creating a cleaner toilet while still using less water.

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Completing Your Decor With An Area Rug

Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
by Patrice Normand

Area rugs are sometimes for gotten to add into a redecorating scheme. They aren’t known to many as the decor which you need in a room. In fact an area rug is a great idea to bring a different change into a room at a reasonable price. It’s the quickest and easiest way as well to change your room’s style without having to do many other remodeling techniques. Keep in mind you need to figure out what shape, size, material, and pattern will work with your style!

Area rugs have changes in the past several years from what they use to be. There are so many shapes, sizes, and patterns to choose from. There’s always going to be an area rug design for everyone who is shopping for one but it may take awhile to find that perfect one. If you’re looking to make the design a different style as you had before don’t hesitate to use a unique area rug which you wouldn’t have used before.

What Shape is Best?- The shape of an area rug is very important. Traditionally, area rugs are either rectangular or square. However, more and more shapes are now available, such as a circle, octagon, hexagon, or oval. These shapes will often change the entire look and feel of the room. A smaller room looks better with a circular or oval rug, while larger rooms are best for rectangular area rugs.

Choosing the correct size for your room will be determined on what exactly you’ll be using this room for; whether it would be a bedroom, living room or family room, and of course the dining room. If you decide you need an area rug in the dining room and you’d like to make it shown to cover most of the room try keeping at least 8-10 inches around the area rug to show floor. The table and chairs as well should be sitting on the area rug comfortably when the chairs are pulled out and you’ll be sitting on it. You don’t want the chair sitting two legs off and two legs on the area rug. Living rooms and family rooms are different. You don’t need to place all the furniture on the entire rug. Why not just choose a great coffee table to be placed in the center of the area rug and place seating around it? It will still give you that warm and cozy feeling but will still show the beautiful floor which you have underneath.

If you notice there are many different materials that area rugs are made of depending where they have been made. The most durable rub would be an oriental rug or one which is made of wool. They are strong and great for heavy traffic areas in your busy home. They will last longer than a traditional rug which you may see is thinner.

Which Patterns Are Best?- This is completely up to you! For rooms that have extensive decorating, you may want a rather simple pattern and color scheme. For a room that is very low-key, a beautiful, busy pattern can add a splash of excitement. Consider what feeling you are trying to evoke in those that enter the room. This will help you choose the right pattern for your area rug.

Another great thing to remember about area rugs is that they are rather easy to change. You can have one rug for the fall and winter months and another that fits better with spring and summer. If you decide to store your rug in your home, keep it in a dry area and cover it with plastic to avoid any chance of a lone mouse calling it their home.

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Bed Makeover

Thursday, May 28th, 2009
by Kylie Peterson

Sigh…the feel of a relaxing bed and the sight of an inviting bedroom. That is one of life’s simple pleasures but nonetheless a wonderful feeling.

The bedroom is said to be the most personal space in the house. For teenagers, they call their bedroom their territory (unauthorized personnel enter at their own risk). There is a distinct sense of relaxation and coziness in this area of the house where shutting out the outside world is not at all impossible.

The bed is obviously the focal point in a bedroom. It is also the instrument for the sleep and downtime we all seek especially during hectic times. Paying special attention to this furniture is worth it. After all, it offers us the luxury of relaxation and ease.

So, while family and friends stack up big and stylish cushions with nice-looking covers, and this may be trendy too, you can go one step ahead of them and give latest fashion trends and wall-colors of your bedroom besides fabric choices for bedroom furnishings a look-up – right here!

Decorating your bed is nothing different from decorating your home. Your choices should be attuned to things that you like. It can be a reflection of yourself or the things dear to you.

Read on to learn some simple yet effective ways to beautify your bed, which inevitably will improve your bedroom’s look as well.

Pay close attention to the style of mattress you pick for your bedroom and purchase a protective cover for it to keep it from getting dirty, stained and worn out too soon. Buying classic prints or plain materials with organic weaves mixed with synthetic fibers will ensure your mattress covers need washing only once in 2 months. Moreover, if you team these with fine quality bed sheets in natural fabrics for duvets, it will ensure more zzz’s with soft and easy to maintain linen. However, remember to pick a duvet size that is just right for your mattress, not too loose around or too low on the bed skirting for then it’ll only look slapdash.

Select beddings that look good with the rest of the room. You might have chosen a theme or a motif, so base the color and design of your bedsheet, duvet, pillow covers and comforter from the theme or motif. It will make the bedroom very well put-together. Fabric that is soft and lush is ideal because it helps you have better rest. Whether it’s for sleeping, taking naps or just lounging around, the texture that feels good on your skin makes for a soothing bedtime.

Adding other decorative items like throw pillows will make your bed cozier, especially if it’s quite big. Placing an area rug nearby, like at the foot of the bed or beside it is also a beauty booster. Your bed and surrounding area will look complete.

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Customize Your Bathroom To Suit Your Requirements

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
by Luis Maragold

Improving the bathroom takes more work than it seems. Sure, it’s a fairly small space but it’s a highly functional area in the house and a poorly-working bathroom because of good-looking fixtures that aren’t useful just won’t cut it. The bathroom should look good and work well. Some people have made the mistake of spending a lot for decorating to find after that they don’t get satisfactory efficiency from their newly-decorated bathroom.

The first thing to remember while designing a bathroom decor is to have the right kind of flooring. If you are using your bathroom for the purpose of a laundry, then these wet areas require greater care and attention. Ceramic tiles can be a good option as they can be cleaned easily and they can be repaired in case of any damage. These tiles are available in different colors and varieties, which can be used for your bathroom flooring. Besides, they work out to be cheaper and affordable as well. Marble flooring can be expensive and at the same time risky as they have higher chances of slipping.

The bathroom floor material is dependent on the functions you’ve allotted to your bathroom space. If for instance you do some laundry, the floor should be able to take in the moist, water and suds. Ceramic tiles is a good option as it can be easily cleaned. The high-traffic factor of bathrooms will also have a favorable effect for ceramic tiles as this type of flooring can be repaired in a snap in case of damage. If you’re overly concerned about slipping accidents, don’t use marble flooring.

For practicality reasons, many toilets are now the mounted kind. This makes cleaning easier. Furthermore, just like with bathtubs, there are also various designs for toilets. You can also change the material if you wish. If you can’t use marble for the floors, then perhaps you might want to consider having a marble toilet. The sink can also be redecorated with a new material wherein choices vary from glass and porcelain to granite and marble.

Finally, don’t forget the cabinets or any other storage in the bathroom. Now is the time to sort your bathroom essentials and throw away items you no longer use. If you have been keeping the mouthwash for over a year now and an old toothbrush is still lying around, please do something about it! Organize your stuff and by doing so, you’ll know if you need new items or an additional storage.

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Wilsonart Flooring is Artistry in Motion

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
by Toby Johns

Wilsonart International is a top manufacturer of decorative surfacing products, including Wilsonart Solid Surface, Wilsonart Laminate, and Wilsonart Flooring. This Temple, Texas based company has been in business for over 50 years, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of ITW.

One of the most visible features of a home is its flooring. A beautiful floor is the pride and joy of many a homeowner, and discount Wilsonart flooring can provide you with flooring that will both beautify and increase the value of your home for many years to come. With so many retailers vying for homeowners’ business, you can find unbelievable deals on discount Wilsonart flooring, along with flooring from other top-notch manufacturers. If you learn to care properly for your floors, they can last a lifetime.

ITW acquired Wilsonart in 1999 as part of a deal with Premark International, Inc., but the company’s long and storied history predates this transaction. For instance, during the 1960s, the company’s productivity increased tremendously using a strategy that combined a dedicated local work force, top-notch products, and old-time commitment to customer satisfaction.

At one time, the company was called the Ralph Wilson Plastics Company. It was created on the premise of delivering “laminate anywhere in the United States in 10 days or less.” To meet this promise, the company purchased and continues to own its own fleet of North American delivery trucks.

Next, a warehouse system was implemented to respond quickly to changing market conditions and keep an inexhaustible inventory of laminate available to the company’s customer base. This warehouse system has grown to comprise 15 facilities all over North America.

Starting in the mid 1970s, the company worked hard to create what has grown to become the world’s best network of independent distributors of wholesale building materials. This network has grown to more than 200 around the world.

Near the end of the 1970s, Wilsonart Laminate achieved its status as one of the top brands of decorative laminate flooring in the United States. In 1979, a brand new manufacturing facility was created in Fletcher, North Carolina to keep up with the increased demand for Wilsonart products. A few years later, Wilsonart created the largest, most efficient, most technologically advanced laminate production facility in the world. This facility in Temple is now more than twice its original size at over 500,000 square feet.

Wilsonart International doesn’t only produce its well known, high quality brand of laminates; it also manufacturers its own brand of adhesives to meet the needs of a changing market.

The Advantages of Wilsonart Laminate Flooring

Wilsonart laminate flooring has steadily gained in popularity recently, since it is much less expensive when compared to wood or other natural flooring materials.

How will you decide if a Wilsonart laminate is right for you?

If you are on a budget, you should know that laminate flooring offers a less expensive yet attractive option. Here are some of the benefits of choosing laminate floors over other types of flooring materials:

PROS

*Costs less than wood or stone *Less likely to fade in the sunlight *Easy maintenance *Can be installed “do-it-yourself” style to save labor costs

If you have the good fortune of having discount Wilsonart flooring available near you, it’s more than worthwhile to look at some samples, analyze the interior of your home, and make a well informed decision before you buy. If you can’t find them locally, there is a wealth of information online like The Discount Flooring Suppliers website, or by visiting the manufacturer’s site directly.

Regardless of whether you select discount Wilsonart flooring or another top-notch, high quality brand of flooring like Bruce, Mannington, or discount Tarkett flooring, you won’t regret the decision to beatify your home with attractive, durable, and affordable flooring.

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Vertical Window Blinds- Ideas for Choosing Blinds

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009
by Trisha Banks

Some window shades are vertical window blinds. For some people, these are not just alternatives to the popular horizontal type but are real top choices for certain window types. Like every other product though, not everyone will need vertical blinds. If you like to explore the idea of getting some, you should find out first if they will fit your needs.

Consider the windows you are putting blinds on. Horizontal blinds and shades are still best for small windows or non full length wall windows. Vertical blinds on the other hand are the best options when the windows encompass a large part of a wall. Sliding windows leading to patios and decks for example always look best with vertical blinds.

In a way, vertical blinds support the visual effects of large or long windows. Vertical vanes give the impression of generous space that is relaxing. From the standpoint of an interior designer, vertical blinds complement the decorative and functional purposes of large windows.

Vertical ones come in different styles, colors and appearances to suit every preference. This can be a bit confusing for anyone who needs to choose the appropriate blinds. Sometimes, the wrong choice can be a disaster because horrible vertical blinds can be glaring monstrosities in a room. Here are some ideas you should think about when picking your vertical blinds:

Blinds Material – The material of the blinds is a big factor. Your choice of material should not just match your room theme but your intention as well. Corporate offices for example may need vertical window blinds that are light toned but non-pastel. Blinds in shades of gray or light blue and made of vinyl are perfect options for an office. These easily communicate a sense of professionalism.

Blinds for Homes – Blinds for homes and living rooms are best made of fabric or wood. These naturally give off a sense of homeyness and welcoming warmth. Because your home, or at least your living room, is not part of your stressful work day, wood or fabric are perfect options to help you relax.

The Opacity – Vertical blinds can completely shut out the sunlight. If this is what you want, you should settle for blinds made of vinyl, wood or faux wood. If you want to be able to enjoy the view and diffuse lighting, you might want to get sheer fabric. Fabric blinds come in varying degrees of opacity so you can choose the right one for you depending on your privacy preferences.

Energy Efficient – Modern blinds can help conserve energy. This is a feature that you should always consider looking for in vertical blinds. Modern technology can help create blinds that can reduce heat transfer, diffuse daylight and block UV light without completely blocking light itself. These modern features can help homeowners conserve energy needed for artificial lighting and air conditioning.

When choosing vertical window blinds, these are some things to consider. They are however the most important ideas to consider. Have these four basic points in mind when you visit a home improvement store and you will surely find perfect vertical blinds for your specific needs.

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Harmonizing Feng Shui And Your Home Decor

Monday, May 25th, 2009
by Ruth Decker

Feng Shui may be a foreign terminology but it is far from being an alien concept for many people, especially for the home decorating enthusiasts, culture vultures and fans of anything Chinese. The simplest definition of Feng Shui is that it’s an ancient design principle that originated in China used for creating positive chi (known in layman’s term as energy) in a living space. The end goal is to have harmony. The positioning of things, types of objects, shapes and colors are elements of Feng Shui. They are responsible for the flow of energy or lack thereof. They determine if a living space has positive or negative chi and if there’s balance in the space.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice. Some say it’s an old-style interior decorating method that aims to create balance and flowing energy in the house, office or any other living space and one which depends on the placement of objects. The positioning of furnishings is a vital element of Feng Shui for it determines how chi flows in the room. A smooth-flowing chi brings about good health, prosperity, love, strong family ties and more, depending on how the things are arranged to create a specific energy. On the other hand, blocked chi can result to the exact opposites, all negative energy.

Feng Shui is usually done by experts. The study of Feng Shui is a meticulous field thus, it takes years to fully understand and implement properly. There is a need for a careful study of the space, the use of certain furnishings and how each relate with the others.

One example is the general rule of placing objects without causing obstruction in movement. They say if you can’t move freely in a room because the furniture “block” the way, chi is blocked as well. Hence, the flow of energy is affected. This can cause sickness, ill feelings among family members, loss of wealth, stress and other negativity. Mirrors are also said to affect the flow of chi as they can somehow change the path of energy.

Feng Shui is also extended to smaller things and even colors. Round objects are signs of good luck. That’s why round fruits are in demand come Chinese New Year to call in good fortune for the new year. Horses and frogs symbolize fortune, so having figurines or paintings of such animals can bring in the chi for money.

Red is a lucky color and yellow is not just a happy hue but is also a sign of good health and happiness. Incorporating these colors is favorable for positive energy to flow into your home. Area rugs for example in the positive colors don’t only look appealing but also bring in a favorable ambiance.

Color is also a major factor: red, for example, is often a lucky color in feng shui. Try a large red area rug in the living room or main bedrooms. If the color clashes with the current decor, try using bamboo rugs. These are considered safe choices as they also add to the calm and serene ambiance to your home. Besides, its neutral color and texture will be sure to match with any type of interior design theme.

While there’s nothing wrong with following the rules of feng shui for your home, always keep in mind that it is only a guide to enhancing good luck and positive vibes. Whether its success in your career or in redecorating your house, it is only hard work and patience that will guarantee success.

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A Guide To Decorating Your Children’s Room

Thursday, May 21st, 2009
by Jenny Farland

Decorating children’s room is one of the highlights of home design because of the fun and creativity that go with it. Bright colors, cute decorations and furnishings, and fun themes are linked with a children’s room makeover. A well-decorated room can be the ultimate playroom, bedroom and study room. Just like decorating other rooms in the house, using favorite things is the way to go. Your kids will love the idea of seeing their favorite characters, toys, colors and pictures everyday of their lives in their own room.

Children love bright and vibrant colors in their rooms with their favorite cartoon characters on the wall. You can experiment with interesting themes by choosing something like Scooby Doo or Bob the Builder including animated characters like Tom and Jerry. You can use own creativity and imagination to decorate the walls using any of the themes which interests them. You can choose bold colors like blue and pink along with yellow and orange for the room so that they blend with the rest of the accessories and furniture items.

Colors can also be applied to fabrics. Use colorful bedsheets, comforters and curtains. Use a color that matches with the room’s theme. Don’t forget to choose a soft fabric so your kids will have the coziest sleep at night.

Other decorative pieces that you can use are built-in shelves for the children’s books, a chest for storing their costumes and bigger toys, and colorful seats like ottomans or beanbags.

You can also have dressing tables and mirrors that come in interesting shapes and sizes for the children’s room, which are bigger. Bright lamps and task lighting along with accent lighting can be provided in these rooms, which can be used for different purposes by the children while studying or indulging in other activities. As children grow up, their needs tend to be different and accordingly their room decor too needs a transformation on a regular basis.

Area rugs are also a great way to spice up the room. Colorful, big patterns and unique designs will certainly add life to your children’s personal space. Select rugs that suit the room’s theme and place them in strategic spots that will provide comfort and protection for your kids. It can either be by the bed, with the desk and chairs, at the door or by the cabinet and drawers. Placing an area rug in the center of the room is an instant decorative genius – it will be the room’s centerpiece, transforming the room into a more attractive children’s abode.

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