Mixing and matching shapes and sizes of rugs for a co-ordinated look

When you move into somewhere new or just fancy a change, using rugs to stamp your personality is a really easy thing to do. Are you a bit of an old-fashioned person who likes to hang on to family pieces and memorabilia? Traditional rugs will probably suit you best. Do you like to chop and change and move the furniture around? Looking for rugs for sale at bargain prices will probably be your best choice, because you can make a difference without spending a fortune. If you like minimalist designs and not too much clutter, you can make a statement with a shaggy rug in an accent colour. But to stop it all looking a bit like a ‘bulk buy’ you can use different shapes and sizes in the same overall style.

Large rugs

Most rugs come in a variety of sizes and you can use this to your advantage whatever style you choose. Traditional rugs, even totally modern ones, use certain design features which are repeated in a specific way. This means whether you choose a  small, medium  or large size rug, you will always have a common element which ties them together, even if you choose different colourways. Using one large rug in the main room and then continuing the theme round the house using smaller rugs or even carpet runners in the hall and up the stairs will make your home seem very calm, even if you choose bright shades. It is the repetition which makes a cohesive décor look and this is subliminally calming.

Keep all the features except the shape

This is another way of making your rugs all ‘hang together’. Whether you go for shaggy rugs, designer rugs or traditional ones, choosing round rugs in some rooms where you have had square or rectangular in others still has the all-through effect. Shaggy rugs in particular look great in the round option and if you have an open plan lounge/diner you can use different shapes in the different areas, sticking to the same colour (or colour family) and texture. Many coloured rugs come in a palette – keep to just one such as autumnal, blues and greens; red is best kept alone as it clashes with almost everything, even itself!

Designer rugs with carved pile

A very popular choice for an accent in a room is a cut pile designer rug. These often have very bold colours and are best left as a statement, but by taking one of the background colours and buying a neutral rug, you can tie the look together very stylishly. In this particular instance, you can also keep to the same size or proportions – changing too much at once can lose the all-in-one design element in your décor. Whatever you decide, with rugs which share a design feature, you can change rooms as and when you wish without spending any more money.

Noisy neighbours and what to do (and what not to do!)

An Englishman’s home is his castle, or so the saying goes and most people find that they are much happier when they can be in their own home and shut the door for some privacy. But lots of people find that the noise made by neighbours ruins their enjoyment of their own space and increasing numbers are contacting their councils or even the police to make peace. In some extreme cases people have actually resorted to physical violence when a neighbourly dispute gets out of hand.

Simple measures first

Unfortunately, arguments between neighbours are given coverage on the media when they result in horrendous situations involving court cases and even bodily harm. Most are dealt with much more simply and perhaps the easiest thing is just to tap on the door and mention that the noise is not acceptable. Make a joke of it if you can and certainly don't go in all guns blazing. If you live below someone in a flat and they seem to have a herd of elephant up there, why not treat them to a thick modern rug for the lounge or a hall runner if that is the problem area. Choose a neutral rug so it will go with any decor and they should be suitably grateful. Don't make trouble in the first instance should be your watchword.

Don't try tit for tat

If friendly approaches haven’t worked or if you feel it has got worse after your first attempt, don't try and drown the noise with some of your own. This can be used against you if things escalate so it is best to just behave as normal and don't start DIY projects at three in the morning just to get even. Without making an undue fuss about it, visit other neighbours to see if they are affected. If a group of you makes an approach, it might have more impact. If you did try buying your heavy footed neighbour a shaggy rug to try and minimise the noise, don't ask for it back if it doesn’t work – that will only make things worse.

There may be a reason

Find out first whether there is a reason for the noise. There may be problems on the domestic front or perhaps a child who is going through a phase. Although this won't stop the noise, a little understanding makes it all a little easier to bear.

Charity shop chic

Upcycling and charity shop furnishing is all the rage these days but there isn’t really any need to make alterations or do funky things with paint and decoupage if you buy well to start with. There are some things that perhaps are not what you would want in your home without some serious cleaning and detoxing – second-hand shaggy rugs would probably fall into this category – but antique persian rugs along with any furniture with no upholstered parts are often fine after a wipe through with a damp cloth. If drawers or cupboards smell a little musty, it is easy to put that right with a bag of bicarbonate of soda in a corner, perhaps with a few lavender flowers added to perfume the space.

Things to watch for

Believe it or not, woodworm is not an automatic ‘no-no’. If there is no sign of new infestation then the chances are that the piece has been treated already and will be fine to bring into the house. New infestations of woodworm show ‘mealy’ deposits around the holes, which look a little damp and fresh. Even if you have active woodworm, it is easy to treat and as long as it isn’t disfiguring a piece you otherwise like, go for it. If you are buying for fun, you don't really need to worry too much about whether a piece has been stripped or over polished but if you think you have spotted a potential money-spinner, buy with care in these circumstances because with the patina of age gone, you may have said goodbye to the value too.

Buy what you like

Fashions in collectables come and go and it is never worth buying something because you think it is worth money. Apart from the dubious morals of buying something for pence in a charity shop and making money from it – the clue is in the word ‘charity’ after all – buying something you think is pretty hideous because you might make money down the line can come back and bite you. It is fair to say that not many people think Clarice Cliff pieces are ‘beautiful’ because the painting is a bit rough and ready at best and their value is dropping in the marketplace today, so tough luck on all those people who bought as an investment. You have been warned. On the other hand, a lovely mellow traditional rug made by the old knotting method will give much pleasure and they are holding their own, price wise.

Nursery furnishings for your new rug rat

When you have your first baby, it is easy to get a bit carried away with buying stuff for the nursery because there are just so many gadgets out there in the marketplace and they all manage to persuade you that you won't be able to live without them. Some things are important of course and anything that enhances baby’s safety is essential buying, but some of the items costing quite substantial amounts of money are only appropriate for the first few weeks and so you have to wonder whether you really do need them or not.

Cot or crib?

A great big cot is perhaps a bit overwhelming for a small baby but you can buy a carry cot that will fit inside it for the early months. Some of the high end price cots can be adjusted for different bed heights so you can make the same piece of furniture do for years and if you have the cost of one of these in your budget it will certainly save money in the long run. But most people need a carry cot, so the other option is perfectly okay. As long as the nursery is clean and quiet, with some attractive decor such as a bright modern rug on the floor and some pictures on the wall, there is no need to pay a fortune.

Pink or blue?

With scans being pretty accurate these days you can decorate with confidence if you choose to go down the traditional road. However, many baby items come in very bright colours these days so you could take the ‘neutral’ idea and use just a few spots of colour such as lime green or cranberry. This will give you more scope later when baby becomes a toddler becomes a teenager (and that doesn't take as long as you think!) and all you will have to do is change the natural rugs for something more grown up for example a shaggy rug in a bright colour to change the whole look of the room.

When it’s time to share

Not everyone has room to have nursery separate from another child’s bedroom and in these cases it is important to keep territories separate. Using furniture to divide a room is a handy way to stop baby invading an older sibling’s space and that way you won't have tears before bedtime.

How to find out who your friends are!

Although no one likes a liar, most of us are adept at those little white fibs that keep the world going round. ‘Does my bum look big in this?’ is never asked by someone who wants the answer to be ‘Yes’. And yet sometimes, you need a friend to tell you the truth – you just have to be big enough to take it on the chin if the answer isn't quite what you were expecting.

Does this room look a bit tatty?

The chances are that if you think the room looks in need of a makeover, then it is! Living somewhere every day does make us a bit blind to its shortcomings but there are often certain moments – when a ray of sunshine suddenly illuminates a spider’s web in the corner or a hole appears in your previously treasured traditional rug – when you realise that things may have gone a bit downhill. Choose your friend with care – you want to ask someone who loves you and your house despite your faults and will not just say something nasty but will give you an answer as well, such as, ‘I think if you replaced that runner with a nice new shaggy rug the room would look great.’

Does this house smell?

Well, there’s a tricky one if you like! There are so many adverts on TV about housewives worrying about their smelly loos and other parts of the house but we don't always realise when things are not too fresh any more. Rather than spray scents everywhere it might be best to look down – an old wool rug will matt down and get full of crumbs and other smelly detritus without your noticing. Your honest friend will be doing you a favour because no one wants to think that their home is smelly. Replace your rugs if budget permits, but a good shake and a brush with some bicarbonate of soda does wonders.

And finally does your bum look big in that?

If your friend tells you the truth about your tatty living room or your smelly hall, perhaps you have found the right person to ask the million dollar question, because after all, when you bend down to look closely at your patterned rugs, you want to be sure that your rear end doesn’t look too enormous!

Buying Guide for Hall Runners

Hall runners do not only work as an embellishment for your interiors and floorings, but these also serve as a utility to prevent floor damage and slips and accidents. You may buy a carpet runner that complements your interiors and add to the value of design aesthetics, making them appear chic and stylish, while ensuring sufficient floor protection and slip-free surfaces.

When buying hall runners, you may consider various factors before you select an appropriate choice. Below are some guidelines which may help you choose suitable hall runners for your halls.

Size

The carpet runners should be smaller in width than your hall, so that these may be placed to run along the centre of your halls, leaving equal margins on both sides. You may tally the measurements that you intend to buy, with the halls’ dimensions to get an idea about whether it will suitably fit.
Furthermore, if you intend to place in front of a door, you may take care to choose a runner that when placed inside the hall will leave sufficient space before the door to not to interfere with the opening and closing of the door.

Design and style

There is a wide variety available today, in different sizes and designs. You may buy a contemporary design to complement your hall interiors, or you opt for a traditional in style. You may find elaborate and intricate designs more appealing, or you might prefer more simplicity in design. The style and design is completely subjected to your room interiors and design preferences.

Fibres and materials

Available in a variety of fibres, from synthetic to natural. Your choice of fibres should primarily be based upon the amount of traffic you expect. If you expect more traffic, your hall runners will be exposed to more walking and hence, you may choose a woven in a material that will be able to withstand heavy usage. Polypropylene, nylon and wool are durable and can withstand high traffic for longer periods.

Non-skid backing

You may even consider buying rug runners equipped with non-skid backing, which put up more resistance towards slipping and sliding on floors. In case your hall receives more traffic, it may get quite cumbersome at times to always keep in place. Non-skid backing is a feasible solution in such situations.

Lastly, if you are interested in buying, it is essential that you contact a reliable dealer or supplier, so that you are able to invest in good quality and durable hall runners. Rug Zone offers a wide range of premium quality hall runners, which embellish your floors and can sustain high traffic for extended periods, due to their premium quality.

What can you do with round rugs?

What shape comes to mind when you think about rugs? Some people will immediately think of square or oblong rugs, while others will imagine hall or carpet runners that are long and thin. Either way you’re missing out on one particular shape that can be well worth looking into.

We’re talking about round rugs, and the good news is they come in lots of different sizes. You will always find they are measured across the middle, so you know the widest point before you order. Often they come in several sizes, so you can pick the most appropriate one for your needs. You might even decide to pick several of different sizes to create a more unusual effect for your home.

Before you order, have a think about where the rug will be situated. Do you want to order one to go beneath a round table for example? Perhaps you just want a couple to ‘dot’ around a room instead of being in a specific place. Either way it helps to visualise where they will go so you can imagine what the finished effect will be. If you are planning to put furniture on top of your new rug, make sure the furniture will fit. If you have a table and you only have one or two legs sitting on the rug, it might make it uneven or unstable, so bear this in mind.

Colour is another important thing to think about with regard to round rugs. If you opt for plain colours, why not get a couple of round rugs that are of different colours? Providing they complement each other they will look just fine. Alternatively you may prefer to get a stripy rug if your floor surface is already plain. It’s a fast and easy way to jazz things up a bit.

Smaller round rugs are easy to move around from room to room as well. They also have the advantage of being easy to move while staying in the same place. Rotating the rugs means you won’t get wear in just one area, and yet the rug stays in the same place to achieve the effect you want. Make the most of your creativity with the round rugs you’ll see here. With some confidence on your part and a great selection of rugs to choose from on ours, you’ll get the perfect combination you seek.