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.

5 Tips for Effective Cleaning of Carpet Runners

Installing hall runners is a good way to conceal floor damage, prevent your floors from further damage and add to the value your home interiors and aesthetics. Carpet runners are usually placed in halls, rooms and on staircases, but you may place it anywhere else in your house, where you might deem it suitable.





Usually installed in areas which receive high traffic and these are more susceptible to wear and tear. Hence, below are a few tips to help you maintain your carpet runners and increase their durability.


1: Vacuum Regularly

Like any other carpeted flooring, your runners too need to be vacuumed regularly. Regular vacuuming prevents the settling down of dirt and dust particles deep into the pile, ensuring to remove dirt, gravel and debris completely from the fibres. If dirt and debris is allowed to settle down into the pile it can cause considerable damage overtime.


Regular vacuuming is an efficient way to ensure regular and deep cleaning and if placed on stairs, you might consider investing in a lightweight vacuum cleaner for convenience of use.

2: Use a Suitable Brush Attachment
Use a suitable brush attachment when cleaning with a vacuum cleaner. A hose is suitable for dirt removal and can also help with deep cleaning. Using a brush roller or a beater brush attachment is particularly useful for loosening dirt and increasing the life.


3: Use a Stiff Broom

If you find vacuuming too inconvenient to practise it regularly, using a stiff broom to regularly clean is a good substitute. Though, it may not be as effective for deep cleaning as a vacuum, but still, a stiff broom is a good alternative and can be of considerable help. If you do not find it feasible to invest in a light weight vacuum cleaner, a stiff broom is a good replacement to conveniently clean your carpet runners, installed on the staircase.


4: Use a Steam Cleaner

Carpet runners can also be steam cleaned, just as any other carpeted flooring. Steam cleaning  require a good steam cleaner which may be attached with a handheld hose. In case, you are faced with limitations, financial or otherwise, to invest in a steam cleaner, it is even possible to rent one from a nearby grocery store.


5: Hand Scrubbing

In case you need spot-cleaning, hand scrubbing is the best possible solution. Not only it may be used to clean to overall, but it is the most effective way of stain removal. Spots and stains that are hard to clean, like grease stains, may require a pre-treatment through a solution which loosens the stains and makes their removal easier through hand scrubbing.


When investing in carpet runners, ensure to buy carpet runners from trusted dealers, like Rug Zone, so that you are able to buy good quality and durable carpet runners which are easier to maintain and have an extended life span.

Something thin and pretty for the conservatory

Conservatories are such a pleasure and if you have one in your house you may be one of the many who consider it their favourite room in the house. Although they are no longer used for their original purpose, which was to house exotic plants, they still tend to have hard floors, as they are often the main way in from the garden and so need to be easy to clean. Sitting in a conservatory on even the warmest day with just a tiled floor isn’t much like fun, though, so you need a flat-weave rug that will be easy to clean if it gets a bit grubby but that will also give a bit of extra comfort underfoot.
Natural looks good
If, like many people, you have furnished your conservatory with wicker or bamboo furniture, you can carry on the natural look with some natural colours underfoot too. There are various flat-weave rugs made out of natural fibres such as sisal and seagrass and they look particularly at home in a conservatory, continuing the idea of the working greenhouse. If you don't like natural fibres and want something a little softer, then why not choose a flat-weave rug from the Rug Zone range in colours such as soft sage green or beige. These colours are very restful in any event, but they certainly look the business in a conservatory, whilst keeping your toes nice and toasty and off the cold tiled floor.
Easy-care
Flat-weave rugs look good for ages because bits, dust and grit does not get down in the pile (because there isn’t any!) and grind away at it, causing bald patches. If you want to vacuum it, it comes up a treat, but a flat-weave rug is just as happy with a quick sweep or even a shake outdoors. Because nothing is embedded, a few sharp slaps against a wall will dislodge the dust and the rug is ready to come back inside and get to work again. Thin rugs can look very pretty in a semi-outdoor setting such as a conservatory and if you do have loads of plants in the traditional way, a leaf patterned green runner fits right in. You can search by size, shape, colour and type on the Rug Zone website, so you will easily be able to find just what you want.

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.

Sheepskin rugs - traditional and homely

Making your home feel warmer and cosier is easy when you add a few strategically placed sheepskin rugs. Sheepskin rugs can offer a timeless look to your home and add a touch of expensive sophistication to any room you choose. This material is soft, comfortable and extremely hardwearing so buying a sheepskin rug is a long term investment. Adding these natural rugs to your rooms will soften up hard wooden flooring and create a homely feel.

 These natural rugs are uniquely shaped so you and your visitors will know that your rug is authentic. You can go for traditional placement in front of your fireplace or you can choose to make it the focal point in the centre of your living room. You can place in at the end of your bed or even at the side so you can feel the comfort of your rug as soon as you step out of bed. Wherever you choose to place it, your rug will instantly draw the eye due to its unique design and authentic materials.

There are black rugs, white rugs and brown rugs and you can also choose an eco-friendly rug. The versatility of these natural rugs is what makes them particularly special. You can use it as a traditional rug to place on the floor or you can use it as a throw for your sofa or at the end of your bedding. This means that you will get plenty of use out of your rug so when it is time for a change there is no need to throw it away. Just place it on top of your bedding or move it to your hallway to welcome your visitors as they step into your home. These traditional rugs are also great to add to a children’s playroom or bedroom as they provide them with a comfortable area on the floor to play.

Chances are you have already been looking at interior design websites and images to get ideas for your home. Interior designers often go for sheepskin rugs as they are extremely versatile and add a touch of class to a home. These wool rugs are great with neutral decor to create a homely feel but they do not look out of place in more contemporary homes either.

Although sheepskin rugs may sound like they will stretch your budget, our rugs for sale are reasonably priced so you can have the authentic look without breaking the bank.