Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them: Part 1
/In the design world, we believe most rules were made to be broken, however, there are a few that we live by & they are simple ways to make your space feel bigger + better. Over this three part series we will be sharing common design mistakes (some even we have fallen victim to) and how to avoid or fix them. Let’s jump right into it!
Design mistake numero uno: your rug is probably too small.
If you have followed along long enough, you’ll know that we put a rug in almost every room we design (yes, even over carpet). Rugs add that much needed color and texture into your room and we consider it the foundation to our design process. Like any other building process, it is crucial your foundation is strong enough to hold the rest together and we preach to start from the ground up.
Not only do they pull the room together but rugs can make a space feel large and gracious if they’re the right size. If you’re putting anything smaller than an 8x10 rug in your living or family room, then your space is likely rocking the “the floating magic carpet” look—you know, when your furniture is floating next to your too small of rug and nothing feels connected. To avoid this, find an 8x10 (or 9x12, 10x15, etc. depending on the size of your living room) and make sure at least the front two legs of your sofa or sectional and chairs are over the rug. This is will ensure your foundation is solid and the rest of the space will all feel connected.
For your entryway, consider using a 5x7 or even 8x10 (if space allows) instead of the typical 2x3 we often see in front of doors. It not only makes your entry feel more gracious but also gives it a lot more interest and dimension. The entry is your guests first impression of your home so make sure it’s a good one! Don’t leave it at the rug, add in a center hall or console table to style in some extra drama to make a grand entrance.
Another perfect spot to add a large scale rug is in your kitchen. Again, don’t go for any old 2x3 rug under your sink. Try using a long runner between your island and the opposite counter. We’re currently obsessed with antique runners and we put them everywhere we can, including the kitchen!
Pro tip: our Trolley Square Showroom has the BEST collection of antique, one-of-a-kind rugs.
SHOP THESE RUGS + SIMILAR STYLES
