You just bought a brand-new king-size bed and are laying on your new mattress, enjoying the increased amount of space. You reach over to your bedside table to turn off the light and realize that you are now reaching down instead of out or up. Getting your glass of water is now a precarious experience as your hand drops, and you hope your aim is good and the glass hits the tabletop and not the floor. Unfortunately, your bedside tables are now too short for your new bed frame.
Learn about proper nightstand height before you buy your next pair of nightstands so that you can buy the right furniture for your new bed.
How Tall Should a Nightstand Be?
The short answer is that the top of the nightstand should be level with the top of your mattress. It could also be two to four inches taller than the mattress and still look nice and be comfortable to use.
The average height of a mattress in a bed frame is about 25 inches from the floor. This means that most commercially produced nightstands are 24 to 28 inches in table height.
How to Measure for Your Nightstand
If you are ready to buy a new nightstand or two for your bedroom, the first step is to take some measurements. This will help you narrow down the interior design ideas that you like to the ones that will actually work in your room.
Height
Stand next to your bed and measure the height of your mattress as it sits on the bed frame. Low platform beds tend to have shorter measurements than canopy beds that tend to be some of the tallest. For example, the lowest platform beds can be around 18 inches in height. In contrast, some canopy beds are as high as 36 inches.
Depth and Width
It is not enough to just know the right height to look for. You also need to think about the depth and width of your new nightstand. If you want to have more than just a nightstand lamp on the tabletop, then you will need a larger nightstand. It is also smart to scale the size of the nightstand to the size of the bed. For example, a large California king mattress in a stately master bedroom might look strange with a small and minimalist designed nightstand table. However, be careful not to choose a nightstand that is too deep. If it is more than 24 inches deep, you risk bumping into it every time you get in and out of bed.
A common trend is to choose mismatched nightstands for the left and right sides of the bed. To make this trend work, you need to choose nightstands of a similar size and scale. You want them to be mismatched but still visually balanced.
Why Choose a Taller Nightstand?
It is easier for someone to reach out and up when lying in bed than it is to reach out and down. So if you fall in love with a tall nightstand, you may still be able to use it with your bedroom furniture. You also have to bend over less when standing at a tall nightstand, making it more convenient and comfortable to use when not in bed.
Can Nightstands Be Taller Than the Windowsill?
Some bedroom layouts may require you to place your nightstand in front of a window. For the best look, choose a nightstand that sits just below the window or at the windowsill height. This is not always possible, though.
At a minimum, you do not want the nightstand to block the window so much that it creates a hazard if someone needs to escape through the window in an emergency.
Choosing a nightstand that physically blocks the window can also have a negative impact on the amount of natural light coming into the room.
When placing your nightstand, think about the curtains you plan to hang on the window. It helps if the bottom of the curtains sits below the top of the nightstand. This keeps the curtains tucked behind the nightstand.
Types of Nightstands
While it may seem like there are countless designs, the majority of nightstands can be placed into three main categories, table, cabinet, and chest. The type you choose will depend on the space available, your budget, storage needs, and interior design theme.
If you decide that you want to have mismatched nightstands, try to stick with one type. This will help them to look coordinated yet different. The key to pulling off an eclectic design is having some similarities between the pieces.
1. Bedside Table
These are the simplest and smallest of the nightstand types. They are similar to end tables with legs that support a tabletop. They are best used with a double and twin beds because of their small size. They may have one or two lower open shelves but no drawers or cabinets.
The table you choose should be big enough to at least hold a table lamp. Otherwise, you will need to have a floor lamp next to it. If you are looking for a modern nightstand, this type is your best option.
The Quintero Nightstand has a statement design with a wood frame wrapped in natural twisted abaca. It has plenty of texture, making it perfect for a coastal, bohemian, or even modern farmhouse bedroom. While its small tabletop and lack of storage make it less functional, it more than makes up for it in design.
This modern Mayville End Table has an open design that makes it perfect for smaller bedrooms. It features a wood tabletop and two mesh shelves that are supported by slim legs. The black frame gives it an industrial or urban feel.
2. Bedside Chest
These nightstands feature drawers that provide you with extra storage space. Typically, they come with either two or three drawers. In addition, they can range in width, making the type versatile for both small and large mattresses. If you choose a wider style, you can have room for more than just a bedside lamp on the tabletop.
The Her Majesty Two-Drawer Blue Nightstand is an elegant blue with hints of grey. The two large drawers and open shelf give you plenty of storage space. The design features subtle detailing, making this nightstand perfect for a contemporary design.
3. Bedside Cabinet
These nightstands are similar to the chest, but they have doors instead of drawers. Although, some do have a combination of drawers and doors. The cabinet style is nice if you need a larger amount of storage space or need to store items that do not fit well into drawers. Similar to the chest, they come in a range of sizes from narrow to wide, making them adaptable to the size of your bed and bedroom.
This small Eduardt One-Drawer Nightstand in Rustic Oak is a perfect example of a cabinet nightstand. It features a small drawer with a cabinet underneath. The rustic design makes it the perfect accent for a farmhouse bedroom.
Everyone knows that you put a sofa in your living room. But did you know this should not be the only living room furniture that you have? Having additional seating means entertaining more guests and having a more welcoming living room.
There are several types of chairs for living rooms to choose from. The chair type you choose will depend on your available space, your budget, and the interior design theme you have.
Consider all of these different types of chairs and find the perfect chair for your living room.
1. Accent Chairs
This term is the most generic on the list because it covers the majority of chairs on this list. It is used as an umbrella term to cover chairs that you place in your living room to complement the sofa and the rest of your design.
Choose an accent chair for your living room that suits its size, style, color, design, and seating needs. For example, if you have a small living room, choose an either scaled down or visually lightweight chair.
A stately Chesterfield chair will easily overwhelm your living room. On the other hand, a ghost chair will blend into the room and help it to feel open.
2. Armchair
The armchair is the classic upholstered chair that most people think of when they decide to add a chair to their living room. They get their name from the prominent armrests. They give the illusion that you are sinking into the chair as they rise up on either side of you.
Because these chairs come in a range of sizes, from contemporary to traditional, you’ll find that they also range in comfort.
Typically, you will see two armchairs placed on either side of a sofa with a coffee table placed in the center. This creates a U shape that is perfect for engaging with others while also not blocking the flow of foot traffic.
3. Barcelona Chair
This iconic chair is the result of a collaboration between famous furniture designers Mies Van Der Rohe and his partner Lilly Reich. Its simple and sleek design makes it a staple in modern interior design despite being a product of mid-century modern innovations.
This is the chair you see in trendy company lobbies or upscale loft downtown apartments. It features a stainless-steel frame and two rectangle cushions that are upholstered in black bovine leather.
4. Barrel Chair
Also known as tub chairs, barrel chairs like this one from Rosevera have a distinctly round chair back that creates a semicircle. The back also comes up quite high, giving you the feeling of sitting in a barrel or tub.
Some people liken sitting in a barrel chair to getting an all-encompassing hug because the seat is on the narrow side and closes in around you. These chairs are great if you have children because they are built solid and sturdy, making them capable of taking a beating and heavy use.
In addition, the balance of masculine and feminine design features makes them the perfect accent for a wide variety of design themes.
5. Bergère Chair
If you love traditional French style and design, then you will love these living room chairs. We have French King Louis XV to thank for this furniture staple. They look similar to a dining chair, but they are the perfect opulent accent to your living room.
Expect to pay more for this chair style. They have an ornately carved wood frame, legs, and armrests with plenty of intricate details. The back and seat are cushioned with expensive upholstery fabric that features an intricate design. There may even be small cushions on the armrests.
6. Chaise Lounge
Did you know that the name for this unique chair is the English mangling of a French phrase? It originally was called chaise longue, which is French for “long chair”, a literal description of the chair. However, “chaise lounge” still works because you lounge out on the chair.
They first appeared in the 16th century for aristocrats to lay on during the day. Chairs like this chaise lounge from BELLEZE are perfect as an accent in a dead corner.
Their long length helps to fill the empty space while not allowing the chair to get lost or feel like it is floating on its own. Add a lamp and dress the chaise lounge with a throw pillow and blanket to create a cozy reading corner.
7. Chesterfield Chair
When you say Chesterfield, most people think of the sofa, but you can actually buy a Chesterfield chair too. These oversized chairs sport the same upholstery style as their larger counterparts.
The hallmark of these upholstered chairs is the tufted design. They tend to be large in size with cushioned, rolled armrests. When looking at these chairs, they look large, square, and solid.
There is plenty of cushioning to make them a comfortable chair to sit back and relax in. The Elina Wide Tufted Velvet Chesterfield Chair features this classic style in a neutral color. While the majority of Chesterfields are leather, this one is upholstered in fabric for a softer, less masculine look.
8. Club Chair
The club chair has a vintage feel that will add an art deco feel to your living room. They are known for their comfortable seating thanks to their deep, oversized seats and sloped lower back. The armrests also start low and extend out and upward.
They are traditionally leather chairs. Originating in France, their origins are not totally clear. There is some speculation that they get their name from old-school gentlemen’s social clubs.
The unique shape and leather upholstery give these chairs a decidedly masculine feel, which adds a certain je ne sais quoi to your living room. They would look best in a vintage-inspired or industrial design.
9. Contemporary Round Chair
If you have a large living room with plenty of space, then you could add this modern chair to your living space. These chairs are not meant for just one person.
The extra-deep seating and extended width make them perfect for lounging with a partner. Or you could curl up with a throw blanket and a good book. You will find that they are most often upholstered in suede or leather, making them the perfect accent for a modern or contemporary home. Keep in mind that the round shape results in the chair taking up more square footage than a typical chair.
10. English Rolled Arm Chair
This simple and traditional soft chair is perfect for creating a cozy feel in your living room. It has nicely rounded and cushioned armrests with soft corners and deep seating. This is the chair that your guests sink into and never want to leave. This makes it a good reading chair.
The armrests are lower on this chair than other accent chairs, encouraging you to sit more leaned back and slouched. These chairs are typically upholstered in fabric, making it easy to find a chair that complements the rest of your living room design.
Choose a soft neutral for a contemporary take on this classic chair. Or go bold with a stripe or floral pattern.
11. Ghost Chair
No, these chairs do not look like ghosts or move around on their own. Ghost chairs get their name because they are completely clear. They are made from acrylic or polycarbonate plastic and have a distinctly modern feel.
They tend to lack any cushioning, have a perfectly flat seat and back, and no armrests, making them less comfortable than other chairs on this list. Their shape might look familiar to you; their design was inspired by King Louis XVI chairs with a square seat and round back.
These chairs are great for small living rooms because they help the space to feel open. Because you can see through them, it tricks the eye into thinking the space feels less crowded, and thusly, bigger.
Keep in mind that these chairs are not great if you have children or pets. They scratch easily, which will ruin the crystal-clear quality that makes them so appealing.
13. Hammock Chair
A hammock chair is a must for adding a whimsical or funky vibe to your living room. These one-of-a-kind chairs hang from the ceiling by a rope or chain. This lets the chair spin or swing around.
If you cannot mount the chair from the ceiling, there are some options that come with a stand. It will have a large base with an arm that arches overhead that the chair hangs from. They are typically made of wood or wicker and then have a plush cushion placed inside.
Once inside the chair, you will feel as though you are sitting in a cocoon. Because these chairs are so unique, they tend to only work in living rooms that are eclectic, artsy, or bohemian. The Vivere White Fabric Hammock Chair is beautiful in crisp white with macrame accenting.
14. Loveseat
These chairs look like mini sofas with enough seating for two. This ups the cuddle factor by creating a more intimate seating option. You could easily pair a matching or complementary love seat and sofa. Try placing them across from each other or in an L shape.
You will see loveseats come in a wide range of sizes and styles. Look for one that’s scaled to the size of your living room. One on simple slim legs with firm cushions has a mid-century modern vibe. Or you could have an industrial-inspired one that has metal legs, a wood frame, and leather cushioning.
15. Lawson Chair
This chair looks a bit mid-century modern, giving it a timeless appeal with a clean design and comfortable shape. It looks like a cousin to the club chair but with more straight lines.
The back comes up to about mid-back with armrests that are ideally positioned for the majority of adults. These chairs have a formal business feeling, making them perfect for a library or formal living room.
While they are comfortable to sit in, they are not ideal for lounging back and watching a movie. The upholstery is typically leather with firm or stiff cushioning.
16. Ottoman / Lounge Chairs
All too often, someone comes over to your home, and they sit down and want to kick their feet up. Unfortunately, this results in them putting their feet on the coffee table. You can prevent this by using extra seating that has an ottoman.
The Eames chair is the most famous lounge chair and ottoman combination. It is a classic office chair but can look chic in your living room. Its gentle slopes follow the spine’s natural curves with its tall back. Check out this Eames-style chair and Ottoman combo from TOOMOO.
While the position of the chair is already leaned back a bit, making it comfortable to sit back and stretch out as you kick your feet up. The Eames chair has a distinctly masculine feel, but there are other options that have soft lines and lighter fabric upholstery. Keep in mind that these chairs take up more space, so they are not great for small living rooms.
17. Papasan Chair
These large round chairs are right out of the 60s and 70s with a wicker or rattan frame that supports an oversized round pillow to match.
The most comfortable variety has a dip in the middle so that it cradles your body. These chairs are not the most comfortable for sitting in while having a conversation. However, they are great for curling up with a good book.
You typically see these chairs in college dorms and first apartments, which means you will need to be careful when choosing one for your living room. Focus on finding a Papasan chair that has a mature feel. This is best done with the fabric used for the upholstery.
18. Recliner Chair
These easy chairs are the hallmark of dads and grandpas across the globe. They feel like modern marvels, but in reality, have been around for centuries. They are the epitome of comfort with plush cushioning and the ability to literally lean back and kick your feet up.
You will even find some with vibration and heating ability. Whether you buy the manual or electronic version, these chairs are ideal for those who love to relax in their favorite chair and watch a good movie.
Rocking chairs get their name from the movement they make. The chair sits on curved rails that allow the chair to rock forward and back while sitting in it. They first started to appear in English homes in the 1700s.
The original chairs were made of wood, and then wicker became popular. It was initially considered outdoor furniture, but these days, it is common to see them indoors as additional seating.
The rhythmic motion is calming and can help you relax or ease a baby into sleep. You typically won’t find cushioning on a rocking chair. However, some people do place a pillow on the seat to help make it more comfortable.
Finally, there are modern versions that do not rock but glide. These chairs are also on rails but have a forward and back motion that moves slightly differently from the curved original design.
20. Slipper Chair
These armless chairs are just a seat and back. The seat tends to be lower to the ground with a taller back. They were first used during the Victorian era when upper-class women would sit on them to put on their shoes or slippers.
The lack of arms in the chair’s design makes it a great option as an accent chair. Especially for small living rooms because the lack of arms reduces the visual weight of the chair and makes it easier to navigate around them.
You will find these chairs are true accent and statement chairs with a plethora of options when it comes to color and pattern. If you want to keep the chair looking and feeling light, opt for one that has exposed legs.
If you are looking for a more formal feel, there are some that have upholstery that hides the legs for a continuous look that extends to the floor.
21. Wingback Chair
These elegant chairs make a bold statement with the large back and sides that extend up to the full height of the person in the chair. The “wings” are the sides that extend out and sort of wrap around the person in the chair.
These chairs have endured throughout the decades because they have a style that endures through the changing trends. Originally gaining popularity in England in the 1700s, the wing chairs were originally meant to block drafts and trap heat within the chair’s space.
Today, these chairs are not needed so much for heat retention and are used mainly for decor, relaxing, socializing, and reading. You can find authentic vintage, contemporary, traditional, and French country designs.
Sometimes you need a few extra chairs because you are having company. You do not want to clutter your living room with large accent chairs, but you need more places for people to sit. The wishbone chair is a perfect alternative to folding chairs.
These chairs get their name from the unique wishbone shape of the chair back. Unlike other chairs, the chair’s back arches around the body, making them more comfortable. They have a simple design with a wood frame, back, and legs with a woven uncushioned seat.
Chairs like this Tomile Wishbone Chair will blend perfectly into a farmhouse or Scandinavian living room. Because they are so lightweight, you can easily pick them up and move them around your house. So do not feel obligated to keep them in your living room permanently.
Living in a small space puts a serious limit on the amount of furniture you can have. You have an even greater challenge if you live in a studio apartment. You lack extra space because your bedroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen are all in one space.
Even if you have a one-bedroom apartment, you lack the extra space to have guests over. Having an extra bed that you can turn into a sofa is perfect for a small living room.
The problem is, you do not want to have a bed in your living room. What you need is the ability to turn your bed into available seating by making a DIY couch. Follow this guide and learn how to make a bed look like a couch.
1. Start With the Right Bed
When attempting this project, it is best to start with the right bed type. This makes the project easier. A daybed, twin mattress, or futon mattress is best. They are all similar in size and shape to a couch. You can use a queen size bed, but it will be more challenging given its increased width.
Consider the bed frame that the mattress is on. One that looks similar to a sofa is the best. However, it could also be low profile, giving you a blank canvas that you can then build upon.
Smaller beds are ideal because they will comfortably fit in a studio apartment or guest room. Place your bed against the wall with the long side of the bed against the wall. This puts the right-sized bed against the wall as if it were a sofa.
Avoid These Types of Beds
There are some beds, that no matter how hard you try, they will never look like a sofa. Regular beds that are too large, like a queen, king, or California king, are too wide. It would take a significant number of pillows to reduce the depth to make them into a sofa seat. Other beds, like bunk beds or murphy beds, have builds that are so far away from a sofa that you will never camouflage them into a couch.
2. Use a Triangle Pillow or Large Pillows
The average seat depth for sofas is between 21 and 24 inches. A deep-seated sofa is between 30 and 40 inches. Keep this in mind when turning your bed into a couch. For example, a twin bed is 38 inches wide. This makes it at the top end of the deepest of deep-seated sofas.
To reduce the depth, use large pillows that will retain their width. You do not want them to look thick and plush and then compress flat when someone sits down. Another great option is to use a triangle-shaped pillow. It will provide the right amount of support for your pillows so that they can mimic sofa cushions. It will also create a leaned-back slope that is similar to how sofa seatbacks naturally slope back. Finally, large square or rectangle pillows will look similar to the pillows you see on a sectional.
3. Thicken the Armrests
Many sleeper sofas and daybeds have thin armrests. This is a dead giveaway that they are not a true sofa. Camouflage this visual giveaway that your daybed couch is actually a bed. The thin armrests are also uncomfortable when sitting on the sofa.
Try adding a thick pillow to the sides to build up the bulk of the armrests. It also provides additional cushioning to your arms when sitting on the sofa. An added bonus is that your overnight guests will have plenty of pillows when sleeping.
If the pillows are not enough, try draping a thick throw blanket over the armrest. A double-layer or faux fur blanked like this will work well.
4. Add a Bed Skirt
Adding a bed skirt like this Amazon Basics Pleated Bed Skirt will hide the bed frame and legs that give it away that the bed is not a sofa. If your bed happens to be a trundle bed, the skirt will hide the lower bed.
However, you will want to take a look at your bed; not all frames need to be hidden. A contemporary-looking wood frame could mimic the look of wooden legs on a sofa.
Hiding the legs have another advantage. Sofas feel the way they do because they have a slight angle to the seat cushion. Your bed is flat and level because it is meant to sleep on.
Try mimicking the slope with your bed by lifting the front legs, shortening the back legs, or adding a slight amount of extra padding to the front part of your DIY sofa bed.
5. Cover the Mattress
You need to cover the mattress to make it look like the seat cushions on a couch. People make the mistake of using a fitted sheet. The problem with this is that the sheet will shift and move, requiring you to fix it constantly.
Additionally, the fabric and design rarely look similar to the fabric you would see on a sofa. A better option is to use a cover that is made from upholstery fabric. Then it should be an envelope style. It will completely cover the mattress and have a zipper or hook and loop closure to secure the cover in place. This will effectively hide your extra sleeping space.
6. Use Bolster Pillows
Instead of using regular pillows next to the armrests, try using bolster pillows. These are long and round pillows that you can buy in various diameters and lengths. These couch cushions are perfect as an armrest on their own.
You can also use a long one to extend the length of the bed next to the wall. It will bulk up the pillows and provide a similar amount of support as the triangle pillow.
A bolster pillow is good for customizing the seat depth of your sofa because it will provide the lumbar support needed when sitting down.
7. Frame With Coffee and Side Tables
Now that you have your bed dressed and disguised, it is time to add other typical living room furniture. This will dress the rest of the room and help it to look like a living room setup.
Frame the daybed with matching side tables like these on either side. Then place a coffee table in front of it. These tabletops create a place for setting down drinks. You could place a tall floor lamp on one side that can illuminate the space.
8. Add the Right Finishing Touches
To really sell the look of your DIY sofa, you need to add the decorative finishing touches that you would add to any other sofa. This includes a blanket and throw pillows. These are the decorative items that go on the sofa.
Then you can add other decorative items to finish the rest of the small space. This could be a small lamp on the side tables. Add a tray with a collection of decorative items to the coffee table. These little items will really sell the entire look of your daybed-turned sofa.
If you have a staircase in your home, you have a prime wall space to add decor to your home. Turn this plain wall into a place to feature your prized art collection, show off your beautiful home, or add some color to your home.
How you decorate this empty space will depend on many factors, including how large the wall and staircase are, the amount of space you have to work with, your budget, and the architectural style of your home. You want to choose decorations that reflect who you are without detracting from the appeal of your home.
Check out these creative ideas and learn how to decorate your staircase wall.
[view_toc]
1. Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a traditional wall decoration and a perfect addition to turn your stairway wall into an accent wall.
Cover the complete area of the wall from the base of the stairs to the top and from the floor to the ceiling. Consider the square footage of this space when choosing your wallpaper.
A large or small-scale pattern can create an optical illusion of the wall being bigger or smaller than it really is. A large wall with a small pattern can quickly look overwhelming.
An oversized pattern on a small wall will also look overwhelming and incomplete. You could keep the design basic with stripes or a floral pattern.
There are also more modern designs like this that look like murals or large-scale designs painted on the wall. This can create a bold and pleasantly surprising feature in your home.
2. Paint
The easiest method for decorating your stair wall is to paint it. This injects color into your home’s interior design and defines the staircase as its own area. Choose a paint color that complements the rest of your home’s color pallet.
Especially focus on the rooms that are adjoining the staircase. You want your design to flow smoothly from one area to the next, especially if you can see the staircase wall while standing in another room.
If you feel creative, you can paint the wall with more than one color. Mark a diagonal line about halfway up that extends the entire length of the wall. Paint the bottom half one color, and the top half another. Choose a dark color for the button and a lighter color for the top for the most appealing aesthetic. A crisp line looks polished and elegant. Blending the colors for an ombre effect gives it an eclectic or bohemian feel.
3. Family Photo Gallery Wall
Do you have a large family? Turning your staircase wall into a photo gallery is a simple and easy solution. It gathers all of your family pictures together into one area that everyone commonly moves through.
This puts your most treasured people in a high-traffic area where you can enjoy them every time you go up or down the stairs. This makes it one of the more popular decorating ideas for the staircase.
Matching picture frames creates a clean interior design on the wall space. This can be difficult, as family pictures tend to vary in size and shape as they are taken over the years.
Avoid using the large pre-design collage frames. These lack creativity and design. Instead, take a purposeful approach with frames that are not exactly the same but similar. For example, you could have all simple black square frames. Or you could have dark wood frames with scrollwork and detailing.
You could even combine family photos with a wall decal like this family tree wall decal to create a more eye-catching display.
4. Curated Artwork
Do you have a curated collection of high-value art? Or perhaps you are an artist yourself and have several pieces you have created and are proud of. Use this art as your staircase wall decor. This keeps your living room from becoming cluttered and crowded with your many creations.
The first step is deciding how you want to display your wall art. It could be a curated collection of framed pieces and sculptures that you hang on the walls.
If you only have photography or paintings, you will have all framed pieces. Placing them all in frames of the same size, shape, and design will create a uniform and minimalist arrangement. Using frames that vary in size, shape, design, and color will create a more eclectic feel.
To keep it from looking cluttered, try to make every frame have at least something in common. Having at least one feature or quality in common ties them together and makes the arrangement look purposeful.
5. Shelf
If you have a straight, flat wall and wide stairs, you have a prime spot for adding built-in shelves. You can then arrange books, pictures, and other home decor on them.
You can add as many shelves as will fit and look good. This could be one or two floating shelves. Or it could be an entire built-in unit with cabinets down low and open shelves up high. This gives you hidden storage and a display place.
When choosing and mounting your floating shelf, be careful with size and placement. You do not want to create a safety risk unintentionally. If you mount the shelf too low, you could risk someone walking into it and hitting their head.
If the shelf is too deep, it will extend out too far, and people will bump into it when walking up the stairs. The safest approach is to choose a shallow shelf and mount it high up on the wall.
6. Mirror
You can hang a mirror anywhere in your house. They are perfect for reflecting light and brightening up darker spaces. If your enclosed staircase could use more light, try hanging a mirror on the wall.
If you position it just right, you can reflect more light and brighten up the space. The mirror also has the added benefit of making the stairwell feel bigger. Mount it at eye level so that you will easily look into it as you walk up or down the staircase.
For maximum effect in a small space, mount more than one mirror on the wall. The budget version is to buy mirrored squares and place them on the wall with adhesive on the back.
You can make your own arrangement and have the design work its way down the wall for the entire length of the stairs. If you want to create a luxurious or upscale design, hang framed mirrors like these that look like a gallery wall.
7. Mural
If you have a large spiral staircase design with plenty of wall surface to work with, then you have a prime canvas for creating a mural. If you have some artistic ability, you can paint the mural yourself. Or you could hire a local artist to come in and create something one of a kind.
If you want to do something easier, modern wallpapers come in murals. You measure the square footage of the wall and then buy the wallpaper to size. Apply the wallpaper to the wall in vertical strips, carefully lining up the seams for a continuous image that wraps around the staircase.
8. Tiles
If you have a lot of pets or children living in your home, then tile is a durable decorating idea for your stair wall.
The stairs and wall will take a beating, and the tile will be easy to clean and keep the wall looking beautiful. Even if you do not have a large brood, tile can give your home a modern feel with a subtle texture. You could even continue the tile look on the stair risers. This is the front-facing part of the stairs. This will visually break up the look of wooden stairs.
The type of tile you use will depend on your home’s style. Using tiles of different shapes will give it a mosaic and bohemian feel. A large-scale tile or one in a geometric shape will create a modern feel. Rectangular white subway tile has a vintage or antique feel.
9. Tapestry
Hanging a tapestry is a traditional wall decor and covering. They are delicately made and full of color. This is a great option if your staircase wall is in a central point in your home. The tapestry turns the wall into a feature wall that will be the focal point in the room.
Traditional tapestries cover the entire wall from ceiling to floor. This is not really possible on a stair wall because the bottom is slanted. You will struggle to find a tapestry with an angled bottom to match your stairs. Instead, stick with a square or rectangle tapestry that can hang like a large piece of art positioned in the center of the wall.
10. Board and Batten
Create a subtle texture to your stairwell by using wood trim to add a board and batten design. This classic wall decoration is found in traditional colonials and is making a comeback.
You can easily build your own by using rectangular-shaped pieces of wood trim. Cut them to size so that they run vertical and horizontal, crossing each other to make square or rectangle shapes.
You can make the voids as small or as large as you like. If your staircase leads to a hallway, you can continue the pattern down the hallway.
If the plain board and battens sound a bit plain, you can dress it up with a bit of custom flair. Try using wood trim that has a twist pattern. Or angle the cross beams so that they are at a 45-degree angle. Create squares that vary in width and height.
11. Purposefully Bare
Sometimes, you can make more of a statement by doing nothing. A minimalist staircase idea is to leave the wall completely blank. This retains the clean and bright design of your home. It also lets the stair tread become the focus.
Stain and seal your stair treads to bring out the color and luster of the wood. If your staircase is small or tight, this staircase wall decorating helps to keep it feeling open and welcoming.
10. Texture
Instead of adding decoration to the wall, turn the wall into decoration. This adds subtle design and visual interest without being overwhelming. You can add texture by choosing a 3D tile. These tiles could be handmade with natural highs and lows. Or it could have a geometric design with angles and corners.
If you’re looking for a bolder texture and design, you can mount panels on the wall. This creates more variation in the height and depths. There are also panels with a premade design, making it fast to add a decorative design over the entire wall.
11. Faux Stone
Give your home a rustic or farmhouse feel with faux stone wall panels. These are lightweight panels that are made to look exactly like real stone. A stacked stone design will give your home an elegant cabin or chalet feel. A raw stone design where they look more organic will give your home a rustic or country farmhouse feel.
12. Collections
Do you have a prized collection of items? Your staircase wall could be the perfect place for displaying your collection. This could be a collection of vintage wooden skis, jerseys from your favorite sports players, skateboards, fishing lures, or hand-painted China.
13. Plants
Bring nature into your home by using plants to decorate your stairway wall. This brings nature into your home and natural color. It can also help freshen the air through the plant’s natural photosynthesis.
Try mounting small geometric planters on the wall and place small succulents or air plants in them. Instead of mounting planters on the wall, string hanging planters from the ceiling, so the planters hang right in front of the wall. This lets you hang larger pots and can grow plants that vine and flower. This adds natural color to your home.
Plain white walls are boring. So stop staring at those large blank walls in your home and finally do something with them. Turn some of them into accent walls or choose a wall treatment that you can do on all of the walls in a single room.
Whatever you decide, it’s time to bring some life and color into your home. You don’t have to break the bank with a large budget, either. All you need is some creativity and DIY enthusiasm.
Check out these cheap ways to cover walls and get inspired to upgrade the walls in your home.
1. Traditional Wallpaper
Let’s start with a traditional wall treatment, wallpaper. Skip your grandmother’s style of wallpaper and that awful wallpaper paste. It’s messy and clumsy.
Choose a more affordable modern option called peel and stick wallpaper. You remove the back and press it onto the wall. Then when you are ready for a change or move, you can unpeel it, and the wall goes back to being boring and white.
This temporary wallpaper doesn’t disappoint when it comes to style. You’ll find all of the colors and patterns that traditional wallpaper comes in.
A classic repeating floral pattern like this would look perfect in a grand millennial or French country interior design aesthetic. You could go bolder with a modern large-scale design that takes up the entire wall without any repeating.
2. Fabric Wall
Another classic wall treatment for plain walls is to use fabric. It’s similar to wallpaper, but the covering is made of fabric instead of paper. This used to be popular because it added an extra layer of texture and depth to the walls.
These days, textured wallpaper can achieve a similar effect. However, using actual fabric adds warmth and sound dampening qualities that wallpaper can’t mimic.
You can use almost any type of fabric, which lets you tailor your wall treatment to your budget. Quilting cotton is going to be the most affordable but velvet or upholstery fabric will give you the most luxurious look. You can also buy a specially made fabric wall with a particular effect such as brick, wood or a landscape.
Leather will have a sophisticated and slightly moody feel. Avoid fabrics with stretch, such as jersey, because it will be a nightmare to work with.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to glue the fabric to the wall, making this idea less apartment-friendly than peel and stick wallpaper.
3. Wood Paneling
Cover your large wall with wood paneling to add texture and a touch of nature. This isn’t the dark wood paneling from the 70s, though.
These days, you can buy wood paneling in light, medium, or dark wood tones. This lets you find the perfect shade of wood for the design aesthetic you’re trying to achieve.
There are also a variety of patterns, from simple planks to a board and batten design. You could create your own design with wood trim strips arranged to create geometric shapes on the wall. You could cut your own diamonds or triangles from varying wood thicknesses to create depth.
4. DIY Wall Art
Are you artistic or creative? Then why not make your own wall decor for a one-of-a-kind design? You could frame or hang your artwork on the wall to create a gallery wall design. The more you hang on the wall, the more wall you cover.
Some DIY wall decor ideas skip the frames completely and plaster the art directly onto the wall like your own custom wallpaper. The trick to making this look work is to cover the entire wall from top to bottom and left to right.
You don’t even have to use your own art for this approach. You could use your favorite magazine pictures, posters, or album art. Just be sure to fully adhere each piece to the wall and line everything up so that there are no gaps where the wall can peak through.
5. Textured Wall
Adding texture to your bad walls will hide imperfections and create depth in the room. The easiest textures to achieve on your own are orange peel and knockdown.
You can buy the supplies at your local hardware store and do the application yourself. Plan to paint the wall as the texturizing material will be a different color from your wall, even if they are both white.
You can also add texture with vinyl wall panels that have a texture to them. They typically have a geometric-inspired pattern like this that gives your wall a 3D effect.
6. Tile
Tile isn’t just for your bathroom walls anymore. Use it on the other walls in your home and have a durable wall treatment that will transform the look of your home. You could use it in your breakfast nook, on the wall around your fireplace, mudroom, or even your front entryway.
Choose a large-scale tile to keep the design looking modern. Small scale tiles will create too much pattern, which can quickly look overwhelming on an entire wall.
In some rooms, only use the tile on the bottom half of the wall. This gives you the benefit of the tile without making the room too cold or increasing echo.
Use a bullnose or border tile along the top edge to give your tiled wall a professional finish. If traditional tile is still out of your budget, you can use peel and stick tile. It comes in sheets and is easy to cut to size.
7. Wall Decals
You don’t have to cover all of your interior walls to give them an update. Vinyl wall decals are incredibly easy to peel and stick. These wall coverings could be a large sheet, text, or many small pieces.
A single large sheet is typically a large-scale image. This will cover the most area on your wall. Text can look a bit cliche, but if it’s a saying that’s meaningful to you, go ahead and add it.
Small pieces are typically meant to create a pattern on the wall, so scatter them throughout the wall. Be sure to fully press out the air bubbles so that your decals sit flush with the wall.
8. Paint
You don’t have to go crazy with an overly complicated wall covering. Paint is affordable, and you can easily buy as little as you need to paint the wall. You can paint almost any surface, from drywall to plaster walls.
Choose one color or multiple colors. If you’re trying to hide imperfections in the wall, paint a pattern that will distract the eye. For example, you could do simple stripes, a modern geometric design, or even an ombre effect.
9. Cork Panels
Cork is affordable and environmentally friendly. This makes it ideal for use in your interior design. While you’re more likely to see it on a garage wall, you can also use it on your interior walls.
Choose thick cork sheeting, and you can then hang wall art from the cork. This protects your walls from holes and creates warmth in the room. Cork is also a great option if you are trying to dampen sound.
10. Foam Boards
Foam boards are predesigned wall coverings that you mount on the wall. You can transform the look of your ugly walls and elevate the look of your home. High-end and luxury homes have custom trim work. You can mimic this look with these boards.
Cover the entire wall with the boards for an elegant version of an accent wall. This more formal wall treatment idea if perfect for your dining room or home office.
There are also modern versions that come in geometric shapes. They mount at varying depths. Add your own LED strip lighting to the back of them, and you have an innovative design at a fraction of the cost.
11. Mirrors
If the room you’re working in lacks natural light or is very small, then using mirrors can provide multiple benefits. Turn one wall into a feature wall that you cover in mirrors. This wall decoration will reflect what little natural light you have to work with.
It also reflects the rest of the room, creating the illusion that the room is much larger than it really is. Single-piece large mirrors can be extremely expensive, so fake it with multiple small mirrors.
You can copy DIY wall covering ideas and use peel and stick mirrors. Start by painting the wall black where you plan to place the mirrors. When the wall is dry, peel and stick the mirrors to the wall in a grid pattern, leaving a uniform amount of space between each one.
Leave the same amount of space around the outside of the mirror to create a black border. The result is a finished framed mirror look that looks nicer than simply placing the mirrors right up next to each other.
12. Tapestry
Give your walls an artistic touch that’s perfect for a bohemian room by hanging a tapestry on the wall. Buy a curtain rod and add decorative finials. Hang your tapestry from the rod and let it be the focal point in the room.
Tapestries don’t typically cover the entire wall, so try to center it on the wall. This solution is perfect for covering a damaged wall.
Your tapestry could be a handwoven macrame piece that’s strung from a piece of driftwood. Or it could be a painted piece of fabric. Then there are traditional tapestries that have an authentic vintage appeal with delicate weaving.
13. Curtains
Similar to a tapestry, you can hang curtains to cover your walls. Unlike a tapestry, the fabric is standard curtain fabric that you’ll hang from a rod.
Mount the rod at the top of the wall or even on the ceiling. Then hang curtains that are long enough to reach the floor. This is one of the easiest and most affordable cheap wall covering ideas, yet it will significantly elevate the look of your home.
This wall decoration idea is nice because you can easily change out the curtains and transform the room’s look. Try layering a heavyweight curtain with a lighter-weight one for a layered look that brings more texture into the room.
14. Shelving
Give yourself more storage and elevate the look of your room by building faux built-in shelving. You could buy a shelving unit kit or build one from scratch. Then place the floor to ceiling unit in front of the wall. Paint it the same color as the walls so that everything blends together.
You now have additional storage and a place to display decor. This is a great option if your walls have suffered a lot of damage and there are plenty of visible patches.
To really sell the look, try adding crown molding to the top and baseboards around the bottom and top of the shelving unit, and then carry that trim around the rest of the room.
Do you have outdoor wooden furniture? If you have not waterproofed it, you wasted your money. Without the proper protection, your wood furniture is susceptible to water that will cause it to rot, splinter, and crack. This will ruin the wood’s look and shorten its useful life.
Follow this guide and learn how to waterproof wood furniture for the outdoors.
Rely on a Hand-Rubbed Oil Finish
There are two types of wood oil that you can use to waterproof your wood furniture, linseed and tung oil. These oils are the least toxic method and do not have VOCs. The oil soaks into the wood to prevent moisture from getting into the wood.
Their downfall is that they are not as protective as synthetic sealants. This makes it a good option for sheltered wood surfaces, such as covered patio furniture or indoor furniture.
If you have light wood furniture like white oak, stick with tung oil that will not yellow over time like linseed oil. Some hardwoods, like teak wood, have an abundance of oils naturally, making it unnecessary to oil them.
Darker woods like mahogany and walnut benefit greatly from an oil treatment because they can bring out the deep luster and color of the wood.
Tools Required
To oil your wood, you will need 80-grit sandpaper, a stiff-bristled scrub brush, a natural bristle paintbrush, mineral spirits, cleaning rugs, and your chosen oil.
Process
If your wood already has a finish or is visibly weathered, you will need to start by sandpapering the surface to remove the top layer. Then thoroughly wash the wood to remove the dust and allow it to dry.
Once the wood is dry or if the wood is unfinished, you are ready to apply the oil. Use your paintbrush to apply a thin coat of oil over the entire surface of the wood.
Try to saturate the wood without overapplying. Use your rag to wipe off excess oil. Place your oily rags in a bucket of water to prevent them from spontaneously combusting.
Use the mineral spirits to clean the paintbrush. Leave the furniture to dry overnight. If your furniture needs more than one coat, wait at least 30 minutes between each layer. `
How Often Should You Oil Wood Furniture?
How often you need to apply oil to your wood furniture will depend on the level of abuse the wood experiences. Wood furniture out in the elements needs oiling about twice a year.
Wood that is indoors can go longer with an oil application once a year. However, neither of these are hard-set rules. If you see that your wood furniture looks dry and weathered, then it is time for a coat of oil.
Apply a Sealant
There are three types of wood sealant, varnish, lacquer, and polyurethane. These products create a shiny hard shell on the surface of the wood that protects it from the outdoor elements.
It is great at creating a solid seal for waterproofing wood and can prevent scratches in the wood. If you have Adirondack chairs, the smooth surface that sealants create is good because they prevent your clothes from snagging on the wood.
The downside of sealant is that it will eventually peel up from the wood’s surface. You will also need to completely sand it off before applying a fresh coat. Oil-based varnishes will make wood look darker than it really is. Be aware of this if you do not want to change the look of your teak or eucalyptus patio furniture.
Lacquer
Wood lacquer will give you a stunning high gloss shine and will protect your wood from scratches. Unfortunately, it eventually discolors, and you will have to remove it and reapply to restore its beauty. The consistency is thinner than varnish and polyurethane, making it easier to apply with a sprayer than a paintbrush. However, lacquer does contain high levels of VOCs.
Varnish
You cannot beat the protective qualities of varnish. Marine-grade varnish is even more protective because it is specifically meant for high moisture environments and has UV blockers. In addition, the cured varnish is flexible and will not crack when put under stress.
However, its biggest drawback is the incredibly time-consuming application process. It also only lasts two to three years before you will need to lightly sand the surface and reapply a topcoat.
Polyurethane
A polyurethane wood coating is a type of plastic and is not the same as varnish. It comes in both oil and water-based formulas. However, only the oil-based formulas are effective at protecting outdoor furniture. If you are trying to protect light-hued woods, this is a good option.
Once applied, oil-based polyurethanes look similar to varnish. Their big advantage is that you only need two coats, making for a faster application process. However, they will expose you to higher levels of VOCs.
Tools Required
Because sealants contain VOCs, you will need a respirator or N-95 mask. You will also need an orbital sander and 80-grit sandpaper to remove the old sealant. Other required materials include deck cleaner, stiff-bristled brush, oil-based varnish, polyurethane, or lacquer, paintbrush, and mineral spirits.
Process
Start by putting on your mask before you start any work. Use the orbital sander to clean off the old sealant, and then wash and scrub the wood with your cleaner and a stiff-bristled brush.
Let the wood dry completely before trying to apply sealant. While wearing your mask, use the paintbrush to apply thin coats of sealant.
Do not aggressively shake or stir the sealant, or you will create air bubbles that will stick around and ruin the surface of your sealant when applied to the wood. Clean your brush with mineral spirits and let it dry overnight.
You can apply a second coat the following day. You will need two to three coats of lacquer or polyurethane and eight coats of varnish. This makes for a lengthy and time-consuming application process.
How To Prevent Yellowing and Darkening Sealant
If you want to prevent yellowing or darkening, you will want to use water-based sealants. It will give you the same shiny shell but will not change colors the way oil-based formulas will. Oil-based formulas also tend to bring out the natural colors in the wood. Such light woods like pine tend to look more yellow.
Use a Stain-Sealant Combo
If you want to enhance the color of your wood while protecting it, then a stain and sealant combo is perfect. It is a single liquid that combines wood stain with a polyurethane wood sealer. This gives you a beautiful wood finish that will last.
What is nice about this product is that it comes in a wide variety of color tints and finishes. It could be a rainbow of colors, have a matte, satin, or high gloss finish, or be opaque to transparent or somewhere in between. This lets you customize the look of your garden furniture.
They also have an advantage over sealants because they will not yellow or otherwise discolor over time. In addition, they do not create a hard shell on the surface of the wood like other sealants, so you don’t have to worry about it eventually pealing. Unfortunately, they are high in VOCs because the formula contains polyurethane.
Tools Required
To apply your stain and sealant combo, you will need a respirator or N-95 mask, orbital sander, 80–grit sandpaper, cleaner, stiff-bristled brush, paintbrush, all-in-one stain and sealer, and mineral spirits.
Process
As with the other products, you will need to sand off the previous treatment before applying a new coat. Then, when your wood furniture is ready for a new application, put on your mask and get to work painting the furniture with your brush.
Give it 24 hours to dry, and then you can apply another coat. You will need at least two coats to achieve the full desired color and protection level.
How to Waterproof Painted Wood Furniture for Outdoors
If you want to waterproof painted wood furniture, you need to remove the paint first. While latex paint creates a seal, exterior paint can’t protect your wood as well as sealants. Use a scraper, sandpaper, or steel wool to remove the paint so that you have bare wood. Then, use one of the above methods to seal the untreated wood.
Can Paint Protect Your Wood?
Some paint can protect your outdoor wood furniture. Paint specifically designed for exterior use protects the wood from moisture. For the best protection, always apply a primer first. Then you can apply two to three layers of exterior paint. You can use latex or oil-based paint for this.
As long as you are using the correct paint, you will not need to treat the wood with another waterproofing product before painting the outdoor wood furniture. However, you should completely cover the wood so that there are no exposed wood areas that moisture could get into.
How to Naturally Protect Wood
If you do not want to use chemicals or potentially hazardous formulas, there are some natural options. However, keep in mind that these options will not protect as well as the solutions mentioned above and will not last as long.
For the best protection, create a reapplication schedule so that your wood has routine care. Do not wait until your wood is struggling and desperate for some maintenance.
You could use a damp rag to work coconut oil into the wood. The coconut oil will moisturize and protect the wood. Plus, it will smell wonderfully tropical with the subtle scent of coconut.
Another natural protectant is a mixture of oil and vinegar. Mix three parts canola oil to one part vinegar. Wipe it onto the wood and protect it from water, insects, and wear.
Importance of Waterproofing Your Outdoor Wood Furniture
It is crucial that you weatherproof wood if you plan to leave your outdoor furniture outside throughout the year. Wood is ideal for outdoor use because it looks great and is durable.
However, you need to help protect it from the elements so that it does not swell, warp, discolor, or rot. For example, teak or eucalyptus furniture is extremely durable but will patina over time from a rich wood color to a weathered grey.
Not every room has plenty of natural light. This can leave you with rooms that feel like a dark cave. However, if you know how to brighten a dark room, you can overcome the lack of windows and natural light.
With the right changes to the architecture, artificial lighting, furniture, and decor, you can make even the darkest of rooms feel bright and welcoming.
Give these ideas a try and bring more light to your home.
1. Make Architectural Changes
If you want to make major changes to a room, then look to architectural changes that you can permanently improve the amount of natural light. These are the most costly, but can have the biggest impact.
Take Down the Blinds
If you can, consider removing the blinds from the windows. This increases the amount of light that’s coming in through the windows. However, keep in mind that this can reduce your level of privacy and security, so be careful about which windows you do this with.
Use a Door With a Window
If your room has an exterior door, you can replace it with one that has a window. This gives you another place where natural light can come in beside the windows. For the maximum amount of light, you can use a full-length glass door.
Paint the Window Trim
If the trim around your window is any color other than white, then consider painting it. This will brighten up the window and create a reflective surface around the window. This will increase the amount of perceived light coming in the window.
Paint the Walls
Painting your walls a crisp white will reflect the most amount of light. However, it can also look harsh and cold. You can choose light colors like pastels and light greys. This is perfect for a small room or those with low light.
Paint the Ceiling Bright White
What is the color of your ceiling? Paint it bright white to help reflect light down into the room. Even if you think your ceiling is already white, if it has been a few years, it has probably yellowed and could use a refresh. A fresh coat of white paint can brighten the room.
Paint the Dark Wood
This piece of advice can be taboo, but there’s no denying that painting the dark wood in your home can instantly brighten the room. If you can’t bring yourself to paint over the beautiful wood in your home, then consider refinishing or replacing it. Lightwoods are brighter and can keep a room feeling light.
Clean Your Windows
This simple cleaning task can increase the amount of light coming in your window. It’s amazing how much more light can come in your windows when you clean the dirt and mildew off them. Use soapy water and a stiff-bristled brush to scrub the outside of the windows and rinse them clean. Then clean the inside of the windows with Windex.
Trim Your Trees
If you have large trees growing outside of your house, they could block valuable sunlight. Have your trees trimmed back, so they block less light coming into your home. This is also smart because it can reduce the risk of damage to your home by falling branches.
2. Making Changes to Your Lighting
Sometimes, there’s only so much natural light you can get into a room. If you struggle with a room with very little natural light, you’ll need to supplement it with artificial lighting. This could be adding a lamp to a dark corner or revamping the lighting in the entire room.
Install Recessed Lighting
If you don’t have room for floor lamps, consider installing recessed lighting. These pot lights get mounted into the ceiling so that they are flush. That way, they won’t block light or close the ceiling in. They are typically installed in multiples across the ceiling to provide a large wash of light over the entire room.
Add Lower Level Light
If the only light source in the room is overhead lighting, you need to add more artificial light. In addition to the overhead light, add a lower light source, like a floor or table lamp. Direct the light upward to reflect off the wall and brighten the walls, making the room feel brighter.
Embrace Minimalist Light Fixtures
You don’t want big statement fixtures taking the attention away from the artificial light. Stick with minimalist fixtures that are slim and streamlined to blend into the room. Flush-mounted lights are also good because they reduce the bulk and maximize the ambient light.
Change Your Lampshades
Adding table lamps isn’t enough. Replace the dark or thick shades with a lighter shade or one made of thinner material. There’s no point in adding artificial light if you are going to block it with a shade. Don’t eliminate the shade, though. A large white shade can give the illusion that the lamp produces more light than it really is.
Use Diffused Lighting
Focus on adding ambient light to the room. This generalized light creates a wash of light over the entire room. Avoid accent lighting that doesn’t create useful light; think LED strip lights under shelving or fairy lights. Task lighting is also not helpful because it is focused light directed at a workspace.
Use Brighter Lightbulbs
Choosing the right bulbs for your artificial light can maximize their effectiveness. Whether you choose incandescent bulbs or LED light bulbs, choose a bright white daylight light. Look for bulbs that produce light in a temperature range of 5,000-6,000 Kelvins. This is a crisp, bright light that’s invigorating.
Aim Your Lights
Don’t just randomly place floor lamps in the room. Think about where you want to direct the light. Aiming it at a wall or the ceiling helps brighten the wall and reflect the light back into the room. This visual effect makes the room feel brighter than if you directed the light into the middle of the room.
3. Make Your Furniture Work For You
Choosing the right furniture in the room can reduce the amount of light it blocks. The fabrics can also reflect light and help the room feel brighter. You could also reflect more light with shiny metal surfaces.
Choose Light Colored Furniture
Light-colored furniture reflects more light, so replace your dark-colored furniture with pieces that are white, light grey, or another pastel color. You can also go bold with brightly colored furniture, such as a sunny yellow. These light and bright colors help to reflect more light and make the space feel brighter.
Angle Your Furniture
Position the furniture in the room to allow the light to flow. Don’t place anything in front of the window that could block the light. Instead, try placing furniture on the opposite side of the room facing the window. Then the furniture can reflect the light into the space. This works especially well if the furniture is light-colored.
Choose to Use Slimline Furniture
Heavy furniture is solid and takes up a lot of visual space, which means it blocks and absorbs light. Replace it with slimline furniture like pieces on legs or a metal frame. This will reduce the visual space it takes up in the room and the amount of light it blocks.
Make Shiny Surfaces Work For You
Shiny surfaces reflect light. No, this doesn’t mean you need to have a mirror surface on everything in the room. A lacquered, polished, or metal surface will achieve the same effect. These are smooth, reflective surfaces that will bounce and direct the light to other areas in the room. If you are skilled, you can reflect the light from a window by bouncing it off a reflective coffee table to a mirror on the wall to somewhere else in the room.
4. Brighten the Room With Decor
If you don’t have the budget for the architectural changes, you’ve added all of the lamps that you can, and you have made the necessary furniture changes; your final step is to address the decor.
These are the decorative pieces in the room that complete the design aesthetic you are going for. These pieces can help brighten a dark room or work against your room brightening efforts.
Keep the decor to a minimum and strategically choose pieces that will reflect the light or make the room feel more energetic.
Hang a Mirror
Hang a large mirror in the room to reflect the light. Think about the direction the light comes into the room and where the darkest place in the room is. You can then use the mirror to reflect the light where you need it the most. The larger the mirror is, the more light you can reflect.
Lighten Up With a Rug
If you have a dark floor, you can lighten it up with a light-colored area rug like this white rug from SAFAVIEH. Choose a large area rug that can cover most of the dark floor. This helps to brighten the entire room from the ground up.
Make the Window the Focal Point
If there is a large window in the room, make it the room’s focal point. Arrange the furniture and decor in the room to draw attention to the window. By making the window the focal point, you make the room feel brighter by focusing on the brightest point in the room.
Choose the Right Accent Colors
Sure, an all-white color palette will make the room feel its brightest, but this isn’t your only option. When all-white isn’t functional for your tastes or lifestyle, choose lighter colors instead. You can achieve the same effect with pale greys and light-colored browns like beige. Avoid a color palette that’s full of dark colors.
Pretend You Have a Window
Just pretending you have a window can make a room feel brighter. If you have a small window, mount the curtains to extend higher and wider than the actual window. This creates the illusion that the window is bigger than it really is. It will trick the brain into thinking there is more light because the window is supposedly larger.
Use White Curtains
Having curtains on your windows gives them a finished look and completes your interior design. However, curtains can also block the natural sunlight you are trying to increase. Compromise with sheer curtains. The fabric should be very lightweight, almost like translucent shades. This creates a barely filtered effect that will create privacy while minimizing the amount of light that gets blocked.
Reduce the Decor
Reducing the amount of decor in the room can allow more light to flow throughout. There are fewer physical objects blocking and absorbing the light, helping the room to feel brighter. If you wish to display decor, try to have it on a bookshelf perpendicular to the window. This will minimize the light-blocking effects.
Choose Brightly Colored Decor
If you wish to display decor, avoid dark-colored pieces that will absorb the light. Instead, opt for brightly colored pieces. The bright pops of color will help the room feel more cheery and brighter.
Say Yes to Maximalism
So far, the vast majority of advice on this list is to go bright white and minimalist. However, you can also take another approach. Instead of turning a dark space bright with white walls, try a bright color like an orange, magenta, emerald green, or peacock teal sofa. Check out the Lisette 47” Velvet Armless Loveseat which comes in a range of vibrant colors.
Then add shiny metal accents and large-scale patterns. This idea is to fill the space with bright and bold colors. This brings energy and life to the room, making it feel brighter.
Remember when white appliances were popular? Times were simpler then because everything looked good with white. If all else failed, you could simply leave your kitchen cabinets white and have a kitchen design that would look beautiful for decades. White cabinets never seem to go out of style, though the white appliances did.
Then there was the regular stainless-steel trend. This was nice until people realized that stainless steel showed every fingerprint and was a nightmare to keep clean.
This led to the most recent trend in kitchen appliances, black stainless steel. It’s sleek and modern with a more matte finish that is easier to maintain. Which leads us to the next dilemma; what color cabinets go with black stainless-steel appliances?
1. Natural Light Wood
Natural wood cabinets look fresh and beautiful because they feature the natural beauty of the wood’s grain while helping to keep your kitchen looking bright.
While wood isn’t technically a color, it’s one of the most popular choices, making it necessary to include it on a list of kitchen cabinet colors. The light hue of the wood balances beautifully with the ultra-dark coloring of the slate appliances.
The light ash or honey hues of the wood brightens up the GE appliances. This helps the black kitchen appliances from looking too dark and closing in your kitchen.
Try to space out your black appliances so that isn’t a wall of black from the dishwasher to the stove and the refrigerator. Spreading them out in your kitchen makes it easier to move about and balances the light and dark in the room.
2. Dark Oak
Dark oak cabinets have a rich brown color with deep chocolate hues. They look stunning with bright white or light grey granite countertops. Because these cabinets can be quite dark, the black appliances tend to bland right in, creating a uniform look to the appliances and cabinets. It’s a perfect example of when black and brown pair beautifully. However, because the counters and appliances can look quite dark, you’ll need to balance them out with lighter colors.
You can do this with the walls, floor, and countertop. It’s also helpful to have plenty of natural light coming in or artificial light to supplement with artificial light.
Many people think of traditional cabinet designs when you start talking about dark oak cabinets. They have raised panels with artful details. However, you can also have a modern kitchen with dark oak. Transform your cabinets with slab fronts where the dark oak wood grain continues from one cabinet door to the next. This creates a smooth and continuous front that extends the entire length of the cabinets.
3. Cherry
Elegant and high-end homes often have cherry wood cabinets. The wood has a rich color with a deep red undertone. They bring plenty of warmth and light into your kitchen. The rich luster of this wood can be hearty enough to stand up to black stainless steel appliances.
Balance this deep color combination with lighter colors for the floor, walls, and countertops. This creates a nice contrast that keeps the space feeling welcoming and not overly heavy. If you decide to have cherry cabinets, choose a more traditional design for your cabinets. Skip the slab front and shaker door and opt for more elegant doors with a raised panel design.
4. Red
Using the color red in the kitchen is common because it’s the color of life and energy. It also influences the way we feel because it makes people hungry. Using red for your kitchen cabinets incorporates this bold color in a unique way. Red is also a versatile color that you can use with various interior design themes. Use beadboard cabinet fronts and distress them a bit, and you have the perfect red rustic farmhouse cabinets. Use perfectly smooth and shiny red cabinets for a sleek and modern look.
Use simple red shaker cabinets for a contemporary take on your red cabinets. When pairing your red cabinets with black appliances, keep the decor simple to prevent your kitchen from getting overwhelming.
5. Pink
If red is too harsh and bold for your taste, consider something softer, like pink. A soft pink can look feminine and delicate. To keep the design more mature, limit the amount of pastel pink by taking a two-tone approach to the cabinets. Paint half of them pink and the other half either white or black. Then, accent it with black tiles for the backsplash.
Swap out the pastel pink for a deep magenta for an ultra-glamorous look. This bright and vibrant pink pairs beautifully with black and creates a feminine and glam design. You can use as little or as much pink as you want to suit your tastes.
6. White
White cabinets are clean and classic, explaining why they never go out of style. So it’s only natural that your white kitchen cabinets would look beautiful with your matte black appliances. It’s a simple color scheme that will make your kitchen look fresh and clean.
The black appliances help your kitchen from looking too blinding and bright with all white. The black breaks up the white and helps to define the space. To tie the look together, use black accents throughout the kitchen. This brings the appliances into a cohesive kitchen design. Use a crisp white like this paint from Nuvo with this approach. If it’s off-white or cream, the slight yellow tints will make your kitchen look aged and dull.
7. Yellow
Yellow can add a bright and cheery contrast to your kitchen. Be careful, though; the wrong yellow can make your kitchen look a bit like a bumblebee. A strong sunny yellow looks best in a farmhouse or modern kitchen.
For a more appealing kitchen design, choose a softer yellow. It will complement the appliance finish better and create a less bold contrast. Add touches of soft grey to the color palette, and you have a bright and friendly but not juvenile kitchen color palette that is perfect for a kitchen. You can then add more black elements to tie the black appliances in with the rest of the design.
8. Blue
The right shade of blue can look stunning with your black appliances. The key is choosing a shade of blue that contrasts with the black enough for there to be a clear definition between the black appliance color and the blue cabinet shade. This means not choosing a shade of blue that is too dark.
A soft pale blue, a deep royal blue or a dark navy blue like this are all good options. Finish out your kitchen’s color palette by adding white, cream, or grey. These colors will create a clean interior design and help prevent your kitchen from looking too depressing or dark.
For a bit of extra glamour, choose gold or silver hardware for the cabinets. Depending on your final goal, this can add to the warm or cool effect. If you decide on a soft or pale shade of blue, be careful with the strong contrast the black appliances will create. Add natural wood elements like this countertop to soften this look.
9. Black
It may seem counterintuitive, but black cabinets pair beautifully with black stainless steel appliances. The result is a monochromatic look that has built-in texture and variation. The dark cabinets have a different finish from the metal finish on the appliances to create subtle changes in texture and light. This uniform approach to interior design can make a space feel larger.
You could paint your traditional wood cabinets, but this won’t give you a modern look that this design really needs. The best cabinets for this look are smooth slab with low-profile hardware. This creates the smooth and uniform look necessary to make the appliances stand out. This means that the finish of your cabinets becomes more important.
Consider the finish on your appliances and choose one that is different for your cabinets. If your appliances have a satin finish, then perhaps use a flat finish on your cabinets. These two surfaces will reflect the light differently and create variations that will catch the eye. You can then complete the look with black slate flooring and sleek metal light fixtures.
10. Grey
Grey is the modern neutral, and it is a popular color choice for kitchens. You can change the energy by the shade of grey that you choose. A pale, barely-there grey is delicate and soft. It’s bright enough to reflect light. This makes it a perfect choice for your grey cabinets. You can then accent it with other varying shades of grey. Perhaps one with a slightly green undertone to turn it into a greige. Or a slightly blue undertone for a bluish-grey feel.
Try adding a more dramatic dark grey on the wall behind the light cabinets. It will give the illusion that your kitchen is bigger than it really is. Then the dark appliances add a nice contrast to the light cabinets, creating visual interest and preventing the space from becoming a bland wall of grey. This is a big advantage over traditional stainless steel that has a silver-grey look, which is too similar to the color grey.
11. Two-Tone
Modern kitchen design trends embrace color. You no longer have to choose just one. You could paint your kitchen island one color and your wall cabinets another. Or you can paint your lower cabinets a dark color and your upper cabinets a lighter color. This two-tone approach works well for your black stainless appliances because you can commit to a color that will make them stand out without having to paint your entire kitchen that color.
Perhaps you paint your kitchen island black to match your appliances, but then you keep your kitchen feeling light by painting the wall cabinets white. Or you paint the lower cabinets a bold blue and the upper cabinets white.
Colors to Avoid
While we have listed several colors that are quite beautiful, there are some colors that you should avoid. While black stainless steel seems like a neutral, and neutrals should go with anything, that isn’t the case. Avoid choosing muted and earthy colors. These don’t bring out the beauty of the black stainless steel, and tend to make everything look muddy and bland.
Mid-range colors are also not a great choice. They lack the necessary depth and vibrancy to bring out the luster and beauty of the appliances. It’s better to choose colors that are closer to the end of the spectrum, so either pale and pastel shades or deeply saturated and vibrant shades.
Your bedroom is your private space to relax and escape the stress of the world. It should be filled with your favorite things and decor that makes you happy.
This isn’t like decorating your dorm room with cool stuff in college. You have a master bedroom that needs to fit who you are today.
This could be creating a relaxing and peaceful space, or perhaps it’s a shine to your passions. There are plenty of bedroom decor ideas to help you get started.
Check out these cool things to put in your room and get inspired to revamp the decor in your bedroom.
1. Elements From Nature
The easiest way to add warmth and comfort to your bedroom is by adding touches of nature to your home decor. One way to do this is by adding real living plants to your bedroom. This brings in color and life.
Don’t worry, if you don’t have a green thumb there are plants that look beautiful and require very little care. A snake plant, purple passion plant, Chinese evergreen, spider plant, and pothos are all great options.
Skip the succulent and air plant, these are deceptively harder to grow than you think. Air plants are great for your bathroom, though. The natural moisture is high and this is the perfect environment for them.
If you refuse to have living plants in your bedroom, you can still bring nature into your bedroom. Add wood elements or decor made out of natural materials. You could have wood furniture. Or you could have wall decor that’s made from driftwood, dried palms, pampas stems, or baskets woven from dried grasses.
2. Mini Library
If you have a collection of your favorite books, then adding a mini library is a perfect addition to your bedroom and a natural place to keep your book collection. With your mini library in your bedroom, you’re more likely to grab a book to read than you would if your library were in the living room or home office.
Depending on how large your book collection is, you could have a single floating shelf or a large freestanding bookcase like this six-tier bookcase.
Even if your book collection is small, consider buying a storage solution that is bigger than you need. Then you can break up the book collection into smaller groups and scatter decorative pieces among them.
If your bedroom is small, consider using multiple shelves mounted on the wall. Doing this keeps your floor space open by utilizing the vertical space in the room.
3. Accent Wall
Adding an accent wall is an easy addition to a bedroom. The wall behind the headboard is the perfect bedroom wall to turn into the accent wall. This idea works in both large and small rooms.
To create your accent wall, you could simply paint the wall a different color, but this is a bit boring. Instead, try using removable wallpapers. It comes in sheets with a backing that you will peel off and then adhere the paper to the wall.
Unlike traditional wallpaper, modern versions come in small and large-scale patterns and designs. Some designs look like paintings and photographs. Some have mural designs that create a large-scale scene. You’ll even find textured wallpaper that mimics the look of real bricks.
If wallpaper doesn’t appeal to you, another option is to use wood trim pieces. These are long, thin wood strips that you can easily cut to size and create a geometric pattern.
You could build squares, chevrons, or a freeform design. Paint your trim pieces to match the color of the wall for a subtle textured effect, or paint it another color for a contrasting design.
4. Decorative Lighting
If your bedroom only has one light source, it’s time for an upgrade. You need more than a single light in your ceiling fan. Layering light sources is an interior design trick that immediately elevates the look of your bedroom.
Ambient light illuminates your entire bedroom. Your overhead light does this, but you can add a floor lamp to add to it. Task lighting is directed light that’s meant to illuminate your workspace. This is the best type of light for your reading chair, desk, vanity, or nightstands.
The third type of light is accent lighting. This is the type of light where you can have the most fun. Fairy lights are popular in teen rooms.
There are more options than just fairy lights, though. Paper lanterns come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Arrange a couple of these hanging lights in a corner for a decorative element that also adds light.
A custom neon light like this one is also a funky and cool option. You can buy LED strip lights and mount them almost anywhere in the room. Try placing them under your bed frame, under the shelving, behind the headboard, on the crown molding to illuminate the ceiling, or anywhere else in the room you want to add an accent.
5. Hang a Mirror
It doesn’t matter if you have a large or small space; a mirror can do wonders for your bedroom.
Hanging a large mirror on the wall or having a floor-length mirror is a great bedroom idea because not only does it make your bedroom seem brighter and larger, but it also gives you a place to get ready.
Take the tallest person’s height that will be using the mirror and subtract six inches. This is the minimum length that your mirror should be to minimize distortion.
However, a mirror needs to be at least half of the tallest person’s height to be able to show their entire body. It also needs to be wide enough to see your entire body easily.
When choosing your mirror, there are wall-mounted, leaning, and freestanding mirrors. The one you choose will depend on your budget, taste, and space available. Freestanding mirrors take up the most room, then leaning, and wall-mounted takes up the least.
Pay attention to the frame. A slimline frame will look modern, while a thick wood frame can look more rustic or farmhouse. A metal frame with decoration can look vintage-inspired.
6. Gallery Wall
While most people think about putting a gallery wall in their living room or main hallway, there’s no rule that says you can’t put one in your bedroom. A gallery wall is a perfect solution for when you have a lot of wall decor.
You could have all photography shots or have a mix of photos, paintings, and other wall art. If you have small figurines, you can even include a shelf for them. This mix of items will create an eclectic mix of items for a lot of variety and visual interest.
If you prefer a more uniform look, aim for a minimalist approach. Frame each piece with the same mat and frame. Then hang the art in a grid pattern where each frame is evenly distanced from the other frames around it.
You don’t have to frame your pictures. If you have a large collection of images or like to change them out regularly, then a more mobile display solution is going to work better.
Use a photo clip string light kit like this one from Dopheuor to string wire up in horizontal lines and then space clips out on the wire. You can then use the clips to hold pictures. This makes it easy to switch the pictures out as often as you want.
7. Area Rug
Hide your ugly carpet with a large area rug. If you have tile or wood floors, a rug is a must for making your bedroom feel warm and cozy. No one wants to get out of bed and immediately put their feet on a cold, hard floor.
Area rugs around or under the bed cushion your feet and eliminate the chill. The cool thing about rugs in your bedroom is that you have a lot more freedom in sizing. If you have a decent budget to work with, you can buy a large area rug that starts under the bedside tables and extends down the entire length of the bed.
A smaller and more affordable rug can look just as nice if it starts in front of the nightstands. If your budget is tight, stick with two smaller rugs on either side of the bed.
If your rug is going under the bed, don’t worry about the pattern and color too much since the majority of it will be hidden under the rug. If your rug is going to be visible, then look for one that has a pattern that ties all of the room’s colors together.
8. Soft Elements
Adding soft textiles is a must for your bedroom. These are the fabrics that create a plush and cozy atmosphere. This is what takes your nice-looking bedroom and turns it into a place that has an inviting interior design.
Choose accent textiles that feel nice. Fabrics like jersey, velvet, silk, some cotton, flannel, faux fur, sateen, and fleece all look and feel soft. Add a couple of throw pillows to your bed and accent chair.
Don’t add too many; your furniture shouldn’t be drowning in pillows. Next, add a throw blanket to the foot of your bed. Leave it folded, and you never have to actually use it for warmth. It can be there just for visual effect.
Accent the rest of the room with soft fabrics. For example, add an area rug to the floor, hang curtains on the window, and mount a small tapestry on the wall.
Add curtains to the bed if you want to create a whimsical or bohemian feel. You can hang them from a four-poster bed frame. If you don’t have this bed style, you can fake it by hanging them from the ceiling and draping them to either side of the bed.
9. Expressive Art
Don’t leave your bedroom walls boring and blank unless you are going for the minimalist look. However, even minimalist designs have at least one decor piece. The trick is choosing one and making it the focal piece. For other interior designs, you can easily have more than one decorative item on the walls.
While you could hang a generic piece of art that’s massed produced, this is a bit boring and will have no meaning for you. Instead, look for pieces that are handmade and speak to you. This will increase your enjoyment of the room and help your bedroom reflect who you are.
Wall hangings are popular right now. There are even videos showing you how to accomplish this DIY project.
Mount a small curtain rod on the wall and display your handiwork. If you aren’t crafty, you can leave the artistry to other people and just buy art that speaks to you. It can be anything from ink prints to paintings or photography. Perhaps you see a weaving that.
10. Extra Seating
Most people have their bed, and that’s the only seating that is available in their bedroom. It’s time to elevate your bedroom with additional seating. This gives you or someone else somewhere else to sit while in your bedroom.
A bench at the foot of your bed or a small stool are perfect furniture pieces for getting dressed. They are also easy to scale down and fit into a small bedroom. Add a comfy armchair if you have a larger bedroom and more room to work with.
This gives you a place to relax, read a book, or drink a morning cup of coffee. For a more relaxed bohemian or eclectic feel, try more casual extra seating like a large pouf.
11. Bold Color Scheme
Your bedroom is your private space. This is your room to become the interior designer you’ve always wanted to be. You can freely choose the color scheme and decoration that you love.
Choose a bold color scheme that features your favorite color. You could go for a monochromatic look with several shades of your chosen color. Or you could pair your favorite color with neutrals like white, grey, or black. This creates a beautiful contrast and keeps the focus on your favorite color.
You also don’t have to paint just the walls. Instead, you could paint the ceiling. Doing this creates a unique and bold design that showcases your chosen color. Don’t be afraid to paint just part of the wall. Try painting just the area on the wall that’s behind your headboard.
The best colors for a bedroom are soft neutrals, grey, blue, and green. These are calming and soothing colors that will help your brain and body to release stress and energy. This will help you fall asleep better and wake up well-rested.
Colors that are not ideal for your bedroom are bright red, orange, and intense sunny yellow. These colors are energizing and intense, making them better for the kitchen or living room.
12. Smart Home Technology
It doesn’t take a lot to upgrade your bedroom with smart home technology. There are plenty of modern bedroom ideas that will help you upgrade your bedroom. Look for ways you can add technology to make your life easier.
Replace the light switches with ones that are compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. Add smart plugs to the lights that plug into sockets. Now you can control the lights in your bedroom by voice, which is really nice when you don’t feel like getting out of bed to turn the lights on or off.
You can also create schedules to have the lights turn on and off on their own. Add a streaming device to your TV or upgrade your TV to a smart TV. Then you have more options for how you watch your favorite shows and movies.
You can also sync your TV to your smart home device for voice control and other convenient features. Add Bluetooth speakers around your room for a surround sound experience.
13. Signature Scent
Take a lesson from some of the best high-end resorts around the world. They have a signature scent that subtly wafts throughout the hotel. You can do this in your bedroom by choosing a signature scent that will evoke the feelings or energy that you want to create.
For a bedroom, you’ll want to choose scents that are calming and relaxing. Try rosemary, lavender, vanilla, jasmine, sage, or peppermint. There are all smells that help to relax the body and mind, which will help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up more refreshed.
To add your scent to your bedroom, you can buy a candle and burn it. Or you could have incense, or essential oil diffusers arranged. Turn these items into the decor by choosing beautiful candles or diffusers. Now you have something that delights multiple senses.
14. Wall Decals
Skip the cheesy wall decals that are a cliche quote or are a large image. Instead, look for a kit that has sheets of small decals. You can then individually place them on the wall to create a custom pattern. Try placing them evenly spaced throughout the entire wall.
Or you could place them densely close together at the top and then gradually spread and fade them out as you work your way down the wall. Or you could randomly scatter them.
You could place them on all of the walls or on a single wall to create an accent. There are no rules with decals, so you could mix multiple sets of decals together and make your own pattern or design.
It is one of the most commonly faced dilemmas in home decorating; how to place a rug in a living room. Getting it right enhances your living room while getting it wrong can make the space feel awkward, cramped, and uncomfortable.
So, whether you are starting from scratch or doing a little redecorating, this guide will help you perfectly place your rug.
Choose the Right Size
Source: @tatertotsandjello via Instagram
Before you start figuring out living room arrangements, you need to take a step back and make sure you have the right rug size.
The perfect rug will enhance the room, making it feel more spacious, welcoming, and tied together. Unfortunately, people often underestimate the size of the area rug they need. So, when in doubt, always go with the bigger rug.
Unless your rug is curling up the walls, no one walks into a room and thinks, “gee, they bought a really big rug!”. However, even those not well versed in design will notice the awkwardness of a too small rug, even if they can’t articulate that the small rug is what makes the room feel awkward.
Buying a rug that is too small makes the living room feel smaller than it really is because it creates an unnatural visual line that breaks up the space. This also makes the room feel choppy, which makes it awkward to be in.
Finally, it brings down the quality, making the room feel cheap. The lack of design and forethought is a dead giveaway that someone other than a professional designed the room.
Rugs Size Guide
As a general rule, the majority of American homes have a living room that is large enough to support an 8 x 10 foot rug like this nuLOOM Ren Machine Washable Vintage Floral Area Rug. Unless your living room is unusually tiny, do not buy a rug under 6 x 9 feet. A 4 x 6 rug is simply too small for any living room in a home. Instead, save these smaller rugs for your bedroom, bathroom, or home office.
You Bought Small
If it is too late and you have already bought a small rug, there are a few things you do with it. This will save you from having to buy a new rug right away. Large rugs can be expensive. Try centering the small rug under the coffee table or a small table.
Consider layering the rug with another one underneath it. For example, your first rug is a lovely handwoven 4 x 6 that you picked up while traveling or is a family heirloom.
Place a jute or seagrass rug like the nuLOOM Elijah 9 x 12 Beige Solid Area Rug underneath for textural and color contrast. They are more affordable than other large rugs, and the two rugs create a purposeful feel to the smaller one.
Center the Rug
You shouldn’t position your rug so it is in the center of the entire room. Your rug placement needs to make sense with the positioning of the furniture.
As mentioned earlier, you can center a small rug under the coffee table. A larger rug should be positioned to coordinate with the largest furniture piece in the room. This is typically the sofa.
If you have two sofas, you should center the rug between the two. This may or may not be the center of the room. For example, if you have a sectional sofa that creates an L or U shape, the rug should be centered so that it is not longer on one side.
All Legs Off
Taking an all legs off approach works well in a small living room because it helps a small space to feel more open. The trick is placing the rug so that the edge of the rug just meets the front legs of the sofa.
This showcases the beauty of a patterned rug and makes it the focal point in the room. A smaller rug that does not meet the front of the furniture will not have the same effect and can lead to the choppy effect mentioned earlier.
All Legs On
For a living room that looks professionally designed, buy a larger rug that you can place all four legs of your furniture on. The rug needs to be large enough that it extends several inches or up to a foot beyond the outside legs.
The only exception is if your sofa is against the wall, then you would line both the rug’s edge and the sofa up with the wall. The all legs on approach works best in large living rooms or ones with an open floor plan.
This approach creates a visual zone, helping to define the living room space from the rest of the home.
If you have more than a sofa in your living room, this is an all or nothing approach. The rug should be large enough to position all of the furniture fully on it.
This includes multiple sofas or a sofa and accent chair combination. If the rug is not large enough for this, then scale back and position only the front legs of all of the furniture on the rug.
Front Legs On
If you do not have the budget or living space for the all legs on approach, then you can cheat by only putting the front furniture legs on the rug. The rug needs to be big enough that you won’t see the edge when it is tucked under. It also needs to extend beyond the sides of the sofa. This defines the seating area without overwhelming a smaller room.
Rounded
The traditional rule of vintage rugs is to choose a rug shape that matches the shape of the room. This helps create visual flow by creating parallel lines. The long lines of the walls match the long lines of the rectangular rug.
The curves of the round rug will create a unique visual effect that can soften the harsh corners of the room. It can also work well in a room that does not have a clearly defined shape.
Fully Cover High Traffic Areas
When choosing your living room rug size and placement, think about where people will walk through your living room.
The rug should either cover the entire walking path or leave it completely bare. You shouldn’t walk through with one foot on the rug and the other on the bare floor. This will feel awkward underfoot.
Leave Equal Space
Interior designers will tell you that the rules state that you should have about 8-12 inches of space on either side of the rug from the wall. However, this can vary greatly when you buy a larger rug.
Traditional rugs on hardwood floors can leave as little as 4-6 inches of space from the wall. The amount of space is not as important as it is equal.
The goal is to create a balanced look. If the rug covers the entire floor, look at the space between the edge of the rug and the wall.
If your rug is smaller, look at the amount of rug that extends beyond each end of the rug. If your rug is between multiple pieces of furniture, it should be equally positioned between them.
Use Multiple Rugs
The idea of layering rugs is relatively new in mainstream interior design. There are a couple of ways you can go about it. The first is simple, have two rugs that are the same shape, with one larger than the other.
Place the smaller rug centered on top of the larger one. Then arrange them as we described above. Typically, people choose a plain rug for the larger one because the majority of it will be covered. Then the top smaller one is more creative.
For example, it could be a patterned or colorful rug. You can skip the rug pads with this approach. The multiple rugs will feel thick like carpet, especially if you use wool rugs.
The other approach requires a bit more finesse and is harder to pull off. Buy several rugs that would be too small on their own, and then position them together.
This works well for Moroccan rugs like this Bungalow Rose Heba Moroccan Area Rug. You could position them with front legs on for each piece of seated furniture.
Or you could angle them haphazardly at 45-degree angles to cover the entire floor. This placement looks beautiful with bohemian decor or a nontraditional seating arrangement.
