Your bedroom is your retreat, one of the most personal rooms in your home and the place that you go to when you want to relax and feel comfortable. Choosing your bedroom flooring is incredibly important because this is the one room where you will most likely be barefoot in your home while at the same time simultaneously needing your floor to work aesthetically in a way that fosters tranquility and happiness.

You have several options when choosing the bedroom flooring that is right for you. What is most important is making sure that you make your decision based on several criteria—you will want to factor in your own design aesthetic, the size and layout of your bedroom, and the climate you live in.

Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for bedroom flooring. If you love the look of hardwood but don’t like the feeling of cold feet on hardwood floors, you can still enjoy the elegance of the hardwood in your bedroom.  Simply incorporate an area rug into your bedroom layout or include a small rug next near your bed. If you have a hardwood floor you could choose a large area rug that centers under your bed and radiates out into the room, adding a splash of color and texture. If you have pets that sleep in your room, consider luxury vinyl flooring as an alternative to hardwood to achieve the same look while choosing floors that are more pet friendly.

Carpet is another popular option for bedroom floors because of its comfort underfoot. If you want to fully carpet your room there are many different carpet choices and which one is right for you will depend on how much foot traffic your bedroom receives while also factoring in what type of design and style you are looking for. Some people prefer the look of a saxony while others prefer a thick shag carpet.

If an eco friendly floor is important to you, let that be your deciding factor!

There are many different flooring options for your bedroom and it can sometimes feel overwhelming choosing what is best for that special room where you go to rest and recharge. What is important is knowing that you have options and then choosing what type of flooring feels most natural and relaxing to you. 

Creating Your Space

Have you ever seen a home decorated in shabby chic style but aren’t quite sure how to pull it off successfully in your own space?  Look no further! We’re going to educate you on what pieces and motifs are considered shabby chic and how to incorporate the style into your home without going overboard.

Shabby chic is all about creating a natural, inviting environment with soft, feminine colors and designs. Clean whites and calm pastels are welcome and the “distressed” look is the star of the show. Soft cottons and linens as well as a recurring theme of roses give this style its unique look. Pieces that have seen a little wear and tear over time are prized for their aged look and imperfections. Natural elements and colors as well are all part of the flow this romantic style creates throughout a space.

What separates this method of decorating from being classified as simply “vintage” is the fact that not just older items are used but newer pieces can be manipulated to mimic styles from time gone by. Modestly constructed furniture can be transformed through performing painting and sanding methods that resemble an old-fashioned finish without the antique price.  Vintage hardware can be added to complete the look.

Crystal chandeliers, touches of lace and vintage mirrors are all great ways to add a shabby chic touch to your home. Touches of ballet pink, baby blue and mint green accents throughout the room add a gentle touch of character. Floral patterns, chenille bedspreads and decorative containers placed throughout will add charm to the space while staying on theme.

Vintage clocks, wall sconces and candlesticks can be easily added without great expense. A beautiful embroidered tablecloth with vintage china and linen napkins would be a real showstopper in any dining room if you commit to this decorating style.

When it comes to flooring that can help achieve this look, there are so many options depending on whether hardwood, laminate, tile, luxury vinyl fit your needs. If you are considering luxury vinyl plank, this guide to the best vinyl plank flooring may help. Feel free to ask us if you need more guidance.

Whether you want to add little touches here and there or go all out with this theme, do what works for you in the space. You want your home to be beautiful as well as functional, so only incorporate pieces that will still allow you to enjoy your living space without having to worry about disturbing its overall look through everyday use. 

Creating Your Space

A quiet place to read a book is a luxury with today’s busy lifestyles. Finding space in your home to create a library can mean turning a spare bedroom into a library and/or den. Perhaps you don’t have a spare room. A library can be in a shared space like a dining room, hallway or living room.  All you really need to make a home library is a place for books, a good light and a comfortable reading chair.

This photo shows how you can create a library with unused space under the stairs. The warm wood floors and cozy red chair set the tone for an afternoon of escape into a good book!

A library nook can be carved out of a larger room like a family room or living room.  A formal dining room that isn’t used all that often can be turned into a library that is also a dining room. Built-in shelves along one or more walls can instantly give a room the feeling of a library.  Even a pair of bookshelves or glass front bookcases can make a space feel like a library.

Having a good reading light is a must for a library.  Floor lamps are a great choice next to a comfortable reading chair. Lighting along the bookshelves can make it easier to find your favorite book.  Next to lighting, the reading chair is a must. Find a chair that works for your taste and style. Leather club chairs and wingback chairs are classic choices for a library, but any comfortable chair will do.  Continue the traditional library style with a warm, textured or patterned area rug.  An area rug, antique, vintage, or new, can provide a place to sprawl out with your books. Great for family reading time too.

The holidays can be a very stressful time trying to get the decorations up, rushing around buying presents for everyone, baking holiday cookies for your kids, preparing for family to come into town, getting ready for Christmas dinner. Not to mention all of the added complications that the pandemic has brought. The list is endless when it comes to this time of year and it can sometimes feel like you just want to throw your hands up in the air and run away from it all.

Finding ways to step back and de-stress might seem impossible but it’s not if you keep a few mental exercises in mind while preparing for the holidays.

Try to keep perspective throughout this stressful time. Don’t let your preconceived notions of what the holiday season should look like get in the way of your execution. Traditions can be hard to change, but think about the ones that matter most to you and your family. Do away with the tasks and traditions that are only holding you back and draining your time and energy. This season “shouldn’t” look any certain way so allow yourself to let go of those expectations and do what truly makes you and your family happy and holds true meaning.

Be sure to plan out your holiday season carefully. Keep in mind all that you will have to do yourself for the season and then take a hard look at the different holiday events you’ve been invited to. Choose the events that are worth your valuable time and energy.

There are no rules this holiday season! Leave your decorations up as long as they bring you joy! Be sure to be mindful of live greenery drying out after an extended period of time.

Make time for the hot chocolate and egg nog. Try to keep yourself from being so busy that you don’t make time for the simple pleasures.

These are just a few ways to help you mentally prepare yourself for the holiday seasons. Don’t let your anxiety and stress drain the meaning and happiness that this time of year is supposed to offer. Allow yourself to enjoy this holiday season!

Happy Holidays!

Adapting to living in a small home can be tough, but your design does not need to be compromised. With our nine expert ideas, you can decorate your small bathroom into a beautiful oasis that you will want to use. Let’s see how! 

Design Ideas for Small Bathrooms:

1. Accent It. 

Small bathrooms need a little something to make them unique and special. Adding in an accent wall can do just the trick! Plus, with thousands of ideas out there, you have your pick of the mill to match your personality and taste. From decorative wallpaper to stylish tile, your small bathroom’s design will be anything but tiny. 

2. Add in Quirky Floors. 

Speaking of tile, there is a wide range of fun and quirky tile for you to incorporate on your bathroom’s floors. Adding unique tilework helps your bathroom feel personalized and adds a lot of character to the space.  

3. Incorporate Mini Fixtures. 

In a smaller space, it is ideal to use smaller fixtures and appliances to make it feel bigger than it actually is. You may even want to try using brass or gold fixtures instead of the classic chrome to help add charm to your small space. Capitalizing the “charm” of a smaller room can help the design feel intended rather than forced. 

4. Focus on Soothing Tones. 

Soft, soothing tones are your friend in smaller spaces. A soft color scheme can come in handy when you are trying to create a calming oasis. Seek pastels, neutrals, and soft hues when decided on a color scheme for your small space.

5. Embrace Horizontal Imagery. 

If your space feels tight, you can try using horizontal imagery to give the illusion that the space is more substantial. For example, wooden boards on the wall that runs horizontally can potentially widen the visual perspective. If the room feels too short, you may want to switch to vertical boards to make the ceiling feel taller. 

6. Spend More on Less. 

With smaller spaces, you tend to buy fewer items; therefore, you have a bigger budget for less stuff. We recommend buying higher quality items rather than focusing on quantity. Having too many decor pieces can make the room feel tight and unwelcoming. Instead, you want to focus on quality pieces that will last a lifetime. 

7. Make a Statement. 

If you have a little bit of wiggle room, you should try to incorporate some type of statement piece into your design. Whether that be a decorative chandelier or a gorgeous mirror, your space should have one part that makes your guests go “wow.” 

8. Remove Clutter + Chaos. 

One of the greatest eyesores in a small space is clutter. Try and keep your counters clear and clutter free in your small bathroom. We know that it can be hard when there is little space, but incorporating wall storage should help! 

9. Place Floating Shelves. 

Floating shelves on your walls are the perfect solution when there is no room left on the floors. This sleek shelving option gives homeowners a place to store their items without compromising on valuable floor space. 

We hope you find these tips useful!