The Carpeteria Blog

Choosing a carpet for a casual room means choosing something that is stylish and can stand up to heavy foot traffic. Rooms like family rooms, game rooms, playrooms and finished basements are places to hang out and spend time with friends and family.  You’ll want to find a carpet that looks great but is durable too.

Carpet materials like wool or blends can resist stains and work well in casual rooms. Natural jute or choir rugs add texture while keeping things casual.  A fine textured rug like saxony that shows foot traffic and vacuum marks probably isn’t the best choice for a casual room. Berbers, shags and low pile rugs would be better choices.  Don’t forget the pad when adding carpet to a family room or playroom. If you’ll be playing or sitting on the floor you’ll want the extra cushion from a quality, thick pad.

Floor tiles are a popular option as they can be combined to create custom color palettes and patterns.  A nice feature is if one gets a stain, you can simply remove it and replace it without having to replace the entire carpet.

Colorful and patterned area rugs and carpets are great choices for bringing interest to a casual room.  Add a complementary color from the wall or furniture colors for a strong contrast; pick a similar shade to wall color for a more unified look. Think about patterns, swirls, geometric and stripes, whether in texture or colors to add another design element to the room.

Visit us online at ArizonaWholesaleSupply.com for many casual flooring options.

After a long and tiring day at work, wouldn’t it be nice to find a spot in your home where you can just curl up, relax and read a good book? If you’re thinking, “Yes!” then it’s high time you created a comfy reading nook all your own.

Creating a reading nook isn’t complicated. All you need is a small unused space in your home, a comfy chair, an ottoman, a bookcase and a small table accented with a plush area rug and a reading lamp and you are good to go. Oh, and don’t forget the latest book you can’t put down!

First, find a perfect spot in your house where you think you can relax. It can be in a corner of your bedroom, beside a window where you have a relaxing view, or wherever you would be comfortable. It doesn’t matter which area you choose so much as it does making sure it is away from any noise. This will make for a very relaxing experience and keep you deeply engulfed in your reading.

Once you’ve selected the spot, it’s time to accessorize your nook. First, define the space by putting a plush area rug underfoot. Selecting the right area rug can set the mood for your nook so make sure that you select a pattern that is relaxing and comfy.

Then place a comfy chair or chaise atop the rug. Make sure your seating is uber comfortable, so you can enjoy spending hours there with the company of your good book.

Good lighting should also be a part of your list when creating your reading nook. You don’t want to have a headache from reading due to poor lighting. So choose one that casts a sufficient glow for reading comfortably without being too dim or to bright.

And lastly, place a table or bookcase where you can put and organize your books and your cup of coffee.

Any book lover dreams of having a place where they can escape and a cozy reading nook can make it a reality.

Imagine sitting at that beautiful piano to play on a nice afternoon. If you are a pianist, you will discover a problem immediately. This piano faces toward the window, leaving the sheet music in shadow rather than having the outside light fall on it.

Would you rather play at night? None of the lamps are close enough to give enough light to read music. Reading music requires as much light or more than what’s needed to read a book. While lovely, it’s clear that no one in this home plays.

Part two of what’s wrong with this picture comes from the window treatments. At the left, the window covering is a simple drape of fabric with some trim. The bow window, however, seems to have inspired someone to overdo. The same fabric and trim is overwhelmed by the rosettes at the window frames and the doubtful display of fabric in the middle of the window. You get the feeling that someone picked up one of those 101 window treatments books and lost their head.

If you clean up the windows, possibly eliminate that ruffled throw pillow on the sofa to the left and replace the flowered rug with one big enough to encompass the conversation area, you have a lovely room – as long as you don’t expect anyone to play that piano.

Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug

Part Two: Shopping for the Right Rug

Are you ready to shop for your new area rug? Once you have the size, colors and type selected (see Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug Part One) you’re ready to head out. For a good chance of selecting the perfect rug, consider these steps.

Determine your budget. Room-sized rugs can run anywhere from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. Are you shopping for an heirloom or a soft place for the children to play? Budget accordingly, we have  good selections of rugs in all price ranges.

Select a reputable rug showroom, like us. Quality and price vary dramatically in the rug industry, and unless you are a rug expert, your best bet is to shop only at reputable showrooms. Otherwise, that “bargain” may cost you much more than you think you saved.

Ask for help. Rug salespeople are often very knowledgeable about their products. Describe to us what you’re looking for, and let us show you their best options for your needs.

Take the time to select the best rug for you. Pull your choice away from the other rugs to see it away from distractions. Rugs will look different when horizontal. If possible, take it to the window to see how the colors look in natural light.

Buying a rug can seem challenging, but if you follow these steps you are on your way to finding and buying the perfect rug for your home. We are here to help, don’t hesitate to ask us for any advice you need!

Part One: Before You Start Shopping

Choosing an area rug can be an intimidating process. Even the friendliest rug showroom can get confusing with the variety of choices. To make the process easier, do your homework before you start shopping.

Consider style: An area rug can serve the same purpose as art on a blank wall. It can set a tone, bring unconnected pieces of furniture together, and warm up a space. Take a good look at where you plan to place the rug. A simple rug will work well if there are already a lot of patterns. Does the room need more color? Let the rug plus a few well-chosen accessories bring some vibrancy into a previously neutral space. Consider the floor, and let the rug pop with contrast or blend in depending upon what the room needs.

Consider type: Rugs come in almost every material imaginable, from nylon to silk. Choose one that will work with your usage. Durable materials such as nylon or wool will work best in a room with a lot of traffic. Dark colors and patterns also hide traffic as well as dining spills. The new indoor-outdoor rugs are great for homes with children. You can actually take those rugs outside and hose them off.

Consider size: Rugs under furniture groupings work best when they are large enough to contain all the furniture. Then the rug becomes like a frame for the furniture and the space. If possible, leave at least a foot of space between the edge of the rug and the walls, giving the rug position and the room balance. Remember to provide space for chairs when selecting a dining room rug. The recommended additional size is about two feet beyond the table edge, giving enough space for chairs and people.

After you complete your analysis, three more steps will simplify your rug shopping. Measure the space to determine the best rug size. Do not rely on an eyeball measurement. Large showroom spaces are deceptive. Take a couple of pictures of the space. They will help you visualize rugs in the selected spot once you’re in the showroom. Finally, bring a few items that match the colors already in the room, to ensure that your rug will coordinate with the colors already in the space.

By following these simple steps before you start shopping, the right area rug is almost in your grasp!