If you're a DIY-er on a budget (like me and so many others) then you're constantly scouring your favorite websites, blogs, and attending all the free Pottery Barn decorating classes you can to learn how to make your home just right for you and yours. And if you live in a house with an open floor plan (like our lovely little dilly courtesy of base housing) then you know one of the first tips of decorating is to "define your spaces." Give each section its own purpose. But... can you over define a space? Here's what I mean:
See how our rug (which is an 8'x10') creates some overhang past our couches? It creates this odd walkway of sorts passing by the TV unit, as well as against the wall. I never thought anything of it until recently. I've been noticing that when people come over, they press their bodies up against the unit or walk on tip toes so as not to step on the rug. ??? No matter how many times I let them know it's okay to walk on the carpet! they still contort themselves to avoid it.
So, since we all know this jute rug is getting the boot sometime soon (sooner than soon I hope) I've been playing with the idea of buying a smaller one. Since the living room space is really defined by the couches, I don't think I need a big oversized area rug in there to define matters more (BTDub, there's no good substitute for the word define when it comes to decorating). Here's what the living room would look like if I used a 5'x8' area rug instead:
(recognize this thing? it and a twin made up what used to be our floor coverage in here)
(there is a whole lotta neutral going on in this living room right now...)
The 5'x8' option definitely creates the illusion of more floor space. A 6'x9' would be good width wise (it would go from the end of the couch to the edge of the sofa) but would be a little too long length wise (it would have to be tucked under the sofa by two inches). Of course, it would also fill up the entire floor space between the couches, unlike the 5'x8'.
Are we confused yet?
So for now, the jute rug is residing in the garage, and until I find something that strikes my fancy the oatmeal carpet is a place holder.
ps: moving that big jute monster was like dragging the body of an overweight dead guy! and the amount of dust and dirt that was hiding in that thing kept me coughing, barely breathing, and stuffy for nearly a week afterwards, and kicked up a case of bronchitis! take my advice should you tackle a similar project: wear a mask!
I'm linking up this seemingly useless make-over ;) to:
The Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick
See how our rug (which is an 8'x10') creates some overhang past our couches? It creates this odd walkway of sorts passing by the TV unit, as well as against the wall. I never thought anything of it until recently. I've been noticing that when people come over, they press their bodies up against the unit or walk on tip toes so as not to step on the rug. ??? No matter how many times I let them know it's okay to walk on the carpet! they still contort themselves to avoid it.
So, since we all know this jute rug is getting the boot sometime soon (sooner than soon I hope) I've been playing with the idea of buying a smaller one. Since the living room space is really defined by the couches, I don't think I need a big oversized area rug in there to define matters more (BTDub, there's no good substitute for the word define when it comes to decorating). Here's what the living room would look like if I used a 5'x8' area rug instead:
(recognize this thing? it and a twin made up what used to be our floor coverage in here)
(there is a whole lotta neutral going on in this living room right now...)
The 5'x8' option definitely creates the illusion of more floor space. A 6'x9' would be good width wise (it would go from the end of the couch to the edge of the sofa) but would be a little too long length wise (it would have to be tucked under the sofa by two inches). Of course, it would also fill up the entire floor space between the couches, unlike the 5'x8'.
Are we confused yet?
So for now, the jute rug is residing in the garage, and until I find something that strikes my fancy the oatmeal carpet is a place holder.
ps: moving that big jute monster was like dragging the body of an overweight dead guy! and the amount of dust and dirt that was hiding in that thing kept me coughing, barely breathing, and stuffy for nearly a week afterwards, and kicked up a case of bronchitis! take my advice should you tackle a similar project: wear a mask!
I'm linking up this seemingly useless make-over ;) to:
The Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick
I just found your blog. Many interesting ideas. I was just thinking about how you moved the darker rug out. I liked the way it looked with your neutral floor. In a house I lived in a few years ago the rug I had was too big to just put in front of the couch/loveseat. So I moved it back and put them on it. Then the portion that was revealed was a better size. You might want to try this.
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