Hi everyone! Carole here, from StevMark Home. One of the best parts of my job is connecting with homeowners and helping them solve their design puzzles. Over the years, I’ve noticed that certain questions come up time and time again. So, I thought I’d put something together to address some of these common dilemmas.
Q1: “What size rug do I really need for my living room?”
Ah, the age-old rug question! If only there were a magic formula, right? But the truth is, living rooms come in all shapes and sizes, and furniture arrangements vary so much. What works in one space might be totally off in another.
However, here’s my advice: start by finalizing your furniture layout. Then, select a rug that’s large enough to ground the space. At a minimum, make sure the rug goes under the front legs of all your main seating pieces – sofa, chairs, etc.
Think of it this way: if you have a sofa and two chairs facing each other, you definitely want the rug to slip a bit under the sofa and those front chair legs. It creates a more cohesive and inviting feel.
Now, if you want to dial up the luxury (and your room allows for it), it’s wonderful to have all your furniture sitting entirely on the rug. It just elevates the whole look. A smaller rug can make a room feel a little skimpy. So, when in doubt, my rule of thumb is: go bigger!
Here’s a little designer secret: layering rugs can be a lifesaver. Let’s say you found a 5×8 rug you adore, but it’s just not cutting it size-wise in your living room. You can place that rug on top of a larger, simpler rug, like an 8×10 flat weave, to get the proportions right and still enjoy that pop of pattern.
Q2: “What about rugs in the bedroom?”
Bedrooms offer a bit more flexibility, in my opinion. There’s more than one “right” way to do it, and I’ve seen many successful approaches.
My personal preference is to have the rug extend under the bed, coming out a couple of feet (ideally 3!) from the footboard. But it’s crucial that the rug is also wide enough to provide comfortable footing on both sides of the bed. If it’s a shared bedroom, you definitely want to create that balance.
That being said, if you’re primarily using a rug for its decorative value, you can opt for a smaller rug placed at the end of the bed. You might even anchor it with a bench or a couple of chairs.
And don’t forget runners! His-and-hers runners on either side of the bed provide that soft feel underfoot without requiring a large rug under the entire bed.
Q3: “What’s the magic number for hanging art?”
Ah, art placement! While there’s some room for personal preference, there are guidelines that generally work well.
I typically aim to hang artwork so that the center of the piece is around 60 to 62 inches from the floor. That tends to be a comfortable average eye level. If you’re unsure, I usually recommend hanging it a little higher rather than too low. Of course, consider the height of the people living in the home!
The context matters, too. If you’re hanging art above a desk or dining table, you might want to consider your eye level when seated. You might even need to find a happy medium!
When hanging a group of pieces, I still use that 60-inch rule, but I measure to the center of the entire grouping. Think of drawing an imaginary rectangle around the group to help you visualize the center.
Q4: “Help! Will a dark color make my room feel like a cave?”
This is a common fear, and it’s a valid one! The short answer is: it can, but it doesn’t have to.
If you have a small room with dim lighting, painting it a dark color can make it feel closed in. However, good lighting can make all the difference. If you have wall-mounted lighting that draws the eye to the walls, it can actually help to push the walls out visually.
Don’t rule out dark colors altogether! Using a dark color on the ceiling can be surprisingly effective. It can create a sense of depth and make the ceiling almost disappear. That said, I probably wouldn’t try this with a very low ceiling.
Furniture choices are also key. If you want a cozy, enveloping feel, dark furniture against dark walls can work beautifully. For a more dramatic or energetic look, try lighter or brighter furniture to create a striking contrast.
Q5: “There are so many window treatment options! Where do I even begin?”
I hear you! It is a big category. Choosing window treatments can feel overwhelming.
I always start with two crucial questions:
- “Is your priority privacy or light control?”
- “If it’s light control, are you dealing with glare, or do you need more serious room darkening?”
The answers to these questions really narrow things down. If you need light control but still want to enjoy your view, we’ll likely explore options like blinds or shades with tilting mechanisms.
Another essential factor is whether the room needs softening. For example, a bathroom with lots of hard surfaces might benefit from the softness of drapery.
Q6: “Help me choose lamps! I’m lost.”
Oh, lamps! It’s funny, because some of the old “rules” about lamps don’t seem to apply as much anymore.
In the past, I’d be very cautious about pairing an oversized lamp with a small piece of furniture. Scale is still important, but I think we have more freedom to play with proportions now.
Think back to those 70’s time capsule homes – huge lamps on small mid-century tables! It somehow worked with that aesthetic. We’re seeing some of that rule-breaking come back around.
Ultimately, go with what you love! But here’s a practical tip: when choosing a lamp for a space where you’ll be sitting, pay attention to the height of the shade and how the light will hit you. You don’t want a glare in your eyes when you’re trying to relax!
Q7: “Wallpaper vs. Paint: How do I choose?”
This often comes down to your comfort level with pattern. Some people adore patterns, while others prefer a more minimalist approach.
It’s worth noting that wallpaper isn’t always about bold patterns. There are many beautiful, subtle and textural wallpapers that can add depth to a room.
If you’re wallpaper-curious but hesitant, I always recommend starting in the powder room! It’s a small space where you can experiment and have a little fun. Plus, it’s a great way to make a statement for your guests.
Q8: “What’s the deal with curtain length? Does it really matter?”
It does! Over the years, we’ve seen a trend towards trying to maximize the perceived height of a room.
One way to do this is to hang your curtain rod higher than the top of the window – 6, 10 or even 12 inches above. This visually elongates the window, similar to how vertical stripes elongate your figure.
And generally, we hang drapery so it goes all the way to the floor. Most clients prefer their curtains to be about a half inch off the floor or just “kissing” the floor.
You’ll also see “puddling,” where the drapery panels quite literally puddle slightly on the floor. It’s not as common, but it can add a luxurious touch.
My Parting Advice
If I could leave you with one final thought, it would be this: learn the guidelines, but don’t be afraid to embrace your own style! Design “rules” are constantly evolving, and what truly matters is creating a home that makes you feel happy and comfortable.
I hope this has been helpful! If you have any more design questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at StevMark Home. We’re always here to help!