Interior Design Hacks 101

When it comes to interior design, we tend to work from the ground up – literally, after all we are a carpet company. For this blog we have compiled a few of the best interior design hacks we’ve seen in recent weeks and months, from dealing with a bad carpet to transforming the areas of your home you’d rather not think about.

Think space-savers, colour overhauls, and how to fit that large sofa into a room which just seems to small (top tip: Ross Geller’s “PIVOT” technique does not always work and can lead to an awkward stairway issue).

1. Let’s start with carpet. After years of wear and tear, old carpet can very easily start to look thin and feel quite uncomfortable under your feet. We also know however that replacing it is not always a viable option, as carpet is one of those things that, along with a growth in quality has also seen a significant growth in cost. One thing you can do is invest in a large rug that will steal focus from the shabby carpet that lies underneath, essentially drawing the eye to one specific area rather than letting it wander. Another way to achieve the same thing is to paint your walls a more vibrant colour, again stealing focus, or purchase a large ceiling light that will draw the eye upwards rather than down towards the feet. The final option and one that, if replacement is not an option then we would recommend, is using your furniture to quite literally cover up the worst bits. A strategically placed floor lamp or sofa can hide a variety of sins…
2. Here’s one of those fun old wives’ tales that actually seems to work - if you’ve left a piece of furniture sat on your carpet for an indeterminable amount of time, chances are it will have left a dent in your carpet. Eradicate this with a piece of ice – simply let the ice melt into the carpet dent and watch the dent slowly start to rise back to join the rest of the carpet*. Of course, this isn’t fool proof and it doesn’t always completely hide the damage, but it certainly improves the situation! That or you could always hide the dent with another piece of furniture.
3. Brighten up your space, not only with natural light but also with innovative lighting. We’ve seen some great examples recently of lighting that’s hidden under kitchen units or on top of cabinets. Wherever you see a dark corner, fill it with light and create a welcoming space that you will want to spend time in.

4. Use perspective to make your space interesting and draw the eye inwards. My personal favourite is massive floor lamps that resemble those small desk lamps that were all the rage a few years back. Using things like this makes the space seem naturally bigger by drawing the eye upwards as opposed to down onto work surfaces or coffee tables. The same can be said of artwork – if you place it higher up on the wall, the room will feel naturally much bigger than if the paintings were positioned at direct eye height or sat on top of surfaces.

5. Keep your furniture in the middle of the room instead of leaning against walls. If you keep all your furniture situated around the edge of the room, the room feels much smaller as you and your house guests will be forced to stand only in the middle. Without the ability to move around the furniture, you feel cramped and confined – move your furniture inwards for a more pleasant aesthetic and a more user-friendly room! A large floor rug can do wonders for this trick of the eye – try it and see for yourself!

6. Another fun interior hack now, and this one helps to revive old looking carpet that has simply seen too many feet and not enough love. Mix equal amounts of vinegar with water and spray onto those areas where the footfall is high – for example the hallway and the stairs. Once the carpet has soaked up your solution, use a spoon to loosen the fibres of the carpet again and help them resume their bouncier original state.
7. Our last interior design hack focuses on plant life. Any room, without exception, looks better with a real plant in it. Whether it’s your bathroom, bedroom or dining room, a plant will immediately make people feel at home, and will indicate that you care about the state of the space around you. After all, not everyone can keep house plants alive - it’s no mean feat!

And so, we come to the end of our first Interior Design Hacks post but fear not. We love researching this stuff so much that no doubt we will be back soon with more ideas for your home – and more top tips for your carpet!

*Don’t use this hack on fibres such as Seagrass, Sisal, Jute, Coir or Viscose as this could cause discolouring or damage of the fibres.