Before you do anything new in your living room you must measure. Use a tape measure or measure your foot and then walk the room heel to toe. Make sure you also check the dimensions of any hallways, stairways and door widths. There is nothing more annoying than buying a piece of furniture and not being able to get it into the room.

Buy furniture in a variety of sizes and different characteristics. Adding different objects will add more interest, depth and visual appeal to a room.

Symmetry versus asymmetry. If you use symmetry, two of the same thing, you will create a peaceful atmosphere. If you choose to use asymmetry, like two candles of differing heights next to one another, you will create more visual motion and excitement.

Comfortable seating areas are a must. Add an oversized sofa in a durable fabric that is kid friendly. Use lots of throw pillows for extra comfort. If your room isn’t large enough for a large sofa use lounge chairs arranged in a conversational grouping. A glass coffee table will keep even a cozy space looking airy and open.

A built-in wall unit can be the perfect addition to a living room. Add mirrors to a few of the shelves to visually expand the space while adding extra dimension.

Do you have a fireplace? Why not cover it in glass mosaic fireplace tiles for a dramatic centerpiece to your room? Yep, tile is not just for the kitchen and bathroom.

No room is complete without striking accent pieces. A contemporary area rug or an eye-catching piece of art will make your living room look complete.

Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind while shopping for your carpet. If you have a family and pets, be sure to choose your color and material carefully. Wool rugs with a pattern are best to hide the signs of your active household. Area rugs should not cover an entire room. Be sure you keep at least a 12-inch border. Likewise all furniture does not need to be placed directly on the rug. Position just the front legs of your chairs and sofas to help anchor the carpet. Be daring and unexpected.

If you have a monochromatic room use a rug with a vibrant pattern or color as a visual surprise. Area rugs come in all sizes and shapes. Use the shape of the room as well as the shape of your furniture to help choose which rug would look best. Use round rugs under round tables, rectangular rugs for long tables and hexagonal rugs with square tables.

If you have a long narrow room, choose a long, narrow rug. Area rugs define space. If you have a very large room don’t be afraid to use two rugs. Just be sure that they complement each other.

If you have a very colorful or busy room (think patterns) a neutral area rug is best as it can tone down and bring unity to the space. Always use a non-skid pad under your area rugs. Pads should measure 2 inches smaller than the rug so that it won’t peek out but still allow your rug ends to lay flat. Excited to go rug shopping now? We have rugs to fit every decor.

Thanksgiving has come and gone but the holidays are still in full swing. While we spruced up our homes for turkey day, tree trimming, caroling and Christmas dinner are right around the corner. It’s time to take a look at our dining room and make sure that there are no remnants of your Thanksgiving feast on your carpet.

Area rugs with pattern can sometimes hide stains, spills and spots. Even though they can be hard to detect it is very important to maintain your area rugs so that they stay looking nice for years and years.

During the holidays spills are bound to happen. If water is spilled on an area rug use a blow dryer on a warm setting to dry the top and bottom of the rug if at all possible. If wine or soda is spilled use salt or baking soda to absorb the color of the spill, then vacuum. Use a clean damp towel and gently rub the stain using care to go in the direction of the nap.  Be gentle, no vigorous scrubbing.

If you missed a spill, a professional rug cleaner should handle the stain. Do not try to clean old stains by yourself. In theory you should have your area rugs professionally cleaned every two to five years. Do not trust general carpet cleaning companies, as solutions used for wall-to-wall carpets are not the best for handmade area rugs.

Remember to vacuum your area rugs as much as you do your regular carpet, but be sure not to suck up any fringe that borders your rug. Also, rotate your rugs often. This helps colors stay bright as the sunlight is evenly distributed. Rotation also helps with traffic; as all parts of your area rug should be exposed to the same amount of wear.

Following these simple tips will help keep your area rugs looking good for all seasons! If you have more questions please visit us here, we’re always willing to help.

If you have children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews or the children of friends who visit, do you have soft inviting flooring for them?

Children live in bare feet when they’re not in footie sleepers or socks. They move along on their bellies, start to crawl and learn to walk on floors. They play, read, roughhouse, run, and nap on floors when they’re just so tired.

Have you thought about selecting your carpeting or rugs with your hands as well as your eyes? Every fiber and finish, every variety of carpeting and rug has its own feel on your hands or on little feet. Are little toes going to love digging in to your carpet or rug? Take a minute to rub your fingers over the samples to help you decide on comfort as well as color.

As children grow to walk and run, falls are inevitable. A good cushion keeps carpeting wear to a minimum and makes your footfalls more comfortable. It also helps create a soft landing pad for the tiny ones in your life. Does your carpet cushion help keep those falls gentle and easy?

Keeping your home safe and inviting for the children in your life is an important part of creating a home for many people. If children run and play in your home, plan for it with flooring that shows that you are prepared for the little ones you love.

Certain choices such as maintaining the same flooring – concrete – and wall paint – white – keep this townhouse feeling cohesive in its design. The narrow space and limited square footage benefits from these design decisions. The connection across the space makes it feel open and larger.

At the same time, there have to be some clear definitions between the spaces. In this townhome, the designer used ceiling height, wood panels on the wall and area rugs to help clarify where each room stands.

The living room shows its boundary by the position of the sofa. All the furniture looks into the room. The right wall indents to form a hallway to the dining room with wooden panels to add additional separation. The kitchen is on the left across from those panels.

Finally, the dining room has several tools to position it clearly. First, the area rug lays out the edges of the space. The simple cream tone matches the chair cushions and keeps the design theme clear. The rectangular table is consistent with the long contemporary chandelier and long low centerpiece.

When you decorate your home, think about the shape of each room and the transitions from one space to another. Then use design to make every space stand out.

Navajo textiles have been around for almost over 150 years. In fact, they are highly regarded and considered as the most sought after trade items in the Navajo economy. They are so expertly hand woven that they can even compete with the best mechanically woven textile there is. This can be asserted by an expert who said, “Classic Navajo serapes at their finest equal the delicacy and sophistication of any pre-mechanical loom-woven textile in the world.”

Originally, the Navajo people only made utilitarian blankets to be used generally as dresses, cloaks, saddle blankets and the like. It was only in the 19^th century that the Navajo people produced rugs to boost their tourism and export industry. The common thing you will notice with the Navajo textiles is their geometric patterns.

We not only carry Navajo rugs, but we also offer a wide range of area rugs to choose from. The styles range from Turkish to Oriental and to the more modern ones with an array of solid, stripe, floral, and even seasonal patterns.

Your choices abound so you are sure to find the perfect rug for your home with Pierce Flooring.

This rug is perfect for this room. In terms of color, size and design it works well. Let’s take a minute and determine why.

Size is a good place to start. Most rugs come in pretty standard sizes. This room would work with a rug this size, or one large enough to fit under the sofa and loveseat. With the beautiful hardwood floor, it makes sense to choose a rug that also shows off the wood. A smaller size is also less expensive, which gives you the chance to buy a higher-quality rug if you’re on a budget.

The colors of this rug complement the room. The warm light brown of the border is close enough to the floor color that the rug doesn’t dominate the floor. However, the design in the center features many of the colors in the rest of the room. The grey stripes coordinate with the sofa and loveseat, the black mirrors the fireplace and the two lamp bases and the cream echoes the light cream of the lampshades and tile fireplace surround.

Finally, think about how the rug’s design will work with your furniture. This coffee table is simple and airy, so the centered design is visible in the room. With a heavier coffee table or something like an ottoman or chest serving as a table, a central design would be almost completely obscured. In that situation, look for a rug with an overall or border pattern.

Take your time and consider these issues, and you will find just the right area rug for your floor and your home.

To play piano, you need good light. This instrument is set so that the player will have shadows on the music from outside. The keys should be turned toward the window. Also, there are no lights near the piano to make playing in the evening feasible. In this room, the piano is an accessory rather than a musical instrument.

The other problem with this room hangs over the window. The middle bunting on the valance and rosettes damage the classic grace of the rest of the room. It seems as if the circus came into town and left its window treatments behind. The situation isn’t helped by the fluffy throw pillow on the sofa to the left. The rug is also borderline, but we’ll let that go for now.

This room is so close to right. Simpler window treatments and some consideration for any potential piano player and they will have it. Well, OK, let’s lose the rug too and replace it with one that connects the seating arrangement with the coffee table. Now we’re in good shape.

Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug

Part Two: Shopping for the Right Rug

Now that you have determined the size, material and colors for your rug (see Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug Part One), it’s time to start shopping.  It’s important to find a trustworthy store, like us for your rug purchase. In the rug industry, there are often less than reputable operations, and what may look like a bargain could be anything but. Unless you are a rug expert, the best option is to rely on a store with a good reputation.

Have you determined your budget? A room-sized rug can vary in price from a few hundred dollars to well into the thousands. Are you looking for an heirloom or just something soft for your feet or the children’s play space? Budget accordingly! Whatever your budget, we can help you find the right rug for your situation.

Once you get here, take your time. We are here to be both knowledgeable and helpful, but there are many choices of rugs to choose from. Be sure to describe your specifications to us, so we can help point you in the right direction more quickly and easily. Once you narrow your choices to one or two,  make sure you see a rug that is hanging vertically on the floor before you make a final decision on it. Rugs look very different upright than when horizontal!

If you are anxious to get started, click here to look at our selection of area rugs online.

Before You Start Shopping:

Are you excited about shopping for a new area rug, but not sure where to begin? Here are some straightforward suggestions to get you started.

The more closely you can define what you want before you ever head out the door, the easier the process of selecting your new area rug will become. We’re going to look at three key areas to consider: size, material type, and style.

Size depends upon the total space available in a room and the purpose of the rug. For example, a dining room rug should extend at least two feet beyond the edge of the table on any side with chairs, to enable diners to push away without dropping off the rug. Living room spaces need a rug that frames the furniture and connects it together – it’s best to have the rug encompass all the furniture in the grouping. Be sure to take a look at the total size of the room – rugs that come too close to the walls on all sides makes rooms feel smaller.

Rugs are available in a variety of materials. Think of the rug’s purpose when choosing. If the space experiences a lot of foot traffic, choose a durable material such as nylon or wool. For a rug that will probably take quite a bit of abuse, consider an indoor-outdoor rug, which is designed to be tough and can be rinsed off with a hose.

Finally – what look do you want your rug to achieve? Will it bring color and pattern to a room that you want to liven up? Will it soften a hard surface while staying unobtrusive? Do you need more light in a darker space, or a darker rug to anchor the room? Stand and look at the rug’s future location, and think about what color or colors will enrich the feel of the space. Do you have a chair or an accessory with a color you would like to see more of in the room? Pull that color out through your rug choice.

With a couple of photos of the space and some color samples such as throw pillows or paint chips, you’re ready to start your rug search.

To browse and shop for rugs on our website, please click here!