fbpx

The outdoor skating rink in Central Commons Park has opened for the season. On-site skate rentals are now available.

Carpets and Curtains, Rugs and Rollerblinds!

March 21, 2021 by University District

It’s Spring and U/D explores fresh decor ideas.

 

Often overlooked are the ways that floor coverings and window dressings can bring your style together in practical and pleasing ways.

 

Let’s consider the key factors — for floor and window coverings — of purpose, style, and maintenance. Making sure your home functions well is a factor in floor and window coverings. Plus, we dive into some ideas for where to shop and who to turn to when maintenance — like rug cleaning or blinds repair — is due!

 

 

Unifying Elements of Decor

 

Beyond paint schemes and art, nothing can tie a place together like great floor and window coverings. And, like choosing any element of home decor, finding the right floor and window dressings means determining answers to key questions about purpose, style, and maintenance. This is how to bring it all together.

 

Whether thinking about windows, floors or both, the first step is to give thought to these three key questions. Do you want:

  • colourful or neutral?
  • quick-cheap-and-cheerful or lifelong investment pieces?
  • hard-wearing or fine quality or both?

 

Once you determine these answers you are set to start honing in on the floor and window decor layers that will truly unify your space. Tying in accent colours makes great sense for carpets — whether wall to wall or area rugs. A gentle hue of blue from a favourite painting carried into a rug brings harmony and flow.

 

A richly textured drape — think cotton velvet or sheer shimmering silk — can add character and sophistication to a bedroom or main living area. And if you like to play gypsy with your decor, you may want to explore trendy, affordable options for a fun, shaggy area rug to bring your space a fresh look and feel versus investing in an heirloom Persian hand knotted wool statement carpet. Or vice-versa! How realistic is it for you to tend to spills that stain delicate fibres? Are you prepared to invest in maintaining prized pieces or is high-wear and low maintenance more your style?

 

These important choices are all yours. So take time — over a cup of tea, tray of takeout or glass of vino — to ponder your picks. This will set you up for shopping success.

 

From the floor up!

 

The options for flooring are so plentiful! First, let’s dive into top trends for carpets and rugs.

 

1. Animal prints, bold patterns and stripes are all the rage. These strong-upbeat style statements steal the scene from pastels and monochrome monotony. Keep in mind a little goes a long way when introducing this type of decor element. So rather than wall-to-wall, try a hallway runner or statement carpet for the foot or your bed or under your coffee table, nicely scaled.

 

2. Natural fibres and eco-fabrics for the win! Nothing complements wood or wood-looking tiles or vinyl floors like warm and sturdy sisals or wool carpets. These are more timeless than trendy, but a safe lasting bet.

 

3. Soil-proof! You may not be planning to bring a puppy home now, but once you meet some of our much-loved U/D dogs, your mind may change. Perhaps you have kids, or love to spend time outdoors. Even cooking can take a toll on carpets. Being aware of the world of options and warranties that can cover wear and tear is a definite must on your buying checklist.

 

 

When sizing your rugs, make sure you know how much space you have and what furniture will be in the room. Living room rugs generally work well in one of three configurations, depending on your space:

 

  • All furniture legs on the rug – perfect if you have an open-area or floating living room with nothing against the walls. This method requires a large rug, so it can extend past your seating areas.
  • Only front furniture legs on the wall – this is great if you have one or two walls your couch, chairs or entertainment unit sit against.
  • No furniture on the rug (save for the coffee table in the centre) – for those in small spaces, a rug as the focal point will make the room feel much bigger!
  • When it comes to dining rooms, always have all furniture legs on the rug with room for chairs to move backwards – it’s about safety as much as style!
  • Bedrooms follow a guide similar to living rooms – the bed and nightstands on the rug, only two-thirds on the rug, or opt for two small rugs on either side of the bed for flexibility. No matter what you choose, make sure you have room to move around the room without tripping over your new floor decor!

     

    Statement pieces, carefully sized for the chosen room, crafted to withstand high traffic should be the guide for choosing your carpets and rugs. From there, explore colour options, patterns and textures that will complement your favourite/keeper pieces of furniture and paint and wall coverings.

     

    Windows and Your World

     

    Calgary’s light-til-late summer nights and frosty winters offer clues to choosing window coverings. Popular picks for U/D residents include:

     

  • insulated black-out curtains for bedrooms to help bring all the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
  • classic Venetian blinds with textured inserts in complementing colours for your indoor scheme
  • a combination of blinds and sheers for a tasteful and timeless way to soften indoor decor schemes and bring both natural light and privacy when the occasion calls.
  •  

    However you choose to dress your windows, keep in mind that they are an investment that should stand the test of time. This is a smart place to play with neutrals and textures or a range of whites rather than bold colours which date easily and may present a hesitation for future buyers.

     

    Feeling fancy? Many of the new window coverings — drapes and blinds — are automated and can be opened or closed with the touch of a button or a verbal command to a home electronics system.

     

    Layering window coverings is also a popular way to decorate — pull down black out shades with a low profile can be a discrete first layer, softened by drapery on rods for fun personalization and easy installation.

     

    Similar to rugs, sizing window dressings can be confusing! The best rule of thumb is to choose drapes that are two to two-and-a-half times the width of the windows from side to side – you can do up to three times with sheer curtains to stack them – for perfect framing. When it comes to length, make your decision based on ceiling height and personal preference; higher ceilings allow you to raise the curtain rod, using the space to its full potential. When in doubt, always go for floor length.

     

    TIP: It’s smart to focus first on your main living and dining areas and halls, but also consider high traffic areas like entries — from the outside and patios — as well as washable comfort rugs for the kitchen and bath as nice elements.

     

    Pride of Place

     

    One of our favourite quotes is by Frances Clark who said: “There wouldn’t be a sky full of stars if we were all meant to wish on the same one.” This is so true when it comes to reckoning with the myriad choices for your home style. So, once you do tap into what you love in carpets and window dressing — treat it well!

     

    There are excellent options for you to acquire and use cleaning products or fine local companies that can take care of your carpets and ensure they live their best life! Whatever your pick for a rug — flokati to animal hide — be sure to maintain it on the daily, monthly and yearly basis. Catch drips and dribbles as they happen. Give them a thorough vacuum or beating once at least once a month and every year, consider an expert touch.

     

    As for window coverings, the same holds true. From regular dusting of blinds to professional dry cleaning or laundering to tune ups of their mechanical elements — cords and rods — will give them staying power!

     

    Your Decor

     

    Are you interested in sharing your new carpet or wall covering decor successes? We are eager to learn and share! Follow and tag us on social media and we can bounce ideas as a community, showcasing our individual style wows and hows!

    Decorating your home is all about personality … yours! <target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”> It’s time to display your memorable life moments and keepsakes! Check out University District’s blog post about how to bring your place to life, like none other.

    Spring is about fresh starts and outlooks, rebirth and … re-decorating! Maybe it’s time to consider floor and window coverings for a fresh look at home. From colour palettes, textures, essentials and accessories, decorating and maintaining a home may be as daunting as it is fun. Especially when your home is new and calling for your personal panache.Share your thoughts about spring decor by with the University District community online. We’re on Facebook, @udistrictyyc_ on Instagram and Twitter, too!


    Join the Discussion

    Comments are moderated before being posted. Your email address is required but will not be published.

    Join our email list for more information and our newsletter.
    I'm interested in learning more about:
    Popular
    Celebrate the Holiday Season at U/D
    Everything to Know About Retail Main Street
    Celebrating Small Business Week in University District
    Discover Dean’s Landing By Rohit Homes – Coming Soon to U/D
    See All Blog Posts
    2023, A year in review, active, Activity, Age-friendly community, Aging in place, Alberta, Alberta Children's Hospital, All ages, ALT Hotel, Alt Hotels, amenities, Ana Cummings, apartment rental, Aria, Artist, August, Autumn, Bakeries, baking tips, Balcony, Balcony Decor, BBQ, beard grooming, Bike routes, BILD Awards, Block Party, blockbuster movie night, Bookstores, Bragg Creek, Breakfast, Brenda Stafford Foundation, Brenda Strafford Foundation, Brookfield Residential, Brunch, Bubble Tea, Bucket List, Budget, Budget conscious, Builder Launch, Building Industry and Land Development, Business, Calgary, Calgary Activities, Calgary Art, Calgary bakeries, Calgary business, Calgary community, Calgary Drinks, Calgary events, Calgary Fitness, Calgary Hearing, Calgary LRT, Calgary Parks, Calgary Real Estate, Calgary restaurants, Calgary staycation, Calgary tourism, Calgary Trails, Calgary Transit, Calgary Women, Cambridge Manor, Canada, Canada Day, Canmore, Capella, Cartwright lighting & furniture, Celebration, centerpieces, Central Commons, Charcut, charity, cineplex, Classes, Cochrane, comfort food, Community, community festival, Community Living, condo life, condos, connections, contest, cookie baking, cooking, cooking together, Creative, Crystal Creek Homes, Curious Hair, Curious Salon, Date Ideas, Date night, Decor, Decor Shops, Decor Tips, Denim & Smith, Dental, dental care, design styles, Dining, Discounts and Deals, Discovery Centre, DIY, dog park, Dogs, Downsize, downsizing, downsizing tips, Easter, Eco decor, eLearning, Entertainment, environment, events, exercise, Explore, Fall, Fall Decor, fall design, family, Father's Day, Financial, fitness, fitness as we age, food, food waste, Functional Fitness, Garden Maintenance, gardening, gift guide, giving back, golf, Green Calgary, Grey Cup, Group Germain Hotels, Guide to Northwest Calgary, GUILD, gym, hair grooming, Health, Healthy Eating, Healthy Foods, Hearing loss, hobbies, holiday, holiday activities, Holiday Budget, holiday memories, Holiday movies, holiday parties, holiday season, holiday traditions, holiday wines, home, Home Automation, home decor, Home Maintenance, home office, Home organization, Home Ownership, Home Technology, homemade pizza, Homeowners, Homes by Avi, hosting the holidays, housing, I Can for Kids, IBI Group, Ice Cream, Ice Cream Shops, Ice Rink, inclusive, Interior Design, Interior Design for your pets, Interior Design Tips, interior lighting, International Womens Day, Isolation, Jayman, Jayman BUILT, Kananaskis, kids learning, Level Playing Field, lighting, local, local business, local good, Love on Main Street, love your pet, made in Calgary, Magna, Maple, Market Wines, McKinley Burkart, meal prep, meals, mens grooming, mental health, mindful spaces, Mother's Day Brunch, Movies at home, moving, multi-generational, Nature, New at UD, New homes, New Projects, New Resident, New Retailers, Night Market, North Calgary, North Hill Mall, North Pond, Northwest Calgary, Northwest Calgary Brunch, Northwest Commons Park, Northwest neighbour, Northwestival, nutrition tips, NW Calgary, Office, Olympic Oval, online learning, Orangetheory, Organization, outdoors, Park n' Play Design, Parking, Parks, Partners, party hosting tips, Patio Decor, pet care, pet love, Photography, Picnic, plant, plant care, play space, Playcore National Demonstration Site, playground, Programs, puppy love, rafting, real estate, recipes, redecorating, rent to own, rentals, restaurant, Retail, Retail Main Street, retailers, Rightsize, Romance, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Save-On-Foods, seasonal maintenance, senior health, Senior living, Seniors, sensory gadgets, shop local, Skating, Smaller space living, Smart Home, Sports, Spring, Spring Cleaning, Staples, Staycation, Summer Activities, Summer Food, summer getaways, Summer Recap, sustainable design, table setting, tablescape, Thanksgiving, The Space Reclaimers, things to do, tips, Tips and Tricks, tourism calgary, townhome, townhome living, Townhomes, townhouse living, Trails in Northwest Calgary, travel, travel alberta, TREC Dental, U/D, UCalgary, UD Events, UD Life, UDLife, University District, University District Dental, University of Calgary, Urban Balcony, urban dog park, Urban Garden, Urban Patio Decor, Valentines Day, Vegan Cuisine, Vegan Food, Vendors, vermicomposting, Village Ice Cream, Volunteer, Volunteerism, Walking, West Campus Development Trust, Wine, wine experience, Winefest, Winsport Zipline, winter, winter activities, winter festival, Winter Fitness, winter fun, winter memories, winter pet care, winter pet care tips, winter traditions, winter warm up, Winter workout, women grooming, Women Leaders, workouts, Yard, year in review, YYC Events, YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

    Discover NW Calgary's most interesting places, people and things

    Visit Our Channel

    Looking for something to do in NW Calgary?

    Check Out Our Event Calendar

    The University District blog is a resource for Calgarians who want to live, work, play, visit or buy in the northwest. We will provide you with information, stories, news and a closer look at the things that matter so you can live a more inspired, active and connected life in NW Calgary at University District… Life works here.