Dorm 101 - Textiles

Bedding

One of the easiest ways to bring a little bit of “home” to school is to make sure your bed is as comfy and inviting in your dorm as in your bedroom at home.  This is also a great place to get to show a little bit of your own style and tastes!  Many stores offer “bed-in-a-bag” solutions that have everything you could need to outfit your bed (and sometimes a little more!)  Another great option is a duvet cover.  Just stuff your existing quilt into a cover (sort of like an oversized pillow case) and you’re good to go!  Want another look?  Just slide the quilt out and change your look.  It’s easier to wash, since the cover is less bulky.

Rugs

A rug isn’t just a great way to liven up a “blah” dorm floor, it’s also a great way to bring comfort and style to the room.  Rugs come in all shapes, sizes, thicknesses, and colors so there is sure to be one that fits your needs, your tastes, and your budget.  Do you have a color scheme in mind for your room’s “look”?  Your rug can have all of them, or just some of them.  Also remember that lighter colors show dirt, so if you’re not a big fan of vacuuming – you may want to go with a medium/neutral shade.  If you’re not picking a rug for the whole room, select a few smaller rugs for targeted comfort:  one just inside the door may catch and stop dirt from getting tracked in and  a small rug next to your bed will prevent the early morning cold-foot shock in cooler months.




 

Throw Pillows/Cushions

A small detail that can add so much!  A throw pillow here or there can add a pop of color, but can also double as a quick seating solution if you've got more friends over than chairs.  They are generally inexpensive, and can also be one of the easiest “Do It Yourself” projects if you want to make one of your own.

Curtains

Regardless of when your first class of the day is – the sun will try to wake you when it rises.  Any barriers you place between its dazzling rays and your tired eyes will be welcome.  Plus, it can dress up dull and drab dorm room in a jiffy.  Don’t know how to sew?  No big deal!  Some stores have iron-on hemming tape available.  Cut to length, fold and iron – and you’re done!

Whatever look you’re going for in your dorm room: textiles are a quick, easy, and affordable way to make it your own, and make it your home.

For more ideas and inspiration from IKEA, click here!

Furnish with Rugs!

Whether they are bought or passed down from past generations, rugs add comfort and safety to your home. They can accent your furniture, or be their own statement.  Decorating with rugs is an easy way to personalize your space and also make it more pleasant. 

There is such a wide variety of sizes, colors, patterns, functions and materials it may seem overwhelming to make a choice.  The first consideration should always be to make sure your choice is what you like.  Find a rug that fits your personality and tastes, and it will be a good choice.  Of course, there are some other things to consider.  Different rugs have different advantages and are suitable in different rooms.  Do you need a rug that is hard-wearing and easy to keep clean (flat-woven), or are you looking for something that is soft, warm and cozy (pile rugs)?

The entrance to your home is a great place for a rug.  Not only will it greet you after a long day, or invite visitors in – it will help keep your home cleaner! Natural materials are the best foor door mats because they are durable and easy to shake out.  Polypropylene and cotton flat-woven rugs are also a good choice.  Rugs in entryways and hallways should be durable, easy to clean, and also moisture resistant.  Steer toward darker colors because they take so much abuse from traffic and outdoor grime, in hard-wearing materials like sisal, wool or synthetics.

The living room is an area where you can really let out all the stops with rugs.  The rugs you choose should be your style, but also be able to stand up to wear and tear, all day, every day.  Use them to differentiate different areas of the room, such as the sofa/TV area and the reading corner. The advantage of a large rug that has room for an entire seating group, is that it give the impression of cosiness.  A smaller rug can tuck just under sofa and arm chairs, and tie the grouping together with your coffee table.

When you’re getting out of bed in the morning, it’s nice to have a soft pile rug to put your feet on.  Nothing is worst than a cold, bare floor.  If you want to contribute to a calm, serene feeling in your bedroom, consider rugs in neutral tones and modest patterns.  For a child’s rooms, flat-woven cotton rugs are a great choice because they are hard-wearing and also easy to clean.  Spark their imagination with bold colors and patterns!  For safety, look for rugs with a latex backing, or purchase an anti-slip underlay. Keep playtime fun and safe!

In the kitchen, a rug in front of the kitchen sink adds comfort during prep time and clean-up.  Flat-woven rugs are most practical for the kitchen and around eating areas.  Many flat-woven rugs are reversible, giving you an alternate look and a second side when stains are stubborn.  Dining chairs are also easier to move on a flat-woven rug, rather than a high-pile one.  If you’re looking for the right size rug for under your dining table, remember that you need enough room for chairs when they are pushed out: add at least 24” to your dining table size.

Our best advice is still: go with what you like.  There are a wealth of styles, sizes, and materials out there so all you need to do is let your imagination and creativity roam.  Can’t choose between two?  Switching out rugs is a quick and easy way to refresh a room – why not buy both?

Search and view hundreds of rugs on our website.  An easy place to start your search for the perfect rug!

One Bedroom, a Million Looks

Don't underestimate the power of some new bedding, textiles, and accessories. 

It can make your bedroom a whole new place, with not a lot of investment!

(See these pictures in action here.)

Refresh Your Bedroom with Textiles

Once you’ve built the bed of your dreams: the right frame, mattress, pillows, and quilt – it’s time to dress it up to suit your tastes.  Maybe you’re just looking for a quick change – a refresh.  Some way to give your favorite space a new look without having to start from scratch.  Textiles can make the visual change you want, without the impact on your wallet.

Bright, clean, and fresh. This room can invigourate or relax.

Color:  As a general rule, the color(s) you choose for your bedroom should be calming and soothing.  However, one man’s pale blue is another’s teal.  It’s all about taste and choice.  Check out this article from HGTV about trends in colors for bedrooms.  Choosing a solid color in your bedding or rug will make the pieces more versatile, and will allow you to use those pieces to “anchor” any other fabric choices you make.

Artwork/Décor:  Wall art comes in all shapes and sizes.  A reproduction of a fine art master, a painting from a local artist, or even a collage of family photographs.  Let what you choose tell a story about you, or speak to you.  After all, you’re not decorating this space for anyone else.



Classic, and classy. This sophisticated setting is right for reading or resting.



Windows:  Function is important when choosing window treatments, especially if you find yourself sleeping in far past the sun’s arrival.  However, a combination of blinds and curtains will give you the practicality you need, with the artistic freedom that you want.  Choose sheers for a light, breezy look; choose saturated drapery fabric for a dramatic feel.  It’s all up to you!

Bedding:  Don’t be afraid to mix and match!  If you choose a base piece in a solid color, you are free to combine patterns and neutrals in pillow cases, throws, and cushions.  Don’t feel limited by a “bed-in-the-bag” collection – branch out!  Duvet cover sets allow you to easily switch the look of your bedding (with the added bonus of being much easier to wash than a whole comforter!)



A pop of color, bold patterns, and a variety of textures
bring a piece of personality into your bedroom.



Your bedroom may be the most important room of your home.  You start every day there.  You end every day there.  It’s your sanctuary, your cocoon, your hideaway.  It’s important that it feels comfortable, as well as comforting!

DIY Cushion Covers

There’s no need to toss those old throw pillows!  Refresh your bedroom or living room without breaking the bank – all you need is some fabric, a needle and thread, and a little bit of time.



Never feel limited by the selection of pre-made
cushions and covers again! Almost any fabric can
be stitched into a great accesory for your home.



What You’ll Need:

• Fabric (avoid delicate or lightweight stuff, I also recommend pre-washing it so you avoid any awkward shrinkage later.)

• Ruler, yard stick or tape measure

• Pencil or tailor's chalk

• Scissors

• Iron

• Pins

• Needle and Strong thread (Or a sewing machine if you are so inclined.)

Start with your existing cushion.  Remove the cover, if possible.  If you can’t, be sure to choose a thick enough new fabric that will hide the old cover.  Measure the cushion from corner to corner.  Then, on the back side of your new fabric, draw a rectangle that is the same width as your cushion and twice as long.  (What about seam allowance?  Making the cover the same size as the cushion will make sure it stays all plump and full-looking.  If you’d like a little “wiggle” room, or if you plan on removing and washing the cover, add a half inch to each dimension.)

...Just make sure you don't
get carried away!

Lay your newly cut rectangle flat with the pretty side down.  Fold the short edge over ¼” and iron flat.  Then fold it another ½” and iron it flat – pin it to secure.  Use a running stitch to fasten the edge down, and remove pins.  Repeat this with the other short edge.

With the pretty-side up, fold the short ends toward the center of the fabric until the length is the same as the length of your cushion.  Pin the non-sewn edges together, leaving the short ends open.  (Making a sort of “envelope” for your cushion.)  Using strong thread (or doubling-up standard thread) backstitch down each of the pinned side about ¼” away from the edge.  Keep your stitches as even and straight as possible, looking out for puckering or gaps.

Trim any loose threads, and look for any errant pins… Flip the whole thing inside out, insert your cushion, and voila! A brand new cushion.