People love making resolutions in the new year. Many involve improving the self, such as getting in shape or learning a new skill. What about your home, though? When you spend so much time there, it deserves just as much of your attention. Especially your living room, which is the space where you get to relax and unwind at the end of the day. Wouldn’t it be nice to create an entirely new space that reflects your new tastes while providing a refreshed, relaxing zone for the new year? Of course, it would! Here’s how to update your living room for the new year.

Install a New Foor

A new floor can change the atmosphere of the entire room. So, if your floor is old or outdated, or you simply don’t like it, consider getting a new floor or carpet in time for the new year. A carpet is a great option, particularly in the winter, as it provides extra insulation and keeps the room cosy! Plus, you have many options when it comes to carpets; you could opt for a simple wool carpet or choose a loop pile design for extra density and durability. Not sure what you want? Our Carpets in Dulwich have plenty of carpet options to help you pick the perfect carpet for your living room.

Store the Clutter

A cluttered living space will make you uncomfortable, so sort that out for the new year by investing in new storage and hiding the clutter. Perhaps get a new TV stand with extra storage. Or, purchase hanging baskets for your miscellaneous items. Shelf dividers work well for cluttered bookshelves, as they make it easier to separate your items.

Hang a New Piece of Art

It’s incredible how much impact a single piece of art can have. Don’t worry – you don’t need the original Mona Lisa hung in your living space to make a difference. A new piece of art that you love will suffice. Consider hanging a large art piece above your mantelpiece for a change in décor. Not only will the artwork capture the eye, but it will help create a more finished, beautiful living room.

Buy a New Coffee Table

A coffee table usually sits in the centre of a living room, which makes it an essential piece of furniture for changing the room’s aesthetic. If you want to give your living space a refresher, consider getting a new one (especially if your current coffee table is outdated). There are plenty of excellent options for a new coffee table, such as glass, pure wood, metal, and even geometric.

Throw Down Some New Cushions

Not in the mood for a complete living room renovation? After the holiday season, that’s understandable. Luckily, there’s an easy way of changing the way the living room looks: throwing down some new cushions. A little pop of colour or interesting patterns will bring your sofas to life!

You have many options for changing your living room for the new year. You could go all out by purchasing a new carpet, or you could change something small by hanging a new piece of art or getting some new cushions.

Is your home’s entrance way looking more drab than delightful?

Do you wish people would enter your home and say “wow”?

If the answer is yes, then you have come to the right place.

Within the below blog, you will discover exactly what you need to do to transform your home’s entrance way into a showstopping space.

Plus, find out how to keep it looking stylish and clutter-free for longer.

Invest in new carpet

There is nothing quite like a new carpet for making an area of your home look luxurious and well looked after. When it comes to choosing carpet for your entrance way, you need to remember that this is a high traffic area, so you need to pick accordingly.

That being said, just because you need a more durable type of carpet for your hallway, it doesn’t mean you can’t also choose one that is super-stylish.

Check out our best-selling carpets in Dulwich and get some much-needed inspiration for your entrance way.

Hang artwork

Whether you are an art enthusiast or not, the right artwork can transform the entrance to your home. There are lots of different types of artwork that you can choose to hang in your hallway, such as paintings from a local artist, family photographs, black and white prints, or even drawings lovingly created by your children.

It doesn’t matter what type of artwork you choose as long as it brings you joy and that you take the time to arrange it in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Take the time to declutter

Even if you spend a small fortune updating your entrance way, an abundance of clutter will instantly make the space look like a mess. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to declutter this compact area of your home, and with the right storage solutions, you can keep your entrance way clean and tidy indefinitely.

If you do not know where to start when it comes to decluttering the entrance to your home, start by storing away anything that you don’t use daily and then go on from there.

Bring the outside in

Greenery in the home has never been more popular, with homeowners loving this simple and affordable way to make a space look and feel fresh and inviting.

Whether you choose to fill a vase with freshly cut flowers in your entrance way once a week or you prefer to place a selection of succulents on a shelf, adding a touch of green will instantly uplift your hallway and make it look freshly decorated.

Think about lighting

If your home’s entrance is too dark, then it will never look its best. Therefore, you need to think very carefully about your choice of lighting. While there is nothing wrong with using an overhead light, there are many others ways that you can illuminate this key area of your home.

For starters, always make use of any natural light available. Also, use well-placed lamps, candles, and wall lights to light up dark areas of the space.

While you may not have the time or energy for a complete renovation in time for Christmas, that doesn’t mean that you can’t make a few small changes to ensure your home looks its best.

From fitting new carpet in the hallway to adding a new lick of paint to the kitchen walls, read on to discover 5 simple ways to update your home ahead of the festive season.

1. Update your flooring

If you have family and friends visiting your home throughout December, then the flooring in high traffic areas of your home will take a bit of a battering. To avoid your hallway and stairs looking tired and worn out, it can be a good idea to invest in new carpets in these much-used areas of your home.

If you are looking for new carpets in Dulwich, then we can help you with our extensive selection of high-quality carpets and rugs, which guarantee to impress your guests this Christmas.

2. Paint the walls

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to update your home is by adding a fresh lick of paint to the walls. If you plan on spending a lot of time in the kitchen over the festive period, then this is a good place to start.

Opt for a warm and welcoming shade that will instantly make your guests feel relaxed and set the mood for a merry Christmas.

3. Declutter the guest room

If you have people staying over this Christmas, then you need to take a look at your guest room and get rid of any clutter that may be making the space appear chaotic and unstylish.

You may also want to invest in some festive-themed cushions or throws, which provide a great way to refresh a room on a shoestring budget.

4. Add additional seating

There is nothing worse than having lots of people in your home and not having sufficient seating. Therefore, it can be a good idea to look at areas of your home where you could add additional places to sit.

For example, you could add some extra stools around the island in your kitchen or even invest in a small sofa for this key room if you have enough space. Seating that also doubles up as storage is always a winner and will give you some much-needed space to store all your Christmas presents ahead of the big day.

5. Switch up the lighting

There is nothing quite like a few new lights to make your home look and feel more cosy this Christmas. Of course, you are highly likely to have fairy lights around your tree, but you don’t need to stop there.

Why not hang some stylish pendant lights over a kitchen island or install spotlights over your food preparation areas? Now is also the perfect time to invest in some new lamps to dot around communal areas and make your guests feel instantly relaxed

If you are inviting family and friends over at Christmas, you will want your home to look as nice as possible.

While you can put up as many decorations as you want, if your carpets are looking more grubby than gorgeous, then your home won’t be the haven you want it to be.

Fortunately, it doesn’t take much time and effort to restore your carpets to their former glory.

Read on to discover how you can clean your carpets in time for Christmas in five simple steps.

Step 1: Hoover with baking soda

The key to long-lasting and clean carpets is to vacuum them regularly, at least once a week. However, if you really want your carpets to look their best this festive season, then sprinkle a layer of baking soda over them before you vacuum.

Baking soda is a highly effective neutraliser of bad odours, and it can help lift stains out of your carpets. For best results, leave the baking soda for 15-20 minutes before vacuuming.

Step 2: Treat stains straight away

If someone spills a glass of wine or cup of coffee on your carpet, you need to act fast, or the stain will start to set.

Depending on the type of liquid that is spilt, there is a wide range of stain removal techniques that you can use. Soap and warm water always work well, as does white vinegar and baking soda for more stubborn stains.

You should never rub a stain as this can cause it to become further ingrained in your carpet’s fibres. Instead, blot with a clean cloth and repeat the cleaning process until the stain has been successfully removed.

Step 3: Place mats in high traffic areas

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure, so it can be a good idea to take preventative measures to keep your carpets clean in the run up to Christmas.

One highly effective way to do this is by placing mats in high traffic areas of your home, such as the entrance way. This will help to ensure that your guests don’t bring any unwanted dirt into your home and onto your carpets.

Step 4: Book a professional clean

If you really want your carpets to look brand new over the Christmas period, then your best option is to bring in the professionals.

A professional carpet cleaning company will use the latest equipment and high-performing products to ensure that your carpet is gleaming come Christmas morning.

However, be warned that these services book up quickly at this time of year, so book early to ensure your spot!

Step 5: Invest in a new carpet

If your carpet has seen better days and no amount of cleaning is going to help matters, then you might want to think about investing in a new carpet before Christmas comes.

You can find some great deals on carpets at this time of year, and there is still plenty of time to have them ordered and fitted before you hang up your decorations.

For carpets in Dulwich, look no further, as we have all the best carpets in the area with the most competitive prices.

Are you thinking about having your carpets professionally cleaned but not sure if it is worth the money?

Read on to discover everything you need to know about professional carpet cleaners, including what exactly they do and how they can prolong the life of your carpet.

Plus, if your carpet is unsavable, find out where to buy the best carpets near me.

What is a professional carpet cleaner?

As the name suggests, a professional carpet cleaner is someone who comes into your home and cleans your carpets to a professional standard.

As well as professional carpet cleaning companies, you can also rent or invest in professional cleaning equipment and clean your carpets like a professional yourself.

As a general rule, professional carpet cleaners use a variety of techniques, equipment, and high-performing products to make your carpets look brand new again.

Do I need a professional carpet cleaner?

There are several reasons why you might choose to hire a professional carpet cleaner.

Most commonly, people hire carpet cleaners because their carpets look grubby and grimy, and they think that a professional clean will restore them to their former glory.

Some homeowners also choose to use a professional carpet cleaner if they have one or more stubborn stains that they cannot remove themselves.

Finally, if you have a special occasion or event coming up in your home, you may want to spend a little more to have your carpets professionally cleaned.

Why use a professional carpet cleaner?

If you are still not convinced that professional carpet cleaning is worth the money, then the below benefits may be able to convince you:

• It can extend the lifespan of your carpet
• It can enhance the overall look of a room
• It can improve your health by eliminating pollutants
• It can prevent mould in your home
• You are guaranteed a good job

How often do I need to have my carpets professionally cleaned?

You don’t need to have your carpets professionally cleaned very often. In fact, once or twice a year is sufficient unless you have pets or young children, and then you may want to invest in this service more frequently. Also, if you suffer from allergies, then you may want to have your carpets professionally cleaned on a more regular basis.

To minimise the number of times you need to use a professional carpet cleaning company in a year, make sure that you take good care of your carpets. Vacuum at least once a week and spot clean any stains as soon as they happen.

Where to buy new carpet

If there really is nothing you can do to prolong the life of your carpet any longer, and you are fed up with staring at your old and dirty flooring, then now is the time to invest in new carpets for your home.

If you are looking for high-quality carpets in Dulwich, then you have come to the right place. We offer a wide range of long-lasting and high-quality carpets, with options to suit all tastes and budgets.

Elegance is a relatively subjective term. For some people, elegance conjures up images of traditional countryside estates or wealthy elites in extravagant clothing. However, elegance can also be a sleek and well-designed room with contemporary features and a focus on comfort. Since elegance doesn’t need to distract from other more unique interior styles such as industrial chic or maximalist, anyone can make their home more elegant simply by paying attention to a few subtle details.

Small Functional Parts

This broad name covers pieces you find within your home that are all necessary but don’t always have the best appearance. These could include light switches, wall sockets, handles, and even door stoppers that are attached to the wall. Many people accept whatever their home has when they move in when it comes to these small features, but taking the time to find stylish replacements can be surprisingly effective in elevating the elegance of a space. You can make a space appear more deliberate and styled by simply replacing your existing door handles with something that compliments your taste and furniture better.

Floors, Walls, and Ceilings

The surfaces that make up a room – the walls, the floor, and the ceiling – are sometimes overlooked when redecorating. People tend to enjoy changing the appearance of their interior walls by painting or wallpapering them, but floors and ceilings are usually neglected and left as is. Updating your floor and ceiling is a great place to start if you want to tie your space into a cohesive and elegant look. There are carpets in Dulwich that are designed to be both aesthetically pleasing and practical for real life, both qualities that add up to elegance. For your ceiling, consider having subtle coving or moulding added to create a sense of gradual depth and traditional detail.

Lighting

How well you are able to light a room doesn’t depend on how bright you can make it at any one time. It means having a range of light sources that serve individual purposes as well as combining to create a pleasing atmosphere in a room. For example, in your living room, you might have a standing lamp near the sofa and a desk lamp on a sideboard at the adjacent wall. How you position these differently sized lamps in the space will dictate the mood and level of elegance you can achieve. Generally speaking, a single source of light coming from the ceiling doesn’t tend to be attractive or elegant. Smaller, varied sources of light are much more preferable when creating visual interest in a room.

Redecorating parts of your home can be simultaneously thrilling and nerve-wracking. Your design choices cost money and are time-intensive to reverse, meaning that it’s important to be certain when you commit to a paint colour or flooring type. Whenever possible, collect samples to position in the space to see firsthand how the room’s light and shape interact with your potential tones and textures. There’s nothing wrong with expressing your own interior design style; just take your time and enjoy the process.

If you already have carpeted floors in your home, you are most likely more than aware of the many benefits they bring to your interiors. Some people prefer to have a mixture of carpet and another type of flooring in different rooms of the house, while others strongly prefer a particular kind of flooring throughout. If you are currently looking for a way to update your home interior with newer flooring, you probably have to choose between laying down a carpet or another type of floor. Of course, this will depend on many factors, including your personal style, the lifestyle you lead, and the purpose of your space. Here is a brief guide to help you decide whether or not carpet should be your next choice.

Cleanliness

Although there can be benefits to opting for a hard flooring if cleanliness is one of your top concerns, people often overlook how carpet can help a home stay clean. Sometimes people become distracted by the possibility of spills or stains but forget that carpet can actually serve to keep other parts of your home fresher. This is because the fibres of a carpet, even with a short pile, can help to prevent dust and other dirt from sticking to the bottoms of feet, meaning that dirt is not brought into unwanted places such as bathtubs or beds.

Fewer Breaks

When something delicate such as a glass or a device, drops onto a hard floor, it is much more likely to smash compared to if it is dropped onto a carpet. This might seem at first like a minor consideration; however, these subtle differences in a home can make a space feel more relaxed. It is slightly harder to unwind in your home when you are subliminally concerned about accidents such as slipping over or dropping something fragile.

Insulation

If you want to save some money on energy bills when it comes to keeping your home warm in the colder months, a carpet is better at retaining the heat for longer. Search for carpets in Dulwich that will not only look stylish with your home decor but will also protect your home from dropping below comfortable temperatures. This is also handy for those cold winter days when you do not want your feet to touch a chilly floor.

Luxurious Feel

While some of the above points have been more focused on various practicalities about installing carpet in your home, this final point will simply focus on how luxurious and indulgent it is. Hard types of flooring, such as tile or wood, have their place, of course, but carpet provides a certain kind of comfort and gentleness that makes a home more welcoming.

As you can see, carpeting your home offers plenty of advantages, from reducing energy waste to adding style. Hopefully, this quick guide has helped you to consider a few more detailed points when it comes to choosing the ideal floor for your home.

If you have just purchased a new carpet for your home, you may be worried about it starting to look tired and worn out over time.

Thankfully, there are several tips and tricks that you can take advantage of to keep your carpet looking and feeling new for as long as possible.

Read on to discover five techniques that guarantee to protect your carpet from muddy footprints, stains, spillages and more.

1. Vacuum Regularly

One of the simplest and inarguably best ways to keep your carpet looking new for longer is to vacuum it regularly. Ideally, you’ll need to vacuum your carpet at least twice a week or more often, especially if you notice dirt and debris on the fibres.

Also, make sure to keep on top of changing the filters in your vacuum. If you don’t, the appliance won’t be able to do its job properly and your carpets will suffer.

2. Move Your Furniture Around

Some areas of carpet will experience much more footfall than others, which is why homeowners often use more durable carpet cuts in the hallway. Although there isn’t much you can do to reduce the amount of wear and tear that certain areas of carpet are subjected to, you can move your furniture around to keep your entire carpet looking fresh for longer.

For best results, switch up the layout of your furniture around once every six months.

3. Sprinkle Baking Soda

As well as looking tired and worn out, your carpet can also start to smell musty over time. One highly effective way to prevent this is to sprinkle baking soda all over it before vacuuming.

Doing so will eliminate any bad odours such as pet smells and help keep your carpet smelling fresh. Don’t forget to leave the baking soda for a few minutes before vacuuming, as this will ensure it works its magic on the carpet fibres.

4. Invest in Stain Removal Products

Even if you are super careful, stains and spillages can happen; when they do, you need to ensure you are prepared. Although several effective remedies for removing stains from carpets exist, having a few stain removal products in your cupboard for emergencies is always a good idea.

These products can be applied directly to a wide range of stains, such as wine and coffee, and are highly effective at removing all traces of spills. Alternatively, dishwasher detergent, club soda and hydrogen peroxide are all good at banishing carpet stains.

5. Book a Deep Clean

In addition to vacuuming several times each week to pick up dirt, dust and other debris, you should also take the time to deep clean your carpet. A professional carpet cleaner works deep into the fibres to remove all traces of dirt and grime.

You can buy or rent carpet cleaners, depending on your budget and how often you intend to use them. Ideally, you should deep clean your carpets at least once every six months for effective results and to keep yours looking spick and span for longer.

In some cases, though, the long-term damage may have already been done if your carpets are too old or haven’t been looked after properly over the years, which may mean you need brand-new ones instead.

Whatever the case, our high-quality carpets in Dulwich have got you (and your floors) covered. Check out our amazing deals on carpets on our website, or pop down to our showroom to take a closer look at what we have to offer.

Have you just spilt wine all over your brand-new carpet? Or perhaps you have an old wine stain that you just can’t shift?

Either way, the below blog will tell you everything you need to know about how to remove those pesky wine stains from your carpets!

How to Remove Red Wine Stains from Carpets

If you have spilled red wine on your carpet, you need to act quickly. Start with blotting as much of the liquid as possible using a clean cloth or paper towel. Make sure you blot, not rub, as this will prevent the stain from setting into the fabric. If you don’t have a red wine stain removal product to hand, you can use several store cupboard staples instead.

Prepare a cleaning solution using one tablespoon of dishwashing soap, one tablespoon of white vinegar and two cups of warm water. Apply a small amount to the stain and blot until it vanishes.

Alternatively, you can use hydrogen peroxide, although this can sometimes cause discolouration of the carpet. To avoid this, test a small area of carpet first, ideally in an inconspicuous spot where you won’t notice any marks. Once you have tested your carpet, mix two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part dishwashing soap and apply the mixture to the stain. Blot and repeat until the stain has completely disappeared.

Of course, not all stains will come out, especially if your carpets are worn, old and in need of a complete overhaul – they can only take so much, after all. If your carpets are beyond saving and you fancy some fresh ones instead, take a look at our top-quality carpets in Dulwich and update your home without breaking the bank.

How to Remove White Wine Stains from Carpets

If you have spilled white wine on your carpet, then the process of removing it is simpler than with red wine. Although a white wine stain may not look as bad as a red wine stain at first glance, over time, this spill can turn brown and discoloured, so you still need to act quickly.

As with removing red wine from your carpets, start by blotting up as much of the liquid as possible. To remove the stain, use either plain water or mix one tablespoon of washing-up liquid and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Use a clean cloth to sponge the stain and then blot frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.

Again, you can use special wine stain removal products but make sure you pick one that is suitable for your carpet type.

How to Remove Champagne Stains from Carpets

There is nothing quite like a glass of champagne to toast a special occasion, but unfortunately, accidents can happen, especially if you are having a party.

As with all wine stains on a carpet, blot the area immediately after the spillage has occurred to prevent the stain from setting. Then, flood the affected area with water using either a clean sponge or cloth – this will dilute the stain and prevent the sugars from sticking to the carpet’s fibres.

Blot again and allow the carpet to dry naturally. Do not apply heat directly to the carpet as this can damage it. If the stain has already dried, apply a solution of one tablespoon of liquid soap and two cups of water. Work this into the stain and then rinse with plain water. Use a dry cloth to blot as much of this liquid as possible and then allow it to dry.

Improving your interior design, upgrading your home and spending money on improvements is all time and funds well spent – but what can easily make your home space less than perfect is persistent pet hair. It can mark your carpets, compromise your seats and generally leave your home’s air quality feeling askew if you have allergies.

However, all is not lost for those with furry friends living in the home; having a good system in place for dealing with pet hair means your interior design and home’s cleanliness can always remain its best. To prove that fact, here are a few ideas for handling pet hair in your home.

Choose the Right Carpet

If you have pets with black fur and a white or cream carpet, cleaning is going to be significantly harder than it should be when you’re trying to keep on top of it – not to mention it’s worse if you have a thicker carpet with more hair getting trapped.

Therefore, choosing the right carpet is essential for keeping on top of pet hair, both in colour and in style. With carpets in Dulwich, you can select the right colour and length to cope more easily with the hair that your pets are shedding, as well as a carpet style that’s easy to vacuum.

Use Rugs

If you want to protect your carpet or flooring as much as possible, area rugs can be a big plus for dealing with pet hair, too. It might sound counterproductive, but if you can get a comfortable rug that’s the designated spot for your pet, it might help keep most of the hair in one area instead of all over your carpet. It can also reduce the amount of foot and pet traffic the main carpet sees.

Protect Your Furniture

When thinking about protecting your furniture, easily wipeable surfaces, like leather instead of fabric, would be best – but this is not always possible if you’re a fan of fabric or already have your home kitted out with fabric seating.

It may be easier to control pet hair if you cover sofas and chairs with a removable cover or throw so that you can detach and clean that instead, rather than your sofa itself getting marked or spoiled.

Tackle Your Pet First

To limit the amount of hair dropping and causing a mess, it’s a good idea to take care of it at the source as much as possible – and that means regularly brushing or grooming your pet, and bathing them to keep them clean and fresh. This will hopefully reduce any extra fur moulting and uncleanliness if it can be brushed or washed away first.

It’s Okay to Set Up Home Boundaries

You might not want your pet to have access to every area of the home, and that’s okay; if you have two lounges, for example, you might like one to remain the hair-free, cosy room you always wanted it to be with a plush carpet and soft fabrics. If that’s the case, make sure to set up rules – and pet gates – for where your pets can and can’t roam.