Carpets can make a very bold statement or blend into a room unnoticed – it all depends on what story you want to tell with your carpet. An all-white room can, all of a sudden, have an extreme personality with an in-your-face contemporary geometrical carpet, whereas a classic room can be made to feel more inviting with a toned-down, faded Persian carpet.

There is such an amazing variety of carpets out there. You can literally go crazy with carpets. Here are some guidelines to work around when looking for a specific carpet.

When looking for a carpet for a bedroom, it is very important to look at texture, it is absolutely dreamy to take off your shoes and step onto a carpet that feels like you’re walking on clouds. For bedrooms, look at soft, luscious carpets as these will make the room more inviting.

When searching for a carpet for living areas you should always consider wear and tear, carpets aren’t cheap and having to replace a beautiful carpet after a year can really break the bank. Ask the retailer about easily washable carpets and carpets suitable for high traffic areas.

The carpet supplier I regularly use for my clients has most of their carpet designs in different qualities, this not only works for people on tight budgets but also works for the purpose of having a carpet that is easily cleanable.

When looking from a design point of view, get a feel for the room you want to buy the carpet for, decide whether you want the carpet to disappear and just add a soft touch, or whether you want the carpet to be a focal point. Also keep in mind that classical architecture does not necessarily mean that all the rooms should be decorated to be classical. The same goes for modern or contemporary homes. You can also go for the opposite, a classic room can be very interesting with a contemporary carpet and a modern room can be very interesting with a soft toned-down Chobi.

These are guidelines to follow. Play around with carpets – most retailers let carpets go on appro, so you can really get a feel for a carpet over a weekend, and see what it does to your room.

A bedroom can look very contrived by just buying a simple bedroom suite. And that is the last thing you want your bedroom to be. Your bedroom should be the most comfortable and relaxing room in your house, as this is a room that is only yours.

Have a headboard made in fabric that you love, or instead of a headboard buy a roll of wallpaper and wallpaper a panel on the wall as a headboard. Buy bedside tables that are functional and beautiful, they don’t even have to be the same, and the same goes for bedside lamps. Think less about the room’s symmetry and more about your relaxation and comfort. Simply put, the bedroom is all about you.

If the room has enough space, create a seating area where you and your partner can enjoy your morning coffee or a glass of wine after a hard day’s work.

Scatter cushions on a bed look beautiful, but there is always an issue when it comes to storing them. A simple solution is to have a bed-end ottoman that can function as a place to sit on or as storage for cushions and bedspreads.

To conclude, you must walk into your bedroom and forget about all the worries of the day and enjoy your time relaxing in your own personalised space.

• After a hard day’s work, and the evening with family, friends or chores that have to be finished, you have to look forward to a good night’s rest. This should be the goal in your bedroom. Everything should invite you to slow down, become calm and completely relaxed!
• Use cool colours, such as hues of blue or green, turquoise and lilac: these are colours that can form stunning blends, and will make your bedroom more relaxed and comfortable. These colours work well for men and women!
• Using warm colours like reds, browns, yellow and orange in your bedroom can create a very uneasy atmosphere, making it difficult to fall and stay asleep. Therefore, steer clear of these colours in your sleep space!
• Make sure you have soft, really comfortable chairs, where you can simply curl up, with a glass of wine after a hectic day at work, to chat with your partner, or to read a good book before bedtime.

These tips are easy to apply and can make a major difference to your lifestyle!