How to Cover Ugly Carpet (Rug Reveal)
Even though the carpet at My Wee Abode isn’t THAT ugly (well, the color is pretty bad), we’re going to take a look at how to cover ugly carpet AND get to see the new rug reveal!
HOW TO COVER UGLY CARPET
If you’ve been following My Wee Abode for any time, you know that living in a small rental apartment creates some ‘interesting’ challenges.
Like no ‘real’ kitchen (MWA is actually a studio apartment ‘turned’ one bedroom. No kitchens allowed in 400sf or less in CA).
And, no place for a dining room table… just to name a few.
But with these issues also comes the fun of figuring out how to fix them! And, having gold carpet is one of those issues that has recently been fixed! Let’s take a look at the carpet just before I moved into my small home…
The carpet is actually in really good condition! My landlord installed some quality carpet and padding in My Wee Abode. But… that color! This may be TMI, but it reminds me of a certain color that a newborn produces, ya know what I mean?!
How to Cover Ugly Carpet, First Try
So, after settling into MWA, I lived with the gold carpet for a while.
It can often take some time to find large items that you love and want to put in your home. And, it can be all that much harder when you are looking to decorate a small home or apartment.
After several months, I chose a beautiful rug that was soft, easy to care for, and one of my fave colors! My sister, DeeDee, gave it to me for my birthday!
However, I found that the ‘statement’ rug, with it being aqua and having a large print, was limiting me to certain color schemes and fabric choices for the rest of the room. So, after two years, I decided to change it out.
BTW, you can see this spring tour of my home HERE.
After sharing these thoughts with a dear designer friend, she gave me a couple of suggestions…
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For more information, see my complete disclosure HERE.
How to Cover Ugly Carpet (Rug Reveal)
Because the color and design of the aqua rug was limiting my decor choices, my friend suggested that a natural fiber rug would not only bring a more neutral palette to the living room, but it would also contribute to the coastal-farmhouse style I love so much!
As well as using a natural fiber rug, she also suggested that an extra-large area rug, that would cover the majority of the ugly gold carpet, might be a good choice! And I agreed! So, let’s see the new rug, and then I’ll explain some reasons for the choice.
If you saw the recent post on Neutral Rug Ideas for Small Spaces, you’ll recognize this as the Fawna Handwoven Chaste rug from Rugsusa.com. And it’s PERFECT!
(Side note: The ‘magical trick’ I used in the Rug Ideas post is being shared today, too!)
Also, if you OWN your home, you may want to look at how to replace carpet with hardwood.
Reasons for Choosing a Natural Fiber Rug
Neutral Understated Style
Now, the OVERWHELMINGLY most popular rug choice, both on the blog post AND Instagram (remember to give me a follow!), was the Venice Vine Swirls. And, though that rug is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous, and it is something I would naturally be drawn to, just like my first aqua rug, the Swirls rug is a ‘statement’ rug.
And this time I didn’t want a statement rug. 🙂
Also, there are already plenty of swirls in the living room. Hehe. Here’s a close-up of the top of the media-console.
Affordability
The Fawna Handwoven Chaste rug was a steal! I got it for 60% off AND free shipping using the Honey App (no affiliation, it just saves me money… all the time!)
Getting the extra large size was a GREAT idea, and the price made it do-able!
And if I get tired of it, I won’t feel guilty replacing it!
Comfort
Okay, y’all may know or may have heard that natural fiber rugs, whether they are jute, sisal or reed, are not the most comfortable on the feet. Yep, that’s true!
Between you and me, I like to sit on the floor when I am blogging or eating a meal… it’s just how I roll. So, a natural fiber rug was not sounding all that appealing to me!
But, while searching on Rugsusa.com I found the Fawna Handwoven Chaste rug was woven with jute AND cotton!
The reviews said it was super comfy! So, I went for it!
And it IS quite comfy!
We aren’t talking cozy-comfy… but, it is soft on my bum and feet, not scratchy at all!
Layering
You may think that this rug is ‘boring’ and doesn’t give enough personality to the room. BUT, with this neutral and *large* rug, there are LOTS of decorating options now available as far as color, textures, and prints! One of the best options that can be used is layering another smaller rug on top of this one!
You can see how my sweet friend, Yvonne from Stonegable, has done this in her home by clicking HERE!
Size
Last, but certainly not least, is the size of the rug!
The living room is about a 10′ x 10′ room, and this rug is the 7’6″ x 9′ 6″ rug. I figured this would be about as close I was going to get to the 10′ x 10′ size. But, when the rug arrived, it ended up being about 8′ x 11′!!! And, I found out that the rug does stretch a bit, which is not a huge issue.
Needless to say, the rug was plenty large enough to cover the ugly carpet. A great solution for a renter or apartment home, right?
And the color of the rug actually compliments the little strip of carpet that still shows.
What did I do with the excess?
It’s rolled up behind my media console! My cousin visited this past weekend (an interior designer), and he didn’t even notice. (But, those wrinkles on my drum chair’s cover are really bothering me! LOL!)
Now for the Magic Trick
After the Neutral Rug Ideas for Small Spaces went live, quite a few readers asked, “How did you get that many rugs in your house?” and “Wasn’t that a lot of work to put all those rugs down?” I had to giggle.
Well, I took a quick iPhone video to send one of my friends, and decided it would be fun to share here! It’s my very first video in a post, so go easy on me! 😉 (Be sure to turn up your volume.)
How to Use Rugsusa.com Roomview App from MyWeeAbode on Vimeo.
Pretty tricky, huh? I’ve found a couple of other rug sites that also offer this feature. (Even Behr.com offers this feature for their paint colors!) Give it a try!
Bumps in the Road
It would be a disservice to you if I didn’t share a few things that I’m NOT so happy with…
- Cotton rugs and natural fiber rugs are not known for cleaning up well. With that said, I have never asked people to remove their shoes in my home… they *have* to remove their shoes now. The cotton in this rug is a dirt magnet. But, I’m willing to live with that… for now! Hope my guests are, too! 😉
- Natural fiber rugs ‘shed’. So, every once in a while, this rug will need to be pulled back and vacuumed underneath. Keepin’ it real here… I’m not looking forward to that.
- The top of the rug should not be vacuumed with a rolling brush. This can pull out some of the jute from the rest of the weave. Ask me how I know this. (I simply trimmed it off… no big deal.)
Now that I’ve shared a few cons… let me show you another close-up of the rug in my little space.
And one more ‘full’ view.
I’m actually very happy with my choice.
On a side note, after recently painting this tiny living room, I’m thinking I may need to go lighter… what do you think? It’s never-ending!
Also, after purchasing an area rug, you just might want to add a mirror to your living area! Do you know what a ‘blob mirror’ is? Well, learn more about them, and take a look at these 7 options for blob mirrors.
Now It’s Your Turn
Would you ever consider using a natural fiber rug in your home? What about using an extra-large rug to cover another type of ugly flooring? What is your go-to look for an area rug? Did you guess right on what rug I chose? Share with me in the comments below!
This rug looks great in your living room. It brightens up the space and it’s neutral color will be great for decorating in any season.
I wondered how you showed all of your rug choices in your other post. Thanks for sharing that secret with us.
Thank you, Paula! I can’t wait to change things up for summer… maybe even do a quick spring tour? 😉
Julie, you sly lady….yes, I did know how you did it with the rugs as I use an app that allows you to “paint” your room with different colors to get the look you want….but great idea my friend. Your rug looks amazing.
Of course you knew my secret, Kari. LOL! 😉 I’m excited to change some decor items, now that the new rug is in place. Hugs, sweet friend!
I love the neutral color so much better than the previous rug, although I learned my lesson with “natural fiber” rugs. Mine is not soft and has no cotton – it is just jute of some type. I dislike the feel since I’m normally barefoot in my house – and they do not vacuum nicely – and any stain definitely does not lie on top, but sinks into those fibers. Mine is in my dining area and I have to admit it holds up great so far as wear and tear from moving chairs in and out, but the other points I’ve mentioned make it one of those things that as soon as I can find someone to help me (I’m 76 and live alone), that rug will be history.
Keep ding what you do. You’ll find the right combination one of these days. It takes a long time to get things the way we want them – and sometimes we change our minds even then.
Oh, I’m so glad you like the new color. We’ll see how I like all the nuances of this rug. I’m glad it was affordable, so I can change it later if I want. And, I think you are right… When we love to decorate, we are always changing, and hopefully getting better! 😉 Thanks for sharing, Pat. Always glad when you comment!
I love it!!! And I think the paint color is fine!! Can’t wait to see what you do for summer!!!!
Thanks, Deeds! I actually have some new pillow covers I’m hoping to use… green and yellows! (I love the paint color… just think I may need to go lighter.)
I love it! I don’t think I’d ever use a natural fiber rug inside because of the cons you listed, but who knows…? Maybe someday the idea will grow on me. 🙂
We installed wood looking laminate in our upstairs and bought carpet remnants for cheap and had them bound as area rugs for the rooms so they’d be cozy. If the carpets get worn or stained we can replace them easily. I love the option of being able to switch out flooring if desired or needed!
Thanks, Joy… I agree… I would NEVER get this type of rug if I had children in the home still. However, Nika and Ry came over recently for lunch, and we just put out a ‘picnic blanket’ over the rug and we were good to go! 😉 It’s nice to have the natural fiber for texture and for the ‘coastal’ type look I love.
The carpet remnant rugs are a great idea and versatile, too. Because they are affordable, you can change them out and not feel guilty. Perfect for a growing family! At some point, I’m hoping to use vinyl planking in MWA. Love that it is durable, absorbs noise, is waterproof, AND affordable!
Julie, great choice! Neutrals are always a good idea to calm your space down and allow you to add personality in other ways. Don’t worry about asking people to take off their shoes. When I lived in southern CA, I had a cream color carpet and learned to remove the shoes stat. Doing that saved my sanity. And that’s what really counts.
Have a nice weekend.
Hugs,
Rachelle
Yes, I agree with you, Rachelle. And, my cousin visited over Easter weekend, and he was very understanding of taking off his shoes. 🙂
Love the room decor and the rug is perfect.
Thanks, Sue… appreciate you dropping in, friend! 😉
Great post, Julie! Your tips are so helpful. I wish you had been blogging when I was an apartment renter, too! 😊 I have several natural fiber rugs in my home, and I love them for certain spaces. I have a broom reserved for indoor sweeping from time to time because of the vacuum issue. Still, I think they are so lovely! Great choice!
A broom is a great idea, Crissy. And today, one of my dearest friends suggest a very clean Norwex cloth may be perfect for cleaning stubborn spots from the cotton! 😉 I’m gonna try it! Hugs, sweet friend.
Love the new rug, Julie! I feel like rugs are such hard thing to nail down (at least for me:) Excited to see how you decorate with it!
Yep, I agree, Tiffany. That’s why I may always look for affordable rugs. I change my mind too often! 😉
Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.
Thank YOU, Marilyn!
I love it, Julie! It’s soothing and calm. The room looks lovely! Also, that feature that allows you to see the rugs in your room is amazing! Thanks for sharing at TFT!
Thanks, Pam… so appreciate you coming by!
Yikes that was a lot of gold carpet! So much better with a rug and a pretty one at that. Well done Julie. Hugs!
Yep… lots of gold, and not the good kind that you can spend! Much happier now. 😉
I loved the video! I have purchased several rugs from RugsUSA but I don’t remember that nifty little trick!
🙂 gwingal
Hehe… pretty snazzy, huh? 😉 Thanks for dropping in, Nikki! Hugs!
Congrats on your new rug! It looks great and really does the job of hiding the gold. I haven’t heard of the Honey app!
Hey, Lauren. Yes, my daughter shared the Honey app with me, and I have saved money quite a few times with it. It’s quite handy! 😉
This is a trick I’ve used many times! I love the area rug you chose and it blends perfectly with the carpeting underneath!
Yes… I’m glad the colors worked together so well. Thanks for dropping in, Roxanne!
Hi Julie! That’s brilliant with rolling the rug’s extra length behind the console. Good idea! I do like the idea of a neutral rug but I’m with you on I like a soft rug so I can get down and play with the dog, sit on the floor, etc. I like your walls the color they are but that’s up to you! I know the tan color that we liked so much when we were house hunting is really WAY TOO DARK for us all the time. It’ll be going bye-bye over the next year into a soft grey and the ceilings back to white.
Happy decorating!
Barb 🙂
Thanks, Barb… I’m thinking I want the same color for the walls, just cut by maybe 25%, which would make it Campfire Ash. I have a sample, so I’m going to see how it does. I’m so excited to see all you will be doing with your new home!
Julie I think this is a great solution to a very common problem. My floors are terrible and I needed to cover them so I bought a very large rug because sanding is not possible right now. I love your natural look !
Thanks, Mary! Yes, I think LOTS of us are not happy with our current floor situations. 😉
I love the way the rug looks in your lovely living room! Your post has inspired me that I really need a bigger rug in my LR. I’ll have to keep looking until I find one. Thank you for the inspiration!
Aw, thanks, Candice… that’s so sweet of you!
This is such a great idea! Looks beautiful! Thank you for sharing! You are one of the features at the Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. Here is the link to this week’s party: http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/make-it-pretty-monday-week-292/ Hope to see you at the bash! Have a great week! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Thank you, Kathryn… will be over soon to link-up! Hugs!
Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared. See you next week!
Always! 😉
It looks great we are trying to cover a hideous dark brown carpet that makes the house we are renting pretty dark.
Did you use a padding under it? I assume you didn’t because there is carpet under it. Does it bulge or wrinkle over the carpet?
Thanks, Cidi… I did *not* use a pad, for the exact reason you stated. It did tend to stretch a buckle a bit, but it was easy to smooth and adjust. I now have a different rug in the room, same issues, but I prefer the large rugs over the carpet. 😉