ASK THE DESIGNERS

Have a design-related question about your project? Well here’s your chance to “Ask a Designer!” We have highly qualified designers here at York Wallcoverings Home Design Center, and they are ready to help you make the most of your project!

How can I quickly change the mood of a room?
I have a couch that I love with a large stain, and don’t want to pay to get it reupholstered. What should I do?
How can I add dimension to my tiny room?
I want to use borders with my wallpaper, but I’m not sure how?
How can I make sure my furniture will fit my space?

1) How can I quickly change the mood of a room?
Try new window treatments! Lines in fabric impacts the mood a room conveys. Tall, vertical-lined curtains emphasize formality, while horizontal lines generate a relaxed feel. Choose bold vertical lines to cover up unusually shaped windows. Horizontal lines work well in rooms with strong vertical lines, like those found with paneling.

Color also affects the feeling of a room. Warm corals and reds are perfect for a cooler, north-facing room, while grays and blues cool off a sunny, southern room. Find a middle ground between matching and clashing the window treatment with the wall color, as similar colors get lost in each other and contrasting ones make a room appear smaller.

2) I have a couch that I love with a large stain, and don’t want to pay to get it reupholstered. What should I do?
Update your sofa without a pricy reupholster or a slipcover. Introduce a few large, geometrically shaped pillows with tassels, fringe or trendy design – you can replace them every year to give your room (and couch) a new look!

3) How can I add dimension to my tiny room?
Try these quick-tricks to make a small room appear larger:
• Cover two of the walls with light-colored horizontal-lined wallpaper.
• Add a single chair to the wall opposite from a window or door.
• Hang light, airy curtains in the same color as bordering walls.
• Place a large photograph across a wall, then move the sofa slightly away from it.
• Put an adjustable, swivel floor lamp in a corner.

4) I want to use borders with my wallpaper, but I’m not sure how?
Using borders with wallpaper is fun and easy, and can achieve a very high-end look at a much smaller price! Try these simple tips:
• Create the illusion of higher ceilings by applying a border on the ceiling, along the wall line.
• Easier than installing crown or chair rail moulding, a border can offer the same benefits – aesthetic appeal, protection from scrapes and cover-up for uneven edges.
• Separate two wallpaper patterns or paint colors with a chair-rail height border.
• Decorate a hat box, line the back of a bookcase, or hang your border on a diagonal in a kid’s room to accentuate your theme.
• Introduce two borders, one placed above the other, against the ceiling line. The approach adds dimension and architectural appeal.

5) How can I make sure my furniture will fit my space?
First, check the standard dimensions listed for the furniture piece you are considering. Note all the numbers for width x depth x height (e.g., 87.5”W x 38”D x 36.5”H). Once you’ve measured, lay out newspaper to the size of your measurements to get an idea of size and fit. A few additional points to consider: is there enough clearance to walk by the furniture? Is it too large for the space or too small in scale? Maybe a different floor arrangement works better—it’s easy to move newsprint until you’re satisfied with the results.

Click here for Furniture Care and Measurement Tips