Dear Danica, What Wallpaper Should I Use For My Primary Bedroom?

Dear danica,

We live in a 100+ year old home with very little storage. This is especially problematic in our front living room since we don’t have a foyer and finding a place for coats, bags and shoes is a nightmare at the front door. The hall tree gets very overwhelmed, should we look into built ins?

– Sarah

One of my favorite things about living in an old home is finding ways to create storage space out of nothing. Utilizing furniture (dressers, baskets, trunks, and hutches) for concealing everyday items brings me great joy. If I were you, I’d start my search for a beautiful antique armoire. Something solid wood with tons of character. This, in my opinion, would look more fitting for an old home, would serve as a sculptural piece of art, and most importantly, would hold coats, bags, etc. I’d pass on built-ins and opt for a tall (7-8 feet tall ideally) piece of furniture instead!

Option 1

I like the scale of the pattern on this one. It feels appropriate for the room without looking too busy or competing with the floral pattern in your curtains. Plus, there are pops of green that tie into the green bedding.

Option 2

I have loved this pattern for a long time! It blends floral and geometric patterns and adds just enough interest to the walls without being overpowering.

Option 3

Perhaps a textural pattern appeals to you more than a bold floral one. This subtle stripe adds a layer to the walls, yet still takes a back seat to the other, more prominent design elements.

Option 4

A stripe would be a great complement to the floral curtains, and this floral stripe wallpaper has a beautiful blend of structure and whimsy. I like the depth that it adds to the room.

If this were my home, I’d choose either option 2 or 4!

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Dear danica,

For years I have been struggling with what size or type of rug to use in my front room so as not to accentuate the nonsymmetrical walls. The picture window is not centered with the opposite wall which means my sofa is not centered across from the 2 wing chairs (it’s approximately 2 feet off).

– Jody

The solution, I believe, is simpler than you think. Just get a really big rug! Your rug should, at a minimum, fit under the front feet of all your furniture. Ideally, the rug extends 6-12 inches under both the sofa and the armchairs. As for the length of the rug, if it extends several feet beyond the furniture, that should distract from the off-centered seating. I’m assuming you’ll need a 9×12 or 10×14 rug.