Design Resources | cartergrayhome

Design Resources & more....

Design Guides, Budgeting tools and more.

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The Art of Area Rugs

A complete guide to area rugs, along with placement ideas and some golden rules of area rug size and placement.

All Furniture on the Rug

All Furniture on the Rug
This layout is ideal for open spaces and cozy seating areas, requiring a rug that is large enough to accommodate all of your furniture. Ideally, the rug you choose should extend at least six inches from each piece of furniture on all sides.

DINING SPACE RUGS

DINING SPACE RUGS
A dining room rug can offer protection from furniture scrapes and shoe scuffs if you don’t have carpet in the area. A rug will also help to absorb sound while bringing warmth and visual appeal to your gathering space. When buying a rug for this part of your home, opt for one that’s two feet longer and two feet wider than your dining table on all sides. This will make it easier for guests to pull out and push in their chairs.

KITCHEN RUG PLACEMENT

KITCHEN RUG PLACEMENT
Here, the right rug option will vary on the size of your space. Larger kitchens (more than 200 square feet) allow for multiple rugs, while mid-size kitchens (100 to 200 square feet) have enough space for a 5' x 7', 3' x 5', and smaller rugs or runners. More intimate kitchens (70 square feet or less) look wonderful with smaller floor coverings, such as 2' x 3' or 3' x 5'.

Here, the right rug option will vary on the size of your space. Larger kitchens (more than 200 square feet) allow for multiple rugs, while mid-size kitchens (100 to 200 square feet) have enough space for a 5' x 7', 3' x 5', and smaller rugs or runners. More intimate kitchens (70 square feet or less) look wonderful with smaller floor coverings, such as 2' x 3' or 3' x 5'.

The Art of Project Budgets

A useful guide to help you keep all your projects on budget as well as on trend.

How to Budget for Your Interior Design Project
Designing your space should feel inspiring — not overwhelming. A well-planned budget is the foundation for a successful interior transformation. Whether you're updating a room or redesigning your entire home, here's a simple step-by-step guide to help you set, manage, and stick to a realistic design budget.
Final Thought
Ready to begin? Start with the [Budget Calculator] and we’ll take it from there.

Establish how much you’re comfortable spending — and stick to it. This total should include:

Design fees (flat rate or hourly)

Furnishings & materials (furniture, textiles, lighting, etc.)

Labor & installation (painters, contractors, etc.)

Shipping, delivery & taxes

Contingency (10–20%) for unexpected costs

The Art of Unexpected: An Interior Design and Lifestyle Publication.
The Art of Unexpected: An Interior Design and

Establish how much you’re comfortable spending — and stick to it. This total should include:

Design fees (flat rate or hourly)

Furnishings & materials (furniture, textiles, lighting, etc.)

Labor & installation (painters, contractors, etc.)

Shipping, delivery & taxes

Contingency (10–20%) for unexpected costs

Publication.
Every project has trade-offs. Decide where to invest and where to save:

Splurge: statement lighting, custom upholstery, sofas

Save: accent pieces, trend-forward décor, paint

🎯 Define 1–2 “non-negotiables” for your space — we’ll build around those.
Use our interactive [Budget Calculator] to break down estimated costs by category. This helps:

Clarify expectations

Prevent overspending

Align your vision with your financial comfort zone
Even with the best plans, designs evolve. Stay in control by:

Reviewing spending weekly

Tracking invoices & receipts

Being flexible — design is a living process

📁 If needed, revisit your scope or timeline instead of increasing the budget.
The Art of Unexpected: An Interior Design and Lifestyle Publication.

Budget Calculator

This interactive budget calculator breaks down your total project budget into categories making it easy for you to keep your budget on track.

Total Design Budget

furniture

Design Resources & more....

The Art of Area Rugs

The Art of Project Budgets

Establish how much you’re comfortable spending — and stick to it. This total should include:

Design fees (flat rate or hourly)

Furnishings & materials (furniture, textiles, lighting, etc.)

Labor & installation (painters, contractors, etc.)

Shipping, delivery & taxes

Contingency (10–20%) for unexpected costs

The Art of Unexpected: An Interior Design and Lifestyle Publication.

The Art of Unexpected: An Interior Design and

Establish how much you’re comfortable spending — and stick to it. This total should include:

Design fees (flat rate or hourly)

Furnishings & materials (furniture, textiles, lighting, etc.)

Labor & installation (painters, contractors, etc.)

Shipping, delivery & taxes

Contingency (10–20%) for unexpected costs

Publication.

Every project has trade-offs. Decide where to invest and where to save:

Splurge: statement lighting, custom upholstery, sofas

Save: accent pieces, trend-forward décor, paint

🎯 Define 1–2 “non-negotiables” for your space — we’ll build around those.

Use our interactive [Budget Calculator] to break down estimated costs by category. This helps:

Clarify expectations

Prevent overspending

Align your vision with your financial comfort zone

Even with the best plans, designs evolve. Stay in control by:

Reviewing spending weekly

Tracking invoices & receipts

Being flexible — design is a living process

📁 If needed, revisit your scope or timeline instead of increasing the budget.

The Art of Unexpected: An Interior Design and Lifestyle Publication.

Budget Calculator

Total Design Budget

furniture

35%

$0

Decor & Style

10%

$0

Lighting

10%

$0

Rugs & Window Treatments

10%

$0

Paint/Walltreatments

10%

$0

Labor & Contractors

10%

$0

Design Fees

10%

$0

Contingency

5%

$0