• Flowers – Floral wall coverings are not a new design choice; however, today’s designs combine large scale prints and still life imagery to create a unique vintage feel to your decorating. Florals can be used with a variety of decorating styles, from classic designs to crisp contemporary lines.
• Geometrics – These are not your 1970’s fuzzy geometric patterns emblazoned on a metallic background. Today’s geometric offers a clean, simple and unified look. It is the perfect way to add impact to a small space. Select a monochromatic palate for a sophisticated look in a bedroom.
• Animal prints -  From reptile skins to feathers or leopard spots, animal prints add a bit of whimsy to your home. Perfect for a dramatic look in your bathroom or an ideal way to add a bit of visual texture to the walls of your dining room. They also work great for accent walls in a bedroom or living area.
• Kid’s rooms – While there will forever be a plethora of cartoon based wallpaper designs for kid’s rooms, many people are looking for more sophisticated designs that can grow with the child. Stylized designs and whimsical prints can help spark a little imagination.
• Finer points – Life sized murals are a great way to add drama and culture to your living space. Create an 19th century pastoral scene or a Renaissance portraiture for a dramatic look in an entryway, dining room or hall.
• Take a cue from nature – Stone walls that look so real you feel like you are outside or wooden planks that give the illusion of barn boards are a trend that brings natural elements inside. These visual illusions can create the look of the real thing for a fraction of the cost.
  
  

Many people have been told that if they have allergies, their carpet may be making them worse. While some may think floors are cleaner or more hypoallergenic, hardwood floors can churn up allergens every time you walk across it. Carpets tend to trap allergens until they can be vacuumed up. For this reason, the picture is a bit more complicated than you may have heard. If you suffer from allergies, you don’t need to give up the soft feel and look of carpeted floors.

  Hypoallergenic carpeting and padding options

Today, there are an increased number of options to suit individual needs and preferences. Generally, there are two types of reactions people may have to flooring - off-gassing of chemicals (VOCs) after installation and reactions to environmental allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, or pollen.

  Many companies today manufacture carpets that emit minimal VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in order to reduce the risk of chemical reactions and associated health risks. Many of these carpets are also much more eco-friendly and green in their materials and production process.

 Low VOC materials often double as carpeting fiber that is less resistant to mold growth, further reducing allergic reactions. If you are more interested in natural fiber, wool carpeting is considered hypoallergenic as long as you aren’t allergic to wool itself.

 Choosing a carpet pad that is manufactured to be less likely to develop mold and mildew, as well as avoiding carpet installation directly on concrete, are other ways to reduce potential allergen exposure down the road.

  Beyond the carpet: Other keys ways to reduce allergens

  No matter which carpeting material you go with, vacuuming often with a quality vacuum that contains a HEPA filter is perhaps as important as the type of carpeting itself. If you have pets and/or allergies, you should vacuum every few days. Changing your furnace filter on time also reduces the allergens that circulate in the home via your HVAC system. Central air forces recycled air throughout the home instead of pulling in fresh air, so it’s all the more important to make sure your indoor air is filtered properly.

 PT Floor Covering is an independent and locally-owned business that has been in operation for over 20 years in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. We can help you choose the floor covering that is right for you, provide you with a free estimate, and can install your selection as well. For more information, please visit our website or visit our showroom at 91 N. Main St on Tuesdays through Saturdays.