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Layer 2: Installed Flooring

Layer 2: Installed Flooring

Whether you choose hardwood, tile, linoleum, peel and stick squares or carpet, the floor connects and completes the room. This layer is installed flooring, a permanent or semi-permanent material that is installed from wall to wall. This doesn't include area rugs which we'll talk about in Layer 4 (accent fabrics). Keep the flooring simple without complicated floor patterns. Exercise the art of restraint, stick to the system, focus on the background and save your exciting pattern ideas for later.

Layer 3: High Ticket Upholstery Items

Layer 3: High Ticket Upholstery Items

Layer 3 refers to the high-ticket, upholstery pieces. Upholstered items are considered in this early stage for two reasons. First, they require significant lead time to be ready for your finished room and second, like the walls, ceiling and floors, upholstered pieces are still part of the background. They are the basic furniture blocks of your and should be in a neutral palette. You can go pattern crazy later in the accent fabric layer, but Layer 3 is still about building a foundation. Layer 3 is high-ticket upholstery items: These are basically any oversized fabric covered pieces. Remember to focus on solid and textured fabrics rather than patterns. Locking yourself into a pattern can be a costly investment, which won't have any return.

Focus on furniture pieces with simple, classic lines that won't out of style. You may want to move the sofa from the living room to a den or library if you move to another home. The construction should be of a solid hardwood frame that is jointed and nailed, which will withstand repeated reupholstering. Layer 3 is designed to assure that the early investments you make in your upholstered furniture will stand the test of time.

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