The art of maximizing space often takes a bit of ingenuity. Influencer Tay Nakamoto used pet-friendly carpet to transform a basement room into a multifunctional space, complete with a cozy guest room and a separate office area. Here is how her split-room project came together, and how you can bring a similar idea home. You can see her original video for a closer look.
Creating visual separation
At the core of Tay's project was the use of two colors of carpet and paint to visually divide the guest room from the office area, rather than physically separating them. A wall, or even a partition like a screen or bookshelf, would have made the spaces feel tight and blocked light from the single window. To keep the open, airy feel, Tay opted to split the space visually instead.
Choosing carpet
Tay knew she needed pet-friendly carpet since she lives with a cat, Jeff, who she says "makes things dirty." SmartStrand carpet from Mohawk was a great choice. It is among the best carpets for pets since it comes with the All Pet Stain Warranty and Protection, covering all pets and their accidents. SmartStrand also comes in nearly 300 colors, so it was easy to find the right hues for the project.
Designing the guest room
For the bedroom half, Tay created a serene vibe for her guests with a subtle beach theme. She chose SmartStrand carpet in Aloe, a deep teal color, to help ground the space. She then painted the bedroom area in a coordinating aqua, another sea color, scalloped with white at the top to suggest waves.
Designing the office
For the office half, she opted for SmartStrand carpet in Blonde Oak, a sandy white color. The contrast in color clearly defines the two spaces, but both colors coordinate with the beach theme. For the walls, she chose a crisp white, preferring a bright, clean look to help her focus while working.
More ideas
Color is not the only way to use carpet to split a room. For a more subtle line, you could choose two different textures of carpet, a loop carpet on one side and a cut pile on the other, for example. Even in the same exact color, two differing textures will create a clear visual separation.
For a more striking division, patterned carpet is an option. SmartStrand comes in a multitude of patterns, including check, trellis, harlequin and stripes, to name only a few. A single pattern in two colors could split a room, or for something bolder, two distinct patterns in separate colors.
Carpet installation
Most people hire a professional, but Tay is a seasoned do-it-yourselfer. She learned how to install carpet with the help of online tutorials. Before laying the carpet, she covered her cement subfloor with carpet pad, also called cushion, a smart move that makes carpet feel plusher underfoot, adds insulation, and extends the life of the carpet.
Next she laid the two pieces of carpet, using tack strips and a carpet stretcher. To secure the seam where the two pieces meet, she used double-sided tape. Whether you try it yourself or use one of our installers, a split-carpet idea like Tay's may be the perfect way to maximize a limited space, with double duty and double the style from a single room. Come into the store to get inspired by the range of colors available in Mohawk carpet.