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4 Ways to Make a Perfect Statement With Pattern in a Room

By U.S. News & World Report

Choosing patterns in a room takes finesse, it’s not something easily thrown together. Though when compiled correctly, the layers of patterns look effortless in a space.

A person who doesn’t have a decorative eye may prefer to stick to solid basics, which can create a classic statement, but ultimately lack personality and depth. By adding patterns and prints in a room, a home seller can guide a buyer’s eye throughout the space, allowing the entire property to feel cozier, a bit more authentic and lively.

[See: 8 Ways to Stage Your Home in the Winter.]

One of the easiest ways to begin using patterned elements is to start small, pairing designs with similar colors rather than going for bold, graphic, eye-catching prints that can be a bit overwhelming for some.

Start by choosing patterns that reflect the design style you’d like to have in the room. Remember that the design style should mimic the architectural style of the home so it creates a cohesive feel. Are you looking to create a traditional, contemporary or a more country-inspired room? This answer will help you narrow down your pattern palette.

For example: If you live in a farmhouse and want to capture that feel in the design style, choosing a gingham pattern or fabric with roosters will play up the theme.

Once the design style is decided, determine what color palette would be appropriate. Look to a color palette that invokes the feeling you want to capture. Want a warm and welcoming feel? Choose warmer colors like orange or red. Looking for a relaxed feel? Add cooler colors like blue and green to the mix. Choose one or two main colors, then once you have your main color selection down, add a bit of contrast.

Next, choose one bold print that will be your jumping-off point in the room. Large-scale patterns work well with smaller prints, as long as the color palette on all the prints is similar. The dominant print, however, should be on a main accessory used in the room — like an accent chair or rug. Then scatter smaller prints throughout other accessories. Here are four ways to use pattern in a room that will enhance a homebuyer’s overall experience in the space:

On the floor. Many designers start with a rug when it comes to pulling a room together. Rugs come in varying prints, colors and styles to quickly add pattern without overwhelming a space. Using a big, bold print on the floor is forgiving when furniture breaks up the pattern.

[See: 9 Easy Ways to Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal.]

Thrown about. Not sure how to play up pattern, texture and prints in a room? Then use throw pillows as a budget-friendly way to mix and match prints and colors to introduce larges doses of pattern into a space. Mismatched pillows add detail to a couch or bed to make each piece look more unique.

Hanging around. Show off medium-scale patterns and prints in a window treatment. A bold-colored patterned fabric on a shade or curtain panel can frame an amazing view for homebuyers.

Medium-scale patterns can be difficult to use when there is more than one fabric in the room that’s best-suited for a medium-scale pattern. To avoid cluttering the space with contrasting mid-size patterns, focus on texture, rather than a print pattern, on one or the other.

On the bed. Add some personality to the focal point of the bedroom by using printed and patterned bedding. Don’t over-coordinate the bedding — opt for solid sheets and a bed skirt, or use a pattern on those items while keeping the comforter a solid color. If you can’t decide what works, start with just the shams and throw pillows in varying patterns.

[See: 10 Unorthodox Ways Your Real Estate Agent May Market Your Home.]

Start with a few patterns and then soften the look by using neutral or solid colors on the walls or large pieces of furniture to give the eye a place to rest between patterns. You don’t want the room to look to busy with patterns all over the place. Multiple patterns of the same scale often result in clutter, so be sure to mix the three different sizes of scale: small, medium and large. The more variety in your patterns, the more comfortable and welcoming the space will feel.

More from U.S. News

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4 Ways to Make a Perfect Statement With Pattern in a Room originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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