Five things to look at when selecting a rug for your home

A nice area rug is one of the most underutilized home décor items. The high price for a quality rug can discourage some homeowners from considering one but it’s a wise investment. The rug can serve as the focal point of virtually any room in the home and it can also protect your carpet or hardwood floors and help preserve them. Since an area rug is a big purchase, it’s important to take your time in selecting the right one. Here are five factors you’ll need to consider.

Price

Of course, the price is going to be a factor you need to consider. The price of a rug will depend a number of things including the size, material, style, and the brand. If you’re shopping for a rug on a budget, then it’s a good idea to visit a number of stores to compare different styles, materials, and prices. Avoid buying the cheapest rug you can find as these will always be of an inferior quality and won’t last as long. It’s better to put off purchasing a rug until you can afford one of better quality that will last you many years.

Color

The color is a great place to start when narrowing down your choices. Start by looking at the existing design scheme of the room you’re purchasing the rug for. Is it on the simpler side or is the room already quite extravagantly decorated with a lot of color and vibrancy? It it’s the latter, then opt for a rug that’s neutral in color and a simpler design to balance out the room. If you have a simpler design scheme, then opt for a brighter rug with a more complex pattern.

Texture

Texture is a factor that many homeowners forget to take into consideration when buying a rug. Aim for contrast when selecting the texture of a rug. If you have a velvet couch or loveseat in the room, then a harder and smoother texture for the rug-perhaps sisal. Also keep in mind that some materials are harder to clean than others so if you have young children or pets, you’ll want to look at materials that require less in the way of maintenance. No matter which material you choose, it should be comfortable under your feet so this is one purchase you don’t want to make online. Wear shoes that you can easily slip off when you go rug shopping so you can see how it feels when you step on it.

Material

Rugs come in a wide variety of materials from wool to cotton to synthetics. There’s also animal skin rugs, sisal, bamboo, silk, and many others. Each material is going to have different advantages and disadvantages. Some will have a smoother texture while others will be a little more coarse. Others will be more durable compared to some that are more delicate. The material is probably the biggest factor that’s going to affect the price so shop carefully and weigh pros and cons when choosing the material.

Size

The size and shape of the rug will of course depend on the size and shape of the room. A square or circular rug is best for a square shaped room and a rectangular or oval shaped rug is best for a rectangular room. Most homeowners make the mistake of purchasing a rug that’s too small for the room. An area rug is a statement piece so you want to buy bigger than you think you need. It should be more than large enough to encompass any furniture placed on top of it.

Source: The South African

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