How to select the perfect area rug for your home

 

Good interior design incorporates multiple layers of visual interest. The final layer is the finishing touches and this is where you add flourishes of color, texture, and pattern. Ceramic pieces, figurines and collectibles, baseboard radiator covers, and decorative pillows are all examples of finishing touches-the smaller accessories that give your room that completed look. A good area rug can also function as a finishing touch as well as a focal point in your room. Area rugs can be quite expensive costing hundreds or even thousands depending on how and where it’s made so it’s important to put careful thought into selecting one so you don’t have buyer’s remorse. Here are a few tips.

Think of the rug as the foundation

Though we often talk about rugs as accessories, a larger one can function as a foundation for the entire room. Often they’re used to define rooms within rooms in homes with a more open layout. The placement of the rug will determine the arrangement for everything else in the space.

Get a size bigger than you think you need

Almost everyone buys a rug that’s too small for the space. Even though it may seem like it’s bigger than you need, it’s probably just right so force yourself to buy a little bigger than you think you need. In the dining area, the rug should be large enough to contain the table and all of the chairs with an extra two feet to spare on every side. You want the legs of every chair to still be on the rug even when pulled out from the table. In the living room, the rug needs to be large enough so that any coffee or end tables and ottomans are fully on top of the rug. Additionally, the front legs of sofas, loveseats, and recliners should be on the rug.

Weigh the pros and cons of a bold color or pattern

Think about how you want your rug to function in the space where you will be using it. If your interior design for the space is somewhat subdued and you want the rug to function as a focal point for the space, then you are probably going to want a rug with a color and design that attracts the eyes. The downside to bold colors and patterns is that they’re harder to match things to it and you get tired of seeing it sooner than you would with a very neutral rug. Another advantage of a simpler pattern and more subdued color is that you can move it to a different room or redecorate the rest of the room around it quite easily.

Choose the appropriate material

Silk is an elegant material that lends a certain look you can’t achieve with other materials. Unfortunately, it indents easily so you don’t want it under a dining table where chairs are constantly dragged across it nor do you want it in high traffic areas such as an entry way or hallway. Wool is the most durable and the softest. They’re also hypo-allergenic. Unfortunately, they’re costlier and are difficult to maintain. Synthetic rugs are usually the most affordable option but they don’t last as long and aren’t as soft underfoot. There are many other materials to research as well each with their own pros and cons.

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