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An area rug is an essential design element that sets the tone, adds character, and has a great ROI with the pizazz it adds to your space without breaking the bank. But with the endless number of options, where do you even start?
What’s popular and trending on Instagram is secondary to your own lifestyle and personal taste. If you have a family or frequent guests, you’ll want a more durable and easy to clean rug, such as a wool rug. For high traffic areas, you might want to go with a pattern or a darker color. A flat rug is easier to clean, vacuum and maintain, whereas a thicker rug may need to be professionally cleaned. If the rug is for your bedroom, and you have a strict no-shoe policy in there, you can get away with a thicker, softer and more luxurious rug. Avoid direct sunlight if possible and do not let stains set. Be realistic about how the rug fits into your existing lifestyle because nothing looks worse than an ill-maintained rug.
As with our furniture guide post, measure your space before even setting foot in a store. A rug too large or too small will be a waste of time and money, but if you must, a larger rug is always better than a rug that’s too small. For average size family rooms, most people choose a 6×9 or 8×10. Cover the length and width of your furniture or select a bigger size that outlines the perimeter of the area to expand your space. Account for at least 18 inches of flooring around the perimeter of the room for hardwood floors. If placing a rug under a dining table, be sure the rug covers enough area so that the chairs remain on the rug when pulled out. For a rug placement visual, refer to the two diagrams at the bottom of this post.
Don’t match the colors exactly to your decor; just select a color that will complement the existing colors and tones of your room. Before you go out shopping for a rug, take pictures of the space to use it as a visual guide if you feel overwhelmed once at the store. When deciding between a solid color or pattern, choose exactly the opposite of what’s happening in your space currently. If your furniture is a solid color and your décor is neutral, a pattern will work really well. If the other design elements in the room are more elaborate, perhaps a solid color will tone it down and bring it all together without making your eyes tired. For smaller spaces, definitely consider a lighter solid color, and a large floor mirror to make your space appear larger.
Let’s talk rug pads. Don’t forgo this step! A good quality rug pad will give your rug longevity, prevent scratches to your hardwood floors, and prevent it from sliding.
We live in a time of endless design options. It’s wonderful to have a wide selection but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if you are doing it by yourself. If you feel overwhelmed but have some time before making a purchase, I suggest researching and selecting 3-5 rugs that you love and that will work well for your space. Print out a copy, put it up somewhere you will walk by every day and notice which one draws you in. This should help you make a more informed rather than an impulsive decision. If you still cannot make a decision, it’s best to contact a local designer. We make these types of decisions for our clients on a daily basis and end up saving them money in the long run by making the RIGHT decision from the start. Thanks for reading. Comment below for questions, thoughts or future topic suggestions!
