For most people, area rugs are a staple of the home décor. Adding color and texture to complement your furnishings and decorating scheme. Area rugs also add warmth to bare floors in winter and cool down stuffy rooms in summer, keeping your home livable year-round. But what makes one area rug stand out from another? So how do you choose the perfect area rug? This guide covers three tips for choosing the perfect area rug. Including what to look for and how to match it with other pieces of your home decor.
Rugs are some of the most cost-effective ways to give your home or office space a new character. But they can be difficult to choose if you don’t know what to look for. Fortunately, area rugs come in so many different shapes, sizes, and colors. That there are numerous options out there, no matter what your taste or room’s particular needs may be. Here are three tips to help you find the perfect area rug for your home or office.
Fundamentals of area rug
An area rug (also known as an area rug, carpet, or floor covering) is a type of floor covering. Area rugs typically measure from 2 feet by 3 feet to 10 feet by 14 feet. In areas with a raised floor (such as in some apartments), they define space and separate rooms within a home. Area rugs come in different materials, styles, and sizes; choose one that complements your decor, fits your needs and will last you years. The most common materials include wool, cotton, synthetic fibers, jute, and more.
The pile can be plush or flat. Patterned carpets are also available in all shapes and sizes, including runners and small table mats. Some patterns, such as tapestry-woven carpets, have been popular since Medieval times. In contrast, others began in Europe. During the Renaissance periods but mainly were sold to the United States until recently (especially after 9/11). Although these carpets aren’t made anymore, their popularity has continued through old designs being remade into new designs using similar patterns.
How to choose the perfect area rug
check out your cleaning needs. If you have kids or pets, it’s a good idea to get an area rug. With a natural fiber backing that can easily be cleaned with a quick sweep or vacuum. Choose your color scheme. Some people say that buying an area rug is like adding another wall or two to your living room — too much repetition of color can get boring and feel heavy. For example, most interior designers recommend keeping at least one wall in a room solid so as not to be overwhelmed by too many patterns.
Plus, buying multiple rugs in different sizes can give your space even more visual interest. Remember that size matters: The overall size of your rug should match its intended use (and make sure there’s enough clearance between furniture legs and any fringe). Ideally, don’t buy a smaller-than-desired rug just because it looks excellent on display; 9 times out of 10, something will go wrong with either how well it lays flat or how well it wears over time. Besides these, there are three other tips for choosing the right area rug.
1) Size
Area rugs come in all shapes and sizes, making it hard to choose which one is best. For example, a small space might not need a 5′ x 7′ rug if there’s no room to put it. To ensure your new (or first) area rug fits perfectly in your living room, dining room, or bedroom. Do a quick calculation of how many square feet you have. Then find an area rug that will cover at least 70 percent of that surface. Anything less than that isn’t going to look right. To ensure your new (or first) area rug fits perfectly in your living room, dining room, or bedroom, do a quick calculation of how many square feet you have. Then find an area rug that will cover at least 70 percent of that surface. Anything less than that isn’t going to look right.
2) Shape
Area rugs come in all shapes and sizes, so if you’re looking to make a statement, think about shape. For example, an elongated rectangle can pull a room together, or an octagon can draw attention to a focal point. Of course, the shape of your area rug is mainly up to you. But remember that anything square-shaped will be anchored at four points. Around your room and won’t look like it’s floating on air.
If you want something more modern, consider circular designs or triangles. Round rugs can be used in almost any space but might not always add visual interest unless paired with furniture that also has round edges—so keep that in mind when picking out your pieces. Generally speaking, however, don’t choose anything less than 12 inches in diameter unless you’re using it as a throw blanket. And pick a small, very dense rug for entryways and other high-traffic areas to avoid accidents.
3) Texture
First and foremost, think about texture. Where will your new area rug be placed? The coarseness of a carpet can affect how it behaves in a room and how you feel walking on it. Go with a super-plush wool or fur option if you’re using your new purchase to add some softness underfoot. On the other hand, opt for something with more structure. If you want to bring some solidity to a space without cluttering things up too much.
Here are some examples of textures that might work well: thick piles; smooth silk; wool and jute textures; or raffia or sisal-style weaves. Even pile height counts! Look for variations between 3/8 (1 cm) and 11⁄2 (4 cm). To determine which pile height is right for you, envision where your rug will go – a low pile may make sense in an area that sees a lot of traffic. And a high pile is great for transitional spaces. Having said all that, no rule says every room needs one type of floor covering throughout.
