Area Rugs

Area Rugs: Something to Walk Over

If you are thinking about purchasing an area rug for your home there are lots of things you should consider. Not only are there thousands of options in color and size, but you also need to consider things like materials, the way the rug is made, and of course budget. The options can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice for your home.

What’s it made of?

To start, you need to consider natural materials versus synthetic. Rugs made from natural materials are usually cotton, wool or silk. Most of us agree that natural rugs simply look more unique and luxurious than synthetic rugs. Wool is especially durable, but tends to be more expensive than other materials. Silk in combination with wool is used to give it luster and richness. Silk is also more expensive. Silk rugs very precious and many times not even used on the floor, but on the wall as a decorative piece to add color and texture to a room. Cotton is more durable and easier to clean. Cotton is best used in a smaller rug for the laundry or a bathroom, because they can be cleaned by tossing them in the laundry. Rugs made from synthetic materials are more likely to be reasonable priced. And they are manufactured with stain protection.

Consider the traffic your room will get. If the rug is for a high-traffic area or hallway, it may be worth the investment to get a more durable material. If the rug will be in a formal living room or sitting area that isn’t often used, you may be able to select from a broader range of fabric and durability.

What size do you need?

Area rugs are manufactured in “standard” sizes, but that doesn’t mean you are limited to those sizes. If your room is unusually large or small or if your furniture arranged in a unique way, you may be able to choose a custom size. For efficiency and economy, machine-made rugs come in standard sizes (for example: 6 x 9, 8 x 10, 9 x 12). But if you choose a hand-made rug, virtually any size can be custom ordered. Sometimes, we can use more than one rug next to each other to accommodate the need for an unusual size or exceptionally large or small room. The more unusual the rug,  the more expensive it is likely to be, but size doesn’t necessarily mean more expensive. Larger rugs are not simply proportionately more expensive.

Color and pattern are important.

When it comes to a color palette for any area rug, we recommend you look at the other colors in the room. When we work with our clients, we consider the whole room (and sometimes even adjoining rooms, as is the case with many open floor plans). , Stand in the room where the rug will be placed. Think about the size of the room and really look at the surrounding styles and patterns–this is your color/style palette. Is your goal is to make the room appear larger? Choose from the more neutral colors in the room and use less pattern in the rug. If the rug is going to be in a large area, don’t forget the colors and patterns surrounding or adjoining areas. In a larger space you can be more dramatic with the scale of the rug pattern and as also with your color choices.

What’s your budget?

The amount you spend on your rug isn’t always compared to what you have spent on the entire room. It’s really about your taste, how you and your family will function in the room, and how the rug helps make that work. Your preference can be accomplished within the confines of any budget. There is a multitude of choices for each budget range and budget shouldn’t limit or define your design choices.

Designers can be a tremendous help and a great resource.

A rug is an integral part of any room design and really can make or break good design. Your choice in a rug shouldn’t be an afterthought. Many times a rug can be a great statement or the exclamation point to your whole room. Ask us for help. We will work with you to help narrow down your choices, give you advice on what materials and fabrics you should use and how the rug will complement your room.

Exceptions to the rule.

Yes, there are always exceptions to the rule. As Interior Designers, we always work with our clients to make the space their own. The first thing we consider is: what does the client want from the space? What is the function of the room? For example, if they want to make a smaller room more dramatic and cozy (like a Den or Study). In this case, we would use a deeper palette and/or larger pattern. Depending on your taste you may choose a more monochromatic look, even in a large room. The important thing is to choose a rug that you like.

 

If you would like help choosing the perfect rug for your home, take advantage of our Design Services and use this great 2 for 1 offer! Contact Us today.