area rugs

What can an area rug do for your home? Just about anything! Area rugs are interior design necessities, as they can define, decorate, complement and emphasize room design and furniture. Take a look at any interior design magazine or decorator’s portfolio – nearly 90% of the rooms use area rugs to pull together the decor.

How do they do it? Can you do it for your home? Absolutely! We’re here to help you do it, and here are some tips to get you started…

Getting Started with Size

Before you begin your search for the perfect area rug, determine the size you need, it keeps the shopping process more manageable. Get your measuring tape ready, and keep these area rug size tips in mind:

General Tips

For any room of the house, a good rule of thumb is to measure your room and choose an area rug that is approximately 24 inches shorter that the shortest wall of the room. For instance, if you have a 12 x 15 foot bedroom – consider an area rug that is 10 x 12 feet.

Each room of the house can benefit from an area rug, and yes, area rugs CAN be placed over wall-to-wall carpeting!

Living Rooms

Living room area rugs can help create conversation groupings, pull together a color scheme or just protect carpet or hardwood floors. Choose an area rug that goes with your furniture layout. If you have a smaller living room with one conversation area, then choose a larger area rug. If you have two or more seating areas in a larger living room or great room, use at least two area rugs to create a cozier room and define areas.

• To use an area rug to define a conversational grouping, there should be no more than two feet of empty rug extending out from behind the furniture.
• All furniture should have at least its front feet on the area rug.
• 8 x 10 foot area rugs tend to work for most living rooms.

Bedrooms

Area rugs are perfect for keeping feet from cold wood floors and makes bedrooms feel cozier. They also help define the focal point of the bedroom, which is almost always the bed. Some considerations for choosing area rugs for a bedroom:

• The rug should be under at least one third of the bed;
• Bedroom area rugs should extend at least 30 – 36 inches on the side of the bed;
• Runners on either side, even the end of the bed are an option as well.

Hallways

Runners over wall-to-wall carpet in hallways, and even on stairs, are perfect for keeping high traffic areas looking fresh. They also bring interest to ho-hum hallways. To choose hallway runners and rugs, a good rule of thumb is to choose a rug that allows about six inches of flooring to show on all four sides.

Dining Rooms

Dining room area rugs are perfect for creating an intimate dining area in even the starkest, unused dining area.

• Choose an area rug that all pieces of the table and chairs will fit on.
• Make sure to have plenty of rug around the table so chairs do not fall off the rug when pushed back.
• Measure your dining room table and add at least 40 to 48 inches to the measurement. Most dining rooms will need at least an eight foot wide area rug.

Step Two – Choosing the Right Type

Now that you have a size in mind, pare down your choices even further by choosing the right type of rug for your use. Quality area rugs are not only made in all shapes and sizes, but with different materials, and choosing the right material for the room will make your investment in your area rug pay off.

Natural Materials

Natural materials in rugs look lovely and tend to cost a little more. Choices in natural fibers include:

Wool: The highest quality natural fiber for rugs, wool is durable, crush resistant, soft and cleans well. Wool area rugs tend to be more expensive, but if you’re watching your budget, consider a wool blend as a budget alternative.

Cotton: Cotton area rugs are not as durable as wool, they tend to be better choices for smaller sizes and throw rugs.

Grass Rugs: If you’re looking for a simple, natural look for a room, jute, sisal, seagrass and bamboo rugs are perfect. They tend to come in more limited colors and patterns, but to spice up the look, most have great borders to add interest and color to the rug. Grass rugs offer a more casual look for rooms, but don’t add the warmth of wool area rugs and aren’t as stain resistant.

Synthetic Materials

Synthetics have come a long way in area rugs, and can offer the perfect budget flooring solution. Choices in synthetics include:

Nylon: The most popular in synthetic fibers, nylon is durable and virtually crushproof. It holds color well, and is non-allergenic and mildew and insect resistant. With easy maintenance and stain resistance, nylon rugs can look new for years.

Polypropylene/Olefin: Polypropylene, also known by a brand name of Olefin, is lightweight, durable, strong and inexpensive. Olefin rugs are the least expensive fiber for rugs, and it is not only used for interior floors, but outdoor area rugs as well. Olefin tends to ‘flatten’ more than a nylon or wool rug, and while it’s durable, it’s not as stain-resistant and long lasting as wool or nylon rugs.

Last but Not Least – Colors and Patterns

Now that you have a general idea as to size and fiber, you can get down to the fun of choosing an area rug. Some tips to get you started on your purchase:

• Darker area rugs tend to add warmth and intimacy to larger spaces.
• Lighter colored area rugs can help open up space in smaller rooms.
• Rugs with heavy patterns can help hide dirt and pet hair and do well in high traffic areas, such as hallways, living rooms and staircases.
• Braided area rugs are excellent choices for country and primitive décor.
• Oriental rugs and patterns look lovely in more traditionally decorated rooms.
• Area rugs with bold and geometric patterns do well in modern rooms.

Now, let’s get started in opening up an endless array of affordable and stylish decorating options for your home…