Everybody knows that area rugs are a beautiful way to add some personality to a home. However, it can be difficult to know exactly what will look perfect in your room, and how to arrange area rugs to look the best they can be. Check out our guide below.
What Size Rug Should I Have?
While the size of your rug depends from room to room, a general rule of thumb is that bigger is better. A couple of inches is all the difference between a rug pulling a room together and making it look disjointed. If you find yourself unable to choose between a small rug or a large rug, as a rule of thumb, you should always go with the larger rug.
You want to make sure that your rug extends underneath key pieces of furniture in the room. This will ensure that the room has an uninterrupted flow. While the amount of the furniture that is on the rug depends on how open the floor plan is and personal preference, you should try your best to make sure that at least the front legs of the furniture, particularly large pieces such as dining tables, coffee tables, and couches, are placed on the rug in order for the look of the room to remain consistent.
What About the Shape?
Area rugs come in a large assortment of different shapes and sizes. Rectangular rugs are most common in living rooms and dining rooms, for several reasons. Most of the furniture in these large spaces tend to follow a general rectangular shape (such as dining tables and long couches.) However, this rule is certainly not set in stone. Circular rugs can add a unique flair in any room, and especially look fantastic in entryways and smaller spaces. Just remember to be conscious of the available floor space you have.
Which Material?
Rugs come in a whole assortment of different materials, and the type you want depends on a number of factors. First, you should think about how much traffic that room sees. For high traffic areas, you don’t want to choose a rug that is easily damaged and destroyed. This is especially true in entryways where individuals will be walking on them with shoes still on. Low pile materials work best in these areas, as they are easily able to hide tracks and will not see lasting damage. For areas such as living rooms and bedrooms, natural fibers may be a better option. They are soft and pleasant under your feet. However, you must always remember what the activity level in your individual home is. If you have a busy home with children and pets running around and making messes, you may consider having rugs where stains are easily taken care of. If you live in a low-activity household with adults (that are not prone to spilling drinks and food!), then a more expensive, softer rug may be within the realm of possibility for you.
Choosing a Pattern
While size, shape, and material are all incredibly important aspects to choosing the correct rug, the color or pattern is the most immediately apparent aspect. You will first want to decide on what color palette will complement the existing decor in your room in order to tie all the elements together. If you’re not sure which pattern you prefer, start by taking a look at the colors you’re interested in, or colors that already exist elsewhere in the room. You could surprise yourself. Many individuals start off thinking they want a certain pattern, but find themselves loving the opposite. For some individuals, they don’t want to have to worry about all of this and instead hire an interior designer. If you want to take on this mission yourself, follow these tips to find the perfect rug:
Make sure that your pattern fits the rest of the room. If the room feels busy with patterns already, a more subdued rug may be the best option.
While you want to make sure that your rug matches the room, you also want to have interest. If you find that your room lacks a certain flair or “pop,” an adventurous rug is a great way to add that interest into your room and create a fun focal point. Consider a boldly-patterned rug for a big impact.
If you are worried about stains from children or pets, consider intricate patterns for your rugs. These patterns are better at hiding stains than their solid-colored counterparts.
Bel Furniture is here to make all of your home decor dreams come true. Now that we’ve educated you on how to arrange area rugs, check out what we have for sale. Don’t forget to check back monthly to see more information on homeownership and decor.
