An area rug can add warmth, color, texture, and pattern to unify your surroundings as well as anchor a furniture arrangement.
Rugs can become a focal point of a room, much like a piece of art can be for your walls.
If you have a room with vaulted ceilings and hard surfaces, a rug can help with acoustics by deadening sound.
Style? If your furniture and fabrics do not consist of much pattern or color, the area rug can be a bold pattern with several colors.
And just the opposite of that, if you have patterned furnishings with many colors, then a more solid rug with even an accent border may be a good solution.
Size? When considering a rug for your living room, it can be determined by your furniture arrangement.
It should be large enough that the front portion of your furniture sits on it.
This not only helps keep the rug in place, but lets the furniture "bleed" off of the rug onto the other flooring, thus grounding the arrangement.
Another option would be to place the rug so it's in front of the furniture by several inches, which lets the flooring underneath frame the rug and lets the rug be completely visible.
For dining rooms, be sure the rug is large enough to accommodate the chairs when they are pulled out.
For kitchens and baths, you may just want a small rug in front of the sink, stove or shower to give you added warmth, color and cushion.
Foyers can usually handle a larger rug in the center of the space, and for hallways a runner is best.
Bedrooms can have one large rug that encompasses the bed and beyond it, or smaller rugs along the sides of the bed where you step out onto the floor.
Always keep in mind the design or pattern of the rug in relationship to your furniture pieces.
If you're considering a rug with a patterned center and a more solid border edge, consider having a glass coffee table so the pattern is still visible.
If the rug has a solid center and patterned edge, avoid placing the upholstery pieces too far onto it, which would conceal it.
Fiber content and cost? Much like anything, you get what you pay for when it comes to rugs.
It has mostly to do with how they're woven and the fiber content.
Wool is the most expensive, but it's extremely durable and is flame, water and soil resistant.
Nylon is more affordable than wool and tries to mimic the qualities of wool, being very durable and stain resistant.
Polyester, acrylic and olefin are the least expensive.
They resist sunlight, stains and mildew, but can melt and crush, therefore not as durable or long wearing.
If you're planning to stay in your home a while and keep a timeless look, it's worth investing in a wool rug, as it can last a lifetime.
Things to consider when selecting a rug; Are you formal or casual? Do you change your taste often, or keep things forever? What other elements are existing in the room? Do you have lots of kid or pet wear and tear? What type of flooring is the rug going over? Remember as the seasons change so can your space! In the summer months, consider a lighter weight, bright colored rug or even a natural fiber rug.
In the winter months, consider thick woven wool that's warmer with more subdued colors.
Switching up just the rug or even throw pillows can really change the look and feel of your room while being a fairly in-expensive way to create a new look.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by all of the choices and just can't visualize what will look the best, don't worry.
Most stores can help you with selection, fiber content and costs, as well as let you take rugs home to try in your space.
Or, you may want to consider engaging an interior designer to help you.
They will narrow down the thousands of options available to a select few based on your existing pieces, style and budget.
They can save you much time and frustrations looking as well as from making costly mistakes!
Rugs can become a focal point of a room, much like a piece of art can be for your walls.
If you have a room with vaulted ceilings and hard surfaces, a rug can help with acoustics by deadening sound.
Style? If your furniture and fabrics do not consist of much pattern or color, the area rug can be a bold pattern with several colors.
And just the opposite of that, if you have patterned furnishings with many colors, then a more solid rug with even an accent border may be a good solution.
Size? When considering a rug for your living room, it can be determined by your furniture arrangement.
It should be large enough that the front portion of your furniture sits on it.
This not only helps keep the rug in place, but lets the furniture "bleed" off of the rug onto the other flooring, thus grounding the arrangement.
Another option would be to place the rug so it's in front of the furniture by several inches, which lets the flooring underneath frame the rug and lets the rug be completely visible.
For dining rooms, be sure the rug is large enough to accommodate the chairs when they are pulled out.
For kitchens and baths, you may just want a small rug in front of the sink, stove or shower to give you added warmth, color and cushion.
Foyers can usually handle a larger rug in the center of the space, and for hallways a runner is best.
Bedrooms can have one large rug that encompasses the bed and beyond it, or smaller rugs along the sides of the bed where you step out onto the floor.
Always keep in mind the design or pattern of the rug in relationship to your furniture pieces.
If you're considering a rug with a patterned center and a more solid border edge, consider having a glass coffee table so the pattern is still visible.
If the rug has a solid center and patterned edge, avoid placing the upholstery pieces too far onto it, which would conceal it.
Fiber content and cost? Much like anything, you get what you pay for when it comes to rugs.
It has mostly to do with how they're woven and the fiber content.
Wool is the most expensive, but it's extremely durable and is flame, water and soil resistant.
Nylon is more affordable than wool and tries to mimic the qualities of wool, being very durable and stain resistant.
Polyester, acrylic and olefin are the least expensive.
They resist sunlight, stains and mildew, but can melt and crush, therefore not as durable or long wearing.
If you're planning to stay in your home a while and keep a timeless look, it's worth investing in a wool rug, as it can last a lifetime.
Things to consider when selecting a rug; Are you formal or casual? Do you change your taste often, or keep things forever? What other elements are existing in the room? Do you have lots of kid or pet wear and tear? What type of flooring is the rug going over? Remember as the seasons change so can your space! In the summer months, consider a lighter weight, bright colored rug or even a natural fiber rug.
In the winter months, consider thick woven wool that's warmer with more subdued colors.
Switching up just the rug or even throw pillows can really change the look and feel of your room while being a fairly in-expensive way to create a new look.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by all of the choices and just can't visualize what will look the best, don't worry.
Most stores can help you with selection, fiber content and costs, as well as let you take rugs home to try in your space.
Or, you may want to consider engaging an interior designer to help you.
They will narrow down the thousands of options available to a select few based on your existing pieces, style and budget.
They can save you much time and frustrations looking as well as from making costly mistakes!