Finding the perfect area rug to buy can seem overwhelming with the endless styles, shapes, and sizes available all at your fingertips thanks to the internet. While having a wide selection is important, checking out an unlimited number of options can feel daunting when it comes to buying an area rug you'll love for your space.
To help you make sense of the options so you can buy an area rug you'll truly love, we've put together the following three guidelines: scale, style, and function.
Size matters for area rugs.
A rug that is too small detracts from the overall design of your room. In contrast, a rug that’s too large for your space will make the room appear tight and overstuffed.
Our advice? Avoid both scenarios and use the measurements of your room to guide you on your quest of choosing the best size rug for your space. Here's how.
Each room has standard rug placements.
By marking the four corners with painter's tape where you want the rug, you can then get a visual of how it will look.
Once you are satisfied with the size, it's time to measure. Depending on the room you'll most likely find a rug suitable for your room.
Note of caution, apply painter's tape lightly to your floor to be sure not to ruin its finish.
Tuftex Divine Retreat Area Rug
Floors are often called the “fifth wall” in design. Consider your area rug the sixth.
Rugs are available in every color, pattern, and pile imaginable and their distinct motifs and color stories are often synonymous with specific interior styles. Couple that with the fact that area rugs take up a lot of visual real estate in a room and it’s easy to see how a rug can influence the aesthetic of your space.
As you consider your area rug options, compare the material of the rug, the pile height, and the color and design.
Rugs are made from a variety of natural and synthetic materials, each with its own pros and cons. Which material you choose will largely depend on your budget, with a few other considerations as well.
The soft fibers that stand up off the backing of the rug are also known as the “pile.”
While high-pile rugs are generally softer and have a more interesting texture, they are also prone to showing wear and indentations from the furniture. They also tend to be harder to clean.
For high-traffic areas like a dining room or hallway, choose a low-pile rug, saving high-pile rugs for areas like bedrooms where comfort is a priority.
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The color and design of your rug will be largely up to you—there are no real rules here.
Generally, cooler colors like blues, greens, and greys will help create a soothing and sophisticated atmosphere while brighter colors can make the room look more exciting.
Social media outlets like Instagram and Pinterest are great places to find inspiration and figure out what style you like.
Don’t be afraid to go off the beaten path, either. Using traditional patterns in a modern home, for example, can create an exciting contrast that is very on-trend.
Every room in your house has a distinct function and level of foot traffic that is unique to your lifestyle. You need to consider all of these things when selecting an area rug for your space.
If your home includes pets and kids, you should choose a rug that can withstand the chaos of everyday life without falling apart after 6 months.
Machine washable and performance fabric area rugs are our go-to for busy households and indoor-outdoor designs are wonderful, too. Natural rugs (think: jute, sisal, seagrass) are also great options for bustling areas and we especially love that natural rugs are readily available at budget-friendly prices.
We hope these three guidelines help you sort through your options.
When you're ready to buy, consider exploring the Paradiso Area Rug Collection catalog; it consists of 55 pages filled with beautiful area rug patterns, styles, and colors. You can also visit our showroom located in Orange, Connecticut.
Don't hesitate to let us know of any questions in the comments or contact us.
We look forward to helping you.
Thanks for reading,