Decorating with area rugs is a quick, easy, and often times, inexpensive way to dress up a room or add some flair. Rugs can add color and warmth, or create focal points to define a room. Many home owners are using more hardwood, laminate, or tile and inexpensive area rugs can help to protect these types of flooring from excessive wear and tear. Another great benefit of decorating with area rugs is that they can be readily moved or replaced for a quick change.
Things to Consider When Choosing Rugs
• Size
Obviously, the size of the room will dictate the size of the rug you choose. If you want the rug to cover most of the floor, a good rule of thumb is to have the same amount of bare floor on all sides of the rug. If the room is an irregular shape; i.e. a closet or fireplace sticking out into it, try to have the same amount of bare floor on two parallel sides. The amount of space left between the rug and wall is recommended to be at least three feet. This space allows any inward-opening doors to open and close easily. For conversational settings, such as a living room or den, try to not let more than two feet of rug extend out behind the furniture. For bedrooms, the same amount of floor should be visible on two or three sides. In dining rooms, the rug should extend eighteen to twenty four inches beyond the table. For those who don’t feel like doing any measuring, typically a ten- by- eight foot rug will work in most living and dining rooms. For smaller areas, a six-by-nine foot or a six-by-four foot rug should suffice.
• Color and Design
When choosing colors and/or designs for your rug, keep in mind what it is you want the rug to accomplish for the room décor. Will the rug be a compliment to the room as it is or will the room be redecorated around the new rug? Consider any drapes or furniture in the room the rug will occupy. If they have lots of patterns, use a rug with little or no visible pattern. If the opposite is true, oriental rugs with elaborate patterns, can bring life to the room. Is there a theme to the room, and if so, will the rug be the focal point? When choosing a rug to be a focal point, consider one with a central medallion, a popular design for many oriental rugs. When choosing the color, remember the basics. If you want the room to appear larger, pick lighter colors. To make the room more intimate, a darker color will do. If the room will receive a lot of foot traffic, consider a neutral colored rug.
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