Area rugs play a major role in the overall decorating scheme in every type of space. They can be the initial inspiration for a room, or they can be the last item selected. It is best to incorporate them early on in the planning stages though because size does matter when it comes to rugs. If a rug is going to be the focal point and inspiration for a space, then it needs to be large. If it going to be used to define a conversation area, a smaller,more intimate size might work better.
The most important consideration when selecting an area rug is quality. Hand-knotted rugs are the most durable, but can be the most expensive. They are typically made from wool, cotton, or silk, or a combination of these natural fibers. Other types are hand-tufted and mass-produced machine made, which can vary in quality, materials, and price.
The size of an area rug can be determined by the size of the space, furniture layout of the space, whether the rug is patterned, and the colors of the rug.
Here are some helpful tips:
*Color is the first thing you will be attracted to in an area rug. A brighter colored rug will be more dramatic. A neutral toned rug will create a sense of balance.
*There are countless patterns when it comes to area rugs. They can be geometric, curvilinear, floral, pictorial, and so on. The larger the pattern, the greater the impact the rug will have.
An area rug placed over carpeting
helps define an area within the room, anchor the furniture in the space, and create
a cozy mood. Padding or non-skid mats are not necessarily required for this
situation. The rug should be fairly thick and heavy so it will layout properly
and not bunch up or become a trip hazard. Look for a softer edge binding to keep the rug from curling up.
Most rug dealers or furniture
stores will let you borrow a rug overnight to evaluate the color and style.
They may require you to ‘purchase’ the rug, with full credit upon its return.
Don’t worry if it’s not the size you need, it’s the color and style that you
need to be comfortable with.
Once you've purchased the perfect rug, depending on the cost, you may want to check with your insurance company and have it insured as an investment.
If you need further assistance in determining a style that will appeal to you, take a look at the Decorating Styles sheet for additional help.
I've listed a few common rug terms to avoid confusion when shopping...Enjoy!
Hand-Knotted – a carpet which has a pile applied by hand, encircling the warp threads to form a knot which secures it in place
Hand-Tufted – a hand held tufting gun is used to insert the pile through a canvas or duck backing and a heavy cloth is glued to the back of the rug after completion. These rugs are hand made but not hand-knotted.
Hand-Woven – rugs woven on a hand powered loom but not hand-knotted