Are you unsure about which rug will look the best in your space? This rug buying guide will provide you with all the information you need.
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Rugs can provide a seamless and elegant appearance and set the mood for the room’s color and design. They have numerous additional advantages that you may enjoy besides their visual impact. So you should take into account factors before buying one for you. In this rug buying guide, we will walk you through all the information you need to choose a rug that fits your needs and styles.
When considering purchasing a rug, it is important to think about the factors that have effects on the decor of your room, comfort on your feet. Below is a detailed description of each of them.
The size of a rug may have a significant effect on the appearance and atmosphere of a space. If the dimensions are even slightly incorrect, the room might seem imbalanced. When selecting a rug size, it is essential to ensure that it is proportional to the room.
It is advisable to first measure the space or particular area where the rug will be placed. Use masking tape on the floor to define the size and location of the rug if you are having trouble imagining how a certain rug size would appear in a room.
A minimum of 18 inches of bare flooring should be present around the perimeter of every rug. If you are unable to pick between two rugs of various sizes, it is recommended that you choose the bigger one. Another thing to note is the size of the room. A small rug will look lost in a large room, while a large rug will overwhelm a small space.
Rugs for Living Room: Best with medium to high pile rugs, in large sizes. Recommended sizes: 8′ x 10′, 9′ x 12′, 10′ x 14′
Without a rug, a living room seems nearly completed. In addition to providing additional comfort, it adds a rich tonal accent that may elevate your design to the next level.
In a spacious living room with a floating sitting area, the rug should include the front and back legs of the furniture, leaving space around.
For medium-sized rooms, get a bigger rug and arrange large furniture (such as a couch) such that its front legs rest on the rug and its sides extend beyond the sofa.
If you don't want a large rug in a smaller area, you may anchor the space with a smaller rug in front of the couch and beneath the coffee table.
Ensure that the rug is wide enough to accommodate at least the two front legs of the sofa and any armchairs, but small enough that the rug's borders are at least 12 inches from the room's walls.
Rugs for the Dining Room: Best with the flatweave or medium pile rug, cotton or wool composition. Recommended sizes: 9′ x 12′, 10′ x 14′, 8′ round
In an open-layout house, laying a rug beneath the dining table may help visually separate the dining area from adjacent rooms. When selecting a rug for a dining room, thickness should be the first consideration. Not only will it bunch each time the chairs are slid out, but the frequent motion will also accelerate wear and tear. A thick rug, on the other hand, might make it difficult to move your chair. Choose a piece with a flat weave or a medium pile for this room.
A great dining room rug may unify the space while also being sturdy and simple to maintain. Whether circular or round, the rug should reach at least 24 inches on all sides to accommodate even a chair with its backrest reclined. To determine the optimal rug size for your dining room, you'll need to take measurements based on the dimensions of your dining furniture and the space itself.
Rugs for the Bedroom: Best with the medium to high pile area or medium size rugs, silk or wool composition, recommended dimensions: 8′ x 10′, 9′ x 12′ or 2′ x 6′, 4′ x 6′
The bedroom provides yet another opportunity for creativity. For a roomy bedroom, choose a huge rug that fits beneath the whole bed and nightstands, with additional width on the sides. For smaller rooms, the rug should cover about one-third of the bed's base; alternatively, modest area rugs might be placed on each side of the bed.
The rug should stretch a minimum of 12 to 18 inches around the bottom two-thirds of the bed, so that it may be felt while stepping out of bed. Choose a soft and opulent material to create a sensation of warmth and coziness throughout the whole space, although bedroom rugs are not often in high-traffic areas. Alternatively, you could use two smaller area rugs or runners to get the same effect with a more modern vibe.
Rugs for the Kitchen: Best with low pile, washable patterned rugs or ones that have a natural fiber composition. Recommended dimensions: 2.5′ x 8′, 2′ x 3′, 3′ x 5′, 4’ x 6’, 6′ x 9′
In this high-traffic area, a performance-based solution should take precedence. You should avoid high-pile rugs and anything with an excessively rough surface that is prone to retaining dirt and debris, since cleaning may be difficult. By absorbing water spills, a flat-woven, low-pile area rug or a mat placed under the sink may help avoid slips. A long runner will provide texture, color, and visual warmth to an otherwise minimalist design approach.
Rugs for the Entryway: Best with low-pile rugs, preferably natural fiber composition. Recommended sizes: 2′ x 3′, 2′ x 8′, 4′ x 6′
A strong first impression is important, and the rugs for this area should set the tone for what is to come. A runner or area rug is your best pick for the entrance, whether you have a round foyer or an extended corridor. Stick to a small or narrow landing pad and avoid extremely huge components, which will seem intrusive. A small 2' x 3' may have a significant effect by establishing the tone and defining the essence of the room. The material is also important. Keep in mind that this high-traffic area will need a long-lasting rug and a solid-grip pad underneath it.
Rugs for Outdoor: Best with large area rug, stain- and UV-resistant polypropylene composition.. Recommended dimensions: 8′ x 10′, 9′ x 12′, 10′ x 14′
When combined with an outdoor rug, a furnished deck or porch seems more complete. Even a neutral, non-patterned choice may have a great impact. Durability should be at the top of your list of considerations when selecting one. Most outdoor rugs these days are performance or stain-resistant, but you can still get away with a few natural fiber selections.
Rugs by Material
When buying a rug, one of the most crucial factors to consider is the material. Rugs may be crafted from natural fibers or synthetic man-made fibers, and each category has numerous common options. The material you choose influences the feel, price, durability, and ease of cleaning. Check out below rug options from various materials available on the market, and consider where you'll be putting it and what works best for your lifestyle.
Rugs from natural fibers such as wool, cotton, silk, jute, and sisal, are known for their durability and long-lasting quality. Wool rugs, in particular, are great for hiding soil. making them a great choice for high-traffic areas. However, they can be pricier than other types of rugs and may require professional cleaning. Dyed silk rugs can also run when they come into contact with water spills.
Rugs from synthetic fibers such as acrylic, polyester, polypropylene are a popular choice for many people because they are affordable, easy to clean and good for households with pets and kids. They are usually stain-resistant, which is a plus, but they can become contaminated with mildew and bacteria from repeated spills or pet accidents. This can lead to them needing to be replaced sooner than wool or natural fiber rugs.
Rugs made from artificial silk such as viscose, bamboo silk, banana silk are a great affordable option for busy areas that may get dirty easily. The patterns on the rugs can help to conceal any dirt or spills that may occur. However, it is important to note that viscose is like an absorbent sponge and can attract moisture and oil. So, if there is a water spill, it is important to clean it up quickly.
Rugs by Style
Choosing the best material for the rug is heavily influenced by your lifestyle and the room in which the rug will be placed. Your aesthetic of choice may also play a role, but keep in mind that you're never confined to one style or another, and mixing and matching is always a fantastic method to identify what's unique to you.
Persian, Oriental, Moroccan, and Berber rugs are typically traditional in style, with intricate designs and often made from antique or vintage materials.
Mid-century, geometric, coastal, country, farmhouse, and natural rugs are more contemporary, often featuring simple designs and natural materials like jute, sisal, silk, sheepskin, leather, and cowhide.
Bohemian rugs are typically shaggy or kilim-style with busy patterns, often inspired by the Southwest or Ikat styles.
When choosing a rug, texture is also an essential factor to consider.
A low-traffic location, such as a bedroom, is ideal for high-pile rugs with luscious textures. We suggest low-pile or flat-woven rugs, or rugs made of natural fibers such as sisal, for high-traffic areas such as hallways, living rooms, and dining rooms.
In a busy location, a hand-knotted rug with an overdyed or distressed pattern would age especially nicely, gaining a deeper character as time goes.
Layer two rugs on top of one another for a trendy and adaptable effect. This is particularly effective in living rooms, where rugs may be utilized to define the area while also adding an essential design element.
To get the effect, start with a neutral base layer big enough to anchor the area - a rug composed of natural fibers like sisal or abaca is a popular option. Then, over top, place a smaller statement rug with a low pile that contrasts in color or texture.
Interesting incongruities are often the cornerstone of successful design, and this notion applies to rugs as well. Choose a rug that stands out from the rest of the furniture in the space.
Rug pile is a measurement of the density or thickness of a rug. Typically, there are two types of rug pile:
Low-pile rugs: These rugs contain shorter fibers and loops (flatweaves), making them ideal for high-traffic areas like the kitchen.
High-pile rugs: These rugs (shag or Moroccan rugs) contain longer, looser strands, making them plusher and suitable for the bedroom or living area.
A rug will always offer sound buffering, regardless of its pile height, but the thicker the rug, the greater the insulation.
The structure of the rug—whether it is woven, tufted, or anything else—will affect its appearance, texture, and placement.
Flat-weave, often known as dhurrie rugs: Flat-woven rugs are created on a loom (either manually or mechanically) by interlacing the warps and wefts. Since they are flat, pile height is not a consideration while buying. These rugs lack a backing, making them reversible as well. Flat-weave rugs are resilient and simple to clean, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and rooms where stains are a problem.
Knotted rugs: Knotting is the most labor-intensive technique for rug production. On a loom, a weaver forms the fringed pile of a knotted rug by knitting yarn around the wefts. The more knots per square inch a rug has, the more resilient it is. Due to the work needed, knotted rugs are costly and should be reserved for formal settings.
Tufted rugs: created by pulling loops of yarn through the rug's backing and then shearing them. This shearing provides them a nice, fluffy pile, but it also causes them to shed more than other structures, necessitating more regular maintenance. These rugs may be crafted by hand using a specialized instrument or by machine. Tufted rugs are often less costly since they are simpler (and quicker) to produce, and they may be used in most settings.
Hooked rugs: created in the same manner as tufted rugs (both by machine and by hand), with the exception that the yarn loops are not shorn. This gives them their trademark embroidered, knobby appearance. Similar to tufted rugs, hooked rugs are versatile and fairly priced.
Powered looms or machines: woven on a loom by a computer-controlled machine that gives them accurate patterns. Similar to tufted and hooked rugs, power-loomed choices are created by pulling threads through the backing of the rug. These structures are often the most cost-effective and durable of all the available options, therefore placement options are not restricted. To avoid crushing the pile, place machine-made rugs beneath dining tables, in bedrooms, and in other low-traffic areas of the house.
Regardless of the sort of rug you choose, adhering to a few maintenance requirements will assure its durability.
Synthetics: Spot-clean, steam-clean, or vacuum. They may look dirtier because they absorb dirt and grease, yet the majority of them (such as acrylics) are stain-resistant.
Wool: Natural oils (lanolin) prevent liquids from permeating the fibers
Cotton and silk: Seek expert assistance to avoid making stains worse by embedding them deeper inside the fibers.
When it comes to purchasing a rug, there are many factors to consider. Size, shape, material, and style are all important, but there are other considerations such as the rug pile, structure and care and cleaning. Choosing the right rug can make all the difference in a room. With the helpful tips from our Rug Buying Guide, you're sure to find the perfect rug for your needs.
