Hi there!
Who's excited for our next edition of the Interior Insider? I know I am! Today, Lori will be sharing about the "in's and out's" of area rugs, how to pick the right one and important things to consider when doing so. Hope you enjoy!
Picking the Perfect Area Rug
An area rug is essential for pulling together the different decorative
elements of a room, as it creates cohesion and an interesting aesthetic effect.
Placing an area rug in a room is a wonderful way to add color, comfort, and beauty.
With so many styles of area rugs available, you'll have lots of choices for the
best one for your space. I have worked with hundreds of clients selecting the
perfect area rug and love when a client can see that a rug can make the room.
When shopping for an area rug consider the following:
Design Style
Identify you design style. Is it Eclectic? Eclectic design uses different
varieties of color, pattern and texture to create a cohesive look when
combined. Cottage, casual, fun, florals and stripes. Contemporary, bright
colors and unusual shapes are common characteristics when selecting contemporary
rugs. Traditional style rooms could have any rug from classic oriental rugs to
solid sisal. Beach house or coastal cottage? Whatever your style is we have a
rug for you. (Continued below.)
1. Amy Butler's Acanthus Rug | 2. Amy Butler's Chrysanthemum Rug | 3. Amy Butler's Parrot Tulip Rug 4. Dash and Albert's Birmingham Green Stripe Rug | 5. Dash and Albert's Chocolate Ticking Rug 6. Dash and Albert's Staffordshire Rug | 7. Dash and Albert's Jamaica Ticking Rug | 8. Dash and Albert's Mattress Ticking Rug | 9. Dash and Albert's Palm Beach Ticking Rug | 10. Dash and Albert's Siena Sage Rug 11. Surya Centennial Rug in Slate | 12. Trina Turk's Bright Solids
Rug Style
Knowing a little bit about the different styles of rugs can help you make a well-informed decision when it’s time to pick area rugs for your home. Wool - Long the choice of rug makers, wool stands up well to traffic, provides a soft cushion underfoot, and, over time, takes on a patina that adds to the character of a room. Cotton - More casual - and more affordable - than wool. Cotton rugs are often flatweaves or braided, and because cotton dyes easily, these rugs are available in a wide range of colors. It's a softer, though less durable, alternative to seagrass, jute, and sisal rugs. Jute, Seagrass, and Sisal - These natural fibers create tough, durable floor coverings. Jute is softer than the other two; sisal is the strongest. None will be as soft as wool or cotton, but their distinctive textures and often large-scale weaves add interest that wool and cotton can't always achieve. A good choice for those with wool allergies. Stains can be difficult to remove. Polypropylene - A stain-resistant synthetic fiber that repels stains and water, making it the perfect choice for outdoor rugs. Dry cleaning is not recommended because many dry-cleaning solvents can swell the fibers.
Budget You should buy the best rug you can afford, even it means living with bare floors while you save up. Look for good quality natural materials such as wool and silk. A high-quality wool rug will wear well and even look better over time.
Cotton rugs are easy to clean and perfect for those with allergies. Indoor/Outdoor rugs have become increasingly popular in dining rooms and playrooms as they can be bleached and taken outside and washed with a hose.
Sisal, jute and grass rugs often cost less, but are difficult to clean and don't last as long.
Size
Choose a rug that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room. Hall rugs should have at least six inches of floor showing on all sides. Dining room rugs should extend at least 18 inches beyond the edge of the table so that the rug accommodates the dining chairs. In bedrooms, try runners at each side and even the foot of the bed, or place a rug one-third of the way under the bed so the rest of the rug creates a nice mat at the bottom of the bed. In large rooms, rugs should fit the configuration of the room and furniture. A big room set up with two smaller conversation areas would look best with two separate rugs, as long as they're linked by color or material.
Thanks for reading along. Lori will continue to share her amazing knowledge and useful tips and tricks with us so keep your eyes peeled for even more of the Interior Insiders future editions! If you have any questions, feel free to comment, email or call. Lori or one of our other interior designers will be happy to help you.
