Whether you’re new at shopping for area rugs or you’ve got a few already and you’re looking to expand your collection, chances are good you’ve got some questions about these important additions to your home. It can be tough to figure out everything you need to know about area rugs, especially when your purchasing decision depends on this knowledge. In this article, we’ve put together a quick FAQ of some of the most common questions people may ask when shopping for an area rug. Check out this list and see if your question is answered before you get too worried about making the right decision.
What size rug should you buy?
The size rug you buy partly depends on the size of your room, but it mostly depends on the way you want to decorate. Do you want a formal space? If so, a large rug is the way to go. For a casual space, several smaller throw rugs may work better. You can also layer rugs of different sizes to create a very modern but still casual look if that’s wha you prefer. Remember that the color of your rug can make a difference, too. For example, a purple and gray rug with an abstract design can look great in a smaller size, but a bigger rug may be too visually heavy for your room depending on the type of style you’re going for.
Which rooms can use area rugs?
In short, any room can use an area rug! Living rooms and dining rooms are usually best for contemporary or modern rugs, while bedrooms and hallways work better with traditional rugs. However, you can mix and match this however you want, because there are great rug options out there for any style, any size room, any color scheme, and any design preferences you may have for your spaces. For example, you can use purple and black area rugs in the bedroom or get bold and put them in the dining room. The possibilities are endless!
What type of flooring can handle an area rug?
Although your rugs will slide around a lot less on a carpeted floor—and may look a little bolder on a hardwood floor—there’s nothing that says you can’t use them on any type of floor you might want. Tile floors, hardwood floors, and even stone or brick floors can work well with rugs as long as you choose the right rug for the job, but you can also always put them on carpet for a more casual, classic look. So don’t be afraid to put your floral area rug down on the tile floor, as long as you’re willing to use a tile-safe rug pad underneath it.
Should you use a rug pad?
We may have already touched on it a little bit in the previous answer, but in short, yes, you should use a rug pad in most situations. If you’re decorating your living room and dining rooms with traditional area rugs over a hardwood floor, for example, you definitely want to have a rug pad to keep the rug from sliding around and to protect your flooring, too. If you’re using your rug over a carpet, you’re less likely to need a rug pad underneath it, although you can still use one if you want to protect your carpeting.
What type of fiber is best for your rug?
The type of fiber you choose depends on how you’re going to use your rug. Go with a wool rug for a traditional living room centerpiece or stick with synthetic southwest area rugs in your kids’ room or kitchen, provided the color and style matches the room. Use weather-resistant materials for outdoor rugs or for rugs you’re going to be using in your sunroom or on the patio. And if you want something extra-soft, silk or bamboo rugs are great options. There are a lot of different fibers out there, and one is not inherently better than the next; it all depends on the use of the rug.
What colors should you work with?
Once again, the colors you choose depend entirely on your sense of style! You may want to use a bright, vibrant red and turquoise rug in your living room for a more modern style, but you wouldn’t want those colors in a formal, traditional dining room. In this case, you’d want to stick to gold, brown, cream, and maybe a pop of some darker jewel tone, like emerald green or ruby red. In bedrooms and kids’ rooms you can be even more original and unique with your color choices, or stick to solid color shag rugs that blend in well with your decor.
Which type of style is right for your needs?
There are three different styles of rugs: traditional, contemporary, and transitional. For traditional, you’re looking for wool rugs for sale that feature old-fashioned styles with floral prints and borders in most situations. Contemporary rugs can be in brighter colors and may be made of all sorts of different types of fibers and materials. And transitional rugs can be any combination of the stylistic elements of the other two types of rugs. The right style for you depends on the type of room you’re decorating and any existing furnishings you want to incorporate into the finished design.
Are kids and pets the end of your rugs?
Absolutely not! Many people manage to have kids, pets, and area rugs in the same house without anything bad ever befalling the rugs. It may take a little work to ensure you pick a great rug that will withstand all the foot traffic of kids and pets, however. Shop around for brands and styles that are built to last for best results. Even more popular brand names, like Smithsonian area rugs, can hold up well to exposure to kids and pets if you’re willing to go the extra mile and protect them a little bit with regular cleaning and a little bit of boundary setting with your pets or children.
There’s still a lot more information out there in the world of area rugs, so don’t hesitate to do more research if you still have questions about your new or existing rug. It can be tough to keep everything straight, but don’t forget there are different types of rugs out there, and they may not all need the same maintenance, either. For this reason, it’s a great idea to brush up a little on the type of rug you have and the best possible way you can take care of it, specifically, as well.