The Best Ways to Use an Area Rug

The Best Ways to Use an Area Rug

Are you beginning to decorate your home? Are you looking for some information about how to incorporate area rugs into that decoration? Have you never really decorated with rugs before but want to get started? It can take a little practice and time to get used to the idea of decorating with area rugs when you never have before, but don’t worry. It’s not too complicated, and with the right information to help you get started, you’ll be well on your way to the perfect interior home decor in no time. Take a look at our tips below to help you learn how to use an area rug in your home.

Comfort
One of the most common reasons to use an area rug in your home is simply for comfort. Area rugs are often soft and nice to walk on, whether barefooted or in shoes or socks, and they can be a great way to soften the floor when you have a home with tile or hardwood flooring. If you live in a place where it gets very cold, having an area rug on the floor is a must if you don’t already have carpeting. And even if you do have carpeting, you can always consider putting down an area rug as well to help further insulate your home against the cold.

Rugs that are chosen for comfort purposes should be made of soft fibers. Stick to natural fibers like wool or bamboo if you want something extra-soft, or look at some of the manmade materials that are designed for softness if you want to save a little money without having to sacrifice the texture you’re looking for. Shag rugs are always a great choice when you need an affordable but very soft rug for comfort in your home.

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Decoration Only
Sometimes, you need a rug for a room that’s more for looking at than for using. If you have the type of home with rooms like this, then chances are good you need a large, traditional-style area rug that is made of natural fibers—usually wool. You may even want to consider looking at an antique rug instead of a rug that’s simply designed to look like an antique, especially if you want a visual centerpiece that is never going to be walked on. Just keep in mind that, if you do purchase a rug like this, it’s going to be very expensive and should never be used as anything other than decoration only.

You might also have a room in your home that is meant for use only when guests visit, like an old-fashioned parlor. If this is the case, you might want a rug that can be walked on but is still mostly meant for looking at. In this situation, stick to rugs that are traditional in style and made of something that’s easier to keep clean, in the event a guest spills food or drink on the rug while you’re throwing a party.

Visual Separation
Many times, area rugs are used to visually define spaces and separate one part of a room from another. Runners can be used to do this, but square or rectangular area rugs are also a nice way to separate a living space from a dining space in an open concept home. You might also be able to define spaces in smaller homes or even studio apartments by using this same technique. A rug can help visually separate the room in many different ways, and you can even use rugs to provide totally different design styles in two halves of the same room if you want, as well.

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Rugs with a Purpose
Many times, your area rug is going to serve some kind of purpose other than simply comfort or appearance. For example, if you’re looking for a rug you can use in the entryway of your home, chances are good you need something that can hold up to being walked on often every day and won’t be easily damaged by dirt and mud on shoes. You may even want a rug that’s specifically meant for wiping feet. These rugs have a purpose, and they are chosen specifically with that purpose in mind.

A kitchen rug is another rug with a purpose. Usually, this type of rug is chosen because it’s soft and comfortable for the person doing the cooking to stand on. It might also be a good choice because it’s made of a material that can hold up to a lot of wear and tear as well as exposure to food and drink spills. And a bathroom rug is very similar; this type of rug is chosen because it’s easy to wash and sanitize and can also provide some comfort for walking on barefoot in the bathroom after taking a shower.

Accents
Last but not least, rugs can be used as accents around the home. If you don’t want to commit to a full-sized floor area rug but you still want to accent your interior spaces, consider using throw rugs for this purpose. Accent throw rugs are available in all sorts of shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns, and you can use them in many different ways. If you have a modern or contemporary space, you can even use them along with larger rugs to make a unique statement. These rugs can be used for a variety of purposes or can simply be for looks alone.

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Conclusion
In the end, the choice is up to you how you wish to use area rugs in your home. The information above provides a great way to help you get started decorating with rugs, but you can always bend the rules a little and decorate the way you want to regardless of what the popular trends might be. Don’t be afraid to get creative, and remember to look in magazines and online for inspiration if you find yourself a little stuck for ideas when it’s time to start decorating your home, too.