Rug Party…to dance or not dance
I guess you can say one of my pet peeves is when people have rugs that just sort of float in a room and are not anchored by furniture. The rug should have at least the front legs of the furniture sitting on it, so it looks like everyone was invited to the dance! It keeps the pieces anchored and purposeful when creating your room layout.
An area rug has a significant impact on the overall character and comfort of a room. So when choosing a rug for your space, it’s important to choose a design that you love, as well as a style that will help you love how you live. When I help my Fairfield County design clients choose an area rug, we discuss the following criteria to ensure they make the best possible choice.
Style: Your overall design preference is of utmost importance: Is it Classic, Modern, Traditional or Transitional? For example, a classic choice would be an oriental rug while a geometric pattern would be more modern. Do you prefer patterned or solid rugs? Is your taste elegant or simple, casual or formal? Do you want it feel good under your feet? How high is the traffic of the room?
Budget: This always comes into play with all your design choices, however when it comes to area rugs, your long term budget is just as relevant as your immediate budget. This could be due to any number of reasons, some of which are a pending change in your family dynamic, you like to switch things up in your home periodically or perhaps you are continually inspired by the latest design trends. Silk and wool rugs are typically a larger investment while sisal or natural rugs are less expense. So take into account durability as well as how often you intend to change the design of your room as part of your budget decision.
Cotton rugs, commonly known as Dhurrie, are more affordable than wool or silk and are easy to clean. Since they are thinner, they will not last as long in higher traffic areas, so they are best placed in bedrooms. Rug pads are always a good choice but especially with cotton rugs in order to avoid slippage.
Natural fiber rugs have earthy tones and are rich in texture. There are a number of varieties, the most common of which are Sisal, Jute and Sea Grass. They are mostly solid with varying tones and colored borders around the Sisal and Sea Grass options. These types of rugs come in a variety of grades but overall are less expensive than other materials. The downside is that they can be rough underfoot so you may want to choose one of better quality. Natural fiber rugs are a great base for causal decors and work well in living spaces and high traffic areas.
image from kellydesigns staging project
Man-made materials: If you choose a material that does satisfy your durability requirements, consider a rug made of man-made materials. This is not a good choice if you are set on a green option, however, all of the styles listed above are recreated by companies in a man made-made material that is not only longer lasting but less expensive and easier to clean. The use of polypropylene is quite popular now, this keeps it durable and stain resistant.
Coordination: The area rug should compliment the rest of the room, so think about your existing decor or what you are planning to purchase. When selecting a pattern you want to be sure the scale of the pattern is not the same scale as any of the fabrics in the room on upholstery or in window treatments.
I help my Fairfield & Westchester County design clients coordinate their area rugs with the materials, textures, colors and style of the furniture in their rooms, in addition to meeting their style and budget requirements. If you would like more information on choosing the right rug and proper placement in your room, check out this article on my website. Remember, an area rug is of vital importance to the overall look and usability of your home so it’s best to take the necessary time upfront to ensure that you make the best possible choice for your lifestyle.
From kellydesigns design project