What are the main things to consider before purchasing your rug?
Selecting the perfect rug should be easy, right? Just pick the one that looks the best within your budget. Nowadays, however, thanks to new constructions and fibers, there are more options than ever. As a result, the line between fashion and rugs is blurring.
Before you buy, consider these six key factors: Color, design, texture, construction, fiber and, last but not least, size.
How do I know what COLOR to choose?
This first thing to consider when selecting a rug should be color. You should select a rug that coordinates with your room's color scheme unless you are designing your room for the first time or plan a complete redesign. When you get the color right, everything else becomes so much easier.
How do I pick the right DESIGN for my room?
The decision to select either a traditional, transitional or contemporary rug should be driven by your personal style and existing decor. Transitional designs provide the most flexibility as they marry well with most interior styles.
Should I select a rug with TEXTURE?
The visual effects of texture should not be underestimated when selecting your new rug. Textured rugs are visually appealing and add character to the solid surface of your floor. Your eyes are draw into the dimensions of the rug. Texture can be found in a variety of rugs types such as shags and flat-weaves with wool-pile designs.
Can you give me more information about the different rug CONSTRUCTION techniques?
When considering construction of a rug, you can evaluate your options based on a 10-point scale, which 1 representing the least and 10 being the best. This applies to durability, prestige and price. Here's our evaluation of the four primary construction types for rugs:
| RUG CONSTRUCTION | DURABILITY | PRESTIGE | PRICE |
|
Hand Knotted - A weaver sits behind a loom and hand ties into vertical knots onto vertical strings |
10 | 10 | 8 |
| Hand Tufted - A hand-operated tool punches strands of fiber into a canvas stretched on a frame | 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Flat Woven - The fabric itself is braided or woven onto a loom to create the structure of the rug | 8 | 7 | 4 |
| Power Loomed - Large machines operate hundreds of spindles of fiber to be woven into a mesh backing | 6 | 5 | 4 |
How do I narrow down what type of rug FIBER is best for my room?
Fiber can be categorized in two types: Natural fibers and Synthetic fibers. Picking the right fiber boils down to what is right for your situation. When evaluating rug fiber, you should consider things such as ability to clean, durability, softness, shredding, color retention, and more. For today's busy households and businesses for example, synthetic fibers like polypropylene and polyester offer attractive benefits because they are stain-resistant, fade resistant and soft. There are basically four types of natural fibers and four types of synthetic fibers.
- Natural Fibers - Cotton, Sisal, Jute, Wool
- Synthetic Fibers - Acrylic, Polypropylene, Viscose, Polyester
How can I be sure I select the right SIZE rug?
The size of a rug, not just its appearance, plays a significant role in the overall dynamic of a room. Here are a few Tips and Tricks to choosing the right size rug for your room:
Define the dimensions of your room with a measuring tape. We can't emphasize the importance of this step enough. Outline the area where you want your rug, taking consideration of door locations and how they open. Taking this simple step up front will help you buy with confidence.
Keep at least 18 inches of bare floor exposed by the rug's edges. While you can bend this rule a bit, it is a classic rule that works for most rooms. Get the proportions right is key.
Rugs create an optical illusion that you can make work to your benefit. When in doubt, choose the bigger size rugs. An undersized rug makes a room appear small and disconnected. A larger rug unifies furniture and makes a room appear bigger than it actually is.