Area Rug Selection Guide

Jute Rugs pros and cons

Jute Rugs: pros and cons: The fibers of jute rugs have a natural brown hue, but they can be dyed in multiple colors to match the ambiance you want to create.

Pros:

- Wonderfully soft

- Pet-friendly

- Easy-to-clean

Cons:

- Poor durability

- Misfit for high-traffic rooms

Seagrass Rugs pros and cons

The appearance of seagrass rugs starts with light sheen fibers and gradually fades to khaki.

Pros:

- Highly durable

- Stain-resistant

Cons:

- Cannot be dyed

- Prone to mold

Hemp Rugs pros and cons 

Hemp rugs have a coppery brown shade, but they can be dyed and woven into unique patterns.

Pros:

- Mildew-resistant

- Sustainable

Cons:

- Prone to shedding

- Susceptible to fading

Synthetic Fibers

Nylon Rugs pros and cons

A synthetic carpet fiber composed of strong and durable polymers.

Pros:

- Stain-resistant

- Affordable

- Diverse

Cons:

- Prone to mold

- Produces static electricity

Polyester Rugs pros and cons

Polyester rugs are made of synthetic fabrics and are available in bold colors.

Pros:

- Soft

- Durable

- Resistant to mold and mildew

- Fast-drying

Cons:

- Difficult to dye

- Prone to oily stains

Polypropylene Rugs pros and cons

This type is designed to appear like sisal but is made from synthetic fibers.

Pros:

- Perfect for high-moisture areas

- Easy to clean

- Good value for money

Cons:

- Material is easily crushed

- Sensitive to heat and friction

Rug Styles & Patterns

While the wide variety of rug styles and patterns may be overwhelming, narrowing down your choices can definitely help. To start off, look around at your existing decor scheme and furniture, as well as the color of your floors, walls, and window treatments. You can then decide what shade and pattern will suit the room best. But remember, it doesn’t necessarily have to be the exact same color. A complementary shade will do the trick.

For example, if your theme includes shades like gold and maroon, a tan or brown rug will pair well; a solid blue rug can create a statement in a monochromatic room; a dark grey rug can complement a room with a light-grey color scheme, and so on. As for the patterns, you’ll want to avoid a clash between too many different prints. So, for example, if your sofas are solid-colored, rolling out a patterned rug is a good idea, and vice versa.

Rugs can either stand out to create a focal point or blend in to create coherence in a room, so think about the effect you want to cast when picking the color and patterns.

Rug Size & Placement

Choosing the right rug size is a fundamental step in designing an inviting and well-decorated room. While standard sizes like a 9x12 and an 8x10 rug might fit a bedroom and a living room, remember that no rug is ever one-size-fits-all. Each room has its own unique considerations that should be viewed beforehand.

So once you’ve determined the desired placement of the rug, the furniture in the specific room, and the length and width of the room, it is time to guide your final choice according to the following tips — which have been tailored to different spaces of a home.

Living Room Rugs:

• If you have a multifunctional living room, the rug should go beneath the seating area to define the space.
• The furniture, including end tables, couches, recliners, love seats, etc., should fit on the rug, either wholly or halfway.
• Leave vacant space around the rug's perimeter (preferably 12” to 18”) to avoid making the room appear visually smaller.

Hallway Rugs:

• Hallways do not require strict measurement rules.
• Runners should not end mid-doorway.
• Hallway rugs should be slim enough to allow the floor underneath to breathe and expose itself.

Dining Room Rugs:

• Choose a size that fits perfectly beneath the dining table and allows the chairs to be pulled out without folding or tripping the rug.
• Consider a bigger size if you have an expandable dining table.
• The rug shape should go with the furniture’s shape. For example, round rugs should be paired with round tables, rectangular rugs with rectangular tables, etc.

Bedroom Rugs:

• The bed size will determine the rug size.
• Choose according to how you want the rug to be placed. Do you want one pushed against the walls and goes under the nightstands, one halfway under the bed, or one fully beneath the bed and stops a foot before the nightstands?
• When measuring the space where you want the rug to be placed, leave a foot or two of extra space on each side to create the illusion of a larger space.

Rug Shapes

Circular, rectangular, square, oval, and irregular, there are tons of shapes you can pick from. To ensure you make the perfect choice for your space, decide according to the tips below.

Circular Rugs:

• To tone down sharp angles in a room.
• To create the illusion of a larger space.
• To balance the aesthetics of a masculine room.

Oval Rugs:

• To complement a coffee table.
• To enhance the effect of a simple couch.
• To furnish the area located at the foot of a staircase.

Rectangular Rugs:

• To cover the flooring of a high-traffic area
• To make the space appear visually bigger.
• To play the role of a hallway runner or a kitchen rug.

Square Rugs:

• To blend with large spaces like seating areas and living rooms.
• To complement square-shaped furniture.

Rug Pile & Thickness

For choosing the rug pile and thickness, consider how the room will be used. High rug piles (½” to ⅝”), for example, should be rolled out in rooms with low traffic, such as an office, guest room, or reading nook; low pile rugs (⅛” to ¼”) go in high traffic rooms, such as the dining room and living room; mid-pile rugs (⅓” to ⅜”), as the name suggests, are suited to a room with medium traffic such as laundry room, bedroom, and nursery.

Rug Maintenance And Care

Maintaining and caring for your rugs is important to extend their life. Here’s a list of a few quick tips you can practice:

• Vacuum the rug on both sides once or twice a week
• Rotate your area rug to avoid uneven fading and wear
• Use furniture coasters to prevent depressions in the rug
• Invest in rug pads
• Clean up spills immediately
• Deep clean all rugs twice a year
• Opt for washable area rugs
• Look up and follow detailed area rug cleaning guides

Conclusion

A room without an area rug is like a dish without salt — flat, unfinished, and incomplete. However, an inappropriately-sized or wrong-colored article can worsen the interior instead of enhancing it. So, to make sure you pick the best option for your home, remember to consider and implement the aforementioned suggestions for a well-thought-out and beautiful home!

Read our article "Flooring Material Selection Guide" to learn about other types of flooring.