Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug – Part 2 May 11, 2010
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Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug
Part Two: Shopping for the Right Rug
Are you ready to shop for a new rug? Taking the time now to determine the size, type and colors of your new rug will make the shopping process both easier and more fun (see Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug Part One).
Where do you plan to shop? The best guarantee of getting a good rug is to start with a reputable flooring store, like us! The rug industry has a broad mix of quality, price and reliability. Unless you are a rug expert, the only way you can ensure a good rug at a fair price is through a retail outlet that you can trust.
Plan to take your time. We will help you look and decide, but there are many choices of area rugs to choose from! The more you can tell us about what size you need, your style, your budget, the more we can help you. Be sure to take a look at your final couple of selections near a window under natural light. The lighting significantly affects the colors of a rug. Also look at any hanging rugs you plan to buy on the floor first. They look very different when laid horizontally.
To get some ideas of what we have to choose from, please take a stroll through our area rug catalog.
Steps to Selecting the Right Area Rug May 7, 2010
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Part One: Before You Start Shopping
If you’ve never shopped for an area rug before, the process can seem more than a little confusing. The good news is that with a little planning, you can start your shopping with a plan to make the whole process easier. Although there are many decisions involved, the following three factors will help you narrow your search right from the beginning.
What will you be demanding from your rug? If it is going to live in a high-traffic area, look at sturdy material choices such as nylon or wool. One of the interesting new options to consider is indoor-outdoor rugs. These tough materials stand up to a lot of use and can be hosed down outside when they need cleaning.
What size rug do you need? Measure your space to determine the best size, and how much larger or smaller you can go. Many stores will have the same rug in a number of sizes, so often size restrictions won’t limit your choices. Be sure to compensate for dining chairs by adding at least two feet of rug over and above the size of the table for each side with a chair. Otherwise, people may find themselves dropping off the edge when they pull a chair out to sit. For other living spaces, think of a rug as a frame connecting the elements in a room. If you have trouble visualizing the final look, you may want to use towels or tape to define the rug’s location and decide the best size for your space.
What look do you want in a rug? Will the rug make a strong statement – adding a design element to the room? Or are you looking for something to brighten a dark area or anchor a space that is a bit too light? What color will best mesh with the other furniture and accessories? Is there a color you want to see more of that the rug can pull into a space? Maybe your goal is a neutral that will pull disparate pieces together.
Once you determine these issues, make sure you go to the store prepared. Have your actual measurements with you – sizes in a showroom can be deceiving. Bring samples of any colors you may want to pull into the space by bringing along a throw pillow or paint chip. By doing your homework before you shop, your chances of finding that perfect rug are substantially improved.
Design Perspective: Family Room December 8, 2009
Posted by Shannonbilby in : Area Rugs, Design Perspectives , add a commentFamily rooms are all about comfort and how you live. When you can combine style and comfort, then you have a great family room. This image from our area rug gallery is a good example of a comfortable and stylish family room. Let’s examine what makes this room so inviting.
- The earth tones are the first thing that comes to mind when looking at what makes the room so inviting. They all compliment each other so well.
- The warm, rich color of the hardwood sets the stage for a warm and comfortable room.
- Rather than an area rug that fits just in front of the sofa and under the coffee table trunk, the rug is larger to create and extended seating area.
- The fabric and greenery help make the room look more complete.
- The large opening into the dining room and kitchen make this room feel like a part of the rest of the house rather than separated off from everyone else.
- The addition of a small upholstered chair and possibly an ottoman would give more room for additional family or guests to enjoy this room as well as add to the comfort.
Imagine a fire in the fireplace and a warm blanket on that nice big sofa…….all you need is a cup of hot cocoa and you’re all set!
What do you like or dislike about this family room? What would you add or change?
Area Rug Sizes – What’s right for a room? December 2, 2009
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ea rugs are a great way to give a room personality or to tie together a design scheme. Area rugs can provide that burst of color that is needed to bring a room to life or start as the focal point of a room. Area rugs can provide warmth under your feet as well as provide warmth to a room. When selecting area rugs, there are some considerations to keep in mind.
Area rug considerations:
Living Rooms
Area rugs can be a nice compliment to a seating area in a living room or they can be used to cover the majority of the floor almost like a wall to wall carpet. When using an area rug in front of a sofa or chairs and under a coffee table, there is a debate about how large that area rug should be. The area rug should at least be large enough for all 4 legs of the coffee table to sit on and should be relatively proportionate to the size of the furnishings in the room. If you are using the area rug to cover the majority of the room, leave equal amount of space around each of the edges. (at least 4-6 inches) Whether the legs of the furniture are all on or off the area rug is personal preference. Just be sure that if the front legs are off the rug and the back legs are on the rug that the piece of furniture is stable and level.
Dining Rooms
When planning for an area rug in an eating area, the most important thing to consider is safety. You want to make sure that the guests sitting in chairs can move freely in their chairs while still remaining on the area rug itself. A good rule of thumb is to measure your eating table and add 4′ to each measurement. That will give you 2 feet of consideration for the chairs and 2 extra feet for movement in the chairs.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are a great place to use area rugs for additional color and added warmth. It always feels better for bare feet to hit an area rug first thing in the morning rather than a cold hard surface floor! The great thing about using area rugs in bedrooms is that you can use multiple complimentary rugs (i.e. at the foot of the bed and on each side) or one large area rug that only the edges are seen around the bed.
Come see us for more information on area rug sizes for your home. Our knowledgeable staff is ready to assist you with choosing the perfect area rug for you!
