Rugs are essential to interior design, but finding one can be daunting! There's much to consider- from material and size to color scheme and type. Don't worry; interior designer Lisa Holt gives you all the insider information you'll need to make rug shopping easier than ever!
What Do You Need?
From hallways to bedrooms, finding the perfect rug can be a tricky process. Figure out what you need - high-performance durability for busy spaces or something supremely soft and luxurious for more relaxed areas? Whichever option works best for your home, there's a stylish solution waiting right around the corner.
What is Your Budget?
A rug can be a significant focal point in any room, but it doesn't have to break the bank! When shopping for budget-friendly options, consider factors like materials - natural fibers will cost more than man-made ones. Remember size and construction type, too; keep these elements at the top of your mind when searching for your new piece of floor art.
Rug Materials, Types, and Sizes
If your search for the perfect rug has left you scratching your head, it may be due to differences in construction and materials between identical pieces. Get beyond surface-level appearances into what makes each piece unique – these two components can make a difference when assessing value!
Let's start with pile: it can range from a low, tightly knitted construction to a tall and fluffy arrangement. Not only does this impact how comfortable your feet will feel as you walk on it but also its ability to be cleaned or maintained - so factor that into your decision!
High Pile
Add supreme comfort to your home with a high-pile rug! This plush, luxurious style is perfect for adding texture and warmth to bedrooms or living rooms. Enjoy the cozy feeling of softness beneath your toes when you curl up on the sofa. Remember that this choice may require extra care as it has looser construction than performance-focused materials, so choose wisely based on your lifestyle needs.
Low Pile
Low-pile carpets are perfect for an impressive performance that stands up to heavy traffic and frequent use. This densely packed option is designed for entryways, bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoor patios - so it's built to last! Not only does its tight construction make it durable, but it also makes cleaning simple; you can easily vacuum away the dirt on surfaces of this carpet, leaving behind fewer allergens than when compared with other materials.
Rug Materials
A rug made of natural fibers brings your home a unique look and texture. From wool and cotton to silk, jute, linen, seagrass, or coir - each fiber provides its distinctive characteristics. Choose handmade rugs crafted from these materials. The cost may be higher than machine-made ones, but remember that correct care is paramount for preserving their quality over time: professional cleaning is highly recommended!
Artificial silk is a great, cost-effective way to inject luxury into your home. Viscose or bamboo silk rugs look as beautiful as real silks and bring sophistication without the hefty price tag - perfect for low-traffic areas around the house, such as bedrooms and living rooms. However, it's worth remembering that artificial fiber doesn't take kindly to dirt so if you're looking for something more resilient, choose higher-pile carpets instead!
Synthetic fibers like acrylic, polyester, olefin, and nylon are generally more affordable than natural materials. They offer easy cleaning capabilities due to their stain-repellent treatments; however, they can be quite prone to a buildup of bacteria and mildews after various spillages or accidents occur. To combat this issue, try sprinkling some baking soda over the fabric before using a vacuum - perfect for removing any lingering odors.
Rug Size
When it comes to rugs, size matters! Painter's tape can be handy for mapping out your dimensions before measuring. Rugs come in several standard sizes (in feet), such as 2x3; 3x5; 4x6; 5x8; 6x9, etc., but keep an eye out for anything that would require a non-standard shape/size- like a hearth jutting into the room, bookshelves going beyond rug boundaries, and the like.
"To strike the perfect balance between aesthetics and function in a large or small room, you'll want at least 8-15" of rug space around furniture pieces. " – Lisa Holt
Wanna Know More?
If you found this guide helpful, you should know that there is so much more! For more in-depth details on getting the perfect size rug for your space, you NEED to read How to Size Your Area Rug- exclusive to the dezignclub! Not a member of the dezignclub? It's the world's ONLY online interior design platform where you can get help on your design project from Lisa Holt herself! At the dezignclub, you'll get personalized support, unique design resources, in-depth education, advice, curated shopping, style guides, coaching, and more! Join today!
