Rugs are a fabulous finishing touch to a room. The right one can transform the feel of a space instantly. On one hand, they can bring a burst of colourful energy – lifting and brightening a dull interior, or on the other, they can add warmth and cosiness – that perfect ‘lived in’ vibe.
There are so many options to choose from that the process of choosing the best one for you can be a something of a challenge! To help meet that challenge, RugMerchant.co.uk. have published a guide to help you choose. Here are a few key considerations from that guide that I hope will make the process less of a headache…and more fun!
Decide whether you want an ‘area’ or a ‘statement’ rug for your room
A ‘statement’ rug provides a focal point for the eye, almost like a work of art. A bold colour, or combination of colours, can provide a real energy boost to a room. Luckily, rugs come in every colour, pattern and texture you can conceive of. However, even though you may love a certain rug, it might not be the best choice for your particular room – so here are a few things to bear in mind:
If you have a minimalist furniture design or neutral paintwork: You could really go to town with the colour and detail of your rug. A vibrant pop of colour(s) will make a cool space look lived in and homely whilst an intricate pattern will provide some welcome stimulation for the eye.
If your sofa has a cool smooth surface such as leather: A textured rug is a wonderful contrast/ compliment to this. Choose a deep pile shaggy, a soft sheepskin or maybe an intricate carved rug where the pile is cut to different heights. This creates a visually stunning three dimensional effect and is a fabulous counterpoint to the sleek contours of your furniture.
If your room is full of differing fabric patterns and homely accessories: A statement rug in a single bold tone is a great way of centring the space. The eye will be drawn to a single, central cool pool of colour. The room will instantly seem more character-full than cluttered.
It might be wise to choose a rug with a flatter weave if you already have a lot of texture in your space. A cotton blend, or a natural grass such as sisal or jute are great for contrasting with pre-existing detail.
An ‘area’ rug helps to define a key ‘area’ of your room and is (usually) larger than a statement rug.
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In a way, it does the same job as a carpet – covering an expanse of floor. Some important things to bear in mind:
A tactically placed area rug can make a large space seem smaller and cosier: It does this by tying key elements of the room together. If your space is a living room, featuring the classic elements of three-piece suite and coffee table you should centre your rug underneath them. The rug should be large enough that the front legs of the furniture can rest upon the rug leaving you with enough central space for coffee tables/ movement.
Alternatively, the furniture could rest entirely upon the rug. This has the rather wonderful effect of creating a cosy island in the middle of your room – carved out for living/lounging. It is an excellent way of adding a lived in, homely touch to a larger space/clean-line new build.
If your room is large enough to accommodate both living and dining spaces: then two large area rugs centred beneath the furniture will define these two separate spaces for you. If they are a similar colour, or blend tonally with each other, then your room will still seem whole and not fragmented in two.
Know your fabrics and choose wisely.
Ok! So you have decided what type of rug you would like and have some idea as to the size required for your room. Now it is time to consider the best rug material. Rugs come in a multitude of fabrics – all with different levels of stain resistance which is very important unless you want to be doing a lot of area rug cleaning. Look for durability and softness but also ease of cleaning.
Here is a fast track through some of the more popular options:
WOOL is a hand crafted luxuriant rug material with a thick pile. It will last for generations. A pricier option though and it will need regular hoovering to maintain its quality.
COTTON (including the recycled variety) is an eco-friendly option that comes in many colours and designs. It has a flatter weave and smaller varieties go in the washing machine – always a bonus.
SYNTHETIC fibre (POLYPROPYLENE/VISCOUS/ACYRILIC YARN) are soft but resilient and stain resistant rugs. They mimic the look of wool and other more expensive fabrics but they are good at withstanding the tramp of many feet. They are also kinder on your pocket.
CHENILLE is a baby soft fabric that is elegant and excellent in places where bare feet may roam. Perfect for bedrooms and nurseries.
SILK rugs are pieces of timeless traditional elegance. Wonderful for making an impressive statement. Silk is more expensive than other options though, and not good for high traffic areas, but if you have a silk rug and look after it, it will remain a showpiece.
SISAL, SEA GRASS and JUTE are natural grass fibres. The come in textured, earthy tones and are a hardwearing option. They create a ‘beachy’ or ‘cottagey’ feel to your home. If you find them too harsh underfoot you can layer with something softer.
SHEEPSKIN is Perfect for placing in front of roaring log fires, beside beds and other places that would benefit from a bit of fluffiness. It has a thick dense pile and so will need to be cleaned regularly.
Choose the right colour for your space.
Choosing the right colour is also important. it’s not just about picking a colour you like – it’s about choosing one that works in the space. Statement rugs will carry bold colours and whilst area rugs are often chosen in subtle shades there is no reason not to be daring with colour/ pattern here too.
Try these tips:
MATCH with the DOMINANT colour in the room. Great for area rugs in larger rooms where it will tie your scheme together; not so good for smaller rooms where it might be a bit ‘too much’!
MATCH with a colour that has a SUBTLE presence. Is there a colour hiding in the pattern of your curtains or other soft furnishing that you could match the rug to?
BLEND TONALLY with another colour in the room. Maybe choosing a colour that is a few shades darker or lighter than a colour already present would be the best way to go.
Choose a HARMONIOUS colour. One that ‘goes’ with other colours in the room. A colour wheel is great help here – Find the colour you wish to match your rug to on the wheel then look to see which colours are either side. Choose one of them.
Be brave and go for a bold CONTRAST, particularly if you are looking for a statement rug. If you need help, use the colour wheel again – Find the colour you wish to contrast and see what colour is OPPOSITE it on the wheel.
In conclusion, don’t rush! Even though all retailers will exchange/refund your purchases, it is always an inconvenience to go down that path. Choose wisely and you will not have to.
Creating a mood board (Pinterest is a great place to do this) can be a fabulous way of ensuring you get it right first time. If you have colour samples of your paintwork and fabric swatches of your furniture/soft furnishings – these can be used to create a scrap book page of design elements that you can take with you to the shops (on your phone).
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