Follow the tried-and-true decorating theory of “start with a rug” , it grounds the room and give you a starting point for design. It is the biggest decorative accessory because it adds color and texture and takes up so much space.
From the classic Oriental to the relaxed look of a natural jute, rugs add personality and warmth to a room. With so many styles and materials to choose from it’s a hard to know which one is right for you. Here are a few steps to help you find the right rug for your room.
Style Sense
Two questions to ask yourself is “Will this rug hold up to my lifestyle“and “Is it my taste or what’s trending”.
For a rug that’s going to last, you’ll want to make sure it can hold up to your lifestyle. Do you have young children or pets? If so, you’ll want to go with a rug that’s durable and easy to clean, like wool or seagrass. Keep in mind dark-colored patterned rug will hide stains or dirt in high-traffic areas like hallways or a family room.
Make sure any rug you’re considering complements your sense of style, trust your instincts. Don’t talk yourself into a popular pattern or color if it’s really not you. You might love it today, but will you like it tomorrow?
What size?
Below are a few general guidelines:
In the family room, select a size that covers at least the length and width of your furniture. A 5′ x 8′ or 6′ x 9′ rug is a good size to cluster furniture around for an intimate area. To expand the space, select a larger size that outlines the perimeter of the area.
In the dining room, a rug should be large enough to allow space for chairs, even when pulled away from the table. Measure your table and add approximately two feet, or sit in one of your chairs yourself and measure the distance from the table.
If you have a wood floor, try to have at least 18 to 24 inches of flooring around the perimeter of the room.
Don’t worry about whether the furniture sits on or off the rug. What looks good to you is what’s important.
Solids or patterns?
Use these basics to get you started on your hunt:
If your primary furniture, such as a sofa, is a solid color, consider selecting a patterned rug.
Match the secondary color in a patterned rug to your sofa. Match the third rug color to your pillows, drapes, wall color or other accents in the room.
If your primary furniture is upholstered in a pattern or is elaborate in design, a solid-colored rug would work really well.
Make sure a solid-colored rug complements your sofa color, and match it to the accent colors in the room, such as artwork or a vase.
Since a rug serves to anchor the room, the color and style of your rug can establish the mood. Rich colors help define a more intimate space while lighter colors make a smaller space appear larger. Spicy hues such as yellow, orange or red add warmth while cool colors create calm, especially in a sunny room.