The home decor market generates billions of dollars, over $600 billion in 2019.
One of the best pieces of decor for your home is an area rug. Area rugs create a warm atmosphere – both physically and aesthetically. Having an area rug also protects your floors, if you have hardwood floors, from becoming scratched or dented by heavy furniture and foot traffic.
But buying area rugs isn’t always easy, and sometimes you don’t even know where to start! If you’re ready to give your living area a boost, here are 10 tips you need to consider when buying area rugs.
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1. Size
One of the first things you’ll want to know is the size of the room where you’re going to put the rug. Rugs come in many different sizes, so make sure to measure the room first to ensure it will fit properly.
You want to make sure that the rug is proportionate to space, not too big but not too small. Most rugs for larger living spaces will be between 8×10 or larger. Smaller rooms may be able to handle a 6×9 or smaller.
2. Type
Another thing you need to consider is the type of rug you’ll need. This is going to depend on where your rug will be and its functions.
There are several different types of rugs, and common rug material includes synthetic, hand-woven, or machine-woven.
Synthetic rugs are made with synthetic materials like polypropylene. Synthetic rugs are perfect for places with heavy traffic and they are reasonably affordable.
Hand-woven rugs are rugs that are made by hand and are significantly more expensive but do offer a great aesthetic in your home, as these authentic Moroccan rugs for sale. They’re made to last so expect your expense to be well worth it!
Machine-woven rugs are rugs mass-produced by machines.
3. Budget
Rugs are one of the most expensive pieces of home decor you can purchase. In fact, some rugs sell for millions of dollars alone!
When you’re shopping for a rug be sure to set your price point and try not to go overboard. Many factors will go into the cost of a rug, such as the type of material, hand- or machine-woven, origin, and where it’s sold. Artisan rugs cost more, while factory-produced rugs will cost less.
Rugs that are hand-made have more longevity, so even though the price may seem high at the time, these rugs will last for years and years.
4. Shape
Rugs come in a variety of shapes, such as circular, oval, rectangular, square, or other shapes to suit your tastes. Before you choose a shape, think about your space and the layout of furniture or other pieces the rug will accompany.
Circular rugs can make the room feel bigger if your space is small, and rectangle-shaped rugs pull the room together well. Either would work well in a hallway or entryway.
5. Colors and Patterns
Probably one of the most challenging parts of choosing a rug is deciding on colors and patterns. The endless supply of colors and patterns on rugs may help you narrow down exactly what you’re looking for.
Think about the colors of your room, the furniture, and other pieces. What colors do you want to pull out and highlight? One pro-tip is to aim for a darker border if you have a lighter-colored floor so people can see where the rug begins.
Your best bet when rug shopping is to have a vision of what you want the rug to look like, whether you want a pattern or not, and what colors you wish to showcase. Buying rugs online is a little more tricky when choosing colors, so keep that in mind!
6. Texture
The texture of the rug will determine the type of material it’s made of. For example, shag rugs have a fluffy texture, and wool rugs feel very soft. If you’re going to be walking on the rug quite a bit, make sure that you enjoy the texture!
Texture not only matters in touch but also in look. The texture of a rug can change the entire look and feel of the room.
7. Care
Some rugs are easier to care for than others. Many require very little upkeep, while others will need to be professionally cleaned or cared for. Low maintenance rugs will need daily vacuuming and occasional spot-cleaning if spills or accidents happen.
You’ll need to decide how much care you want to invest into your rug. If you cannot afford frequent cleaning and upkeep, choosing a less-expensive rug is fine. Rugs made of natural materials may need more cleaning and they can get expensive quickly.
8. What is it For?
Knowing the function of the rug and where you’re going to place it is important as well because it will impact your choice of texture and size.
Is the rug for decoration? Or a runner for the hallway where there’s a lot of traffic? Thinking about the purpose of the rug before you make your selection!
9. Rug Pad
A rug is softer to walk on with a properly shaped rug pad. A rug pad also keeps the rug in place and protects the floor if the rug has a scratchy back.
The pad needs to be shaped slightly smaller than the size of the rug so it does show around the edges. Many places sell rug pads or some will even custom order them.
Buying Area Rugs
There’s a lot of thought that goes into buying area rugs. But when you check all the boxes and understand why you’re buying, the rest of the shopping falls into place. What do you need to consider when looking for your next rug?
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