Advice On Buying Area Rugs

When you begin decorating your home there are many important factors to consider and your flooring choices will usually be the foundation for your design. An area rug can visually harmonize or integrate diverse elements in any decor.

Various factors to consider when purchasing and then decorating with an oriental rug:

1. SIZE OF THE AREA TO BE COVERED
Size up the room and the area you want to cover.

Smaller area and scatter rugs can be ideal for decorating smaller spaces and adding comfort and warmth under foot - a fireplace hearth, beside a bed, the area in front of a kitchen sink.

The most common area rug sizes are 4-by-6 and 6-by-9 feet. This size works well under a coffee table.

An 8-by-10-foot area rug or larger can cover an entire room.

2. IN THE HOME

Living Room
In a living room the area rug would most likely be placed in front of the sofa and under the coffee table. Measure the open space up to the sofa and chairs making sure that the individual seated will have both feet on the area rug.

If using a room-sized area rug on hardwood flooring, allow eight inches of wood to be exposed around the rug's perimeter.

Dining Room
There should be room to pull the chairs out from the table with the back legs of the chairs remaining on the area rug.

Stairs
Dark wool rugs are great for this area. Look for busy & dark patterns.

Hallways & Entrances
Dense patterns in a wool pile are the most durable with a cotton foundation is ideal.

Bedroom

A room size Persian/Oriental area rug is not recommended for the bedroom. Most of the pattern will be hidden under the bed in the dark making the rug prone to moth damage. Instead, use multiple area rugs. A rug at the foot of the bed and two on each side Or use several scatter rugs to fill areas around the bed as needed. It will actually cost less and compliment your furnishings better.

3. FURNISHINGS

Begin with the end in mind. Visualize the finished look of the room. Do you prefer the sparse, uncluttered look or you have a room rich with colors and textures?

Remember that a rug is the largest splash of color in any room. Select your rug first, and then the upholstery to blend with the rug. Furniture should enhance the rug design or colors found in the rug

Next comes window treatment and walls; neutral shades are recommended.

Elements of a rug design can be further incorporated into the overall design scheme. For example, if the rug is floral, add framed prints or flowers in similar colors.

Conversely, should your focal point be furniture, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns. Patterns can be mixed if they are coordinated by color.

Don't get discouraged if you are having problems finding an area rug to blend in with your decor. We suggest you surf the 'net for the vast variety of rugs that will suit your situation.

4. USING MULTIPLE AREA RUGS

Should you use one rug or two?
* One rug is the general rule as it coordinates the room together and helps select fabrics for furniture, curtains, etc.

* In a very large room, more than one rug can be used to separate the room. The designs of the rugs should be different enough to create spatial separation, but similar in color and quality to maintain the integrity of the room space. Two or more rugs should complement each other, One needs to be dominant in size. They should be similar in at least design/color/size

5. COLOR

If redecorating an already furnished room, choose a rug to pick up the colors used in your furnishing patterns. Paint or paper the walls in colors found in the rug when color coordinating. Look for a rug that has commonality with the existing color of the walls. A rug with a bold, overall design can be the focal point of a room with a chair and sofa in solid or subdued patterns. Light colored rugs make a room look more spacious, and deeper colors lend coziness to a room.

6. DURABILITY

For floor rugs- wool is usually a preferred choice as it resists daily wear better than synthetics. Wool has many wonderful qualities- deep, rich color tones, high durability and relative ease of care. Silk rugs are better used for walls, throws etc. Living rooms are ideal to showcase silk rugs. Chromium dyes are strong and deliver consistency and durability of color. Vegetable dyes give the rug a patina of color, a casual look that is very attractive.

7. SHAPE

Let your decorating style determine your rug shape. Don't be limited to the idea of getting a rectangular rug. A circular or octagonal-shaped floor covering can add flair and elegance.

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