Choosing the Right Rug for Your Floor Type

There are a lot of considerations that go into buying a new rug. Do you want something antique or relatively brand-new? Do you want a Persian or Oriental rug? Are you leaning toward muted tones or vibrant colors? What size and style of rug do you need? In addition to all of those questions, a homeowner will also need to keep in mind the type of flooring they have. Choosing the right rug for different flooring types can be tricky unless you know where to start.

Common Flooring Types

Let’s begin by looking at the different types of flooring in the typical U.S. home. There are three of them: hardwood flooring (including both laminate and traditional hardwood), tile (including stone and linoleum), and standard carpeting. 

Depending on the age of your home, whether it’s a house or an apartment, as well as the various types of renovations you’ve completed, will determine the mix of flooring you have.

Rugs for Hardwood Flooring

There are three main types of rug materials that a skilled weaver will often use. Those are silk, wool, and cotton. In addition, traditional artisans will still create rugs by hand, otherwise known as hand-knotted rugs.

When looking for a rug for your hardwood floors, you’ll want to lean toward options that meet those criteria. The hand-knotted nature combined with options like wool will make for the perfect rug with this type of flooring.

Note that, when purchasing a rug for your hardwood floors, you will need to purchase a rug pad. These can help provide an additional layer of grip and protection for your family. Not only will it keep the rug in place, but it can help give them an extra bit of stability when walking on it.

Rugs for Tile Flooring

Tile flooring is both long-lasting and relatively eco-friendly. However, these benefits come with a minor trade-off: tile flooring can be very cold and hard to walk on.

That’s why we’re going to start by mentioning once again the importance of having a rug pad. Many of the same reasons for having one with hardwood flooring apply here as well.

However, one thing to keep in mind when purchasing a rug for this type of flooring is pile. If you’re placing the rug anywhere near the sink or countertops, stick with a low pile option because they’re easier to clean. However, if you’re looking for something to put under the kitchen table – a place where it won’t be walked on very much – a shag rug can provide cozy comfort when you sit down for dinner.

Rugs for Carpeted Flooring

Finally, let’s briefly look at carpeted flooring. Those with this type may have the most flexibility, as the grip component is less applicable here than with tile or hardwood. It’s a good idea to focus on foot traffic here. As you may not mentally notice when you’re “switching” from walking on a carpet to walking on a rug, you’ll want to stick with more durable options. This can reduce the impact of foot traffic while protecting your investment.

Find the perfect rugs for your floors at Rug Source!

Other factors to keep in mind when purchasing a rug are the traffic volume, your chosen decor, and the rug’s function. It’s a lot to remember, so if you need assistance don’t hesitate to send us a message! We’ll gladly help you narrow down your options so that you can find the right rug for whatever type of flooring is in your home.