The Dos and Don'ts of Having Area Rugs at Home

Many people today use area rugs as an alternative to wall-to-wall carpets, especially since maintenance is easier as they can be easily removed for cleaning. Furthermore, they require less of a commitment, so it will be easy to switch one out with a new one in case of boredom or a sudden decision to redecorate. When it comes to using area rugs in your home, however, there are important rules to consider.

Before purchasing one, check out these dos and don’ts of decorating your home with area rugs:

The Dos

As you select an area rug, ensure that it extends under your pieces of furniture. If it isn’t possible, just have the front legs of upholstery pieces rest on the rug, and leave the back legs off. In a dining area, purchase a rug large enough to fit both the table and chairs and that the chairs stay on the rug even when pulled out from the table.

2. Cover the household’s busy areas

Your household’s busy areas should be fully covered by your chosen rug, meaning that those walking through shouldn’t have one foot off the rug while the other foot stays on. Walking can be uncomfortable and awkward on mismatched areas, and can ultimately lead to unusual wear patterns on the flooring and on the area rug.

3. Know the right size

When you arrange your rug, you should ideally be able to leave the same amount of flooring on each side, which can be from anywhere between eight to twenty-four inches on all sides. For larger places, eighteen inches of space is the most common measurement. For smaller spaces, on the other hand, eight inches will suffice. Just make sure that the rug is positioned at the center of the room!

4. Learn how to clean your rug

Before purchasing an area rug, remember to check the cleaning instructions. Natural fiber rugs, such as jute and sisal are inexpensive options, meaning that cleaning them isn’t possible, but a replacement will be necessary for any huge damages. If you want to get better value for money, weigh your budget and research on other options before settling on one option.

The Don’ts

1. Spend less time figuring out the size

Getting one that is too small is the most common mistake that many people make. This is understandable, especially since the larger ones tend to be more expensive. Area rugs, however, play an integral role in your home decoration. It’s better to splurge on the right-sized rug now rather than to replace one that doesn’t work later. Moreover, they still remain as the cheaper alternative to wall-to-wall carpets.

2. Shy away from pops of color and pattern

When you’re decorating a space, they are a brilliant way of injecting some fun and quirkiness into a room. As you shop for an area rug, don’t shy away from color and pattern. Seeing as they are inexpensive, they can be easily replaced after a few years if you want a change.

3. Place your best rugs in danger zones

It can be tempting to place your expensive rugs in the focal points of the house, such as in your dining room. Doing so, however, may be more detrimental to use the material because dining rooms are likely to see more spills and accidents. Although easier to clean than wall-to-wall carpets, some stains will be difficult to remove from area rugs.

This also holds true for your home’s busy areas, such as spaces where your children or pets gather the most. If this is the case, it would be best to go with easy-to-clean and inexpensive options.

Conclusion

The use of area rugs is a fun and inexpensive way to add interest to any room. Although their maintenance is one more aspect to worry about, they’re generally easier to manage and require less commitment.

If you’re looking for a rug that is right for your home, we the best place to look for it! With our extensive list of options to choose from, you’ll certainly find an area rug that will work best for you! Get in touch to see how we can help.

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