Hi lovelies! Today I am talking all things area rugs so you can gather a few of my tips that will hopefully help you choose a product that creates a beautiful statement in your home! I truly believe a gorgeous area rug adds warmth and ties the furniture within the room together for a cohesive and pleasing design.
It can sometimes be overwhelming deciding on which area rug to choose for your space, thanks to our little friend, the internet. There are countless options available to us! So, how do you choose??
The two most common thoughts that come to mind for most people when looking for the perfect area rug are the aesthetic and the price. The thing is, there is so much more to it than that.
Below I share my tips on how proportion and scale, functionality and selecting the right material can help you find the area rug this is right for you!
I have pictured a few of my current favourite living room furniture pieces from Crate and Barrel, paired with some fabulous Loloi area rugs so you can visualize how different area rug styles can impact a design. All items are linked below if you are interested in checking out any of the pieces (Sectional, coffee table, accent table, table lamp). Each area rug is linked on the left hand side below each photo.
SIZE MATTERS
Size really does matter when it comes to picking out an area rug for your space. Proportion and scale is one of the most important things to take into consideration when undergoing any form of interior design and you guessed it, this most definitely applies when searching for an area rug.
For me personally, I believe that the area rug should lay underneath the front legs of all major furniture pieces outlining the room. For example, if you have a couch and two chairs, the area rug should sit neatly under the front legs of both the couch and chairs.
The area rug should never be any smaller than that as it will likely throw off the balance of the design and not look pleasing to the eye. On the other hand, an area rug that is too large can overwhelm the space and take away from any special design features that you want to showcase. By using your large furniture pieces as a guide as to where your area rug should be placed, ensures that you will find that sweet spot that will give you a cohesive and beautifully curated space.
FUNCTIONAILTY
Think about how each room in your home functions with your lifestyle. This will greatly impact what product you ultimately decide to choose. Below are some things to keep in mind when it comes to the functionality of your area rug within your space.
- Does the room have lots of foot traffic, or minimal foot traffic? Take into consideration if you have kids or pets running around the space.
- Think about the material and rug pile. The rug pile are the tiny loops of fibers woven together to create the area rug. High pile rugs have longer fibers (ex. Shag rug) and are better for low traffic areas. While low pile rugs have shorter fibers and are better for higher traffic areas as they do not flatten as easily.
- Is the area rug easy to clean and durable?
- Is this material heavily textured, or does it lay flat?
- Does this material shed or fade easily?
SELECT THE RIGHT MATERIAL FOR YOU
When selecting an area rug, you should consider the material in which they are made of. Below I share a few of the most common materials used to make area rugs and how each one functions.
WOOL
- Wool is one of the most common types of materials used in area rugs for its fantastic quality, durability and softness.
- Wool is a natural fiber, making this material hypo-allergenic and eco-friendly.
- It is stain resistant and easy to clean.
- This material generally has a soft backing in most cases so it doesn’t scratch your flooring.
- Wool has a great bounce back quality so it will last for a long time, even in high traffic areas.
- It also can regulate temperature fairly well so it is always comfortable to walk on.
- The down side to this material is that is can be very pricey (Cotton area rugs are a great option if you are looking for a similar natural fibre that is more cost efficient than wool).
- Keep in mind, wool is known to shed sometimes. You may notice fibers from your rug can attach themselves to your clothing.
NYLON
- Nylon area rugs are really popular because there are so many options available and they are very reasonably priced.
- This material is extremely durable and great for high traffic areas.
- Keep in mind, Nylon fades very easily. If you are looking for a richly coloured rug, Nylon probably isn’t the best option for you.
- This material is a synthetic material and not eco-friendly. The only upside to its sustainability would be that the material itself lasts a long time (not taking into account any colour fading).
POLYESTER
- Polyester is a common material that is used in area rugs with many options available to choose from.
- It is a synthetic fiber and not eco-friendly.
- This material is very cost efficient, durable and easy to clean.
- Keep in mind, Polyester dents very easily. If you have furniture pieces on top of this material, it will dent and likely never bounce back.
POLYPROPYLENE
- Polypropylene is a more cost efficient option to wool. It is not nearly as luxurious as wool but it does have a similar look and feel.
- This material is easy to clean and quite durable, so it is great for indoor or outdoor areas. It is also a good product if you have pets.
- Polypropylene is a synthetic fibre so it is not eco-friendly, although it can be sustainable as it is generally made from recycled plastic bottles.
VISCOSE
- Viscose feels very soft and luxurious and is a man-made material that can appear similar to silk.
- Viscose is commonly combined with other materials, such as wool and cotton. This is a great way to get an area rug at a lower cost if you like the look and feel of more luxurious products such as a 100% wool option for example.
- This is a synthetic material and not eco-friendly.
- Keep in mind, this material is known to be flammable and isn’t very durable.
I hope my tips on understanding proportion and scale, functionality and selecting the right material will help you choose an area rug to transform your space in the best way possible!
If you are interested in more design tips, feel free to check out my Favorite Countertop Materials post.
Thank you for reading and Happy Designing!!
Your Girl,
A
