Tips for Choosing Area Rugs

Learn how to choose and use these fantastic flooring accessories

When I think of choosing area rugs, I think of art underfoot. Who wouldn't be thrilled to find room for another piece of beautiful art in the home? There are few things more versatile in your decorating scheme than area rugs. They can pull a room together faster and with less effort than any other decorative item can manage to do.

Define an Area with Your Rug

When choosing area rugs think of them as an excellent way to separate areas of a room. They can define a conversation area in the living room, a seating area in an office, an eating area in the kitchen or dining room. They can separate rooms that have no defining wall and mark off areas by placing them on wall to wall carpet. Placing rugs on high traffic carpet areas is a great way to extend the life of your carpeting.

Good padding is as important with area rugs as it is with wall-to-wall carpeting. Not only is is softer underfoot, it also keeps your rug from slipping and anchors is securely to the floor.

The Selection of Area Rugs is Unlimited

These rugs come in all shapes, colors, and textures. Various types of rugs to look at when you are choosing an area rug are:

• Aubusson - A French classic that is woven with a medallion center design
• Oriental - Handmade in the Far East
• Braided - Strips of cloth braided and stitched together
• Hooked - Strips of cloth pulled through a canvas backing to make floral or pictorial designs
• Bessarabian - Flat weave rugs usually with geometric or floral designs, originating in Turkey or Russia
• Dhurrie - Flat weave rugs hand woven in India, usually in muted colors
• Needlepoint - A rug stitched on canvas with woolen yarns, patterned in florals, geometrics, or scenic designs
• Rag - Flat weave rugs made with cotton or wool strips
• Sisal - A natural fiber rug woven in patterns that can be handpainted or dyed

Some rugs are inexpensively manufactured in all colors, textures, and patterns. Don't shop for art underfoot if all you really want is a green rug under your eating area. However, if you are looking for a unique accent for your living room and a handmade piece of art, be prepared to pay for it.

Oriental rugs are the epitome of carpets and a hand knotted rug is truly a prized possession. Their rich colors and awe inspiring patterns truly make these a work of art. However, if your budget doesn't allow for this beautiful item. don't despair. A number of manufacturer's produce excellent reproductions. There will surely be one you fall in love with if you look around enough. Tips for Choosing Area Rugs provides tips and information for all types of rugs. It includes shopping tips to help you get just the right rugs for your home.

Guidelines for Buying High End Rugs

Always buy from reputable dealers when choosing area rugs. If Orientals are frequently marked 50% off, they are not likely to be the quality you are looking for. Oriental rug dealers with a stable business can be a veritable font of information. They love to share their expertise and will be of great help when you are choosing an area rug.

If this is your first venture into the Oriental rug market, be sure to take advantage of their vast knowledge. They will be happy to share with you information such as where a rug is made, what it's made from, how to tell if it is a quality rug. They will also let you take it home and try it out. They are usually willing to take it back and give you a refund if it is not what you want. However, check the refund policy before you buy.

When Choosing Area Rugs, What Size is Right?

If you are purchasing an area rug to cover the entire room, the general rule of thumb is to allow at least a foot of space on all four sides. If you are creating a conversation area in the living room, the rug is large enough if it allows at least two legs of each piece of furniture to be resting on the rug.

If you are placing a rug under a dining room or kitchen table, the rug should be large enough so that all the pieces of the dining set are located on the area rug.

One of the best ways of choosing an area rug to fit a certain area is to spread newspaper on the space you are going to cover. This will give you a visual look to go by. You can then tell if the rug is too skimpy and will look cheap, or too large and will overwhelm the area.

In the End, It all Comes Down to You

Remember the whole point of decorating your home and creating a harmonious environment is to please yourself and others who share your home.

When choosing area rugs, never be pressured to buy anything to please the salesman, your boss, your mother, or anyone else who feels he is an expert.

Please yourself and you will find happiness and contentment in your environment. You will slowly gain confidence in your abilities and creative expression. This is the ultimate goal in creating and decorating your home.

Above all, have fun and enjoy the process!

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