Area Rugs - Know The Facts

Buying an area rug can be a major purchase for most homeowners and it pays to educate yourself about modern area rugs, and what makes one area rug better than another. Know as much as possible about these beautiful and versatile floor coverings before you start shopping, and you’ll find yourself with a purchase that will give you and your family pleasure for years to come.

Before you walk into any store, have a good sense of what you are looking for. This can be achieved by browsing through stacks of home decor magazines, or checking online. Your library is also a great resource. You’ll often find many home decorating magazines available for loan. Pay particular attention to rugs that catch your eye, and make note of the colors and styles that appeal to you the most.

To begin, decide whether you need a large area rug or a smaller one. As a rule of thumb, take the shortest wall in your room and look for a rug that is at least two feet shorter than that wall. A variety of shapes are available as well. Instead of the standard rectangular shape, have a look at some oval or round area rugs. Under a dining room table, the rug should be large enough to extend past each chair when that chair is pushed back. In a bedroom, runners make excellent floor covering on either side of the bed.

A vast majority of homes display wool area rugs for a variety of reasons. Wool is durable, can be easily cleaned and still looks gorgeous after decades of use. Other materials include silk, jute, sisal or man-made blends. If you have animals, or when purchasing area rugs for high traffic areas, make sure they can be cleaned easily.

Color is largely a matter of taste, and as with all additions to your home decor should enhance the existing hues in your home. Fortunately, today’s contemporary area rugs come in a huge selection of colors to suit all styles.

There are three definite patterns available. Curvilinear rugs, just like the name implies, feature curving patterns that appeal to buyers with more traditional tastes. Geometric designs offer straight lines and looks fabulous in a modern, streamlined home. Finally pictorial designs are composed of pictures, often people, plants and scenes. Many antique area rugs display pictorial patterns.

Styles and trends are always changing. Even shag area rugs, a staple in every 1970’s home, have made a comeback, gracing stylish homes across North America. Lately, decorators have started layering with cheap area rugs to create a unique, textured effect on floors. Try this yourself but make sure to avoid rugs with deep pile as the thinner styles lend themselves better to the layered look.

If you’ve already been shopping for floor covering you know that area rugs come in all kinds of price ranges from ultra cheap discount area rugs to eye-popping five figure price tags. When looking for a living room rug, some experts advise spending as much as you would for your living room couch. It is entirely up to the individual how much you’d like to spend but keep in mind that an area rug of substantial quality can remain in your family for generations as a cherished heirloom.

There are few rules today when it comes to decorating. If you have an existing rug and there simply is no room for it on any floor space, or if you currently have wall to wall carpeting, why not place that rug on a wall? As wall decor, it’s a stunning addition to any room, and there’s no reason that rug has to be underfoot to be appreciated.

Should you place an area rug over wall-to-wall carpet? Generally, it’s not a great look unless of course the carpeting is a very tight low weave. However, if you truly like the look of an area rug, it’s a great excuse to rip that carpeting out and put in some lustrous and lasting hardwood floors graced by an elegant Persian or Chinese area rug.

Whether you choose hand made or machine made rugs, make sure it’s one you won’t tire of soon. However, if you do, know that the resale value of good quality floor fashions is quite good. Placing an ad in your local newspaper or online should soon result in a grateful buyer and money in your pocket.

Lastly, lets consider whether to buy an antique, semi-antique or new rug. One is not necessarily worth more than the other. Again, this is largely a matter of taste. To be considered antique, an area rug must be at least 60 years old. As well, the value of an antique area rug depends largely on the condition it is in.

Know the facts when it comes to area rugs and you’ll find shopping to be a pleasant and rewarding experience.