Do’s and don’ts when buying a rug

For most people, buying a rug trickles down to two critical purposes: defining space and enhancing the interior décor of a room. This is why rugs remain a fundamental element of home décor across different parts of the world. However, you must be very careful when choosing the rug to add to your house, as its influence on the outlook of a room can be quite significant. Understanding the do’s and don’ts of rugs should get you started with making the ideal choice. Here are some rules that you might want to keep in mind before buying a rug.

1. Use the Right Size

One of the major mistakes that most people make when adding a rug to their home is getting the wrong size. While the large rugs might come with a high price tag, getting one that fits your room well will save you the hassle of having to replace a rug that does not augur well. The big question is, ‘what is the appropriate size for a rug’?

The right rug size depends on the room. For a living room, for example, there are two ways to go about the size of the rug. The first idea is to have all your room’s furniture sit within the outer edges of the rug. Alternatively, you can have the front legs of all furniture on the rug, while the back legs sit off. On the other hand, a rug that covers the space where the dining table and chairs sit is the ideal size for a dining room.

2. Consider Mixing Patterns

If you are planning to introduce a fun and playful mood to your room, then you might want to incorporate a mix of patterns. If your room’s furniture or curtain comes with a print, you can consider adding a patterned rug as well. A rug with a repetitive pattern is better, considering the fact that you will be highlighting a consistent view of this pattern throughout the room. The pattern, however, should be of a different proportion and scale from the surrounding textiles. The idea is to maintain a balance in every element that constitutes your home décor.

3. Don’t Go for an Exact Match

While incorporating a mix of patterns in a rug goes well with your room’s décor, 100 per cent matching of patterns might not be a good idea. A patterned or coloured rug that matches with a room’s curtain or piece of furniture will only form an amorphous outlook. The best thing to do is having an overall scheme colour or theme when adding a patterned rug.

4. The right carpet in the right room

It is tempting for most people to choose carpets based solely on their appearance. However, it is fundamental that you also consider the material and method of manufacture. This allows you to lay the right carpets in high-risk places, such as the kitchen. Such places expose your carpets to spills and other mishaps. Removing stains can be quite a chore. It gets even messier if your carpet is within reach of children and pets. It is impossible to control what your children and pets do on your carpet. In high-risk areas, therefore, choose a flat, woollen carpet or a cheaper one that can be replaced more regularly.

5. Know How to Wash Different Types of Rugs

Different rugs are made from varying materials, and each type might require different washing techniques. Checking out the cleaning details of a rug should help you in making the right purchasing decision.

6. Do Go for a Sizeable Rug for Your Bedroom

Before you go shopping for a bedroom rug, ensure that you get your measurements right. Otherwise, you might suffer the inconvenience of stepping into a hard and cold when you least expect. An ideal bedroom rug should leave a gap of a half meter between the outer wall and the rug. It is important that the rug goes underneath your bed, or at least begins after the bedside tables.

7. Do Consider a Flat Rug for Your Dining Room

Most people, especially those with small kids, do not like the idea of having a rug for their dining rooms. Children and pets can be quite messy, but that should not hinder you from adding a rug around your dining table. Décor experts recommend having a flat rug for a dining room for a couple of reasons. Firstly, flat rugs are easy to clean, and you will not have to worry about food spillages. Additionally, it is easier for you to move the dining table and chairs on a flat rug compared to high-pile rugs or rugs with a special structure. Also, flat rugs are less liable to damages caused by legs of heavy sets of furniture.

8. Do Not Buy a Rug before Your Seating

As an old rule goes, you are likely to keep your furniture longer than any rug. This is why you must have your pieces of furniture before purchasing a rug. There are plenty of rug types that are suitable for living or dining rooms. However, when it comes to chairs and sofas, the options suitable for your house are limited, considering your budget and room’s space. You must, therefore, be sure of the kind of furniture you will be acquiring for your house before buying any rug.

9. Do Not Place the Rug to the Sides

As earlier stated, one of the primary purposes of adding a rug to your room is to enhance its décor. Rugs go a long way in complementing the room’s furnishings, which is why they should be positioned appealingly. Therefore, in addition to avoiding a small-sized rug, you must ensure that your rug is not set beside the pieces of furniture in a room. Placing the rug beside the sofa or chair creates a disorderly vibe in your room, as the attention is divided between the furnishings and the rug. For example, if you are planning to set up a rug in your bedroom, then you must avoid placing a small one next to your bed. This will only appear like a misplaced floor mat, and not a rug meant to enhance your bedroom’s décor.

10. Do Not Fear Trying Out Some Customised Options

If you are looking for a rug with a specific shape or size (off-standard), then you might have to make one yourself or get a dealer to customise one for you. There are plenty of modern options available in the market that you can use to create whatever shape and size you want.