Rugs are an important part of a space. They help bring a whole room together and can add the color, texture or layer that a space needs. If you've never gone on a search for the perfect rug, you may not realize the challenges that come along with it. There are several factors to consider, including size, color, material, and pattern to name a few.
If you are on the search or will be in the future, designer Rebecca Pollard is back with another guest post providing some tips and advice on how to select the perfect rug for your home.
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Nothing makes a room come together more quickly than the addition of a great rug. Deciding on the ideal rug can be anything but quick {even for designers} - here are a few basic guidelines for selecting rugs.
The main things to consider when purchasing a rug are size, material, and color and pattern. You should also take into consideration your lifestyle and family members. Do you have pets, kids, a messy husband? All of these could influence the type of rug you should choose.
We'll break down each consideration for starters.
Size
To determine the size rug you need, you will need to decide how you would like the room to function. Do you want it to be one large open seating area? Do you have an open floor plan but want to use the rug to define separate spaces? Decide room function before moving forward.
Rugs generally come in standard sizes so you can adjust the measurements slightly to reach a size that will work in your room. If you have a large room that requires a rug that is larger than the standard sizes, you should contact a company that will customize their rugs.
Material
When choosing a material for your rug, you should consider the following factors: cost, longevity, feel, and soil repellence. Silk and wool are the most durable materials for rugs. These generally come with a higher price tag, but these rugs have staying power. There are many rugs on the market that use a combination of these materials or that use a polypropylene or similar material to emulate the feel of silk and wool. These rugs are options if you would like the look and feel of silk but don't want to pay for the real thing or if you are concerned about children or pets. Polypropylene is a material that is easy to clean and hard to damage so it is an alternative to investigate.
Color and Pattern
Color and pattern will largely depend on the other items going in the room. If you are starting from scratch, you can select the rug first and then find upholstery accent fabrics that coordinate with its color and pattern. If you are adding a rug to a virtually complete room, you will need to consider the other colors and scale of patterns that are in the room already.
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Many thanks to Rebecca for breaking down some of the basic rug guidelines. If you would like more specific guidelines like suggested sizes of rugs in specific rooms, download this tip sheet.
Also, be sure to browse our collection of antique rugs in our online boutique.
Photos by: Rachael Boling