Which Rug Is Best For You?

How do you determine the right area rug to suit your home? Well, there are a couple of factors worth considering to help you find your perfect rug match, and with an area rug often times being a big investment, it’s worth ensuring you make a great choice to fit your family’s needs.

1

RUG LOCATION & TRAFFIC

Where will the rug go? Is it a formal setting or a more casual, relaxed space? Considering the room and it’s overall layout is a good starting point, which will also help you determine the level of traffic you anticipate the rug having.

High Traffic Rooms will benefit from durable, easy to clean rugs.

Less Commonly Used Rooms can take advantage of an eye-catching rug that really makes a statement. It can also make for a worthy investment because the rug will last throughout the years.

Regular Used Spaces that aren’t necessarily high-traffic, but still see decent traffic, a comfortable, durable, yet stylish rug is the perfect middle ground and an ideal choice.

The type of traffic is also worth considering. Rooms that will be frequented by children is important if you are looking for an easy to clean option. And if pets frequent the space, along with easy to clean options, you also want to consider the type of weave, so your furry family members won’t wreck havoc on your perfect rug with his or her claws. RUGGABLE is one of my favorite options that help you solve both those obstacles with stylish, machine washable area rugs.

2

RUG SIZE

Knowing what room the rug will reside in will allow you to consider what size of rug you need to fit your space properly. The most common place for adding an area rug is the living room, as it is the most common place to gather in a home, where a rug can help bring together the perfect conversational arrangement to make that space even better.

3

RUG PURPOSE

How will the rug be used? Will it be for adding comfort? Or more as a decorative addition to the space? Will you plan to walk on the rug barefoot or is the rug more for an added protection to your room’s floor? Answering these questions will help you determine the type of rug that will suit your needs.

4

RUG QUALITY

Your budget can help you narrow down your search decision. You can find decent rugs for any room if you are on a budget, which can be great if you aren’t looking for a big investment and/or plan on swapping out the rug occasionally. Spending a bit more can offer you a higher quality of rug that is more long lasting. And investing in a more pricey rug can be beneficial in terms of long-term durability and quality. Rugs like handwoven or vintage styles for instance can often be a bit more pricier, but are of the highest quality and stand the test of time. Plus, you can find a retailer, like BALLARD DESIGNS that offers a rug sample before you fully invest in your rug so you can get an accurate feel for what it will look like in your space.

Image via Ballard Designs

5

RUG MATERIAL

If you have any health or allergy considerations, the type of rug material may be extra important for you, as you want to find an option that can cleaned regularly to limit dust accumulation, or one that is machine washable, like this LEELU AREA RUG. A rug’s material is also important for the desirable level of comfort you want the rug to bring into a space. For instance, a wool or cotton blend rug can offer softness that you won’t get with a flat weave style of rug.

5

RUG THICKNESS

The pile of a rug (aka short or long fibers) will determine how thick the rug actually is. A rug’s pile height, or rather the thickness of the rug, can vary from a flat weave with short fibers to a shaggy weave with longer fibers. When it comes to a rug’s thickness, more doesn’t mean better quality. For instance, a handwoven flat weave oriental rug will be a high quality style of rug, despite it not being thick. On the other hand, thicker rugs can offer more comfort and durability to spaces like a family or living room that sees a lot of traffic. In general, a shorter pile rug will be stronger, and thus, last longer than their longer pile counterparts. If you are looking for a rug that can be vacuumed regularly and easily cared for, a shorter pile is an ideal choice. Also consider the type of furniture that will be resting atop the rug to help narrow down the right thickness — a longer pile rug will be softer and more plush, but can be prone to indentations from furniture, so it’s worth evaluating your space, especially if you plan on investing in a high quality style of rug that you want to protect from any damages or markings.

6

FLOORING

The type of flooring the rug will cover is important so you can not only find a style that compliments the flooring style & color, but will also help you decide on the type of rug pad to pair with your area rug. For instance, a rug pad with a non-slip backing that is added underneath your area rug for a hardwood floor or similar slick floor can ensure you have a non-slip surface, as well as provide extra comfort. Opting for a natural rubber or felt rug pad for any hardwood floor surfaces is the best way to both protect your floor and offer comfort.

In terms of rug design, consider the color of the floor where you will place the rug to ensure it doesn’t clash. For instance, you may be looking to add a stylish rug to stand out in a space, but consider the color of your carpet or other flooring to ensure it won’t blend in with the tones of the flooring, but will balance one another and still offer an eye-catching look to enhance the space.

*This post may contain affiliate links, which means Liven Design may earn a small commission from your purchase at no cost to you.