How to Choose an Area Rug

A lot of people struggle with choosing area rugs for different rooms in their homes. Let some of our tips guide you into making the right selection!

1. Size: Don't go too big or too small. The rug must be large enough to anchor your furniture and to bring the room together into a comfortable and uniform space. However, a lot of people make the mistake of going too large--they cover nearly all of their flooring and make the rug the most noticeable part of the room. Others make the mistake of going too small--you don't want the rug to get lost under all of your furniture and become irrelevant in the space. 

2. Colour: It's important to consider colour while making an area rug purchase. Neutral colours work well if you plan on changing your decor often, but don't want to invest in new rugs every couple of years. Rugs with neutral tones also work well if you are already using a variety of colours in your decor and design elements in your rooms. Neutral tones consist of whites, greys, blacks, taupes, creams, greys, etc. Colourful rugs (blues, reds, greens, etc.) work great to give your room an accent colour. Colourful rugs are also great if you want them to act as focal points or conversation pieces.

3. Pattern: Choose a pattern that fits with the style of your room: are you looking for a modern style? Try a zig-zag or herringbone pattern. Do more traditional styles suit you? Try a floral pattern with an ornate border. It's important not to incorporate too many patterns into your room--it can quickly become an eye-sore and look far too busy and overwhelming. Ask us if you need an opinion!

4. Underpad: Use an underpad! We cannot stress this enough. There are several benefits to using a good underpad with your area rug. Firstly, underpad can protect your hard surface flooring. Often, the backing of an area rug can be rough and textured and if consistently rubbed against a floor, can cause wear-and-tear. Secondly, area rug underpad protects the backing of you carpet--your entire rug is basically held together by the backing of the rug and an underpad protects that backing, allowing the rug to last longer. Thirdly, comfort! Underpad creates another level of comfort to your area rug. Depending on the type of underpad you select, an underpad can add some cushion to your rug. Lastly, area rug underpad is made to stop your rug from moving around. You want to ensure that your rug stays in the spot that you need it to stay--the rubber backing of an underpad will provide that benefit. 

Got more questions? Feel free to ask us!