When decorating a home, there are many prescribed rug rules to follow. This can make choosing rugs both liberating and confusing. Before taking a closer look at some rooms commonly in need of area rugs, let’s review the five steps to choosing the right rug.
- Know your space.
Are you dealing with a large open area? A smaller, confined space that is walled on all sides? Is it a room for relaxing or a showpiece for guests? Answering these questions will help determine the design direction of your rug.
- Choose your color.
If the room will be filled with furniture you already own, you will most likely want to choose a rug with a more subdued design. Because floors take so much of the eye’s attention, a competing pattern will be garish and disrupt the look of the entire room. A solid color taken from an existing piece or a neutral are the better choices.
- Consider the material.
Faux fur might be tempting in its whimsy, but is usually impractical in high-traffic areas. Silk has sheen and sophistication but is expensive and not as durable. Polyester is strong, easy to clean, and can be made to look any numbers of ways, but it won’t impress your friends. Sisal stands up to heacy use, but can have more of an outdoor look.
- Play with texture.
The smoothness or ruggedness of a rug can complement or contrast the furniture in a room. Rustic rooms get a touch of contemporary class from a Persian-inspired rug. Elegant spaces can be made more inviting with a floor covering that is rich and sumptuous, beckoning guests to stay a while.
- To layer or not to layer?
The technique is used to allow a large neutral rug to do the heavy work of adding depth and comfort to a room, while a smaller piece on top with a blast of color or pattern injects life into the space. It is also a good way to show off heirloom rugs that might not be the correct size for contemporary homes.
Source: http://www.ultimatehomeideas.com/furniture-design/5-steps-choosing-right-rug/
