Choose and Use Area Rugs Like a Pro

Area rugs are one of the most versatile pieces in the home décor market. They give you the comfort of carpeting minus the maintenance, and the freedom to choose colors and designs without worrying about keeping with your theme. That’s why more and more homeowners, and even design experts, are turning to area rugs as this season’s must-have accessory. Indeed, if you want to liven up your home in a flash, your best bet is to shop for rugs. Of course, the problem is not all of us know what to look for—and unfortunately, not all rugs deliver the same value for your money.

So how do you tell a good area rug from the bad? You need to go beyond the obvious, such as color and design and material. No two homes are exactly alike, so what may be the perfect rug for you may be all wrong for the house next door. The first thing you need to consider is your own home, and how an area rug will fit into it. Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s simply a matter of finding the best value. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.

Highlight or downplay the floor?

An area rug must always work with the floor it’s sitting on. There are several ways to do this, and it’s mostly a matter of aesthetics. If you have an attractive hardwood floor, you’ll want to show it off rather than let the rug steal all the attention. Beige area rugs usually work well with wood because they offer a nice, subtle contrast. But if you have a dull-colored tile floor that you want to jazz up, an eye-catching area rug may be just what you need.

No matter what your goal is, however, some rules still apply universally. One of the most important is to give your rug some “breathing space.” Don’t let it cover the floor completely; otherwise, you might as well have gone for a wall-to-wall carpet. Make sure there’s at least 18 inches of bare floor between the rug and the nearest wall or piece of furniture.

What else is in the room?

How would your area rug look compared to other elements in your space? For most people, rugs work as “exclamation points”; that is, they pop out of the picture and downplay everything else in the room. This can be useful if you’re starting from scratch and don’t know what your focal point is just yet

If you already have a focal point, however, you may want to go for something simpler. A rug can play a secondary role and still be attractive. The Dynamic Rugs City 2301-440 olive area rug offers a good example: it’s got a neutral yet attractive color that still catches the eye, but the lack of pattern allows it to blend into the background so other elements can take center stage. Use it to highlight some antique wooden furniture, a beautiful fireplace, or a large window with a good view.

Does it add texture or movement?

One of the most common uses of area rugs is to add texture to a room. If you already have lots of color around the room, you could go for a plain-colored area rug with an interesting pattern to give it some character. Texture makes a room look more dynamic, rather than just a space with colors and furniture thrown in. Besides patterns, you can also look for rugs with embroidery, different pile lengths, and monochrome designs.

Floral area rugs are a great way to add texture to a room without going overboard. Most people associate it with classical or traditional décor, but rug manufacturers have gone much further than that. These days, you can find floral rugs that fit modern, country, Asian, and contemporary décor themes. Look around for a pattern and color that fits your current design, and use it to complete your theme.

How long will it stay in style?

The best thing about area rugs is that it leaves a lot of room for experimentation. Since you don’t have to tack it down, you can make bolder choices and not worry about changing your mind afterwards. So if you feel like red today, add a splash of red to your floor and let your creativity guide you. If you’re more into cool colors next season, it’s just a matter of rolling it up and laying out a new rug.

If you like to stay ahead, the internet offers lots of useful resources. For instance, a rug blog or user forum can help you keep track of styles and trends throughout the year. Many designers now run their own blogs where they post their ideas, latest creations, and future projects to inspire homeowners. You may even get some buying advice or tips on where to get the best deals.