Choosing a Rug for a Hardwood Floor

Hardwood floors are a dream for every homeowner, and it’s easy to see why. Wood adds instant warmth to any home and goes with practically every decor theme. It’s also surprisingly durable, and if properly maintained, can last just as long as concrete or marble. There’s only one drawback: it’s hard to find rugs that match it.

Area rugs are a must for protecting wood flooring, but choosing the right rug is no piece of cake. Your rug has to provide ample protection and complement your room decor at the same time. If you’re having trouble choosing rugs for your hardwood floor, read on for a few quick tips.

Choose a good backing. The backing is the protective material at the bottom of your area rug. This part makes the most contact with your floor, so it’s naturally the first thing you should look at. The best backing materials are flexible rubber, fabric-based sheets, and basically anything that’s soft. Plastic should be avoided as it tends to attract small articles that can scratch your flooring.

Go for natural rugs. Natural fibers complement the natural look of wood. Not all of them are reliable, however, so make sure you know your fabrics. Some of the most common are:

• Wool area rugs: very soft and durable, but tends to shrink in water. Best for living rooms and bedrooms
• Seagrass area rugs: light and comfortable, perfect for low-traffic areas such as bedrooms and basements
• Jute area rugs: has a bright, attractive color that perfectly blends in with wood. Looks best against warm-hued and yellowish woods
• Bamboo area rugs: light, durable, and very cheap. Comes in lots of colors, so it’s easy to find one that suits your decor

Look for busy prints. Wood tends to look monotonous, so printed area rugs are a great way to add color and texture. Busy prints, such as those found in oriental area rugs, usually offer a great complement for hardwood floors. The only problem is that prints can get dated. Avoid going out of style by using classic prints such as braided area rugs, polka dots, stripes, or checks, or simply replace your rugs from time to time.

Match or contrast the shade of the wood. The color of the wood should be duplicated in at least one of the room colors. This helps reproduce the natural feel of the wood, even in manmade elements such as glass and concrete. Area rugs are the best way to coordinate color because they’re close enough for the eye to make the connection. To add interest, try creating contrast by choosing a rug ion a darker or lighter shade than the hardwood floor.

Consider the rug’s edging. Patterned rugs may not work if there are other patterns in the room competing for attention. If this is the case, you can add variety to your area rug by selecting an attractive edging. Creative fringes, border prints, and tasseled edges help draw the eye to the rug while keeping other design elements visible.