Welcome ladies and gents to this week's blog post. We're going to cover a topic that can be pretty tricky for some people (and even us, at times). Drumroll please... picking the perfect rug for your space! Area rugs can truly make such a difference in any space. They come in different styles, pile heights, textures, patterns, etc. It's important to take all of these factors into consideration when choosing your perfect area rug. Each characteristic can really make or break how you want the space to feel & in turn how you actually feel about the rug!
#1 Size & Placement
Just the same as furniture, figuring out what size will work best in your space is THE most important factor of choosing an area rug. If the rug is too large, it can make everything else in the room look like it’s drowning. On the other hand, if it’s too small it will not only look miniature but it will make the surrounding furniture look disproportionate.
To go about choosing the correct rug size it's generally a good rule of thumb to leave at MOST 12-18" of floor space surrounding. If you would like the space to feel a little more cozy and opt. for a smaller size, it's important that at least the two front legs of the furniture can fit on the rug without loosing the functionality of the space. If placing it in a bedroom the smaller rug option should be placed with the edge in front of the nightstands, and in a dining room the rug should be big enough that you can still comfortable scoot your chair back without it going off the rug.
Most common rectangular rug sizes are 3x5, 5x8, 8x10, 9x12, and 11x14.
Source: overstock.com
#2 Pattern Scale
The scale of the pattern on the area rug is possibly the most important thing next to the actual size of the rug. Whatever the scale is on the rug (similar to the physical rug size) will have a major effect on how large or small the room appears. Larger patterns are usually suited best in a larger area where there is a lot of floor space, because the room can handle a large pattern. Larger rooms aren't really confined to any options, whereas smaller rooms are. If you have a small space, it's actually best to stay away from heavy or busy patterns all together. If you are someone who likes pattern, maybe opt. for a more subtle rug design such as a monotone rug with a pattern defined by different pile heights.
#3 Color & Texture
Part of the reason we find area rugs so important is because they can be a really fun way to add some color and texture. These two characteristics also play a huge part in setting the mood for a space. Say you have a space that doesn't get a lot of light, or you have a lot of darker design elements such as flooring and furniture, putting a lighter rug would immediately brighten the space and add a nice contrast. The same goes for if you have a really bright area with a lot of light design elements, going with a deeper toned rug can add a beautiful contrast and really cozy up the space.
As far as texture goes, it can add to the mood, but it's also important to keep in mind what type of texture to put in certain areas. For example, a plush shag rug shouldn't be going underneath your dining room table. Plush rugs are good for bedrooms and living rooms, where there isn't a ton of traffic and you want it to feel cozy. Whereas a wool rug or something possibly stain resistant would be good for an entry or dining room.
Like every other design element, choosing an area rug all comes down to preference. We just wanted to share some of our tips to keep in mind when searching for that perfect area rug! Maybe you have some of your own tips, let us know in the comments! Keep up with us on our Instagram @naomiewertinteriors and stayed tuned for next week's post!
XO
NWI
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