Finding the Perfect Rug
For something you effectively throw on the floor, a rug is a big investment. As well as adding cosiness and colour, a carefully chosen rug can pull all your carefully chosen décor together and make your room cohesive and comfortable.
It’s not an item you want to scrimp on – it’s far better to save your pennies and get the right piece that ties your room together and makes it more comfortable and welcoming.
Self-isolation had us spending a lot of time at home and for some, looking around and thinking about how we can update our living spaces. So here are a few tips from us at Love & Co on how to choose the perfect rug for your space!
Practical considerations
If your floor is looking a little plain and bare, a rug is both a decorative and a practical answer to improving your space. Your first step should be to really think about the room and what you’ll need in there, before you start thinking about the rug itself.
Is the area high traffic? Is there likely to be spillage of food or other mess? What function does the room have? Do you already have a distinct style to work with? Considering the practical characteristics of the room will help give you a framework to decide on the best fit for your room.
Size
It’s not enough just to eyeball the room – pull out the tape measure and make sure of the size that you’re after. The most commonly cited style guidelines say that your sofa should have the two front legs on, and the back legs off; your bed should have the rug tucked slightly under; and a dining table should be completely on the rug with enough room to pull chairs back. The rug should be about 30-45 cm from the wall, if you’re placing against the edge of a room.
You’ll need to take your measurements with those dimensions in mind. A too-small rug will make your room look small as well.
Shape
Of course, the most common rug shape is a rectangle, which should be suitable for most purposes. However, a different shape can create interest as well as having a different practical use. You might choose a circle mat for a bedroom, or a runner down the hall. An organic shape can add extra interest and can provide contrast for a room that features mostly straight lines.
If you opt for a standard rectangle, then the pattern is another way to play with dimension and shape, while still fitting into the space and meeting your practical considerations.
Colour
Of course, you’ll want your rug to complement your existing colour scheme, but you should try to avoid matching too closely so your colour scheme doesn’t overwhelm the space. If your space is relatively neutral you can play with colour as much as you’d like. If you are changing the colour up, consider getting a few accessories in complementary colours to tie it all in.
Neutral and natural colours are generally going to be more versatile, and you can play with the choice of material or shape to make it stand out.
Materials
The material your rug is made of is going to greatly impact its look, function and cost. From hand-knotted to commercially made, silk to polyester, each choice of material will have pros and cons that you’ll need to consider.
Silk has a luxurious look and feel, which makes for a beautiful, versatile rug. Wool is another natural fibre that can be made into beautiful pieces, which can help insulate a room and provide comfort and elegance.
Cotton is natural and easily dyed, and produces a more casual finish. Jute and sisal are quite rough but are very tough, and can create interesting textures and styles. Synthetic fibres have some advantages and are generally inexpensive, but are unlikely to achieve the colours and durability of other materials.
Carefully research the properties of the materials you might be after, so you can be sure you’re getting the right deal for you. Even some of the cheaper synthetic options have pros and cons – nylon is very durable but the dyeing process can leave it prone to fading, while polypropylene fibres are stain resistant and colourful, but easily damaged. A bit of research can go a long way.
Accounting for taste
There are so many practical and stylistic aspects to think about, but ultimately any rug you choose has to suit you. Think about your general decorating style, and get a piece for your floor that is complementary – but it doesn’t necessarily have to be a perfect match. It’s easy to get a few small accessories that tie in the colours from a rug you really love.
Your practical considerations will also need to be worked around – the size of the area, the type of usage it gets, and the pieces of furniture you’ll be working around. A white silk rug in an area with food and children is probably not the best choice, for example.
There are lots of tips and tricks that can help make your home more appealing. If you’re interested in selling, buying or renting, get in touch with one of our experts to find out the best way to present your home.