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5 Tips for Choosing an Area Rug

4/21/15 9:00 AM / by Malta Development Malta Development

An area rug can serve many purposes. It can be the visual focus of a room, the comfort under your feet after a long day, the protection of your newly installed hardwood or fresh clean carpet, or a soft place for your children to play without harm.

 

That being said, choosing the right area rug for your space can be a bit of an ordeal. But it doesn’t have to be that way! Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect area rug for your home.

 

1. Decide on focal or not focal 

 

The first thing to consider when choosing an area rug is whether or not you would like it to be the focal point in the room. Patterned rugs will come in one of two styles: 1) centralized medallion or 2) repetitive pattern. An area rug with a centralized medallion will act as a great focal point in any room, where one with a more repetitive, subdued pattern might do well in rooms with pre-existing bold decor.

 

2. Cancel out the competition

 

Analyze your space. Did you just install wallpaper that you really love? Or did you just have some crown molding hung? Those little details can make for a stunning room; however, they can severely clash with a new area rug. Make sure you’re considering the pre-existing décor of the room before making any purchases.

Learn more about designing and decorating your home

3. Factor traffic into your decision

 

Area rugs in high traffic rooms, such as the family room or bedroom, are naturally more susceptible to stains and general wear and tear. For that reason, a rug with a denser pattern might be a better fit for high traffic zones. Conversely, a room with low traffic can stand to have a rug with a more spaced out pattern. Think of it this way: the more pattern there is, the less maintenance there will be in the long run.

 

4. Use color to your advantage

 

A general rule of thumb is that lighter colored area rugs will make a room look larger, while darker colored area rugs will make a room feel cozier. If you’ve got white walls, you may want to go with something a little darker on the floor to give a sense of coziness.

 

5. Don’t be scared of shapes

 

Rugs come in all shapes and sizes, so don’t feel the need to stick to simple rectangle ones! Circles, octagons, hexagons, and squares are all unique touches that can make even the simplest of rugs stand out.

 

We hope this guide has been helpful in your rug selection ventures! Let us know if you have any additional tips for choosing an area rug in the comments section below.

 

Image via NoveCarpet

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Topics: housing amenities, Tips + Tricks

Malta Development

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