Decorative Area Rugs

by Giorgina Devereaux

What Purpose Will the Area Rug Serve?

One question to consider is what purpose will the area rug serve? 

You can utilize decorative area rugs in rooms with wall to wall carpet to add flair and to also help protect the carpet in high traffic areas. 

If you are you looking to change a room in your home quickly and inexpensively while trying to draw attention to a particular part of the room, then area rugs may be for you. 

Before settling on an area rug, consider how you will integrate the area rug with the current decor in the room. 

Look for rugs that contain colors that will blend in with and complement existing colors in the room. 

Also, consider investing in a rug pad to prevent the rug from sliding.  In addition to preventing sliding, a rug pad protects the rug, absorbs noise, makes vacuuming easier, and will prevent the back area of the rug from scratching the floor surface.
 

How to Select a Rug

Measure Your Room

One of the first things to consider when choosing your area rug is what sizes are you interested in.  

Do you need an accent rug or a large area rug?  Are you looking for a round or rectangular rug?  

To determine this, measure your room.  If you are not able to envision the size of the rug, try putting masking tape in four corners to give you an idea of how large of a rug you will need.  The tape on the ground is a great visual of how this rug will fit in your room.

Since rugs come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors, materials, and designs, it is essential to find a rug that suits your needs.

Pick a Shape

Decide on which rug shape fits your space the best.  For instance, rectangular rugs can go almost anywhere while round, square, and octagonal shapes help add special interest to areas of your room.

Consider Colors
 

Look for colors that will tie in with the colors in your fabrics, pillows, art work, and the other accessories in the room. 

Consider opting for restful tones in bedrooms and darker shades for the dining room where spills and mishaps can occur.

Choose a Pattern

Choosing a pattern is the final step.  Consider big floral designs and bold geometric shapes for a fresh feel. 

To achieve minimalism, consider choosing a solid color. 

For vintage appeal, traditional Oriental designs are an excellent choice. 

Rug Styles/Sizes/Colors/Materials/Weaves/Shapes

Rug Styles

Decorative area rugs are available in the following styles:

• Animal Print

• Art Deco

• Arts & Crafts/Mission

• Asian

• Border

• Casual

• Coastal/Nautical

• Contemporary/Modern

• Cottage

• Country

• Eco-Friendly

• Flokati

• Floral

• French Country

• Novelty

• Oriental

• Persian

• Retro

• Shag

• Solid

• Southwestern

• Striped

• Traditional

• Transitional

• Tribal

• Tropical

• Western

Rug Sizes

Smaller sizes are ideal when used to accent an architectural detail, such as a fireplace, sofa, bed, powder room, small entry, or narrow hallway. 

On the other hand, larger sizes are excellent for placing furniture on them. 
 

Decorative area rugs are available in the following sizes:

• 2’ x 3’

• 2’ x 5’

• 3’ x  4’

• 4’ x 6’

• 5’ x 6’

• 5’ x 8’

• 6’ x 7’

• 6’ x 10’

• 7’ x 9’

• 7’ x 11’

• 8’ x 10’

• 8’ x 12’

• 9’ x 12’

• 9’ x 13’

• 10’ x 12’

• 10’ x 16’

• 11’ x 14’

• 12’ x 18’

• Round 2’ to 5’

• Round 6’ to 9’

• Round 10’ and Up

• Oval 2’ x 3’ to 3’ x 5’

• Oval 4’ x 6’ to 5’ x 8’

• Oval 6’ x 8’ to 7’ x 9’

• Oval 8’ x 10’ and Up

• Runner 2’ x 5’ to 2’ x 8’

• Runner 2’ x 9’ to 2’ x 14’

• Runner 3’ x 6’ to 3’ x 9’

• Runner 3’ x 10’ to 3’ x 18’

• Runner 4’ x 10’ and Up

• Octagon 2’ to 5’

• Octagon 6’ to 9’

• Octagon 10’ and Up

• Square 2’ to 5’

• Square 6’ to 9’

• Square 10’ and Up

Rug Colors

• Beige

• Black

• Blue

• Brown

• Burgundy

• Gold

• Green

• Grey

• Ivory

• Multi-Colored

• Orange

• Pink

• Purple

• Red

• Tan

• Yellow

Rug Materials

Here is a list of the types of textures available for rugs, along with their characteristics:

Synthetic fibers consist of:

• Acrylic

• Nylon

• Olefin/Polypropylene

• Polyester

If you are interested in a material that is resistant to stains, mildew, and sunlight, you may wish to consider acrylic. 

The materials, olefin/polypropylene are known to be the most stain resistant and are less expensive than other rug materials, such as wool. 

If used outdoors, these fibers have the ability to withstand torrential downpours.  Nylon is flexible, lasts a long time, is easy to maintain, and can handle heavy foot traffic.

However, the best choice depends on how much foot traffic the area is expected to receive, how low maintenance the rug is, and what your budget is.
 

Natural fibers consist of:

• Bamboo

• Cotton

• Jute

• Seagrass

• Sisal

• Wool

Bamboo rugs are made from the toughest plant on the planet and are ecologically friendly. 

You can find bamboo rugs that have multiple layers of polyurethane coating, which help protect against scratching and staining.  Bamboo rugs will complement all types of flooring, carpet, hardwood, marble, and tile. They are available in different sizes, finishes, and designs.

While cotton is available in a variety of colors and feels softer than wool, it does not last as long.  Wool is dyeable, durable, soft, and easy to clean. 

Jute is considered the softest of all the fibers, but not as long-lasting.  It fades or darkens in color when exposed to direct sunlight and falls apart with repeated exposure to moisture.

Seagrass possesses an excellent neutral color consisting of light-brown and beige hues, along with a green tinge.  These natural fibers are reed-like, smooth to the touch, and have a slight natural sheen.  The beauty about seagrass rugs is that they have a lovely texture and long lasting durability.

Sisal is stronger and longer lasting than any rug made of natural fiber.  It is static free and will not run when washed.  This type of rug will add texture and casual style to your décor. 
 

Other Materials of Decorative Area Rugs:

• Leather

• Dyed Cow Hide

• Natural Cow Hide

• Printed Cow Hide

• Patchwork

• Shaggy Leather

• Sheepskin

• Silk

In recent years, leather area rugs have become more popular because of their exotic texture and versatility.  This type of rug is known for its durability and weight making it ideal for placement in rooms that have high foot traffic. 

Leather area rugs make a great piece of floor artwork because of the decorative designs.  You can find leather area rugs in exciting patterns and the styles range from modern to classic.  It will make a great conversational piece for years to come. 

Types of Rug Weaves

• Braided

• Flatweave

• Hand Hooked

• Hand Knotted

• Hand Tufted

• Machine Made

Area Rug Shapes

• Octagon

• Oval

• Rectangle

• Round

• Runner

• Square

Maintenance and Care for Decorative Area Rugs
 

Vacuuming

For rugs that are in high traffic areas, consider doing a weekly vacuuming. 

A thorough vacuuming will prevent dirt and soil from becoming embedded into the rug fibers. 

If your rugs have fringed edges, set your vacuum on the rug feature and when vacuuming, pull the vacuum towards you over the fringe in order to avoid damage to the fringed border.  This will also help keep those fibers dust free. 
 

Shaking small area rugs is not recommended since the stress of flapping the rug by hand to remove the dirt and dust will only stress the rug fibers causing it to wear sooner. 
 

What to Do in the Event of a Stain or Spill
 

With any new carpet, it is good to familiarize yourself with the cleaning instructions in the event of a stain or spill.  If a stain or spill occurs, act quickly.  Using a paper towel, blot quickly and then apply warm water and a mild soap to the area.  The longer the liquid remains on an area rug, the more likely it is to penetrate into the pile and cause a stain.  Consider consulting with a professional carpet cleaning company if you are unable to remove the stain. 
 

If possible, rotate your rugs 180 degrees every two or three months in order to reduce uneven wear from traffic and fading from natural light.  In doing so, you will distribute the actual use of the rug over its entire surface.
 

By following these simple guidelines, you will protect the appearance of your rugs and increase their longevity by years.
 

Final Thoughts on Decorative Area Rugs
 

To get the best value for your money, deal with a company that offers quality.  

If you have small children at home, look at various rugs that are considered durable and can withstand an enormous amount of use throughout the years.  You need to make sure you are going to have a durable rug that is going to stand up to a lot of use through the years and you will find that there are many choices for durable rugs at affordable prices.
 

The beauty about rugs is that they are easy to maintain, are available in many styles, and can be rearranged as desired.  Consider using an area rug if you are interested in transforming your room quickly and economically.

They instantly warm up a room, while enhancing the furniture, drapes, artwork, and other accents.