Decorative Area Rugs
by Giorgina Devereaux
The use of decorative area rugs is one of the most important factors to consider
when decorating your space.
They emit feelings of warmth, coziness, and intimacy. They feel wonderful
on your feet and help tie in the furniture with the wall color,
window
treatments, accessories, and art.
They also help reduce noise levels in a room and are great in areas of high foot
traffic since it protects vulnerable floor surfaces.
When considering which decorative area rugs (or rug) you will go with, you are likely to
become overwhelmed because of the incredible amount of choices that are
available.
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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:
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 dιcor.
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.
Got a Picture of Your Rug? Post it here.
Proud of your rug? Need advice about decor? Snap a photo, upload it, and show it off to the world or solicit feedback from readers.
LET'S SHOP for Area Rugs
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