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A question we get asked time and time again is ‘how do I find a perfect rug for my apartment?’. With so many styles, colours and sizes available, choosing a rug can be a daunting task. Here are six things to consider before you take the plunge!
Image by The Gardener's House
1. Think about scale
If we had a dollar for every time we’ve seen a rug far too small for a space…we’d be rich ;). But joking aside, a rug that is too large or too small can ruin the overall design of a room.
LIVING ROOM
When choosing a rug for your living room, aim to have your sofa, armchair and coffee table all on the rug (or at least touching). This will anchor the furniture so it doesn’t ‘float’ in the space. Equally, don’t choose a rug that is too large. Consider clearance for walkways, side cabinets and room for doors to open and close. We always recommend to our clients to map out the size of the rug with masking tape. This really allows for no error when investing in that key piece!
DINING ROOM
When choosing a rug for your dining room, allow for a generous amount of space behind the dining chairs. Having half the chair legs on the rug and half off, makes it very tricky to maneuver the chair in and out. As a rule of thumb we suggest 45 to 60cm behind each chair.
Image by Amber Interiors
BEDROOM
Watch this space for our bedroom rug post later this week. When choosing a rug for your bedroom there are so many things to consider - it deserves a post in it’s own right!
2. Consider durability
We’ve all had the happy guest who gesticulates enthusiastically with a large glass of red wine in their hand, or the child who spills their cup of milk, or worse still...the dog who doesn’t make it outside in time! We are strong believers that homes are for living in, and choosing a rug made with materials that can withstand daily wear and tear make these accidents much less stressful. When choosing your rug, think about how you use each space and that will dictate how durable the fabric needs to be. Here is a quick breakdown of the different rug materials, pros and cons and our thoughts on what to use where
WOOL
Wool is prized for its durability, softness and its excellent insulating properties. Think cosy underfoot, long lasting and natural.
Things to consider: Not good for damp places as it absorbs humidity. Keep it out of the sun as it can fade. It’s a natural fibre, so you may get some shedding initially.
Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, high-traffic areas
SILK
Luxurious and lustrous, silk rugs are soft, elegant and have a beautiful sheen.
Things to consider: Requires professional cleaning. The highly reflective nature of silk means it can show footprints.
Best for: Bedrooms, low-traffic areas
Image by The Citizenry
COTTON
An affordable and natural friend, used most frequently for flat-weave rugs such as dhurries and kilims.
Things to consider: Doesn’t always wear well over long periods of time. Can mark easily as there is no pile to hide stains. Easy to clean at home.
Best for: Kitchens, children’s rooms, casual spaces
SISAL, JUTE, SEA GRASS
Durable, natural grasses and other fibers combine neutral, earthy palettes and rich textures, making them the ultimate design chameleons. They are a great choice for a healthy home with many from renewable sources and typically free from chemical processing
Things to consider: Some varieties can be coarse and difficult to clean. Wet stains (water/wine etc) will often leave a permanent mark.
Best for: Living rooms, high-traffic and sunny areas
SYNTHETICS
Man-made fibers including viscose, nylon, and polypropylene. They have been improved over the years to mimic the characteristics of natural fibers. These are easy to clean, family-friendly and often hypoallergenic.
Things to consider: The underfoot feel isn’t always as luxurious as natural fibres, but don’t let that put you off - just be sure to test them out.
Best for: Hallways, outdoors (note: not all synthetic rugs are suitable for outdoor use), high-traffic and sunny areas
3. Have fun with colour and pattern
There are endless options for colours and patterns on the market, and sometimes choosing one or two rugs for a space can be a headache. A good starting point is to look around the room and pick out any colours that already exist in the space. Perhaps it’s a piece of art, a vase or even the view from the window that inspires you. Weaving those colours into other items such as rugs and cushions will bring harmony to the space.
CREATE CONTRAST AND BALANCE
Conversely sometimes the rug can be the starting point to a scheme. Think about creating contrast with other items in the room. Are you opting for a pale grey sofa? Choose a rug with some pattern to give the room depth and dimension. Are your floors red-brown parquet? Opt for a light-toned rug to achieve a sense of balance.
Image source: Pinterest
WHEN CHOOSING TWO RUGS FOR ONE ROOM
Think about how the rugs play against each other. Opt for rugs that are similar in tone but are contrasting in pattern. We love pairing organic patterned rugs with geometric designs, or transitional rugs with solid block colours. The world really is your oyster...just remember, contrast is key.
4. Layer layer layer!
If you find a gorgeous vintage persian or moroccan rug that doesn’t fit with the proportions of the room, all is not lost. Layering rugs is a handy trick to prevent smaller rugs from looking lost in a larger room. It’s also a great way to draw the eye to a focal point, such as a coffee table or accent chair. If buying a large colourful area rug is too daunting, layering a smaller colourful rug on top of a large jute rug is an excellent way to introduce a pop of colour. Much like pairing rugs side by side, be mindful when you mix pattern and colour.
5. Pick your weave and pile
You’ve chosen the colour and the material, but what is the best pile and weave? The pile is the height of the fibres and the weave is how the rug is constructed
Rugs come in different pile heights, from the ultra long ‘shag’ rug, through to a very low pile rug. A higher pile will be bouncier underfoot but more difficult to vacuum (not ideal with pets!), so these are best suited to low traffic areas like bedrooms. Low pile is very soft and much easier to clean, so is best in high traffic areas like living, dining and even children’s rooms. Mid pile is, well, well the best of both! So let’s take a look at ‘pile’ rugs:
HAND-KNOTTED
Think heirloom Persian or Oriental. These rugs are painstakingly made by hand with the backing and pattern woven as the artisan works. They can have hundreds of individual knots per square inch making them very durable. They can take months to complete and the price tag reflects this. However, when properly cared for, they can last decades and frequently become family heirlooms.
HAND-TUFTED
These are similar to hand-knotted, but the yarns are tufted through a pre-made (and often printed) backing material of canvas or jute. The yarns are then held in place with another piece of fabric and glue, which means they are more prone to wear. However they do come with a much cheaper price tag and are still a great choice for a high traffic area.
MACHINE-MADE
Machine-made rugs sometimes get a bad rap, but technology has moved on and you can now get these rugs in a huge variety of patterns and colours, and in different materials. They can be very durable and are a fraction of the price of handmade rugs.
But, let’s not forget woven rugs...
FLATWEAVE
Flatweave rugs are made of one material; think kilims and outdoor flatweaves. They are extremely durable, easy to clean, and show very little wear, making them perfect for high-traffic areas.
Image source: Pinterest
BRAIDED
Often made from natural fibres, cotton or wool, these rugs are literally braided from a continuous strand and then wound into a spiral pattern. They are inexpensive and easy to clean, so a great choice for laundry rooms, children’s rooms and in large format, even living rooms.
6. Go custom
Even with so many great rug suppliers out there, sometimes finding the perfect design at the perfect size seems like an impossible task. This is when going custom is a fantastic option, and a great way to design a piece that is truly unique. With so many rug makers now offering custom made, there are plenty of options at different price points.
If you are looking for ideas or help with choosing a rug for your home, please get in touch and we can book a consultation!
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