3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Selecting Your New Area Rug
If you intend on adding a floor covering to a room in your home, there are several points to consider beforehand. Picking out the perfect area rug requires a bit of planning. Here are some tips to make the selection process easier.
What Color Scheme Should I Select?
When picking out a new area rug, it is important to consider the color of the surroundings. If furniture is light in color, a darker rug will help to show off the pieces with ease. Select a color scheme and pick out a patterned rug to complement the existing furnishings and decor. Make sofas, tables, and bookshelves stand out by selecting an area rug on the opposite side of the color wheel. Picking out colors in the same realm but with different hues will give a room a comfortable feeling. It is best, however, to break up the monotony of one color with a few pieces of furniture or decor in a contrasting shade. Alternately, the area rug selected will do this for you.
The lighting in the room will boost the colors seen in a room. Placing sources of illumination at different levels will bring out the beauty of not only the area rug but also the furnishings and decor.
What Pieces Do I Want To Highlight?
The furnishings in a room will stand out if the right flooring is present. The flooring is equally important as the pieces that sit on top of it. To highlight a favorite armchair, desk, or armoire, position it directly over the area rug so it is sure to be noticed. The color contrast or patterning of a rug will grab attention, and make furnishings more likely to be seen as well.
Consider placing an area rug in front of a cherished picture or conversation piece, such as a piano. People will use the rug to stand in front of the item being highlighted, helping them to have the perfect view while remaining comfortable in the process.
How Hard Will It Be To Care For The Rug?
An area rug that requires a lot of care may not be the best choice. Make sure to read the care instructions before making a purchase. Some rugs need to be cleaned by a professional. If this is not in your budget, or if you do not have the time to drop off and pick up the rug for frequent cleanings, select another type of material. Keep cleaning supplies on hand to clean the rug promptly when needed. In addition, check that cleaning supplies will not cause damage to any of the furnishings they come into contact with.
Make sure to position furnishings on a rug in a way where legs of chairs or tables will not snag the material. Use furniture pads under these protrusions to keep the rug free of rips and tears.
