Adding Character and Comfort with Area Rugs

Area rugs are a simple yet transformative way to add visual interest, comfort, and personality to any living space. Available in a diverse array of sizes, colors, textures and designs, rugs help define spaces, anchor furniture arrangements, and infuse rooms with unique style. Read on for a comprehensive overview of the many benefits of area rugs and tips for choosing the perfect ones for your home.

What Are Area Rugs?

Area rugs, also known as accent rugs, are rugs designed to cover a portion of a room rather than wall-to-wall. Typical area rug sizes range from small 2’x3’ door mats up to expansive 12’x15’ rugs for large living rooms and bedrooms. Most area rugs are made by hand-knotting or machine-weaving fibers like wool, cotton, jute, polyester, acrylic or nylon. Benefits of Using Area Rugs There are many excellent reasons to use area rugs throughout your interior:

• Provide comfort and warmth underfoot
• Help define spaces for living, dining, etc.
• Protect and preserve flooring below
• Absorb ambient noise in a room
• Inject color, texture and visual interest
• Complement a room’s style seamlessly

Tips for Selecting an Area Rug With so many options to choose from, it helps to keep the following criteria in mind while rug shopping:

• Size it right - Measure the furniture/space and size your rug so front chair and table legs sit atop the rug. Add 12-18 inches beyond furniture.
• Mind quality and materials - Wool and natural fibers are best for durability and appearance retention over time.
• Pile height - Low pile rugs suit high traffic areas. Plush piles feel indulgent in bedrooms. Distressed piles add boho flair.
• Pattern and design - Choose patterns and colors that complement your space. Scale down busy patterns for small spaces.
• Select a shape - Rectangular rugs are most common, but round, oval, octagonal and square rugs also have great design appeal.
• Test for slip resistance - Flip a rug over and make sure the backing grips your floors properly.
• Assess shedding - Natural fiber rugs often initially shed when new. But excessive, continued shedding indicates low quality.

Area Rug Styles From traditional Persian carpets to graphic shags, area rugs come in a diverse range of styles.

Some top styles include:

• Persian - Intricately patterned carpets knotted by hand with ornate floral, medallion and paisley designs.
• Modern - Graphic, geometric and abstract prints and textures with a sleek, contemporary look.
• Shag and Flokati - Long, shaggy piles in solids and ombres that create a retro, bohemian vibe.
• Braided - Made of braided wool or cotton strands for an earthy, casual feel.
• Kilim - Flatwoven rugs with crisp geometrics and tribal patterns originally from Turkey.
• Sisal, Jute & Seagrass - Natural woven fibers with rustic burlap-like textures perfect for casual settings.
• Vintage - Antique hand-knotted rugs sourced from Iran, Turkey, India and elsewhere for one-of-a-kind appeal.

Area Rug Materials Rugs are constructed from various types of natural and synthetic fibers, each with their own characteristics:

• Wool - Extremely durable and stain resistant with rich color. Piles can be looped or cut.
• Cotton - Provides good durability and a more casual, country look. Stains easily.
• Jute - Natural fiber with a burlap-like look. Environmentally friendly and very affordable.
• Silk - Luxuriously soft and lustrous but harder to clean. Often used in combination with wool.
• Synthetics - Affordable options like polyester and nylon that mimic more expensive materials.
• Sisal - Coarse natural fiber made from agave plants. Has stringy texture.

Area Rug FAQs

Still have some questions about area rugs? Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:

• How often should I vacuum my area rug?

  It's best to vacuum area rugs once a week to prevent dirt buildup that can damage fibers. Spot clean spills immediately.

• How do I get an area rug to stay in place on my floor?

  Using a quality rug pad underneath is the best way to keep rugs securely in place and prevent sliding.

• Can I put an area rug on carpet?

  Yes, layering an area rug on top of wall-to-wall carpeting allows you to introduce color, pattern and texture. Just be sure the rug is smaller than the overall carpeted space.

• What's the best way to clean an area rug?

  For a deep periodic cleaning, it's best to have natural fiber area rugs professionally steam cleaned. Check manufacturer instructions for guidance on cleaning synthetic or delicate rugs.

• Should I put furniture on top of an area rug or keep it surrounding just the edges?

  It's recommended to size your area rug so that the front legs of furniture sit atop the rug while the back legs remain on the bare floor.

With their unlimited versatility, area rugs bring function and style to any room. Take time to find the perfect rug to define your space and reflect your personal taste.