A home well-loved feels whole and settled, once it’s filled with the things that make it welcoming and cozy. Adding a beautiful rug is one of the ways you can instantly achieve this, while at the same time, grounding your space with your personality and charm. Believe me, once you add the right rug in your space, you’ll wonder why you managed to live without one for so long. So I say, take that leap and let’s find the perfect rug!
How to Start your Search for a Rug
To help you with your search, I put together a list of the rug types and some information to help you choose a rug that is best fit for your space:
Poly Blend & Vintage Rugs
The Feel:
Light & Airy, Traditional, Elegant
Great for:
Any area of your home, especially in the living room and dining room.
Pros:
Affordable, Low-Pile, Easy to Clean
Natural Fiber Rugs (Jute, Seagrass & Sisal)
The Feel:
Relaxed, Casual, Textured
Great for:
An entryway, living room, and any place that needs a layering piece as the foundation.
Pros:
Versatile, Indoor & Outdoor, Affordable
Wool Rugs
The Feel:
Cozy, Traditional, Elegant
Great for:
Bedrooms, Living Room, Dining Room, Formal Spaces, and Carpeted Areas
Pros:
Soft, Durable, Generally Easy to Clean
For the living room, I usually like to go with a low-profile poly blend rug. They’re nearly flushed to the floor and make a room look airy & light. This especially works well in small living spaces. For carpeted areas, you may find that a wool rug is your best bet, since they are weightier and can stand out against the carpet. Great rooms and large bedrooms really benefit from wool rugs as well. They’re beautiful, soft yet dense, and they can really elevate a space with a high quality feel.
I also love using jute rugs for a natural and textured element. They make a fun custom piece if you decide to paint a clean striped border on them. If anyone wants to see a DIY on painting a natural fiber rug, let me know in the comments below and I can get right to work on it!
Deciding on Pattern and Color in a Rug
If you have a good amount of pattern running through your space already, then opt for a neutral rug, to provide a resting spot for your eyes. You basically want to create a happy balance between pattern and solids. In the alternative, if your decor leans mostly towards solids and neutrals, you can be more bold with the color and pattern in a rug. Designer tip: Lighting can play a huge factor in the appearance of a rug. What you see in the store and online, may not translate the same when you get it home. Rugs placed in an area with less natural light may look darker, as opposed to spaces that have a lot of light traveling throughout the room. So, if you normally keep the lights dimmed or don’t have much light coming through the windows, you might want to search for much lighter rugs.
Size and Price
The nice part about design now-a-days, is you have more freedom to go with what feels right in a space, rather than what should be, based on the rules of design. I usually like to get a rug that fits the front legs of all my furniture in a living room. However, if you absolutely love a rug and it’s just shy of the right dimensions in your space, I say it’s worth purchasing anyway because you personally resonate with it. You can always layer rugs and place it in a way that compliments the space.
In terms of price, big box stores have a great selection of affordable rugs and I oftentimes like to check them out first, before expanding my search into other home decor stores locally and online. I do have brands that I enjoy working with time and again, and if you’d like me to assist you with completing your space, I can happily offer some amazing selections that fit your space with one of my custom packages.
So, this week I’ve had the chance to settle down and actually work, while enjoying one the my favorite movie’s, Legally Blonde. It reminds me of my days in college when I was a political science major, President of my sorority, and working as a Paralegal towards a career in lawyerhood. Of course, life led me to the wonderful world of interiors, but I will also be so grateful for my experience in law. It taught me so much about the dedication needed to grow a business, while helping others fearlessly and confidently …. and that’s exactly what is required as an Interior Decorator and Designer.
I hope you have the best time shopping for the perfect rug to fill your space and if you’d like to reach out, please leave me a comment below and can also view some of my popular design packages at the link: here.
Have the most wonderful day!