Rugs are essentially carrying the whole room, in a metaphorical sense, more than anything else, as they often elevate the whole space, giving it a special interior design and feel. Rugs have been an essential part of everyone’s home for decades. It hadn’t always been like that but throughout history, it’s been a sign of status and wealth. It wasn’t until the industrial revolution that we were able to make them on a much bigger scale, dropping the costs of manual labor and so the overall price of rugs became more affordable for your everyday Joe.

Nevertheless, for those who’d like to stand out and buy something mesmerizing and long-lasting, there are still options on the market if you have the money. Whatever the case might be, in the text below, we’ll discuss some things you’d like to consider before making the purchase. How do you know you’ve made the right choice? Well, if you follow the guidelines and tips, there is a big chance you scored a really good deal.

Consider the Room’s Traffic and Function

In terms of traffic, we’re referring to the number of people usually passing by that specific part of the house. As you can imagine, rugs have a long lifetime, yet at one point, that lifetime can be cut in half if there is a high frequency of people going up and down the rug area constantly. So, before buying a rug, you’ll have to take into account the function of the room and traffic. For high-traffic areas like hallways and living rooms, opt for durable materials such as wool or synthetic fibers that can withstand wear and tear. In contrast, for low-traffic areas like bedrooms, you can choose softer, more delicate materials such as silk or plush wool for added comfort and luxury. Those are just some thoughts and suggestions, yet they play a vital role and can define how long your rug is going to last.

Determining the Size

You’re probably wondering why and how that plays a major role, but the size of the rug depends on the area you’d need to put it. Besides some obvious factors, such as the overall feel of the room and its looks, there is also the placement of the rug itself. For example, in the living room, you can put high-quality 8 x 10 area rugs that are the perfect distance from your feet to your coffee table. A common rule of thumb is to ensure that the rug is large enough to fit under the front legs of your furniture, creating a cohesive look. When it comes to the kitchen and dining area, the rug should be big enough so the chairs fit right beneath it and there is more than enough space even if the chairs are pulled out. So, the possibilities are many and depend on your overall desires and how you would like to match the interior decor with the rug itself. An interesting idea is to create a small layout of the whole room and to think about the many possibilities for how to fit in a rug.

Choose the Appropriate Material

We already mentioned the importance of choosing the right material depending on the traffic in the area as well as the rug’s function. What are other things to consider when it comes to materials? Generally, different materials offer varying levels of durability, comfort, and maintenance. For example, wool is a popular choice due to its durability and its anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. Wool carpets are often easy to maintain, have stain resistance, and have a soft texture, making them ideal for both high-traffic and low-traffic areas. It’s a natural and breathable material, plus it feels amazing under the fingers. On the other hand, there are nylon and synthetic materials that are more durable and affordable. These are perfect for working and office spaces. Although they may not offer the same level of comfort as the ones made from wool, they’re still a great choice if you’re thinking about some parts of your home where the traffic is not that high and you just need something affordable and durable to fill the space.

Match the Style and Color Scheme

This usually goes without saying but your rug essentially needs to match the overall color scheme and design of the whole room. You’ll need to think about patterns and how to incorporate them with the rest of the home. One interesting idea is to make and build contrast, for example, a bright color rug goes well with darkened walls, or light-colored walls are a real match for darker-colored rugs. There is also the matter of pattern, and we suggest following a certain narrative to make it more in tune with the surroundings. For example, the pattern of the rug should match the pattern of the cushions you place on the sofa bed. A bold, patterned rug can act as a statement piece in a neutral room, while a solid or subtly patterned rug can balance a room with busy decor.

Understating Maintenance Requirements

When it comes to maintenance, it comes down to the instructions given by the manufacturer. You’ll have to take into account that every rug needs a different treatment, and that depends not only on the material but also on the way the rug has been woven. The wool rugs we mentioned earlier are relatively easy to clean and maintain, they don’t require a lot of fancy maintenance. On the other hand, silk rugs require professional cleaning and more delicate care. If you have children or pets, we advise going for more stein-resistant options rather than anything else. But in most cases, regular vacuuming and treating stains immediately after they happen should be more than enough maintenance for some time. Once again, depending on the traffic, getting the rug deep-cleaned from time to time might prolong its life as well.

Well, who would have thought that choosing something as simple as a nice rug for your living room needed this much thought? In the end, it all comes down to your personal preferences but these tips are there to guide you and make sure that once you’ve set your mind on something, you’re making the right choice.