The Ultimate Area Rug Buying Guide: What to Know Before You Shop

How to Buy Area Rugs: Before You Shop

A room is immediately changed by an area rug that is, it warms the room, makes it comfortable, stylish and brings a personality into your house. Whether you are moving into a new flat or trying to modernize an old one, the process of picking the right rug is a move that influences the appearance of the interior as well as its functionality. Nevertheless, there are myriads of choices when it comes to area rugs in terms of size, material, pattern and cost, making it overwhelming to purchase an area rug.
This is your overall area rug shopping guide that will guide you through the buying process before you make the purchase such as the size and material to choose, durability, maintenance and design trends. At the conclusion, you will be sure that you have selected a rug that best fits your place, lifestyle and budget.

1. The significance of an Area Rug in Home Design

Area rugs are not just another name for floors. They are used in several ways such as:

• Delimiting open floor plan spaces.
• Introducing color, texture and visual appeal.
• Comforting and insulating.
• Wearing off and tear prevention in floors.
• Improving the acoustics through noise reduction.

A carefully selected rug will hold furniture together, will add more balance to a room and will unify your total decor theme.

2. Choosing the Right Rug Size

One of the most critical aspects of the purchasing area rug is size. An oversized rug will saturate a room whereas a small rug will make the room seem like a part of the room.

Living Room Rug Sizes

• Small rooms: 5x8 feet cozy rugs are suitable in small seating rooms.
• Medium rooms: an 8 x 10 rug permits the front legs of furniture to be on the rug.
• Big rooms: 9 x 12 or bigger size rugs can accommodate all furniture on them.

Bedroom Rug Sizes

• Have a big rug under the bed that reaches to at least 18-24 inches on every side.
• Otherwise, apply runners on both sides of the bed.

Dining Room Rug Sizes

• Select a rug which protrudes the table by at least 24 inches to enable the seats to remain on the rug when extended.

Trick: You should always take measurements of your area and visualize then buy.

3. The Best Rug Material to choose

The content defines the feel and life span and maintenance of a rug and the cost.

Natural Fiber Rugs

• Wool: Plush, hardwearing, stainless and durable.
• Cotton: This is budget friendly, light and easier to clean.
• Jute and Sisal: This can be used in casual areas. It is sustainable and is textured.
• Silk: Expensive, smooth and fit in low-traffic locations.

Synthetic Rugs

• Polypropylene: Good choice for high traffic areas, budget friendly and minimum staining.
• Nylon: Easy to maintain and durable.
• Polyester: Colorful, nice touch and budget friendly.

Another tip: Wool or synthetic fibers would be a good choice, as they are very durable, whereas silk or cotton are used as ornaments.

4. Knowledge of the types of Rug Construction

The quality, durability, and cost of the rugs depends on the process of making them.

Hand-Knotted Rugs

• Best quality and manufacturing.
• Extremely durable
• Often more expensive

Hand-Tufted Rugs

• Good quality at a lower price
• Weaker than hand knotted rugs.

Machine-Made Rugs

• Low-cost and standardized design.
• Good with low-end consumers.

Flatweave Rugs

• Light, non-slip and comfortable.
• In informal and contemporary areas it goes well with the furniture.

5. Selecting the Right Pile Height

The thickness or height of the rug fibers is referred to as the pile height.

Low-Pile Rugs

• Easy to clean
• Best when the traffic is high e.g. in hallways and entryways.
• Great for homes with pets

Medium-Pile Rugs

• Fair comfort and stability.
• Furniture fits in the living room and bedrooms.

High-Pile Rugs

• Plush and cozy
• Best for low-traffic spaces
• Require more maintenance

6. Home Decor to Rug Style

Your rug must also match with the design of your total design.

Modern & Minimalist

• Neutral colors
• Geometric patterns
• Clean lines

Traditional & Classic

• Persian or Oriental designs
• Colorful and suitable decorations.

Bohemian & Eclectic

• Bold colors
• Layered patterns
• Designs inspired by vintage looks.

Farmhouse & Rustic

• Natural fibers
• Muted tones
• Simple textures

Coastal & Scandinavian

• Light colors
• Soft textures
• Subtle patterns

Helpful tip: Neutral furniture means one should use a bold rug. When your home is colorful, use a more low profile rug.

7. Color and Pattern Concerns

Color and pattern also determine the mood and the appearance of a room size.

Light-Colored Rugs

• Make small rooms feel larger
• Prepare a clear cut airy environment.

Dark-Colored Rugs

• Add warmth and coziness
• Hide stains and wear better

Patterned Rugs

• Conceal dirt and spills
• Add visual interest

Solid Rugs

• Provide a clean, modern look
• Make furniture and decor to shine through.

8. Durability and Traffic

It is very important to consider the amount of foot traffic area going to get where you are using the rug.

High-Traffic Areas

• Entryways
• Living rooms
• Hallways

Wool, nylon and polypropylene rugs are the best fit for such areas.

Low-Traffic Areas

• Bedrooms
• Guest rooms
• Formal sitting rooms

Here you can choose light fabrics such as silk or shag rugs.

9. These are the Maintenance and Cleaning Requirements

The maintenance and cleaning requirements are different for different rugs.

Easy-Care Rugs

• Synthetic fibers
• Low-pile designs
• Machine-washable rugs

High-Maintenance Rugs

• Silk
• High-pile
• Antique rugs or handmade rugs

Hack: When you own pets or children, opt to use stainless and water resistant material.

10. Budget: What is the Budget Size?

The prices of the rugs depend on various factors such as size, materials and craftsmanship. 

Budget Rugs ($50-$300)

• Machine-made
• Synthetic fibers
• They are good for temporary use.

Mid-Range Rugs ($300-$1,000)

• Wool or hand-tufted
• Better durability and style

High-End Rugs ($1,000+)

• Hand-knotted
• Premium materials
• Long-term investment pieces

Tip: Length of stay- Cost-per-year--better-quality rugs can have a very long life.

11. Rug Pads: An Accessory that is a Must

A rug pad enhances comfort and life with:

• Preventing slipping
• Protecting flooring
• Extending rug life
• Adding cushioning

The rug pad should always be a little smaller than the size of rug.

12. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Rugs

If you care about sustainability then you should look for:

• Recycled material rugs.
• Rugs which are made by sustainable materials like natural fibers.
• Low-VOC dyes
• Fair-trade certified rugs

Environmentally friendly rugs are healthier to the house and the environment.

13. Online vs. In-Store Rug Shopping

Buying Rugs Online

Pros:

• Wider selection
• Competitive prices
• Convenient

Cons:

• Can't feel texture
• Colors may vary

Buying Rugs In-Store

Pros:

• See true colors
• Feel quality firsthand

Cons:

• Limited selection
• Often higher prices

Hint: Before purchasing online, you should examine the policies of the company on check returns.

14. What Mistakes You Should Avoid Which are Pretty Common

• Selecting a rug which is too small.
• Ignoring maintenance needs
• Purchasing styles that cannot wear out well.
• Ignoring the need for rug pads.
• Not taking lifestyle factors such as kids, pets and foot traffic into an account.

15. Final Tips Before You Shop

• Space is something that you should measure.
• Set a realistic budget
• High-traffic areas should be a priority of durability.
• Select classic fashions to be used over time.
• Read reviews when making purchases on the Internet.

Conclusion

The addition of an area rug is very aesthetic and it can help to transform the overall appearance and coziness of the house. For this reason it is very important that you make this decision by keeping several important factors in mind such as size of the rug, materials used, process of construction, pile height, lifestyle choices and the need to care and maintain the rug.
The ideal rug is one that is beautiful, durable and functional yet it blends with your style and living. You have time, measure, spend time, and buy a rug that will not only improve your space today but also will be able to bring warmth and beauty in a few more years.