Freshen Your Space With Trendy Area Rug Ideas
Rugs have been a staple of home design for generations, and with good reason. They were first spun by nomadic tribes out of grasses and reeds 5,000 years ago.
Rugs, often the unsung heroes of home décor, cushion footfall, absorb sound, and help reduce heating costs –being excellent internal insulators.
Other than serving a functional purpose, rugs can completely transform a room by bringing color schemes together, adding dimension, texture, and eye-catching style.
And do you know why you’ll rarely see a designer pass up the chance to utilize an area rug in a room? They delineate zones and boundaries giving spaces an organized and defined look.
Area rugs are accent rugs that do not touch the walls, but mostly used to help orient and hold furniture or fixtures in a room.
Designers have consistently proven that rugs are more than just functional pieces —whether they choose an exquisite flatweave, a striped statement rug, or Kilim runner. A rug with a vibrant, pattern can draw attention to accent colors in the background and give a whimsical touch when matched with a primarily minimalist design.
On one hand, a vintage Moroccan or Persian rug—both perennial favorites among designers—can elevate the grandeur and drama in any interior space.
Want to undertake an extensive interiors transformation? A simple change of rugs can do wonders in upgrading your space!
For personalized advice on updating your space with area rugs, contact JarvisInteriors.
Area Rugs DO’s & DON’TS
Considering the myriad of rugs coming in seemingly infinite choices of patterns, colors, designs, sizes, and materials, it might be tough to find just the right one.
So, to help you decide the rug of your dreams and ease the stress of selecting, we have compiled do's and don'ts to help you.
DO:
1- Extend rugs beneath furniture
Make sure the area rug you choose reaches beneath all the important furniture pieces in the room. For instance, in a living room, all of the furniture must be placed on top of the rug. If this is not doable, it's alright to have the front legs of large, upholstered items on the rug and the back legs off. Smaller items' legs should all be on the rug, though.
The rug in a dining room should be big enough for both the table and the chairs. The chairs should always be on the rug even when they're pulled away from the table.
2- Pad high-traffic areas with rugs
See to it that the rug you choose completely covers any areas that get a lot of foot traffic. People shouldn't walk through with one foot on the rug and the other off. It's uncomfortable, awkward, and might cause the rug and your flooring to show strange, uneven wear patterns.
3- Leave equal space on all sides
On both edges of your rug, you should ideally leave an equal amount of floor space. Make it between eight and 24 inches on all sides. The most standard distance is 18 inches, but in a tiny area, you can get away with much less. The rug should be positioned in the center of the room.
4- Know the right cleaning procedure for your type of rug
Before buying any rug, make sure to read the cleaning instructions on it. Although jute, sisal, and other natural fiber rugs are cheaper, you might need to replace them if there's a huge spill because they cannot be cleaned. So before making a purchase, weigh your options and budget.
For additional tips, watch this advice from an interiors pro: COMMON DESIGN MISTAKES | Area Rugs Dos and Don'ts.
DON'T:
1- Be frugal with size
The biggest mistake people make when using area rugs as décor is picking ones that are too small.
This makes sense, especially when you consider the cost of some of the wider rugs. But going big now will prevent you from having to replace one that doesn't work. Plus, a rug still costs less than an entire room's worth of carpet.
2- Go too modest in the bedroom
If an area rug doesn't go beyond the bed, what good is it? Instead of stepping on a soft rug, you'll walk out of bed onto a chilly, cold surface. So, before you go shopping, make sure you take accurate measurements.
For a twin or double bed, the rug should ideally reach beyond the sides by at least 12 inches, and at least 18 inches for a queen or king bed. Although you can go wider, these figures should be the absolute minimums you aim for.
3- Be reluctant with pattern and color
You should embrace color and pattern to add fun and playfulness to the space with area rugs. If after a couple of years, you decide you don't like it, you have plenty of affordable options to choose from.
4- Place your finest rugs in danger
While it may be tempting to put your finest rug in a room that serves as the focal point of the house, like the dining room, you might want to reconsider.
It's best to steer away from putting pricey area rugs in spots where accidents and spills are likely to occur.
Despite being cleaner than broadloom carpet, it can still be tough to remove stains from rugs. It's best to keep this in mind if you have pets or kids. Since what your family does on the rugs is beyond your control, in the more hazardous sections of your home, it's smart to choose inexpensive rugs with easy-to-clean options.
For more ideas on selecting rugs, watch How to Choose the Right Area Rug for Every Room in Your Home | Size, Material, & Color.
Here are photo galleries for inspiration:
51 LIVING ROOM RUGS THAT WILL BRING YOUR SPACE TO LIFE and
26 Best Rugs to Tie Your Living Room Together
How to choose the perfect rug
Your choice of rugs should ultimately reflect your personal style. The right rug can perfectly tie together even a room with the most intricate design.
There is an area rug to fit any style, whether your taste is bright and bold or a mix of calming neutrals.
The perfect area rug, whether plain or elaborate, can either blend into the background or stand out as the centerpiece of your space. Another simple option to quickly update your room is to lay down a new rug.
Simply decide the rug size that best fits your room, then pick a color and design that goes well with the furniture you already display. Here are easy area rug ideas to help you get creative with your own spaces:
1- blend together a neutral palette with a rug that complements the overall design
2- create a focal point that softens the rest of the décor pieces
3- set up a modern look with patterned rugs
4- make easy visual transition from one décor piece to another with striped area rugs
5- complement a wall color to create cohesion in your space
6- match the drapes (or other window treatments) with your area rug
7- add comfort and soften the vibe with a shag rug
8- choose a rug that matches a single décor accessory
9- add texture by layering multiple rugs in one area
10- use an area rug in an open and airy space to anchor the room's design
To help you decide which rugs to avoid, watch this advice from an interior design pro: RUGS TO STOP BUYING AND MY 10 FAVORITE STYLES.
Read related: Living room rug ideas – 15 statement ways to instantly brighten up your space
Because they're quicker to remove and clean, area rugs are a great alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting. They require less commitment and are easy to replace if you get tired of them or decide to redesign. Without a doubt, area rugs make room makeover so much fun and simpler!
Thinking of updating your spaces with trendy area rugs? Let the design experts of JarvisInteriors take care of your home staging and interior designing! Explore the latest room styling advice from JarvisInteriors here: Arches: A Huge Interior Design Trend for 2023.
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