Most people think that carpets and rugs were only trendy in our grandmothers’ time. However, this is far from the truth. Area rugs are making a massive comeback! But now the pressing question is: how do you choose a rug that adds the perfect touch and completeness to your interior? What should its color, size, and material be?
The most important question to ask is the purpose of the rug: do you want it purely for warmth and softness, or should it be an eye-catching statement piece? What kind of rug should you choose? Undoubtedly, the choice of this floor covering is heavily influenced by the room it will be placed in:
- For the hallway, synthetic runner rugs with various patterns are a practical and excellent choice.
- For a nursery or kids’ room, it is better to buy a low-pile rug with interesting, bright colors and playful patterns that are easy to clean.
- For the bedroom, on the contrary, you need something lighter and more calming. Long-pile wool or fluffy shag rugs are perfect here.
- Alternatively, you can place a few small accent rugs right next to the bed.
- For the bathroom, quilted and synthetic mats with a rubber or foam backing are ideal.
How to Choose a Rug: Size and Color Guide
If your room is small, a light-colored rug with a diagonal pattern can help visually expand the space. If you want to zone a large, open-concept room, using multiple area rugs is a great solution.
The size of the rug also matters greatly:
- A large rug (over 2.5 meters) will look great in rooms with a vibrant interior, especially if the rug itself is solid-colored to balance the design.
- A medium-sized rug (up to 2 meters) perfectly highlights and separates different functional zones within a single room.
- Small accent rugs are excellent for decoration and adding focal points. Therefore, the brighter and more textured they are, the better.
With the color of the rug, you can make a room look warmer or cooler. If your room gets plenty of natural light, consider cooler tones. For a poorly lit or north-facing room, warm shades are a much better fit. It looks very stylish if the tone of your rug matches the tone of the floor. However, this rule does not apply to dark floors; in this case, the rug should contrast to stand out.
If you want the focus to remain on your furniture and interior decor rather than the floor, you should choose a solid, muted rug. Otherwise, a loud pattern will steal all the attention. A large, bright, patterned rug works best in a spacious, uncluttered room. In a heavily furnished space, it will look too chaotic and overwhelming.
Having a rug in your interior offers far more benefits than having bare floors:
- It is much easier to maintain, as it traps dust and keeps it out of the air until you vacuum;
- It acts as excellent sound insulation, dampening echoes and loud noises;
- A woolen or fluffy rug keeps your feet warm in the winter, helps regulate room humidity, and provides a comfortable walking surface.
