The rug is a unique item in the homewares arena. More than an accessory, not quite furniture, it can meet many needs in your home – as well as being visually attractive, rugs can help define space, they can provide warmth and comfort underfoot, and reduce echoing by absorbing sound. But how do you go about choosing the best one for you? Although personal taste and style are important, they shouldn’t be the only things that you think about when doing your research and making your purchase decision.
Function
First, ask yourself what the function of your rug is. Is it to define a study space in a bedroom or a relaxation area in an open-plan living space? You’ll want a bold option that contrasts the floor beneath. In the hallway, which is a high-traffic area, your rug needs to be robust and ideally of a dark colour, unless you have a “no shoes” policy in your house. Bedroom rugs are about creating a soft, sumptuous feel underfoot, so touch should be factored into your decision, and if the goal is to reduce echo and noise, a deep pile is ideal.
Fibre and form
Understanding the function of your rug will help you make the next decisions: what material you want it to be made of and what form it should take. Silk rugs, for example, tend to have more of a shine and are relatively delicate, whereas wool is matt and more robust. Vegetable fibres, such as jute and sisal, are absorbent and will expand and shrink slightly with changes in humidity, making them a poor choice for a bathroom or patio area. However, jute is very hard-wearing and therefore well suited to a hallway.
As for form, tufted rugs are soft underfoot, but not as sturdy, making them a good bedroom choice. On the other hand, dhurries and kilims – which are flat rugs woven from wool or cotton – are a durable option for a high-traffic area, and a great focal point because of the fact that they’re usually strongly coloured and patterned. It’s worth noting that deeper piles can be a trip hazard for those with mobility issues, so think carefully about who uses the house.
Finally, don’t forget to think outside the box – these days you can get quirky rubber rugs, for example, which are ideal for children’s rooms because they’re soft and durable, or eco-friendly ones made from a patchwork of recycled denim jeans, which may appeal to a teenager.
Size and position
Size is another important factor to think about – in general, choose a model that’s around two feet smaller than the shortest wall in the room. In the hallway, leave at least six inches free on all sides, plus enough space to allow your front door to open without scrunching it. If your rug is going to be positioned underneath your dining room table, make sure that it protrudes at least far enough past the edge of the table to accommodate chairs. Finally, the classic position for a rug in a bedroom is below the bottom half or two-thirds of the bed itself, sticking out at the bottom and at the sides.
To be sure that you choose the right size of rug, it’s worth drawing a floor plan of your room, including the larger pieces of furniture, so that you can be as accurate as possible and test out a variety of layouts. Don’t be afraid to experiment – pulling a rug off centre, for example, can make an artistic statement, while overlapping rugs and furniture will link them visually to create defined areas in your room.
Style, colour and texture
Now that you’ve narrowed your search, it’s time to get creative and pick a style that will suit the room that you’re buying for. A shag-pile rug will shout 1970s retro, for example, while a reindeer skin will evoke a wintry, Nordic vibe.
Bright colours and bold patterns draw the eye, so use these where you want to focus the attention. To ensure that your rug blends visually with existing furniture – a sofa or bedding set, for example – a good tip is to match a plain colour with a secondary shade. So if you have a patterned sofa that’s mainly navy with some tan and white, choose a solid tan or white rug. A pink rug with green and cream patterns will look great with a plain green or cream sofa.
Don’t forget the importance of texture in creating a layered and visually interesting room. A soft, fluffy rug will pair nicely with a sleek leather sofa, while a velvety sofa could benefit from the contrast of a harder, smoother sisal rug.
Then all that’s left is to decide how much you can afford to spend to get your dream option. If you want your rug to last well, spend as much as you can on high-quality fibres and be sure to take care of your rug.
Final thoughts
Although the internet is a wonderful tool for allowing you to shop around and do your research, it’s always best to see your rug before making a final decision, as touch is such an important factor.
Rugs work best on hard floors or very short-pile carpets. Deep-pile carpets don’t provide a solid enough base, and your rug will “float” and move about.
If your rug is going to be used on a solid floor in a space where it won’t be weighted down with furniture, a rug pad will help it to stay in place, so that you’re not constantly straightening it or worried about people slipping and falling.
Caring for your rug will significantly extend its life. Regular vacuuming will lift out daily dirt, but be sure to read the care instructions so that you know what to do in the event of a spill or other major soiling. Getting your rug professionally cleaned every year or two is a great way to breathe new life into it, and will save you money in the long run.
