Finding the perfect rug is nice. It makes you feel good every time you look at it, lifting the look of your interiors and providing softness and floor protection underfoot. But without a little bit of planning, forethought, and a trusty tape measure, it’s easy to get your rug choice wrong. And looking at a rug that’s too small or the wrong colour isn’t a great feeling. In fact, it may even invoke some buyer’s remorse. That’s why we’ve put our top rug buying tips together in this rug buying guide, so you can find the best rug for your home and feel good about it for years.
Helpful tips for selecting the right rug
The right type of rug suits the style and functionality you need for your space. An area rug in a busy living room should be durable and of a size, shape and style that complements the room.
- Size and Shape - Large rugs are perfect for big lounge rooms or open-plan living areas because they create a zone for your lounge area. While small rugs are the perfect floor covering for defining a cosy space such as a reading nook with an armchair and coffee table. The size of the rug you choose can have a significant impact on how small or large your room will feel.
- Materials and Style - A rug’s material and its style work hand in hand. A machine-made rug will look smoother than a hand-tufted or hand-knotted rug. Keep in mind that the rug construction can determine the look of the rug, for example, patterns made with oftertufting techniques or tassels.
- Pile - The pile height of a floor rug impacts its suitability for a space. A loop pile or high pile will be plush underfoot which is great for a bedroom, while a low pile rug or flatweave rug will be low maintenance and a good option for high-traffic areas.
Material matters
Your lifestyle is the main consideration for choosing a rug material that will stand the test of time in your home. For busy family life with kids and/or pets it’s wise to choose hardwearing rug materials. Amart’s range includes a variety of rug fibres, including:
- natural fibres - such as wool rugs, cotton rugs, sisal rugs, and jute rugs; and
- synthetic fibres - such as viscose rugs, acrylic rugs, and polypropylene rugs.
Natural fibre rugs are durable and have a greater scope to blend with numerous different decor styles. While synthetic fibre rugs are stain-resistant and easy to keep clean.
Rug size and placement
Before you shop for your new rug, start by determining the right rug size for your space. Work out the size and placement of your rug by marking where you plan for it to go. Then take a good look at it. Stand in it. Sit in it. How does the size make your room feel?
The correct shape, size and placement of your rug can make your room look and feel harmonious. Try mirroring the shapes of your furniture with your rug. A good example of this is a round dining set on a round rug, or a rectangular rug sitting between two sofas facing each other.
Knowing your rug size and placement as well as carrying shapes, colours or materials through your decor choices creates a cohesive and balanced look.
General rules for rug sizing
There are some rules of thumb to follow when it comes to rug sizing. A rug that’s too large will saturate the space, while a rug that’s too small will look scant. Here are some rug sizing tips used by interior designers:
Living room rugs - In a living space, a rug should be large enough for your lounge room furniture to sit on top of it. This means that either your entire sofa/s or just its front legs, as well as your side tables and coffee table, should be on top of your rug.
Dining room - It’s all about practicality with a rug beneath a dining suite. The rug should be large enough that a dining chair is still on it once it’s pulled out from the table. A rug that measures 150cm wider and longer than your dining table would be a good size.
Bedroom - For both comfort and visual balance, a bedroom rug should sit underneath the front feet of your bedside table and run past the end of your bed. You want the rug to be underfoot when you step onto it at the side of the bed.
Choosing the right rug for the right location
A rug that’s right for your living room won’t necessarily be right for your home office. Just as your rug choice for a kids’ playroom would differ from a rug you’d place in a formal living room. That’s because the people who will be using it and the amount of foot traffic experienced in that area are two key considerations for making the right rug choice.
A low-traffic area could handle a rug made from a luxurious fabric like silk or something with a high pile that will show track marks as people walk on it. However, this same rug would be hard to keep looking great when placed in a high-traffic area. Similarly, a flatweave rug that would work well in a home office by assisting with the manoeuvrability of an office chair, may not be as comfy for kids to play on in a rumpus room. So, it’s important to keep location and functionality front of mind when rug shopping.
Styles and pattern options to complement your space
When choosing a rug style to complement your space, you can opt to have it blend in or stand out. If you already have a focal point in your room, such as a beautiful bed in your bedroom or a large piece of wall art in your living area, choose a rug that will quietly support your feature with complementary colours and patterns. Alternatively, if you’d like to make your rug the star of the show, you can choose home decor that picks up the colours in your rug, such as cushions, throw rugs and wall decor.
Here’s a list of the popular decor styles currently trending and some of their hallmark features:
- Scandi - calls for quiet colours in natural fibres like the Austar Rug with its chunky jute and cotton blend.
- Glam luxe - synonymous with luxury textiles. Think velvet, tassels, or faux fur. The Baranica Mini Fur Rugs would be right at home on either side of a glam bed or at the foot of an armchair.
- Mid-century - practical and minimalist mid-century furniture looks great with bold pattern rugs and shag rugs like the Milo Shaggy Rug.
- Industrial - an oriental-style rug or something made from natural fibres like the 100% wool Sanluri Natural Hand Woven Rug will bring warmth to the leather materials, timber and hard surfaces of industrial style.
- Boho - a Persian-inspired Kashmir Rug with a medallion pattern will complement the colourful and eclectic boho style.
- Contemporary - this style of rug refers to anything modern and can be as varied as distressed-look Persian carpets to geometric patterns. The Tibet Rug is a good example of a contemporary rug that could suit several home decor styles.
- Hamptons - fresh white, creams, linens and blue shades are synonymous with this style. The Leno Polyester Floor Rug would suit both Hamptons and traditional decor with its elegant pattern and high-low profile contrast.
- Coastal - natural shades of ocean-inspired cream, sand and soft blues like the ones you see in the Saskatoon Beige and Blue Knitted Rug tie in beautifully with coastal style.
What’s the Deal With Outdoor Rugs?
What’s the deal, you ask? How can you use a rug outdoors without it getting dirty? And what if it gets wet? These are fair questions. And the good news is that Amart has the answers.
Outdoor rugs are made from polyester plastic material that’s durable, UV-resistant, stain resistant and washable. Flatweave rugs for outdoor settings add colour and personality to your outdoor living space, helping you to divide your area into zones or even cover up a tired old deck or patio.
What’s more, if your outdoor rug gets dirty, simply hose it and hang it on the line!
Caring for your new rug
Treat your indoor rug just like you would your carpet - with regular vacuuming and spot cleaning.
Regularly vacuuming your indoor rug will decrease the amount of dirt and allergens that can become embedded within the pile during everyday use. And spot-cleaning any spills immediately will minimise stains and prolong the need for professional cleaning.
We recommend professionally cleaning your rug every two years to keep it hygienic and looking fresh.