Rugs 101: Everything You Need to Know To Select Your Next Rug

Are you on the hunt for the perfect rug? How does one select the “perfect rug”? Is there even such a thing? As we all know nothing is perfect but after reading this guide you can get pretty damn close.

Finding the perfect rug is like any other decision in your life, it comes down the Top Three. These three factors impact most decisions- function, aesthetic, and cost.

Do you have children who run, jump or crawl on anything? Are you a bachelorette who host friends for weekly dinners? What is your style- are you a boho babe, or a lover of French antiques? How much is too much to spend on a wool rug? There are, of course other elements that help your decision but I found these three factors sum it all up. Well if you too are on the search for a rug for your space keep reading.

Forget what they say…size matters!

First things first, you want to determine the size of your rug. This will determine if you are in need of a premade rug or if you should go custom. If you are purchasing a premade rug your options will be limited to standard sizes. If you are interested in a custom area rug, the options are endless. We’ll talk more about custom area rugs a little later.

When it comes to size for your rug, I recommend purchasing the largest option you can afford for the space. A larger rug will do two things 1) make the room feel larger and 2) the rug will grow with you as you move to other homes. The most common large sizes on the market are 8″x10″, 9″x12″ and 10″x14″. These are perfect for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms. The idea is to have your furniture legs on the rugs. If all of the legs are not under the rug make it the back legs. I have included a photo for reference.

Goal: You want the rug to define the area and serve as a way to group your furniture.

Do your research!

Once you have an a size in mind, take some time and do a little research on area rugs. Search the internet to see what materials are out there for color, style and this will allow you to start thinking about the budget.

How do know what you want if you don’t know what is available? Google area rugs and think about how you live in your home, the colors you love. Check out furniture site and you will typically find an array of options. Some of my favorite sites for premade area rugs are Wayfair, RUGSUSA, Ruggable and Overstock.com to name a few. If you would rather see options in person then I recommend Home Goods, Pottery Barn, Target or West Elm.

How do you live? Really?

Let’s get real. In the world of interior design there are tons of fabrics and materials but not all finishes are made the same. Not all finishes are meant for every scenario.

Some materials can take a lifetime of wear and tear and other materials are meant to be seen not touched. I know… that may sounds crazy to some. The truth is there are certain things that should not live around a three year old or a puppy. With that said let’s get into materials and the best fibers for your next area rug.

  1. Nylon/Polyester/Synthetic Fibers

Nylon and Polyester and both very durable long lasting options for rugs. Both fibers are treated with stain fighting chemicals which make clean up super easy. There are also a wide range of colors, designs and patterns to choose from. Great option for anyone especially if you have pets or children or BOTH!

2. Wool

Wool is a classic fiber that has been used on rugs for hundreds of years. Personally I love a good wool rug because they are cozy, textured, and last a lifetime.

If treated with care a wool rug can live in your home for decades. Wool is tough and they say it evens cleans itself. Having had my share of experience with wool it does last forever but it can be tricky to clean. There are certain cleaners that work better on wool than other fibers. Wool is a natural material so the colors are more neutral, patterns vary from more simple to more intricate designs. Depending on the amount of wool in the rug it can be be a premium price point.

If you are looking for a rug in a high traffic area or concerned about stains make sure to learn about ways to care for a wool rug. Great option for any room but do your homework if you have children or pets.

3. Indoor/Outdoor

This will sound biased but I love indoor/outdoor rugs, they are amazing! These are rugs that have been treated to sustain the heat and are very durable. These rugs are typically a low pile and sometimes resemble a natural fiber such as Sisal, Wool or Jute. An indoor/outdoor rug can be hosed off when dirty and hung to dry. Remember when I said these rugs are amazing? Because this is a manmade fiber there are tons of options in color and a wide array of patterns.

The main downside to this option is comfort. If you are looking for a dreamy rug to step out onto when you first wake up I would not recommend these. Great option for living rooms, dining rooms, patios. Also great with those with children or pets.

4. Sisal/Jute

Sisal or jute are beautiful natural fibers that add great texture to any room. Sisal/jute are usually found in natural colors and the patterns are typically woven or braided. This option is gorgeous and adds a sophistication to the space. The downside of these options are 1)they are easily stainable so beware in high traffic areas, living with kids or pets and 2) they are not the most comfortable to sit on or underfoot. Great option for sunrooms, sitting rooms, low traffic areas

5. Shag

Let’s take a trip back to the 70’s- remember lava lamps, bellbottoms and piece signs? This was also a time of the shag carpet. Shag rugs are fluffy, soft and create a luxurious feeling in your space. Nowadays the options on the market are more neutral.

Shaggy rugs are wonderful under foot, you will want to roll around on it. The setbacks are that the long hairs make it trickier to clean, make sure to remove the beater bar on your vacuum. I would not put a shag rug down in a dining room because of the food and drink that can get caught in the fibers. Great option for bedrooms, closets, or offices.

To Pad or Not to Pad?

I typically recommend a pad on any project that includes an area rug. The pad helps protect the flooring underneath the rug, keeps the rug in place, and adds a little cushion to the rug. I highly recommend getting a rug where you can attach the pad to the rug, it is easier to transport than a rug with a separate pad.

Plus, if the rug is in a high traffic area the rug tends to move while the pad stays in place and you are constantly fixing your rug. Make sure to include a pad when ordering rugs for entryways, mudrooms, or hallway runners- because there probably won’t be any furniture sitting on the rugs to keep them in place. A pad is not a necessity in rooms where heavy furniture will be sitting on the rug because there is a less likely chance those rugs will be moving around.

Custom area rugs…

Do you have a specific size in mind that you cannot find online or in the stores? A custom rug may be for you. In this instance you would select broadloom carpeting and have the rug cut to the size you want and then you’ll have the edges fabricated.

Pro Tip: Always opt for to “serge” the edges or go with a wide binding if you using a more natural texture. It just looks better than the narrow machine binding.

This option allows you a huge range of styles, colors and textures. You can truly find exactly what you want because you can create it! There are two drawbacks to custom rugs.

1. Carpet rolls are made is pre-set widths- the most common width is 12′, however you can find options that are 13’2″ and sometimes 15 footers. The great thing is you can make the length whatever you want.

2.The lead times are longer for you to allow a company to fabricate a rug for you. I have seen custom area rugs take 2 weeks but I have seen custom rugs that take 6 months to be produced. It all comes down to how much you love this rug and how long you’re willing to wait.

Budget

At this point you should know the size you want, the function of the space, and found some options in your style.

What’s next?

After all of this you have seen pricing online and possibly gotten a custom rug quoted. You want to determine determine how much you are willing to spend on an area rug. Online shops such as Wayfair will provide you with options that have a wide range from $100 to thousands of dollars. Custom rugs usually start around $1,000 and the sky is the limit.

The budget is a personal decision and will be based on where the rug is going and the intention of usage. With that said a rug is an investment, it will cover some of the largest spaces in your home and you will live on it daily. You do not want to go with the cheapest option because let’s face it, you get what you pay for.

I always say sometimes you pay a little more for the perks of longevity, durability and reliability. Make a decision not only for today but with the thought in mind that rug could live with you and your family for years to come.

Shop!

Now it is time for the best part…shopping! Once you have considered these factors you are ready to go out and get that rug ordered. When you have the decision made and the resources to purchase get your rug ordered.

It all comes down to you and your space so take your time to find the right fit but don’t overthink it! Trust your instincts and make your choice because you love it.

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