Have you ever looked at your room and wondered what was missing? Completing the room with a rug could be your solution. When it comes to picking the perfect rug, such a versatile product comes with endless options for sizing, style, functionality, and maintenance. This article is here to provide you with a more guided search for the perfect rug for your room.
Sizing
There are many methods for finding the right size rug for your room. Too small a rug can make your room feel sparse while too large a rug can make your room feel crammed. Yet, if there ever is a sizing disparity, in most cases an overly large rug is better than a small, floating one. The most fool-proof way to pick the right size is to take measurements of the room and subtract 12-24 inches from your measurements. Having a certain amount of exposed floor between your rug and the walls will keep the room from feeling stuffed. Another method is to use newspaper and painter’s tape to fashion a faux rug. This will not only give you a tangible idea of sizing but also of location, as you can move it around and try different positioning combinations with your furniture. Some standard measurements to keep in mind are an 8’x10’ rug for a 10’x12’ room, a 5’x8’ rug for a 7’x10’ room, or a 3’x5’ rug for a 5’x7’ room.
A general rule of thumb is that area rugs should fit completely or partially beneath all the key furniture of the room. Smaller rugs should be placed at least halfway beneath all the major furnishings, such as sofas, armchairs, beds, and tables. Living rooms, for example, should have at least the front legs of its armchairs and sofas make contact with the rug. Spacious bedrooms should contain a rug that fits the entire area beneath the bed and night tables with a few inches to spare. Smaller bedrooms should have a rug that covers approximately ⅓ of the bed’s end, or two small area rugs on either side of the bed. Hallways and entryways do best with narrow runner rugs of about 2’x3’ or 4’x6’. For dining rooms, use the table, whether square or round, as a point of reference. This rug should advance approximately 24 inches from the edges of the table so that even a pushed-out chair will remain within its territory. The bigger an outdoor or patio rug is the better. Remember to keep at least 12-24 inches of surrounding exposed floor in this instance.
Function
Each room has its own style and pattern of foot traffic, so the perfect rug should adhere to and complement your room’s function. In other words, will you want an aesthetic piece that will simply complete the look of the room or one that will also prevent slips and last over time? Generally, low pile rugs (rugs with shorter fibers and weaves) are best for high traffic areas like kitchens while high pile rugs (rugs with taller and looser fibers) are best for low traffic areas like living rooms. Low pile rugs are great if placed near a door so you can open the door properly and without friction. The taller the pile is the more insulation offered. This makes high pile rugs an ideal mat for a bedroom since the plush fabric will be the first thing you meet in the morning.
For busy rooms where spills are apt to happen, performance fabrics and machine washable designs are an excellent choice. Synthetic fibers like nylon or polypropylene are the most readily affordable and easy to clean. Acrylic is a great synthetic fabric for situations, such as spills or pet accidents, and is mildew resistant. Indoor-outdoor rugs are soft, synthetic, and evidently very versatile as far as location is concerned. The constant washing and wear of these synthetic fabrics, however, may require sooner replacing than natural fabrics. Calmer, more sophisticated spaces benefit from rugs made of natural fibers. Generally, these rugs are pricier and include wool, silk, linen, and plant-based materials. Wool is very stain resistant given that the lanolin in its composition allows the water to sit atop its surface for a period of time before absorption, giving you enough time to find a cloth and dab away the liquid. It does not, however, do well with chronic mildew. Silks, on the other hand, do not tolerate any moisture, and the color in dyed silk can run if exposed to moisture. Yet, their busy patterns can conceal dirt well. Like all plant-based fibers, linen is more prone to staining given its porosity, but the nature of its tightly woven construction makes it an ultra-durable material.
Style
Choosing certain colors and patterns not only tie a room together but can help hide stains and crumbs, especially if located in the dining room or kitchen. Thus, aesthetics is arguably one of the most important functions of a rug. There are four general styles to look for in a rug: traditional, contemporary, natural, and bohemian. Persian, Oriental, Berber, and antique/vintage pieces are considered to be Traditional style rugs while contemporary style rugs are comprised of mid-century, geometric, coastal, country, and farmhouse styles. Natural style rugs include jute, sisal, silk, sheepskin, leather, cowhide, and wool. Bohemian style rugs consist of Moroccan, shag, kilim, dhurrie, southwest, and ikat styles.
The golden rule of design is to keep the color palette consistent. Keeping that in mind, feel free to explore alternate patterned rugs or solid colored rugs. Patterned rugs are an excellent foil to a neutral room. Yet, if the room has sufficiently patterned walls or furniture, a solid colored rug will provide a fresh contrast. Finally, pick a rug shape that matches the shape of your key furniture. For the most part, furniture is rectangular or square shaped. However, pairing a round rug with a round table is quite visually pleasing.
Cleaning & Care
To ensure durability and freshness, take the following steps to clean and care for your rug. Although mostly stain resistant, the dirt and oil in synthetic rugs can be spot cleaned, steam cleaned, or vacuumed. Wool and hand-knotted rugs mostly resist liquids, but blot any spills that do occur and follow with a toothbrush and dish soap to remove stains. Avoid scrubbing and damaging the fibers. Silk and cotton rugs should be cleaned by professionals in order to avoid trapping stains deeper within the fibers. Although wool and synthetics, such as acrylic and polyester, are less likely to fade in the sun, make a habit of rotating your rug on occasion to avoid excessive sun exposure in one particular spot.
Finally, do not forget to purchase a rug pad. If the pad is not placed beneath the rug, slips and falls are more likely to occur. Rug pads also prevent dents from forming in the floors after years of laying heavy furniture in the same location. For high traffic areas like bathrooms and kitchens, use a rug pad with an exceptional grip. For low traffic areas, like bedrooms and living rooms, use a cushioned rug pad for an extra layer of comfort. Rug pads can be trimmed to size and should be approximately an inch shorter than the rug itself on all sides.
Each home is unique, and each room requires a unique rug to tie it all together. Although rugs are in abundance in the market, finding the perfect one can be somewhat of a challenge. By focusing on the sizing, style, functionality, and level of maintenance that you desire in a rug, your search can become a more enjoyable experience. 
Andrea Lopez
Home & Yard Magazine
