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Decorating Made Easy… – Using Area Rugs

August 28, 2009 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

Considering buying an area rug? Even if you’re not, treat yourself to a visit to a carpet store and be awed by the newest options available in style, colors and textures.

Area rugs are practical, functional and beautiful. No longer are choices limited to a few standard sizes and oft repeated patterns.

Size and Placement. The first consideration in choosing a rug is the size and placement. To determine size, lay out masking tape or paper for the desired coverage. A large room-size rug on a hardwood floor should allow at least 8 inches of hardwood exposed on all sides of the rug. The distance from the wall should be the same or nearly the same.

With room-size rugs, be aware of obstructions such as floor vents, doorways, closets, fireplaces or floor outlets.

The general rule of thumb is to place the front legs of furniture on the rug. This looks best whether the rug is room size or smaller. With a room-size rug it is common to place all legs on the rug, however try to avoid having more than two feet of empty rug behind the furniture.

Area rugs can be used to define a conversational area in large rooms. A coffee table placed in front of a sofa and two chairs facing the sofa with a rug under anchors and defines the space.

In a dining room, determine size of the rug by adding 24” to 30” to the table top measurements. This allows a person seated to move back from the table and still have all chair legs on the rug. Test the measurements by having a person seated move back from the table as they would normally.

Color and Pattern. When selecting the color and pattern for an area rug, consider other elements in the room as well as your purpose.

If you want the rug to be a focal point in the room, a patterned rug might be the choice. For example, if the furniture is of solid and neutral colors, a busy pattern with bold colors in the rug will become a stunning focal point. If the furniture is upholstered in busy patterns and is the focal point, then select a tone on tone rug with perhaps a border that compliments the patterned furniture.

When two or more large surfaces are competing for attention, it upsets the harmony and balance of the room.

Multiple rugs may be used in a large open space. For example, an adjoining living room and dining room may each have a large rug. The patterns may be slightly different, but the color combinations should be closely related for the harmony of the total space.

Choices. Prepare to be wowed by the kaleidoscope of choices when looking for an area rug.
Pam Schmidt, carpet expert, says “The Friezeˊ style of carpet is still the number one seller.”

One of my favorites was the Masland Rug Collection called “Translations” found at Carpet Den in Cool Springs. There are many textured solid color patterns with numerous border options. Pick your field carpet then choose from fabric borders available in dozens of patterns from animal prints to geometric to florals.

Nourison’s collection offered rugs in every price range. The samples are available to bring home; the sizes and prices are easy to find on the sample cards. Looking at samples in your home is important to assess its effectiveness in the lighting of your home and in relation to your
furniture.

Tuftex nylon, known for cleanability and durability, has a new longer length frieze called “My, My,My”. That’s just what you’ll say when you sink into its density.

The luxurious long hair New Zealand 100% Merino Wool collection is perfectly suited to a round area rug under a round coffee table. What a statement! What an accent!

The newest and cutest collection was the Disney Carpet and Rug Collection. The array of colors would delight any boy or girl. Patterns sculpted into the solid color carpets were themed with Hannah Montana, Cinderella, Winnie the Pooh, Toy Story, Space Odyssey and more.

To help make your choice among this wonderland of carpets, you would be well served to use an experienced designer who knows carpet, such as Pam Schmidt of Carpet Den.

Even if you don’t think you need an area rug, drop in for your decorating “fix” in color, pattern and texture.

By Mary Ann Weakley