Area rugs are an affordable flooring choice and are often much cheaper than installing wall-to-wall carpeting in your living room. They're also easy to switch out whenever you want to change your decor and refresh your space. Unlike permanent carpeting, area rugs can be easily relocated to another room in your home. You can also bring them with you if you move to a new house! If you're looking to purchase a new rug for your living room, there are many things to take into consideration. The size of your room as well as your preferences for material and style are all important factors. Take a look at the guide below before heading out shopping.
How To Choose the Perfect Rug Size
One of the most important factors in choosing the right area rug for your living room is size. Getting accurate measurements of your space will make shopping easier and help you narrow down choices. A common mistake people make is buying a floor rug too small for the space. A small rug can look distracting in a large living room and offset visual balance. Consider the furniture in your room as well. Ideally, all legs of your furniture should sit inside the rug. At the very least, you can leave the back legs of large pieces like the sofa off the back. If none of the standard sized rugs complement your space, consider getting a custom rug to make your room look polished and seamless.
Rugs Materials
The material you select for your rug will have a huge impact on the comfort and warmth in your living room. You should also think about how much time you want to spend cleaning and maintaining your rug. Materials like animal hide and silk add elegance and luxury, but aren't the best choice for homes with children or pets as they are very tough to clean. Cotton rugs are easy to vacuum and many of today's styles have stain resistant properties, perfect for cleaning up messes and stains. They also feel soft and comfortable on the feet. Synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester, and acrylic are also extremely popular and come in a variety of textures, colors, and patterns.
Rug Styles to Consider
When choosing the right style of rug for your living room, consider your overall home decor scheme. Rugs offer opportunities to liven up your space by playing with colors, patterns, and textures. If your living room has neutral tones, a rug with a complementary pattern adds a pop of personality and visual interest without being too overwhelming. Living rooms with eclectic colors and unique art and decorations look great with rugs in solid, muted colors. If your living room is more of a family room where you spend time with pets and children, you may want to choose a dark colored rug to help hide tough stains and wear and tear. If you're having trouble deciding which color to choose, take a look at your room and pick a few colors from your existing decor and use them as a guide.
