September 1, 2009

What role is your rug playing?




There are times when rugs have their purpose, but there are also times when rugs should not be used. Purposes range from protecting the flooring to nothing more than just adding a punch of color. First, determine the purpose of your rug.




















If the purpose is to protect the floor, choose the color/design of your rug very carefully. In some cases your rug should just blend into the existing flooring, so as to not stand out or be contrasting. A hallway rug should be one of those "blending in" rugs because of the small space it occupies. I've been in many homes where a bright red oriental runner was used in a hallway or small entry...it only makes the space seem smaller and closed-in.

Another reason for a rug: to add warmth or texture to the space. If your room seems too stark or cold, a rug can do the trick in warming up the space.


Once you have determined the purpose of your rug, make sure you have the right size! Too many people purchase rugs that are too small for the space they've been placed (see picture to the right.) If its a sitting area, choose to have all the furniture on the rug, or all of the furniture off the rug.


Rugs in Dining Areas: I personally do not encourage this for function purposes. Rugs under dining tables are used frequently in model homes just for looks, then the homebuyer sees it and copies the idea in their own home. If you choose to put a rug under your table, measure your table top then add 27 to 30 inches.. that should be your rug size. That way there is enough room to scoot chairs back and forth with out getting caught on the rug.

If using multiple rugs in one room or adjoining rooms, consider these tips:

A rug with a pattern will blend better with other rugs than a solid colored rug will

A floral pattern will sometimes provide a pleasant contrast with a geometric design

Rug patterns that are "busy" will blend best with less busy designs

A large pattern and a small pattern can go well together if the colors are the same or compliment each other.


The best thing about rugs is that they can 'highlight' or 'downplay' the existing floor. I've often used bold rugs in spaces where the flooring may not be the best feature of the room. But if I want to highlight a gorgeous floor, I'll use rugs that 'blend-in' to the floor, often creating a tone-on-tone effect.


I love to use rugs as wall-art! Most patterns in rugs are so beautiful it would be a crime for anyone to step on them. Put them on the wall. This is a great way to tie in several colors used in the room. A great way to hang a rug on the wall is to use a decorative window rod. You can add loops to the back of the rug to put the rod through, or use the existing border band on the back of the rug.