Choose the Right Rugs

By Carrie Patterson Posted: July 1st, 2011



Rugs occupy an ever more central position in floor fashions as the trend in hard flooring continues. With more people choosing hardwood or tiles for their homes, wide expanses of bare floors can make an interior feel cold and unwelcoming. This is where strategic placement of rugs can help add a focal point and interest to a space. Rugs help define areas, muffle noise, provide warmth underfoot and most importantly provide a finishing touch.
Many homeowners are also taking advantage of their outdoor spaces by choosing comfortable furniture to lounge on and a dining table to enjoy their favorite meals. Compliment outdoor living spaces with area rugs made of polypropylene or Sunbrella fabrics. These durable fade-resistant fabrics feature new technology that will give you a pop of color and still allow easy cleaning; some even feature new softer fibers. Many take advantage of these outdoor rugs easy maintenance and bring the indoors to outside casual living spaces.
Natural Fiber rugs such as seagrass are becoming increasingly popular throughout the Bluegrass Region and suit styles from super traditional to ultra modern and everything in between. Seagrass is often used in living and dining rooms and can be stitched with borders of tapestry, cotton and leather to create beautiful visual effects. Because of its ability to withstand heavy foot traffic and resist liquid stains it has become one of the most versatile types of floor covering used as a base to layer oriental rugs.
Traditional area rugs still capture a majority of the rug market. Manufacturers have added borderless area rugs to make a timeless look a bit more modern. Check out these new rugs in indigo, terra cotta, soft blue and grey tones. Contemporary rugs are also increasing in market share. Abstracts mixed with dramatic black and white to shag rugs with high and low yarns give a luxuriously modern feel. Regardless of your lifestyle, your decorating style, or the area you live in, there’s a type of area rug that will make your room more comfortable and more interesting.
Make the best use of a rug by following these easy tips:
Use a rug to define or separate a space such as a seating and dining area or a foyer.
Use rugs to visually quiet a room or to liven it up. If fabrics are bold, choose a rug that is more subtle. If walls and upholstery are simple opt for a punch of pattern in the rug.
Don’t always assume a rug has to be rectangle. Consider your furniture grouping or other important elements of the room. Squares, rounds and custom sizes are available from most manufacturers. Most specialty stores can make a custom size rug for your room and are able to clip corners to accommodate fireplaces and other structural elements in the room.
Consult a rug specialist to help you determine the perfect fit for your room.
Always use a rug pad to protect your hardwood or tile floor from scratches.
And most importantly enjoy your rug and make sure it compliments who you are.
 


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