Area rugs are multipurpose pieces that add comfort and style to any home. Typically considered accents, rugs provide functional benefits as well as aesthetic ones. Throw rugs are versatile, can go in any room (or outdoors), and are a decorating staple everyone should own. However, homeowners often make unfortunate mistakes to fill their living rooms and bedrooms – yup, we’re talking major interior design faux pas here. Thankfully, we can learn from errors made by less-informed decorators so indoor and outdoor spaces are beautiful and effective. With that in mind, we’ve listed some area rug no-nos you should avoid and how to fix them. Finally, we included a few tips specifically for buying outdoor rugs.
Choosing a rug based on appearance only
The easiest error a rug buyer can make is selecting one solely on its looks. Online buying only exacerbates the problem. Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, where you can touch and feel each area rug, web retailers cannot offer a tactile experience. They can only display photos (or renderings) of accent rugs, which may distort the color. A rug’s look is only one criterion that you should consider when evaluating and comparing different options. Other factors will greatly impact how happy you are with your area rug purchase in the long run.
Key rug-buying factors not to forget
- Quality – Just because an area rug looks beautiful when it’s new doesn’t mean it’s built to last. Hand-woven and machine-loomed rugs can vary greatly in quality and quickly fray, break down, or fade.
- Materials – Different materials may be more or less appropriate depending on the environment or intended use. Some may be softer, others more durable, or easier to maintain.
- Use – Where a rug is placed and how it’s likely to be used are important considerations. High-traffic lanes call for durability, while dining areas benefit from easy-to-clean options.
Buying an area rug that’s too small
Inexperienced decorators commonly make the mistake of purchasing area rugs that are too small for the space. It may not seem like a major problem (the rug fits, doesn’t it?), but it can result in perceptual issues. An area rug that’s too small can make your room look smaller since it draws the eyes in rather than out. This may seem counterintuitive and going overboard the other way, on a rug that’s too big, can have the same effect.
Rules for determining the right size rug
An area rug properly sized for your setting will result in at least one of the following scenarios.
- All the legs of your furniture are on the rug
- The front legs are on and the back legs are off
- The rug perimeter is only a few inches from the wall
Rugs can serve various purposes depending on the space. Consequently, different rules or combinations may apply. For example, rugs are a great way to distinguish your living room from your dining room in an open floor plan. In that case, following rules one and three may be best.
Opting not to add an accent rug to carpeted floors
You may look at a carpeted room and think the floor needs nothing more – it’s soft as it is. But even carpeted rooms can benefit from the addition of a stylish accent rug. It can add color, texture, and pattern to the space, define areas, and tie your decorations together.
Avoid leaving your carpets barren. Seek out an area rug that complements the rest of your furnishings. It can coordinate with the existing color scheme, provide a vibrant contrasting pop of color or bold pattern, or provide texture – get creative!
Not using a rug pad
This isn’t a big deal if your area rug is on carpet but it is when it’s on a hard smooth floor. Failing to put a pad under your rug could make it slippery and unsafe. You might dart from one room to another and slide as you hit the rug. Avoid the debacle altogether by springing for a rug pad. These thin sheets have a mild adhesive quality and grip the floor and your rug, holding the two together. You can reposition them by hand but not slide around by just walking on your rug.
It’s important to use rug pads for rugs of every size. Small welcome mats to giant rugs that cover an entire room all perform better when secured in place by rug pads..
Falling for promotional gimmicks
Even a seasoned home decorating enthusiast can fall prey to the most timeless buying pitfall – the “going out of business” ploy. It’s astounding that physical rug stores continually promote amazing liquidation discounts, yet never close their doors. It’s more of a marketing strategy than a sales tactic. A flash sale creates a ticking clock that may pressure you to buy an area rug before you’ve had time to conduct adequate research. Additionally, high-quality throw rugs are rarely sold at bargain basement prices. Price-based impulse purchases often fall short of hopes and long-term expectations, so don’t be fooled.
Tips for purchasing outdoor rugs
Outdoor living spaces continue to grow in popularity. Like indoor settings, patios, screened-in porches, and decks can be enhanced by area rugs. However, exposure to the elements puts greater demands on outdoor rugs. Below are a few traits to look for when evaluating rugs for the outside of your home.
- Waterproof – Rugs in uncovered outdoor settings will have to stand up to moisture, rain, and even snow. Look for water-resistant materials like polypropylene or protective coatings that prevent damage and dry quickly. They also have antimicrobial qualities to promote health [Gunaydin, 2021].
- Fade-resistant – Harsh UV rays, in conjunction with heavy use and exposure, can cause accent rugs with vivid colors and bold patterns to lose their luster. Solution-dyed synthetic fabrics and plastics tend to be more colorfast than natural fibers.
- Durable – Outdoor rugs face the challenges of Mother Nature and are not treated as kindly as their indoor counterparts. This often puts more wear and tear on them. Lean toward weaves and materials that are meant to last versus just looking pretty, unless you’re okay with frequently replacing them.
- Easy to clean – Messy al fresco dining, drink spills, heavy foot traffic, wind-blown debris, pets, and critters get outdoor rugs dirty. Standing water can lead to mold and mildew build-up. It’s vital that outside rugs can be cleaned quickly and easily.
Interestingly, the quality and appearance of outdoor rugs have improved so much that up to 50% are now used indoors. Their low maintenance and durability make them ideal for households with pets and children, as well as mudrooms and kitchens.
Avoiding mistakes buying area rugs
Rugs should not be an interior design afterthought. They’re an integral part of the overall aesthetic and effectiveness of any indoor or outdoor space. As such, they deserve the same attention you might pay to furniture, lighting, and shade umbrellas if you’re designing for your backyard or deck. Assess the particular needs and measurements of your setting. Determine how a rug is to be used and note any environmental considerations. Finally, take the time to evaluate how different rugs match up with your requirements. If you do, you can avoid making rug-buying mistakes and enjoy your setting for years.
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