One of the biggest and most important parts of any design is the rug; it's quite literally the basis of the design. A rug grounds the furniture and anchors pieces so as to add permanence to the space. With all of this being said, picking the perfect rug may seem overwhelming... but it doesn't have to be! Here are some things to consider when purchasing and designing around a rug.
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Considering Color
Colors obviously play a critical role in any design. They set the tone for the space and reflect a room's purpose. Rugs follow the same rules.
Don't waste your time trying to match colors perfectly. If the blue streak in the corners of the rug match the pillows and the coffee table books perfectly, your design will seem artificial and exaggerated. Instead, loosely pull colors from the rug and experiment with varying hues, textures, and patterns to create a look that is multi-leveled and interesting while also being cohesive and pulled together.
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What Size Do I Need?
It is far too often that I see rugs that just don't fit into the design. Whether it's overwhelmingly large or just simply too small, a flawed rug size will throw off the entire design. Use this guide for help!
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Let Your Rug Speak For Itself
To state it simply, a lot of rugs don't require a lot of external decoration depending on where they are in the home. For example, a living room rug may call for more elements because of its location. However, in a hallway, a rug should be seen as a statement. Obviously, a narrow hallway doesn't warrant loads of furniture, if any. But avoid vibrant wallpapers if your rug is vibrant itself. Neutrally painted walls and a perfectly sized runner will look fantastic in any home.
On the other hand, if you consider your style as a little more "chaotic", then disregard these suggestions. A busy Persian rug has the ability to complement a just-as-busy wallpaper.
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Think About Traffic
When looking for a rug, it's important to ask yourself a few questions. The most important one, though, regards your rug's location.
Where is the rug going? If it's in an area of high traffic, like a doorway or the runner on the stairs, consider choosing something that you either know will last or something that's easy to replace as it shows wear and tear. Areas with less traffic, like the bedroom or formal living room, may call for a higher pile or even more shagginess, if that's the look you're going for.
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Don't Be Afraid to Layer
The thought of doubling up on rugs may seem scary and somewhat impossible to accomplish. However, layering rugs is easy and looks great, if done correctly.
If wallpaper is a part of the equation, consider layering with two solid rugs, like this picture, or one pattern and one solid. If your walls are plain, consider doubling up on patterned rugs; trust us, it could look great!
In my opinion, layered rugs look better when the bottom-most layer is a sisal or other natural rug equivalent. Its neutrality makes it much easier to adorn with a patterned Persian or even a textured hide.
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