Lansing State Journal: Little rugs can make big difference without breaking the bank

Lansing State Journal: Little rugs can make big difference without breaking the bank: "Published October 4, 2005
[ From the Lansing State Journal ]

Floor model: Area rugs can serve as versatile decorating tools. This living room in Nashville, Tenn., features a 60-year-old Heriz rug from the Middle East.

Little rugs can make big difference without breaking the bank
By Anna Watson
Gannett News Service


Ready for a room makeover? The addition of one simple item can easily change the composition of an entire room.

Available in all shapes, sizes, colors and materials, area rugs are among the most versatile decorating tools available. From a trendy little throw rug from the Swell line at Target to large hand-woven Persian carpets, area rugs are designed to make a statement.

As more homes turn to wood and tile floors, area rugs are increasingly being used to add warmth to a room or to define a space. But they're not just for hard floors; they work just as well on carpeting.

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Practicality aside, area rugs are just plain fun - not to mention, often very beautiful.

Whether you're buying an Oriental rug or a bath mat from Kmart, think about what you want your rug to do. Once you've defined its purpose, you can more easily wade through the myriad choices regarding color, material, shape and size of area rugs.

Color

When choosing a color for your area rug, do not try to match the color perfectly to the walls or other furniture, says Barbara Jennings, interior design specialist and consultant in Costa Mesa, Calif. Rugs are meant to blend with existing colors in the room.

For example, Jennings says, if you have neutral walls and a patterned couch with a dark background, pick a rug with shades of each so it ties the colors together.

Also, try not to choose competing patterns for both the rug and the couch. In a room with neutral colors and hardwood floors, consider a throw rug with rich tones to add warmth.

Materials

These days there are many materials and colors to choose from.

Oriental rugs are made from silk or wool. Although these are the most expensive rugs, they are also some of the most durable. Acrylic materials are less expensive and a good choice for resisting sunlight, stains and mildew.

According to Deborah Burnett of the American Society of Interior Designers, Olefin, or polypropylene, is known to be the most stain-resistant - if you have kids or pets, this is probably your best bet. A nylon fabric is generally very durable and easy to maintain. Wool and cotton rugs are softer than acrylic materials, but jute is usually a bit pricklier. Burnett emphasizes that natural materials are not quite as kid-friendly as some of the synthetic rugs. It's also a good idea to keep them out of direct sunlight.

Within these materials, you must decide whether you want a flat-woven rug (like an Oriental) or a plush pile surface.

Shape

Choose a rectangular shape for defining a space such as a living room, Burnett says. Irregular rug shapes tend to be smaller, used as a focal piece in a room.

Size

Rugs come in several standard sizes: 2-by-3, 3-by-5 and 4-by-6 feet. These smaller rugs work well in an entryway, in a hallway, or by the fireplace and are used in large rooms to define different spaces and break up large stretches of floor. Large rug sizes are generally 6-by-9, 8-by-10 and 9-by-12 feet, though they can run up to 16-by-20. If you want your furniture to go on your area rug, you'll want a larger rug that extends beyond the grouping of furniture, Jennings says.

In a dining room, for example, the rug should be big enough that the chairs remain on the rug even when pushed back.

Finally, don't make the mistake of many people and buy a rug with a pattern they love that is too small for the space, Jennings says. When the furniture is half on and half off the rug, the room loses its sense of balance."