The Do's and Dont’s of Choosing Living Room Floor Rugs

A rug has the power to make or break a room. A good choice unifies everything and gives you that perfect look you desire. A good rug can help to define zones in a living space. It adds warmth to areas that can appear and feel cold underfoot, such as tiles and hardwood. It can be difficult to select the right rug for your space. Therefore, we’ve come up with some tips to help you choose the best rug for yourliving room. Before selecting, check out these do’s and don’ts so that you don’t regret it later.

Do – Consider What your space needs

The first step is to assess the overall space and determine whether you want to add a rug to complement what you already have or if it's time for a complete room makeover. If you're going to make major changes to a room, it's always a good idea to research first. The last thing you want to do is spend your money on a rug that won't go with that gorgeous sofa or artwork you've been eyeing.

If your room is filled with bright patterns or colors, it may be best to stick with a single color or a neutral tone to complement rather than compete with the space. On the other hand, if you think your room is a bit dull, a bold, patterned rug can give it the boost it needs. A soft, neutral rug can help to tone down the space for a peaceful zone.

Don’t – Impulse buy

You may think you would never do something like this, but it happens. You may buy floor rugs for the living room on the spur of the moment because you fell in love with it at first sight. But after a bit of time, you will regret it because you didn’t research.

The material you choose for your rug is determined by where it will be used and its purpose, whether it is purely functional or to add a touch of luxury. If it needs to be tough, look for synthetic fibers, wool blends, or natural fibers like sisal, which can withstand a lot of wear and tear. Consider whether you want a rug with a short pile or one with a longer, plusher pile. In simple words, consider every aspect that may affect your deal.

Do – Carpet that extends under furniture

When choosing a flooring carpet, make sure it extends beneath all of the room's key pieces of furniture. In a living room, for example, all furniture should be placed on top of the rug. The area rug should encircle all of the furniture in the living room, including smaller pieces such as chairs and coffee tables. If this is not possible, it is acceptable to have the front legs of major upholstered pieces such as a sectional sofa on the rug and the back legs off. However, the smaller pieces should have all of their legs on the rug.

Don’t – Go for too small rugs

The most common mistake people make when decorating with area rugs is purchasing ones that are too small. This is understandable, especially when the prices for some of the larger rugs are considered. However, buying a small rug is pointless because it will demand replacement in years to come. Also, instead of pulling it together, a small rug will break up the flow of a room. Thus, it is always advised to go for a larger area rug.

Do – Leave equal floor space

You should ideally leave the same amount of floor space on all sides of your rug. Allow 8 to 24 inches on all sides. The most common space is 18 inches, but in a smaller space, you can get away with as little as 8 inches. The primary goal is to have the rug in the center of the room.

Don’t – Stick to one color or pattern

Area rugs are a great way to add color and pattern to your living room, so don’t be afraid to embrace color and pattern while shopping. After all, replacing a rug is a great opportunity to freshen up your living space and give it a completely new feel, so experiment with some of the new hot colors for 2022, that pair well with the furniture you have.

Do – Know how to clean it

It’s important for you to check the cleaning instructions on any rug before you make a decision of purchasing it. Sisal, jute, and other natural fibre rugs are inexpensive, but they cannot be cleaned, so if there is a large spill, you may have to replace them. Before making a purchase, consider your budget and your options accordingly.

Don’t – Underestimate spills

While it may be tempting to place your best area rug in a focal point of the house, such as your dining room, you should still think twice. It's best to avoid putting expensive area rugs in areas where spills and accidents are likely.

Even though if you choose the right material for rugs that is easier to clean, removing stains from them can be difficult. Remember this, especially if you have children or pets. Because you can't always control what your family does on the rug. Thus, it is best to stick with low-cost, easy-to-clean options in high-traffic areas of your home.

These are a few important things that you need to consider before choosing a living room rug. However, if you want to acquire the best, then look no further than MAT Living. With so many options to choose from – right from the rug’s material to its construction – you’re sure to find one that will fit your means.