Rug Shopping: What to Look For
Area rugs have been used for decades for a variety of things, such as tying rooms together (granted you aren't subjected to any Big Lebowski-like incidents, because that could have the opposite effect). But area rugs have a lot more to offer than just adding to your style factor. Aside from protecting your precious floors — hardwood or otherwise — area rugs can help reduce the amount of noise in your home (no click-clacking of heels), help anchor the furniture in your home, and make your space feel more cozy and comfortable.
Have you been considering the best place to buy rugs? Before you do anything, consider the following factors to help you pick out area carpets for sale in your area.
Size and Shape
Before deciding on the best place to find affordable area rugs, measure the room where the area rug will be placed. The last thing you want is to bring home a brand-new rug you fell in love with that just won't fit in the room you want it in. A good rule to follow is to find a rug at least six inches and no more than two feet away from the walls. Once you know what size you need, it's time to start thinking about pattern and texture.
Pattern and Texture
Not sure where to start when it comes to patterns and textures? Well, think about the space you're putting the rug in. Are your walls or furniture patterned? If so, it's best to think about getting an area rug with a subtle pattern. However, if you've got a space full of solid colors, it might be nice to shake things up with a bright or bold pattern.
It's also important to think about natural fibers versus synthetic fibers. Natural fibers like cotton or wool look and feel amazing, but you might be dealing with more fading and staining than you would with a synthetic fiber. Synthetic rugs are better at resisting fading and staining and they're also much more affordable.
Wool rugs are easy to clean and rarely get dirty because they repel moisture, so cleaning up after the kiddies (or your fur babies) shouldn't be that difficult. Nylon rugs also contain stain-resistant fibers that make stains less likely. Olefin/polypropylene rugs are probably the most difficult rugs to stain and can be steam-cleaned. However, these kinds of rugs tend to attract oils and grease, so those types of stains might be harder to remove. Olefin fibers can turn gray when soiled, so you might want to take a vacuum to your rug regularly if you're considering purchasing this type of rug.
Just a few pieces of terminology that might come in handy when you're shopping for your area rug include:
- Line Count. The number of knots or stitches per square inch can tell you the line count, which can tell you something about the quality of the rug. The higher the count, the better the quality.
- Jacquard. This is essentially a design produced by a loom that includes a belt of punched cards. These holes are arranged so that the weave of the rug can be produced.
- Stitches/Needle Count. The higher the stitch or needle count, the denser the rug. Rugs with a higher density usually last longer and wear better than rugs that are more loosely woven.
- Hand-Tufted. Hand-tufted rugs are made with a layer of latex with backcloths sewn onto the latex to protect your floors.
Color
As a general design rule, rooms with a lot of color should have an area rug with a more neutral color. The opposite is also true. The rug you choose should work well with your other furnishings, the ceiling, and the walls. Your personal taste and lifestyle will also be deciding factors. For example, if you have pets or children you probably wouldn't opt for a high-end, snow-white rug or anything too light in color — unless you like wasting your hard-earned money. If you have a lot of foot traffic in general, you'll want to skip the shaggy, lighter-than-a-paper-bag colored options and find something that's easy to clean and doesn't wear quickly.
Find the Perfect Rug for You
Now that you know how to shop for and find the highest quality and most affordable area rugs for your living space, you need to start thinking about the best place to buy rugs. Jerome's Furniture features a wide array of area rugs in a variety of different sizes, colors, and styles. Start shopping for your area rug today, either online or in-store. Before you go, give these tips another read-through and consider bringing them along on your shopping trip so you can be sure you end up with something you'll enjoy for years to come.