subject: Advice for Choosing the Right Sizes for Area Rugs [print this page] Advice for Choosing the Right Sizes for Area Rugs
When you run across a really attractive area rug, you may be tempted to buy it on the spot. After getting it home, though, it's all too common to discover that the rug just doesn't fit in like you thought it would. Many times, various styles and patterns of area rugs are available in a wide range of sizes and configurations; as a result, it is a lot better to determine the sizes that you need before you go out shopping. Believe it or not, there's an actual science to selecting the right area rug. You can learn a few tips of the trade and additional advice below.
Arrange Your Furniture First
If you are rearranging or redecorating an entire room, decide on the placement of its furniture before buying area rugs. While it may be tempting to try to make your furniture accommodate your rugs, it's easier and more stylish to tackle things from the other way around. Set up the chairs, tables, sofas and other furniture in the way that is the most appealing and convenient for you. If need be, sketch out a diagram of the room with its furniture in it; include measurements to help get the lay of the land. Having firm numbers in mind will make it easier to judge whether or not a particular rug will work in any given room.
Leave the Right Amount of Space
There is an art involved in balancing area rugs and bare floor space. If you leave too little space around an area rug, the room will look cluttered and unorganized. Fortunately, there are a few basic rules of thumb when it comes to leaving bare floor space around a rug. In regular-sized and larger rooms, it is smart to leave about 18 extra inches of space around every area rug. For some reason, that produces the most fluid and aesthetically pleasing look. Of course, your opinion may differ; be sure to play around with different configurations. Just avoid placing rugs too close to one another.
Working with Smaller Rooms
The same basic rules apply for smaller rooms, except that you don't have to space rugs out quite as much. In general, you should aim to leave about 8" of empty floor space around every rug in a smaller room. Since the room is small, you probably won't be able to include that many rugs in it anyway. Make efficient and attractive use of what space you do have. In many ways, arranging rugs in a smaller room is a lot more challenging than arranging them in larger rooms, so be prepared to take your time.
Cover Walkways Sufficiently
Always keep heavily traveled areas of a room in mind when arranging its area rugs. Nothing is more awkward than walking through a room with your feet half-on and half-off of its rugs. Consider the paths that people typically take through a room and plan accordingly. Runners are excellent options for long rooms; they also work very well in hallways, where they naturally fit right in. Before setting your decision in stone, do a practice walk-through of the room. Does the layout of its rugs make sense in terms of walking? If not, go back to the drawing board.
Arranging Rugs beneath Beds
In large bedrooms, nothing looks more attractive than laying an area rug beneath the bed. If you have a king- or queen-sized bed, aim to have at least 12 inches of rug showing on each exposed side; if you have a full or a twin, about ten inches will do. Make sure that the rug is perfectly flush with the sides of the bed, too - it looks incredibly awkward when the rug runs at an angle to the natural lines of the bed. You can achieve this look in a smaller room, too, but it may require a bit of extra planning.
Achieve Lasting Style with Area Rugs
The rugs that you use in your home should complement and enhance its overall style. By paying attention to the lines that these rugs create - especially in relation to the floors and walls of the room - you can increase your odds of achieving a truly stunning interior design scheme. Take the time to view your rug layout from as far away as possible, too, in order to see the big picture. Whether you are standing, sitting or walking into a room, its rugs should look stylish and well-arranged. Don't settle for anything short of the best.
