subject: What Size Rug For Decorating Your Room [print this page] Rugs are not simply floor covers; they can be versatile decorating items to brighten up a room or hall, whether in horizontal or vertical position. It can replace, for example, a framed painting or large picture in the wall or accentuate a piece of furniture or appliance, or even the whole room. While decorating with rugs can be a 'just-do-it' endeavor; there are a few tips that can help you enhance the potential of every area rug you own. Following are some of them.
You have to know the difference between the room size and the rug size. You want a rug to compliment your room, not take over. Rugs can be purchased in 2'x3', 3'x5', and 4'x6'. These small rugs are known as accent rugs because they are placed in front of a piece of furniture or decoration and they accent that area. You can also use these accent rugs in the hallway, bathroom den, or the front door.
Larger common rug sizes range from 6 feet by 9 feet to 12' x 15', or sometimes as large as 15' x 18'. These are used in dining areas, living rooms or large bedrooms ---just about where they fit. However, the bigger the rug size, the less they become available because of the price and production considerations. Keep that in mind when thinking about buying rugs for your needs, especially if your space is odd-shaped.
Consider door-to-floor clearance when measuring rugs for your room: some doors cannot swing into thick rugs. Also there may be floor electric outlets that should not be covered by a rug, usually found in large rooms. Protrusions into the room of fireplaces or closets and similar dimension-dividing construction designs can make a regular sized rug seem oddly placed. Measure and simulate the rug and its placement before buying it to avoid 'surprises'.
If you are placing your area rug down over your hardwood floor you need to allow eight inches of floor exposed from the wall to the rug. Place the rug in the center of the room or as close to center as you can get. If you have bare spots you can use cabinets and shelves to hide them. Be sure to make an equal space all around your rug so it can look centered.
Make sure that the edge of the rug is not near or a part of a high traffic area. The rug can roll up and cause someone to trip and fall. You also need to make sure that the rug is not under a door that will be opening and closing. This could cause the door to get caught on the rug and make it difficult to open and close correctly.
When you are ready to lay down your rug, be sure to think more about the balance of the room, symmetry, color coordinating, and motif when you are choosing the rug for your room. You want your room to be inviting and warm.
