How to choose the right rug

Many a times, we realise that rugs and carpets are the great decorative accessory; it gives warmth and personality to a space. But choosing the right rug can be a tricky business; hence, we rarely land up decking up a room with the right size or right kind of rugs.

But founder of The Rug Republic, Aditya Gupta gives a few ground rules to help you find the right area rug for your space.

n Right style: Two of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a rug that you will love to live with are your lifestyle and your own personal style. Will you be placing your rug in a high traffic area, such as a family room or hallway? Do you have young children or pets? If yes, you will want to choose a rug that’s easy to clean and durable, like cotton or synthetic. A patterned rug in darker shade will be able to hide dirt and stains in high-activity areas. If you want rug for a more decorative purpose, luxurious viscose, wool and leather rugs are available in rich designs and colours. Recycled fabric rugs can be opted by the more environmentally aware users. Make sure any rug or carpet you are considering eventually complements your style sense.

Right colour: If you have colour and pattern going on in your space, you might want to stick with a single-colour, either a neutral or a shade which complements your existing furnishings. If you want a patterned rug with many shades, add in furniture and accessories that coordinate afterwards. Dark, rich colours help define a more intimate space while lighter colours make a smaller space appear larger. Bright colours such
as yellow, orange or red add warmth while cool colours like blue and green
create calm.

Right pattern: Give yourself permission to go bold with patterns. Mixing patterns within the same colour group will add depth to your décor. While selecting complementary colours to pair with your rug just make sure to select the non-dominate colour within the design. A brightly coloured or boldly patterned rug can just be the right step if you want to lift up your space. Bold designs and large patterns in a small room can make it look larger.

Right texture: A room with a combination of different textures feels layered and rich, and an easy way to set this tone is by giving attention to the texture of your rug. Let your existing décor guide you, and aim for contrast, soft fabric with something smooth and hard while a sleek looks great with a longer, fluffier pile.

Right comfort: If you prefer a softer feel, then natural fibres such as wool and cotton are for you. If you want a deep, lush, pile, you can get a similar feel from synthetic fibers.
Natural fibers such as jute can be surprisingly soft underfoot, but it’s not as warm as
a woven rug.

Right size: An inaccurately sized rug can throw off the ambience of the entire room, even if the furniture is amazing. A rug should fit the size of your seating area and be as large as possible within it. The ideal situation is when all the legs of furniture are on the rug, but front-legs-only is a common practice.

Right location and purpose: It is critical to keep in mind the type of activity and traffic that will take place in the room. Durable rug is needed for high traffic areas, while soft rugs can be used in the low traffic rooms. Rugs made of wool are timeless and lasting, but they are more likely to get stained. They can be designed intricately which makes them great for bedrooms and living rooms. Contrarily, rugs made of synthetic fabrics are more affordable and easier to clean.

Right furniture: It is important to match and mix the textures and tones of your rug with your existing furniture. The key is to create balance instead of clash or compete for attention. Your rug should be a focal point for your room, so sometimes it’s best to start with it when designing a room.

Right material: Fabrics can be broadly classified in two parts, natural fabrics; wool and silk are more widely used while cotton, jute, hemp, etc, are more affordable option for people on a budget. They are durable and have a long life. Synthetic fabrics; polyester thermoplastics, acrylic, polypropylene, nylon, etc are much cheaper option and durable. They are widely used now due to the popularity of outdoor rugs.

Right cost: Rugs are no longer considered a luxury which only a few enjoy. There are a wide variety of affordable options available in the market. Synthetic fibers are designed to mimic the look and feel of wool and other expensive materials.