Find the perfect rugs for your space
Rugs are a practical addition to any home, often used to set the tone and style of a room. Aside from the aesthetic influence, rugs come with many benefits to homeowners. They add a layer of comfort to your room, which helps to create a cozy space while protecting the floor from wear.
From a design perspective, a rug offers a convenient way to transform the look of a room. Many people keep a rug for years, so purchasing the right one is crucial. With so many options available on the market, finding the perfect rug for your room can be challenging. What material should you choose? What size do you need? Which rug suits your style? This post will help you choose the best rug for your room.
Discover the different types of rugs
Not only do rugs complete your room, but they also determine how it feels. However, you should have great taste when selecting a rug for your space. You can choose different rugs depending on your decorating and function needs. Let's look at the different types of rugs.
Knotted
Knotted rugs are a bit more expensive due to the labor-intensive production. However, they offer exceptional strength and durability, which you need, especially if they will be used in high-traffic areas. Different color threads are often used to create unique patterns. The quality of the rug depends on the thread count per square inch. More sophisticated designs have more knots.
Tufted
Made using a canvas frame, tufted rugs are incredibly comfortable underfoot. These rugs are made by punching wool on a canvas frame and applying a fabric backing to add durability and resilience while holding everything in place. They are also hardwearing, and their smooth texture is great for showcasing unique patterns and designs.
Woven
Made from a cotton blend, woven rugs are not only long-lasting but also affordable. They are made by hand or through traditional loom-weaving. The threads are neatly aligned, making the rug the best choice for reproducing geometric patterns.
What is the best material for rugs?
Most rugs are made from pure wool. However, the types of yarn used will influence the pattern or design of the rug as well as its feel, color, and texture. Below, we take a closer look at the different materials you can choose when looking for rugs online.
Wool
Natural and more durable, wool is one of the most popular materials for rugs. It’s resistant to dirt, feels soft under your feet, and has sound-absorbing qualities. Rugs made from wool make an excellent choice for apartment living. Wool is known for its beautiful, matte finish. It can be woven, tufted, or knotted to create a wide range of looks. Its rustic, natural finish suits Scandinavian styles. When dyed, wool yarn can add a pop of color to your space.
Cotton
Like cotton clothes, rugs made from cotton boast a wide range of qualities that make it one of the best materials for rugs. It’s easy to clean, breathable, and holds its shape well. With cotton rugs, you will experience less warping and damage through spillages. Cotton makes more durable rugs when used with other materials such as polyester and wool. The dense, matte finish of cotton makes it a good option for modern spaces.
Sisal
Rugs made from sisal are the most durable, which makes them the best option for high-traffic areas like the hallway, entryway, kitchen, and living room. Sisal can be left natural or dyed with a wide range of colors. Apart from being hardwearing, sisal rugs add a feeling of warmth to your space.
Jute
Known for its golden, barley tones, rugs made from jute add a natural feel to your space. They also look more rustic when woven by hand. The rugged texture of this material blends perfectly with cotton to create a contrasting color design. Jute rugs are also hardwearing, which makes them ideal for high foot traffic.
How to choose a rug that suits your style
Depending on the look you want to create, you can choose from a wide range of styles. Let’s take a closer look at the most popular styles.
Traditional rugs
These rugs don't look extraordinarily beautiful, but they are long-lasting. A timeless beauty, traditional rugs are often used to create a striking centerpiece for dining rooms and living rooms. They are usually made from soft and durable materials like wool, although you can find them in other materials and blends. Traditional rugs are a great choice for those who want to add a touch of warmth to their space.
Modern rugs
Modern rugs often have a soft or bold design. They come in various colors, textures, and materials, often featuring patterns with clean lines and beautiful colors. These rugs are appreciated worldwide because of the dynamic feel they add to your space. They can also tie together a room with different furniture or décor styles. They work well in modern homes or rooms that have minimalistic décor.
What rug size do you need?
Choosing the correct size ensures your new rug fits perfectly in your space. You don't want to choose a rug that is too small. Instead of bringing together a space, it will make it look out of proportion. Instead of selecting a rug that covers the space between your furniture, go for one that tucks under the legs of your chair or sofa. Here are a few guidelines to help you choose the right size.
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Square or large rectangular: These rugs often take up the center of a room. You’ll mostly find them in living rooms and dining rooms. They are usually placed underneath furniture with a few inches overlapping.
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Square or medium rectangular: These rugs are ideal for entryways and hallways, protecting your floor from wear and tear. They are also great for filling up empty floor space.
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Round: Often used in the center of rooms or underneath coffee tables, round rugs make an excellent centerpiece for any room.
If you're unsure whether to choose small or large rugs, go for the latter.
Selecting the right rug based on room type
Another effective way to find a new rug that suits your space is to shop by room. Below, we take a look at the different rugs you can choose for your living room, dining room, bedroom, and kitchen.
Living room rugs
The living room is where you unwind after a hard day's work, spend time with family, and entertain friends. For these reasons, it’s important to make this room as welcoming and comfortable as possible, and the perfect rug can help you achieve this. Determine whether you need a statement piece or an area rug that will add a different texture to the room or tie everything together.
A brightly colored rug is great for a living room as it will add that welcoming glow to it. You can also add a luxurious rug in front of the fireplace or sofa. It will not only enhance the look of your space but also give your pets a comfortable place to nap. For a statement piece, you don't need to go for a lavish or thick rug as long as it captures the attention in one way or another.
Dining room rugs
For the dining room, you can go for a statement rug, although you may want to select one that doesn’t have a vibrant color. Typically, the attention should be drawn to the rug’s material, not its color or pattern. Selecting a tone that matches or at least works well with your dining table is a great way to add a statement rug to your dining room. If you have an open-plan dining room and living, you can go for a statement rug to divide the two spaces.
When selecting a rug for your dining room, keep in mind the most practical size that would go with your table. Don't just choose a rug that is larger than your dining table – you also need to take into account the space that sliding dining chairs would need. Will the guests have enough room to join or leave the table without the chairs' legs coming off the rug? You also need to choose a material that will be easy to move the furniture on.
Bedroom rugs
When selecting a rug for your bedroom, choose one that is comfortable and works well with your room décor. You may want to choose a statement rug, but the primary piece in your bedroom should be your bed. The most popular choice for the bedroom is the area rug. Select a rug that extends about 18 inches around your bed. There should also be enough rug around the bed where you can step onto.
Since the bed will cover a large portion of the rug, you may want to choose a less expensive option. However, if you have extra money, you can go for a thick rug for both practical and decorative purposes. Shaggy rugs would also provide great thermal insulation.
Kitchen rugs
The most important thing to remember when choosing a kitchen rug is functionality. A thick rug would not be the best choice due to its ultra-absorbent properties. Considering you have to deal with spillage, choose rugs with tight piles, such as jute rugs.
Long runners make a great choice for kitchens. It will run through the center, providing comfort and warmth while keeping away from the room's utilities. If you have tiles installed on your kitchen floor, go for soft rugs to cushion you against the cold of the tiles. For laminate flooring, choose a pale-toned jute rug.
Here at vidaXL, we have a vast selection of rugs in quality materials to suit your needs. Feel free to browse our collection to find the best rug for your room.