We all live in a world where a room is incomplete without a rug. Sure, there are still those who prefer their living areas with bare floors, like those after the simplicity of minimalist style, but let’s face it – the end result is a lack of texture, warmth (both physical and visual), and cohesion.
Rugs are available in a lot of different sizes, materials, designs, colours, and price ranges for living room décor purposes, so you have plenty to choose from. As it happens, though, some might find this abundance to be tricky. If you need a new rug, this helpful 5-step guide on how to choose a living room rug will help you find the right one for your home, and way of life!
1. Space and Placement
In many homes, area washable rugs are used as functional pieces that divide the room into different zones and group furniture together to define a place. Aside from being low in maintenance and functional pieces, area rugs can also make your living room look better through decoration. Many things can be done with area rugs, and they have many benefits. There are area rugs in almost every colour, size, design, and material you can think of, so you should be able to find one that you like.
How you put your area rug is essential. All the pieces in your living room will look better when they’re all together, thanks to a well-placed area rug. It’s best to put your area rug in the middle of the living room, under your coffee table or couch. People who live in small rooms should make sure that the legs of their furniture are at least on the edge of the area rug.
2. Material and Level of Maintenance
The different materials used to make rugs can greatly affect how they look and feel under your feet. However, it’s necessary to point, this factor plays a huge role in maintenance too, so if you want a washable rug that’s easy to care for, look for designs made from man-made fibres like nylon and solution-dyed acrylic, or a blend with cotton.
Soft natural fibres like wool and mohair, and plant-based fibres like cotton, linen and sisal are all great options but if you share the home with small children and pets, you need something that’s easy to clean. Many people who have pets at home are familiar with the smell that stays on the rug for a long time.
As you know, pets leave marks everywhere, like muddy paw prints and potty accidents. These marks can stain your floor covers. That being said, you shouldn’t let that stop you from having rugs in your home. Another benefit of having a practical washable rug is that it’s safe for children and pets, and can withstand the pressures of regular wear and tear.
3. Size and Measurements
Size is another important thing to think about when picking out a rug for your living room. People who have never bought a rug before often make the mistake of choosing one that is too small. You don’t want to buy a rug only to find out it doesn’t fit your room. You can get machine washable rugs in a lot of different sizes. So, how do you choose the right one for your living room?
Before you decide on the size and placement of your rug, you should look at your living room as a whole. Do you have any alcoves or doors in your living room that might change the size of your rug? Also, you can use masking tape to try out different rug sizes on the floor before you buy one. Before you buy it, this will give you a good idea of whether it will look good and where it will best fit combined with your other furnishings.
4. Colour Palette and Style
Now that we covered the basics, it’s time to pick out the colour for your ideal choice of washable rug and its overall style! Perhaps you want to find a piece that goes with two or three main colours in your living room to tie the room together. I’d also suggest stealing ideas from the throws, pillows, and chairs in your living room.
The best washable area rugs for living rooms make the room feel warm and balanced. In other words, the mood of the room can be set by the colour and design of your rug. To make a room feel more cosy and personal, use dark, deep colours. On the other hand, lighter colours make a room look bigger and brighter.
If you have a lot of different colours and styles in your living room, it can be hard to find a rug that goes with everything. You can play it safe with a plain rug, or you can try something new and put together designs, prints, and colours that don’t seem to go together to create a great effect.
Also, pay attention to the overall ambience. Is it an extravagant and vintage interior? Modern and minimalist? At the end of the day you and your family will be the ones looking at it every day, so other than being an easily maintainable and washable rug, make it worthwhile your enjoyment!
5. Layering Different Rugs
Putting area rugs on top of each other can make the room look more interesting or help you define it more. You can put an area rug on top of the carpet that goes from floor to ceiling as well. In the bohemian style, for example, adding more colour and pattern is done by layering.
This will make it easy to change your seasonal area rug. Just put it on top of your main area rug. For instance, if you have a big sisal or jute area rug, put a thick, fluffy fake fur area rug on top of it in the winter. When it gets warmer, take off the fur and put a flatweave rug on top of the bigger natural fibre rug for a lighter look that is easier on the feet.
