How to Buy a Rug – Rugs are in. With more choices (silk, woven, sisal, and all the other types of natural materials you can think of) and ways to buy a rug than ever before, it’s a great time to get a rug that will set off the high traffic areas of your house. Here’s the thing, with this type of rug selection it can feel pretty overwhelming to start the process. You might lie awake at night thinking what’s a jute rug? What’s the deal with Moroccan rugs? Or just what makes a quality rug and how to buy a rug online.
We’ve got the expert tips on how to buy a rug. Whether you’re looking for easy to clean, machine-made rugs, antique rugs, silk rugs, or just want to find a way to mix up what you’ve got going on with your carpet — this is the guide for you. While style is always important, this is just a piece of the puzzle when choosing a rug. Thinking about color palette, weave, and if it needs to be professionally cleaned gives you a better picture of what you’re going to need going forward.
Tip #7 – The Bigger the Rug, The Better (Usually)
Rug size should be the first thing you think about. Depending on the space, you’re going to want to look at the square inch of each rug you’re thinking about and ere on the side of bigger. Rugs and carpets are funny in that way — you often think you have more than what you have.
That’s one of the dangers of shopping area rugs online, that’s why it’s so important to measure your space and make sure you have enough and aren’t wishing for one more piece to cover that last couple feet of the dining room. While you might not think it, size matters when looking at online rug purchases and rug selection.
Tip #6 – If You’re in a High Traffic Area, Get a Durable Rug
How to buy a rug is all about size and finding one that’s durable enough for the long haul. Wool is a great material for rugs, but is it the most durable. While wool is very durable, there are other natural fibers that can give similar results, especially if it’s woven tightly. Sisal has become almost as popular as wool in this regard, especially when that rug has many knots per square inch. Those knots are what keep a rug durable, which means that it will hold its colour and stay new looking for longer.
This is especially true of indoor outdoor rugs, which need to hold up not only to high traffic, but also the elements. If you’re looking for a rug like this, then an antique rug might not be the best option. While it could look great, it’s more prone to wear and tear than a different type of rug. This goes double for a flimsy material like silk — antique or otherwise. Indoor outdoor rugs need to be durable — be it wool or otherwise. The best rugs are woven tight.
Tip #5 – Patterns are Good When it Comes to Rugs
Not only are patterns interesting to look at, they help hide stains, which means you’ll have to hire a rug cleaner less often to keep it clean. That might not seem like a big deal, but when you need to lift up that coffee table, dining table, or chairs for the millionth time to get it clean, you’ll see what we mean. I mean, who likes moving chairs? If you don’t want to clean as much, a good pattern is definitely for you.
Plus, an interesting pattern will give a cool texture to your decor, and often is a sign of a more durable rug (because of how it’s woven). That style shouldn’t be minimized, as a pattern is a great way to show your personality and make a rug a real part of your living space — not just something the furniture rests on (that’s what a carpet is for). If you want to get really ambitious, this is where antique rugs can be an asset. While it may be hard to keep them clean, you can find some really cool antique rugs and carpets when shopping for patterns. Just make sure you get some rug appraisals so that you know how much you should be paying. Leave it to the professionals.
Tip #4 – If You’re in a High Traffic Area, Get a Durable Rug
Natural fibers like sisal are good because they’re in it for the long haul. Ditto for wool and silk. Even better if they are paired with natural dyes. A good rug is going to be woven in a style that suits what you need but making sure it’s natural means that it will be that way for years to come. This is big with revival rugs, which are very popular underneath furniture for this exact reason.
While you might not want an antique silk rug (even if it’s natural, silk rugs can be quite flimsy), when you’re figuring out how to buy a rug it’s really a no-brainer to look for wool or another natural fiber. Whether you’re buying from a rug dealer or are looking at rugs online, it’s usually pretty simple to figure out those materials and how they were woven (most will have it on tags or have some description).
Tip #3 – Style is Important
Knowing the style of the rest of your room will give you a great idea of how to buy a rug that fits with your aesthetic. Sure, wool might be great, but if you’re going for a mid-century modern look it could be a little out of place.
Swap the wool out for a beniourain rug or some nice silk and you’ll have something that jives a little better with your room. Wool is great, but it’s not the be all and end all of rugs. Make sure whether it’s Moroccan, beni ourain, or more modern that the style fits with what you want.
Tip #2 – Rug Cleaning — Are you able to wash it in the Machine?
A machine wash rug is a godsend, and that usually means wool. You don’t have to be a professional rug cleaner then, and its easy to clean nature will mean that it will probably end up looking more clean than other harder to clean rugs.
Be honest with yourself on how much upkeep you want to do, if that’s the case then a wool rug is really a no-brainer.
Tip #1 – Buy the Rug that Speaks to You
That being said, if something really catches your eye than go for it. Rugs are meant to be an expression of the self, and if you’re truly expressing yourself, then you’re going to sometimes be a little bit fickle or change your mind. If you see a rug that you can’t do without, then go for it. Sure it might need special cleaning or care, but if it speaks to you, then you’re always going to be happy with it. Follow your heart and you can’t go wrong.
So there you go, seven easy rules for figuring out how to buy a rug. Whether it’s mid-century modern, boho, or even a classic antique look, if you follow these seven steps, you’re sure to walk away with a rug that you can’t do without. Don’t look at rugs as just a thing that the furniture sits on, they’re a living and breathing part of your household — just as important as your favorite piece of furniture. Get excited, it’s rug time!
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