CARPETS/RUGS

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Tips for Finding the Perfect Carpet/Rug for your Home

There's a lot to consider when buying a new carpet and it can feel overwhelming. Taking your time, doing the proper research, and finding the right retailer will make the job manageable and enable you to select a carpet you'll be happy to live with for years to come. I’d like to share with you a few tips to make this process easier and that will help you find the perfect carpet for your home!

1. Understand your Design Style

The first thing you should do is try to understand your design style. Decide on a style that works for both your aesthetics as well as your needs. While there are hundreds of carpets available, they can all be narrowed down into one of only a few style categories. These styles may include modern, traditional, bohemian, or contemporary. For example, with a more modern style, you may want to look for a striped or graphic rug. For a traditional style, a vintage or Persian rug would compliment your style beautifully. In addition, in order to create a space that is cohesive and well thought out, come up with a colour theme and choose rugs that fall into those hues. This can be done by repeating patterns and colours you have in other areas of the home to create a flow from room to room. For a warm palette, consider earth tones, desert hues, dusty pinks, golds, and burnt oranges. For a cool palette, consider shades of grey, blue, or green.

2. Material

There are many types of materials out there so I have broken down the most common materials to give you a better understanding of which one fits your needs. These materials include wool, silk, jute, seagrass, sisal, polyester, synthetic, and animal hide.

Natural Materials (Wool and Silk)

  • Wool and Silk rugs are a great way to add comfort, luxe and softness to your home. This rug material works well in bedrooms and living rooms as it’s soft enough to walk around barefoot.

  • Wool and Silk rugs are durable, which means they’ll last for a while, usually an average of 20 to 30 years. Keep in mind that your rug’s lifespan will vary based on how well you maintain it.

  • On the downside, wool and silk rugs are not great for damp areas, such as mudrooms or patios because they tend to hold moisture which will damage the rug.

  • One more downside is that these rugs can be very expensive.

Natural Materials (Jute, Seagrass, Sisal)

  • Natural material rugs are natural-fiber rugs chosen for the texture and casualness they bring to a room.

  • Jute rugs are static-free and absorbent however dampness and moisture can be hazardous to jute. Natural fibres like jute tend to collect dust, which reduces the amount of dust particles floating in the air, however need plenty of vacuuming.

  • Sisal rugs are an excellent choice for almost any room in your home. Sisal fibres are durable, tightly resistant to abrasion and stains and have a beautifully textured feel.

  • Seagrass rugs are the the least expensive option of the natural material rugs however they only come in one color.

  • Seagrass is best used in a low humidity environment as it is susceptible to mold and mildew.

  • Seagrass is extremely resistant to staining.

  • Sisal is the most popular of the natural fibre rugs, it is durable and has a muted, organic beauty that blends with many design styles.

  • Sisal fibres dye well resulting in a range of natural shades and come in a variety of patterns.

  • Sisal can be rough on the feet and are not good for areas that can become wet.

Polyester

  • Polyester is a non-absorbent and fast-drying material, which means that it is far less prone to mildew and mold. Due to the way it is dyed it’s also resistant to most chemicals, as well as any fading from UV rays. This makes polyester a great option for those looking for a rug that is going to stand the test of time.

  • Polyester is inexpensive, soft, and comes in a wide range of colours.

Synthetic

  • Synthetic materials are great for outdoor rugs because they don’t fade when placed in direct sunlight. These rugs are easy to maintain because you can clean them by simply tossing them into the washing machine or hosing them down.

  • They are made to be stain and wear resistant, making them good for high traffic areas.

Animal Hides

  • Animal hides give a luxurious look to any space.

  • Animal hide rugs go with any style home and are very durable.

  • Animal skin rugs can add a modern element to a very formal stuffy setting. The textural differences of a patterned cow skin creates a pleasant contrast to synthetic fabrics.

  • Animal hide rugs come in a variety of price points and can be made into area rugs by piecing cut strips or squares together.

  • Animal hides are not good for areas that are prone to wetness.

3. Size

The size of an area rug can dramatically alter the room's overall look. A rug that is too small for your space can visually shrink the room and cause the room to feel uninviting. A rug that is too large for the room can, paradoxically, make the room feel smaller. It's often recommended to decide on the appropriate size of rug based on your furniture configuration, not based on the specific room size. You want to get a rug that’s big enough to accommodate furniture but not too big to bump into the edges of the walls, leaving at least a 6-12 inch border of floor showing. To determine the length of the rug in a bedroom, you should measure 4-6 inches in front of your nightstands to at least 3’ in front of the bed or a bench if you have one. The width should be determined by measuring from one end of your nightstand to the other. For dining rooms, the rug should fit all chairs and dining table so that when pulling out the chair, it should still be on the rug.

4. Colour/Patterns

The carpet color can alter the entire feel of a room, so be sure to select your color carefully and wisely. Think about how trends may change over the years, and be sure that the color you love today will still appeal to you down the road. If you already have furniture, consider how different colors will work with your existing items. Rooms with a lot of color and pattern often work best with a rug that has neutral tones or a single color. If you don't already have furnishings, consider how different rug colors will work with the tones of the flooring, walls, and ceiling. Rugs can either stand out or blend in, so think about what effect you want to create when considering colour. Look to colour to create a mood in your space (light and bright or a dark and moody space). For a classic look that never goes out of style, stay away from too trendy patterns (a piece that never gets dated is vintage Persian rugs).

Watch our YouTube video on selecting your next carpet/rug.