Size Considerations When Using Rugs For Decorating Your Room

Rugs are much more than just covers for your floor; they are inspiring, warm, inviting, comfortable, and beautiful. You can choose to brighten up a room or a hall way. You may want to hang an oriental rug on a wall to decorate. Even though decorating with rugs is easy to do there are a few pointers to use when decorating.

You have to know the difference between the room size and the rug size. You want a rug to compliment your room, not take over. Rugs can be purchased in 2′x3′, 3′x5′, and 4′x6′. These small rugs are known as accent rugs because they are placed in front of a piece of furniture or decoration and they accent that area. You can also use these accent rugs in the hallway, bathroom den, or the front door.

If you want a large rug you will have the choice of a 6′x9′ or 12′x15′ in size. You may be able to find a 15′x18′ but these are very large and may not be carried at the place you are looking at. Also remember that the bigger the rug the more it will cost. You can use a large rug in the dining area or in the living room or den; anywhere there is a large room.

When you are placing your rug you need to keep in mind and account for the door-to-floor area. Depending on your front door you may not be able to open it or close it with ease. If there are floor outlets in your home you may want to keep them uncovered. If your room is not completely even and some areas protrude out then you need to account for this also.

If you are placing your area rug down over your hardwood floor you need to allow eight inches of floor exposed from the wall to the rug. Place the rug in the center of the room or as close to center as you can get. If you have bare spots you can use cabinets and shelves to hide them. Be sure to make an equal space all around your rug so it can look centered.

Avoid placing rug edges in a high traffic path. This can cause the carpet to roll up over time and cause a fall hazard.

Whatever is the size of rug you think you need or room you have, be sure the rug fits the room. Think symmetry, balance, color and motif when selecting rugs, with the objective of making the space more attractive or pleasant. Such is the goal of decorating, and a rug is another item to use when you want to achieve it.