With the accent on durability in home décor, hardwoods, stone and tile floors are more popular than ever, but these materials can also be cold and noisy. One of the best ways to warm up a space is to make a fine quality rug the major focal point of your room.
Rugs enhance contemporary, transitional or traditional interior designs. The key is choosing a rug that’s the right size for the room. The Nazmiyal Collection of Antique Rugs advises that a rug should be large enough to accommodate the front feet of sofas and chairs. Allow two feet behind dining room chairs. A fine rug should be two to three feet smaller than the total area of the room for balance.
If you want a rug to wear well and hold its value, purchase a handmade piece. The thicker the pile, as created by the number of knots per square inch, the more comfortable it will be to walk upon and the easier it will be to clean up spills. Natural fibers such as wool, cotton, camel-hair or silk wear better than synthetics. Vegetable dyes soften the wool over time, giving a distinct patina to the rug.
Choose your rug before other furnishings and you’ll find the whole room easier to coordinate. Select a detailed rug for high traffic areas and calm it with neutral furniture. For patterned furniture or wallpapered walls, invest in a quieter rug. Pick up colors from the rug in paint or accessories.
