Rug Guides

What's The Difference Between Accent, Area, And Runner Rugs?

*Area rugs are designed to cover most of the flooring in a single room in the home. They are often placed on top of hard flooring, although they can be used on carpeting. Such rugs are not wall-to-wall, but can cover 9 x 12 feet or even larger. They can either be used as a design focal point in a room or to make a room look cozy and comfortable.

*Accent rugs are smaller than area rugs, generally between 2 x 3 feet to 2 x 5 feet, and live up to their name. They are used to decorate or define special areas of the home as well as to protect other flooring surfaces — such as when they are used in entryways.

*Runner rugs are long and narrow and used to direct traffic through areas such as hallways and secured on stairs. They range in precut sizes from 2 x 5 feet to10 feet long.

Is It Possible To Find A Rug To Match Your Decorating Scheme?

A dizzying array of rug designs and colors are available, allowing you to not only match but enhance your decorating scheme. Common rug styles include:

*Contemporary:

A rug style consisting of clean lines and bright, colorful, bold shapes, including geometrics. Contemporary rugs are suitable for modern styled decor.

*Traditional:

This rug style includes rich, classical styles like Persian and Oriental. Persian rugs are recognized for medallion designs with a framed elaborate border, while Oriental rugs feature ornate or floral patterns. This style of rug can have a fringed edge and is seen in living rooms or sitting areas.

*Transitional:

A versatile rug style that works in just about any decor as it combines elements from traditional and contemporary designs. Transitional rugs come in a wide range of colors, shapes and patterns.

*Casual:

This category consists of rugs featuring a variety of free-form designs, such as lines and asymmetrical patterns and light colors. They work well with an informal home style. This group could also include shags.

What Size Rug Should You Buy?

The location in which you will place the rug determines its size. Measure the intended space before buying a rug. Area rugs generally create the most impact when they are not consuming the entire location. For instance, as a focal point in front of a sofa or seating area. Area rugs being placed under furniture should generally be at least 1 foot smaller on all sides than the room in which they are located and 1 to 4 feet larger than the furniture under which they lay. For instance, a rug under a dining room table will need to provide enough space for pulling out chairs.

Accent rugs should fit comfortably in the area in which you place them, such as in front of a doorway. Runners should be long enough to finish a particular pathway, such as a hallway.

How Do You Choose From The Large Variety Of Rug Materials?

A wide variety of rug fibers exist, each with their own unique characteristics. Which material you choose will depend on your intended use for the rug and the potential wear and tear.

Is the rug for a bathroom or bedroom? In that case, you'll want something soft on bare feet. Or maybe it's intended for a mudroom. Such a rug would need to be heavy duty and able to stand up to boots and mud.

Also analyze foot traffic. Will the rug be in a highly traveled area such as an entryway or in a room that receives light use like a dining room?

Rug Materials

Rugs come in either natural or synthetic/man-made materials.

What Kind Of Craftsmanship Are You Looking For?

How the rug is constructed affects its quality. Whereas rugs were once made by hand, most of today's rugs are created by machines. Whether made by hand or machine, the same rug techniques used over time are still used today. These techniques include the following:

*Hand-knotting:

Is done by weavers, who tie individual knots that make up the rug. The more knots, the more durable the rug.

*Hand-knotting:

Feature loops of yarn that are pulled through a rug’s backing by machine or hand and can create a cut or loop pile.

*Hooked rugs:

Are made by hand or machine and are similar to tufted rugs, but the yarn loops remain in the finished product.

*Flat woven rugs:

Don’t possess a pile and can be produced by machine or hand.

*Braided rugs:

Also don’t have a pile and are made by hand or machine. The yarns are braided into ropes and sewn together, resulting in a durable rug that is often reversible.

With all rugs, the denser the rug, the longer it will last.

Do You Need A Rug Pad Under Your Rug?

Rug pads are necessary on rugs that don't contain nonskid backing. The pads not only keep rugs in place and prevent them from creating a potential hazard, they also help extend the life of the rug by providing cushioning and insulation. Rug pads also prevent moisture from leaking below to the floor and causing staining. Those made with memory foam create especially soft rugs.

Rug gripper tape is also useful for keeping rugs in place.