An area rug can transform a room in the time it takes to unroll it.
Our guidelines will help you find the one that fits your space and avoid shopping snags.
When dressing up a room, dont look to the furniture or the wallslook to the floor!
Credit:CARSON DOWNING
Sometimes a rug is all you need.
A rug can be the defining feature of a room or it can blend in and serve a function.
Read our all-encompassing guide below to check that youre buying the best rug for your space.
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CARSON DOWNING
Types of Rugs
Knowing the lingo helps youshop smart.
These terms refer to rug construction methods.
Wool contains lanolin, a natural stain-repellent that makes it one of the easiest fibers to clean.
Credit:David Land
RYANN FORD
How Big Should My Rug Be?
Your furniture arrangement is as much a factor as room size.
Let your room guide how to find the right rug size for your space.
Credit:Anne D. Schlechter
What If I Love A Rug That’s Too Small?
If a rug is too small, layer it.
So layer a smallstatement rugon top of a less-expensive one that covers more area.
One popular combination is tight-weave jute or sisal under a showpiece.
What If My Room Is Really Big?
A large, open space benefits from being broken up by two or more rugs.
A rug can make a declaration: The breakfast table is here.
Come sit and socialize in this spot, says Los Angeles-based designer Greg Roth of Home Front Build.
If you choose to cover most of the floor, leave a bare border at the wall.
Sound like your house?
Shop for area rugs in different shapes that complement your home’s furniture and room.
Area rugs can quickly become dirty, so it’s important to learn how to keep them clean.
Learnhow to remove stainsandclean an area rug.
Youve heard the saying, Its whats on the inside that counts.
When it comes to area rugs, whats underneath them counts, too.
What If I Have Carpet?
Area rugs work on top of wall-to-wall carpeting.
London-based rug designer Luke Irwin says, Carpeting needs rugsmore than a wooden floor does.
You have this ocean of beige thats exhausting to look at.
Opt for tufted rugstheir weighty structure keeps them in placeorrugs with patternsthat break up the monotony.
Do I Need a Rug Pad?
You alwaysneed a rug pad.
Rug pads also prevent slipping, add cushion, andstop the rug from rippling.
