Area rugs are a very important part of decorating a room; they can help define a sitting area or help make a room feel cozy. Rugs also create warmth under foot, offer sound absorption and add colour and pattern to a room's d�cor scheme.
Choosing the wrong style and size of area rug is a common decorating mistake that many people make. Here are the seven most common questions and answers about area rugs.
Q: How do I measure my living room for an area rug?
A: Always work with the width of the room, not the length. Measure 1-1.5 feet in from each side of the room. The remaining space left over will tell you how wide your area rug should be.
Q: What style of rug is suitable for a living room?
A: Plain or finely patterned rugs are good choices if you have large patterns (draperies, furnishings or wallpaper) in the room. A centre "medallion" design or large-scale patterned rugs work best in a plain living room.
Q: How do I measure the dining room for a rug?
A: The rug should be about 18 inches larger on each side of the table.
Q: What style of rug works best in the dining room?
A: A plain area rug with a decorative border works best in a dining room. That way the table and chairs are framed with the rug's decorative border.
Q: Can I lay an area rug on top of broadloom?
A: You can lay an area rug on a tightly-wound, loop-style carpet such as berber or sisal. Plush or shag will not work as they create too much air under the area rug.
Q: How do I choose colours for my rug?
A: If investing in a rug, take inspiration from artwork that you are drawn to or have collected. For example, if you like rich, colourful oil paintings, then choose a rug with rich colours.
Q: How much should I spend on a rug?
A: Rugs are like art and are subject to current styles, demand and availability. Investment rugs are often made of natural materials like cotton, wool or silk -- they tend to cost upwards of $1,000 (for an 8'x10'). Synthetic fibered rugs are great for young families and busy households and don't cost as much -- they tend to cost around $200-$1,000 (for an 8'x10').
Side notes:
- The front legs of your sofa and chairs should be sitting on the area rug. If they are not, then the rug is too small for the room.
- Area rugs come in pre-determined sizes -- 3'x5', 4'x6', 5'x7', 6'x9',8'x10', 9'x12'-- similar to picture-frame sizes (which measure in inches).
- Make sure to measure your room before you go shopping as it will save you a lot of time when going from store to store.
- Rugs featured on the show are certified EccoLogo by Environment Canada. More product information can be found at:
Got a question, comment or segment suggestion for Karl? Email us at homedecor@ctv.ca.
