When you’re decorating a space, there are several factors to think about. General appearance, feel, level of comfort, and placement are all important things to keep in mind. Adding an area rug to a room can enhance the space in several ways. Knowing how to maximize the potential of your area rug will greatly enhance the look and feel of your living quarters.
Acoustics
When you’re setting up a room, it’s important to consider how sound travels. Many open spaces can echo, making them feel cold and less lived-in or comfortable. Placing an area rug with an appropriate thickness can alleviate or dampen the unwanted sounds.
Aesthetics
Choosing an area rug with colors and patterns may seem like a daunting task. Take it a step at a time and consider the surrounding furniture. If the sofa or bedding is patterned, then selecting a solid-colored rug is best. Conversely, if the furniture is solid-colored, then the rug should be patterned.
Picking vibrant colors will make the rug pop. Match the furniture color to the secondary color in the area rug and the third color in the rug to the walls or drapes within the room. Choosing a lively color to coincide with the other colors in the room will tie it all together and give the décor a thoughtfully calculated appearance.
Comfort
It’s important for an area rug to serve its purpose in regard to acoustics and aesthetics, it also needs to be comfortable and fitting. When you’re deciding how to maximize the potential of your area rug, ensure the material is ideal for the space. For example, in a bedroom, you may want something like a soft, plushy cotton. In a high-traffic area such as a common room, you may select something synthetic, since it’s a little firmer with higher durability. A sunroom may warrant a rug that’s more indoor-outdoor quality and made with a material such as nylon or polyester.
Optical Illusion
Proper placement of an area rug can make a room feel larger than it actually is. Lighter colors can create the illusion of a bigger room, and keeping the rug away from the walls will also enhance the appearance of a larger area. Furniture should overlap on the rug, but stick to only covering one or two sides.
When you’re choosing an area rug, it’s important to consider the space and its intention. Use lighter colors for smaller spaces, thicker rugs to dampen unwanted and traveling sounds, and patterns and supporting colors to catch the eye. Each space and rug pairing will be different. Personally customizing the area rug for your specific space is always a viable option.
