House Beautiful October 4, 2024
Buyer
When you're decorating a room, the list of furnishings you need to complete the space can seem almost endless. But a rug isn't just one of the many things you need to budget for—it's actually the foundation of your room, decor-wise, and pretty necessary for life at home, when you consider that rugs help muffle sounds and warm up your floors. "Rugs take up a large portion of the visual space in any room, and therefore are one of the most important design decisions you can make," designer Timothy Whealon tells House Beautiful.
That's exactly why you shouldn't save your rug purchase for last. In fact, if you can, you should find a rug you love before you buy anything else. "Ideally, the rug is the first thing you would purchase for the space," Sylvie Johnson, artistic director at Merida, says. "This way you can build the rest of the room around the color and shape of the rug."
So, how do you find just the right rug? It may be tempting to buy the first one you like, but there are a lot of factors to consider before you make that purchase—especially since rugs can get pretty pricey. This buying guide will help you narrow down your options until you find a rug that anchors your space and provides you the function you need.
First things first: If you're not super familiar with how rugs are made or what kind of rug you should look for, you'll want to get to know a few basic terms. These will help you understand the construction of the rugs you're considering, as well as to get an idea of what they'll feel like underfoot.
One of the most important things to consider when you're shopping for a rug is the material it's made from. Rugs can be made from natural fibers or synthetic, man-made fibers, and there are several popular options in each category. The material you choose affects the feel, the price, the durability, and how easy it is to clean. Read on about the different materials you'll find on the market, and as you're shopping, consider where you're placing it and what works best for your lifestyle.
Natural fiber rugs are a great option if you're willing to spend a bit more on a rug that's as durable and long-lasting as it is beautiful. While these aren't all of the options out there, these are the most popular natural materials you'll find when rug shopping:
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