Area Rugs
A beautiful area rug placed just inside the front door will say “Welcome” to guests as they enter: To keep their cozy manners and good looks, area rugs need some care and attention. Area rugs can set a room’s design style, define a conversation area, organize the flow of traffic, and much more. Their varied designs and colors give them almost limitless decorating possibilities. And, because they are movable, area rugs are easy to maintain. Some area rugs are even reversible for longer wear.
Choosing a Rug
Area rugs once were those less than 9×12 feet, anything larger was considered carpeting, whether or not it was tacked down. Definitions have softened so that area rugs now can be any size from a fireplace mat to a hall runner or a full room rug. You can buy area rugs at department and home stores, home improvement centers, specialty and antique shops, at auction houses, and even through mail-order catalogs. Craft fairs often feature designers who weave, paint, knit, hook, crochet, braid, or needlepoint hand-and custom-made area rugs. And, if you know any of these crafts, you can make your own.
Rug Considerations
Decisions in buying area rugs resolve around what you need, what you like, and what you can afford. Often the deciding factor, outside of price, is the design, not the type of rug or its upkeep. Be a little bit practical when choosing a rug. If the area rug is to be used in front of the kitchen sink, easy cleaning and cushioning comfort are key features to look for. A machine-washable rug, such as cotton rag or nylon braid, would be ideal for this location. Save the “must have” silk rug for a low-traffic, low-upkeep area, like beside the bed or in the guest room. While most of the fiber and construction choices available for carpeting are also available in rugs, rugs offer other options as well. Silk, for example, is usually reserved for hand-knotted Oriental rugs, and hand-painted canvas floor cloths are only available as area rugs.
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