Now that you have wonderful new hardwood floors in your home, what type of area rugs should you buy? Here’s our advice for choosing area rugs:

1. Figure out the size area rug you want. Measure the space and choose one that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room (this is HGTV's Karl Lohnes’ rule of thumb). Standard rug sizes are 4 x 6, 5 x 8, 6 x 9, 8 x 10, 9 x 12 and 12 x 14.
2. Think about your color scheme, design and texture. Do you already have furniture? As you go to look at area rugs, bring one of your cushions with you so you can match it to the colors already in the room. Thirty percent of a room’s color is dominated by the color of your floor coloring, so make sure you coordinate it with the other tones throughout the room. Pick a design that fits with the feel of your home and your lifestyle. For example, area rugs covered in geometric shapes tend to be perfect for a modern home, and those with floral patterns are better for are more traditional English feel. If you’re the type of person that likes to go barefoot, think about how it will feel beneath your feet. If you make a lot of messes, try to find a pattern and texture that can hide stains.
3. Start browsing. Before you think about price, look at all the options to decide what you want. Look in magazines, visit various stores and take your time deciding what you want. Once you’re ready to buy, Washington-based interior designer Patrick J. Baglino, Jr. recommends looking for name brand retailers and manufacturers, such as Karastan, Royal Intercontinental, Merida Meridian, Elson and Tufenkian to find the best price.
4. Choose your materials carefully. Do you want it made by from natural or man-made fibers? Wool rugs are the most common as they’re durable and easy to maintain, but there are other options for those that want an area rug made of natural materials including silk, viscose, cotton and jute. Man-made fibers like nylon and polypropylene tend to be cheaper and easy to maintain although they aren’t as eco-friendly.
5. Look for a high-quality rug. Consider the craftsmanship. Is it hand woven, hand tufted, machine-woven or tufted? Is their precision in the design? If it’s wool, was it moth proofed? How dense is it? The denser the rug, the longer it will last.

An area rug can add a really nice design element to your home. Want more advice for finding the perfect addition to your hardwood floors? Contact us and we’ll share our insight!

Photo courtesy of HomerWood Premium Hardwood Flooring