Looking to amp up the style quotient of a room on a budget? You can’t do better than to choose the right rug. A rug softens the hard edges of a room, defines a colour scheme and pulls together a décor that lacks cohesion. Whatever you may choose – a cotton dhurrie, a silk carpet or a woolen runner – there’s something for every home. Available in a range of materials, there is an assortment on offer: Choose from woven, tufted, embroidered, needle felt, braided, knotted or hooked.
Big or small? The size of the rug depends on the room and the furniture. Will it anchor the room or put the spotlight on a certain area? Will it be a wall-to-wall functional rug or a brightly coloured one that adds warmth? Many designers believe that the rug should be slightly smaller than the area covered by the furniture. Choose a rug that’s big enough to anchor a gathering, yet allows ample flooring space for circulation. There’s a variety of shapes on offer - square, circular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal — and runners.
Bold or neutral? Choosing the right rug for a space is important as it can add comfort, mood, warmth, character and personality. Select a rug that reflects a couple of colours from your room – this way, the space doesn’t look too busy.
If the room is simple, let a bold rug dominate. But if you have a lot of prints on the drapes and cushions, a plain rug in one of the dominating room colours will work better. The colour scheme, furniture placement and artefacts should all connect with it. A neutral rug with a bold pattern can also transform the look of a room.
Flat or plush? A flat-weave rug creates a dramatically different look as compared to a deep-pile rug. Use flat rugs, often made of cotton, jute or other natural fibres, to create a light and airy look that’s perfect for summer. The plush and warm textures of bright wool or silk rugs are ideal for winter — they create a feeling of warmth and coziness.
The choice of rugs also depends on your family and lifestyle. Formal areas demand elegant rugs, but family lounges – where kids, pets and heavy traffic rule the day – need rugs that have low pile, colours that disguise stains and material that’s easy to maintain.
One, two or three? If one rug in a room adds personality, imagine what two can do? Small rooms often need only one rug to add colour, texture, comfort or warmth. A large room can benefit from two or more rugs – ensure that the placement creates and defines multiple spaces. Adventurous sorts can try layering rugs to bring together multiple colours and textures.
Keep in mind that a rug must work with the décor to create a harmonious and welcoming feel. Aren’t you raring to get that ‘rugged’ look?
