Choosing rugs is something most of us will have to think about when doing up our homes. Selecting rugs may seem straightforward, but could you be making some of these mistakes when using rugs in your home?
1. Not measuring the space
First and foremost before you go out and buy any home accessories or furniture, it’s imperative you measure your space. Always have a tape measure handy in your home. With rugs, you definitely need to measure your space before you make your purchase. This will help you determine the right size to buy for your space.
2. Using a rug that’s too small
This results from not measuring your space or sometimes having a smaller budget for the rug size your floor area requires.
Make sure you measure your space and if you find your budget is too low, try and save up for the right size rug. It’s not ideal spending money on a rug that’s not suitable.
A rug that’s too small will look out of place. A rule of thumb when it comes to rug sizes is to make sure at least the front legs of your furniture are on the rug if not all.
3. Not using an anti slip mat
Don’t you just hate it when you constantly have to reposition your rugs. I’m a mother of very active children both inside and out.
I used to get so frustrated when the rugs kept shifting until I discovered the anti slip mats. They make it much safer for your home not to mention how much easier vacuuming your rug will be.
4. Using the wrong rug for your room
Is there a right and wrong rug for your room? Yes and it all depends on the room and amount of foot traffic it receives.
If your room is in a high traffic zone, you want to choose a rug that can cater to this. You should go for a rug that’s made of hard wearing, durable material like nylon, sisal or wool.
You can use less durable materials in areas of low traffic. Whatever the case, make sure your rug choice works with how the room will be utilised.
5. Not following care instructions
A simple mistake such as not looking at care instructions can reduce the quality and lifespan of your rug.
When you purchase a rug, try and take a picture of the care instructions for future reference. I find it easier to keep care instructions electronically so that I never lose them. This means I can pass them on to the next person so they can also prolong the rugs lifespan.
Rug care instructions are usually found on the underside.
6. Shying away from patterns
Many people avoid rugs with patterns because they are not sure they will fit in with their existing decor. They end up playing it safe and going for plain rugs.
If you love patterns and want to add a patterned rug to your interiors, then go for it. Find a patterned rug with a shade that matches your existing pieces.
Where possible, go for a neutral shade that’s not too overpowering and everything should fall into place.
7. Choosing rugs last
If you are decorating a new home or redoing your existing one, it’s always best to start with the rug. Choosing rugs first makes it is easier to pick colours from them making it easier to build your décor around them.
Many people leave the rug as an afterthought and that mistake results in a room that lacks cohesion. The floor is the base of your room so dress it up first then add layers of décor to it.
The next time you find yourself thinking about shopping for a new rug, consider the points above to help you with your planning.
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