Our motto at Bond Products is, “Every hard floor needs a nice area rug.”
There’s a reason homeowners rip up their carpet during renovations and pray a hardwood floor is underneath it. Besides the aesthetic value of hardwood, it appeals to people who are more environmentally conscious and to those who want to avoid the allergens that can get trapped in installed carpet. It’s more than a trend or fad: exposed flooring is here to stay.
However, one challenge of having an excess of exposed hard floor is that it can be a bit bland looking. Adding an area rug, or two or three, solves both problems at once.
Why a Nice Area Rug Matters
A well-chosen area rug can transform any room, adding warmth, style, and comfort. Whether you’re updating your living space or starting fresh, selecting the right rug involves considering several key factors.
Area rugs are more than just decorative pieces; they serve multiple functional purposes:
- Comfort Underfoot: They provide a soft surface to walk, play on, or otherwise relax.
- Sound Absorption: Area rugs help reduce noise levels by absorbing sound, creating a quieter environment.
- Floor Protection: Rugs shield floors from scratches, spills, and daily wear.
- Space Definition: They also visually separate areas in open-concept spaces.
- Aesthetic Enhancement: Rugs add color, texture, and pattern, as well as tying room elements together.
Choosing the Right Area Rug
So how do you go about choosing the right area rug for your hard floor?
When choosing the right size for an area rug, it’s important to ensure balance and harmony within the space. In the living room, select a rug large enough to fit under all major furniture pieces or at least under the front legs of sofas and chairs. For the dining room, the rug should extend at least 24 inches beyond the edge of the table on all sides, giving ample room for chairs to slide in and out. In the bedroom, an 8×10 rug works well for a queen-size bed, while a king-size bed typically pairs best with a 9×12 rug.
Selecting the color and pattern of your area rug is just as important as the size. Neutral tones offer flexibility and a calming presence, blending easily with most color palettes. Bold patterns can act as a statement piece, creating a focal point in the room. To tie everything together, use color coordination, selecting rug colors that echo shades found in your furniture, artwork, or accessories for a cohesive, well-designed look.
However, your first consideration has to be: Is this a carpet you love? If you don’t love it, why would you buy it? A carefully considered rug purchase is an investment in comfort and beauty, so don’t bother browsing rugs you don’t like, even if they are practical or fashionable. There are any number of different types of carpets or rugs: shag or high-pile carpets, antique rugs, flat-weave carpets, and rugs woven from fibers like jute or hemp. Take some time in a carpet store or with a professional designer. Explore your options, and then take use into consideration because…
There is no point in putting an antique rug in a toddler’s bedroom or under the dining room table if your beagles have claimed that space already. High-pile rugs are not made for places with lots of traffic, unless you want to see how dirty carpet can get. Consider how the room your carpet will be in functions, and work with, instead of against that purpose.
Material Matters
Different materials offer varying textures, durability, and maintenance needs:
- Wool rugs are durable and soft, ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Cotton fiber is lightweight and easy to clean. It’s best suited for casual spaces.
- Synthetic fibers are stain-resistant and budget-friendly, as well as great for areas with kids and pets.
- Natural fibers like jute and sisal are eco-friendly with a unique texture, but best suited for low-moisture areas.
Area Rug Maintenance Tips
Finally, determine how you will take care of your rug. Will vacuuming be enough? Will you be able to clean it yourself or does it need professional cleaning on a regular basis? If you can’t afford to keep your area rug or carpet clean, you should look at other possibilities. Don’t be like the shopper who wants to be a size 8 but is really a size 12. Never wearing a dress you love isn’t a good outcome, nor is being unhappy living with a carpet you can’t afford to take care of.
Enjoy The Process
These tips will help guide you to a good carpet choice. Don’t rush through this process, though. It should be enjoyable for you to weigh your options and then finally select the perfect area rug or carpet for your hard floor. Just don’t forget to add a non-slip backing to your rug to keep it in place and stop accidents from happening. Bond Products has different kinds of rug backing to accommodate any carpet or rug need, and as we say, “Every hard floor needs a nice area rug!”
