A Whole New Rug: What to Know When Choosing an Area Rug

Floors feeling a little bare? It may be time to upgrade your space with a great area rug—but with so many options to choose from, picking the right carpet can be easier said than done. From selecting the ideal size for your space to narrowing down materials, patterns, and colors, there's certainly a lot to think about.

The good news? We're here to walk you through the process, step-by-step, so you can sink your toes into the perfect rug for your living space.

Why Area Rugs Are Important

Taking the time to choose the right area rug matters more than you might realize. For starters, area rugs serve a number of functional purposes in your home. This includes protecting your floors from damage and even reducing noise levels within your space. Meanwhile, a great area rug provides a soft and comfortable alternative to hard flooring that can feel harsh on your feet. In this sense, a great area rug can give your space a cozier and homier feel.

In addition to functional purposes, an area rug can also make a major statement in your interior design. Because they're available in a wide range of colors, materials, sizes, and patterns, adding an area rug is one of the easiest and quickest ways to enhance the look and feel of a space. Suitable in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and just about anywhere in between—there's no overstating the impact of the perfect area rug.

Choosing the Right Area Rug Size

The first step to choosing an area rug is to determine the size that's right for your space. At Domaine Furnishings, we offer rugs sized to suit your space’s needs. When determining the proper size for your area rug, consider the size of the space itself and the furniture currently in the space. If you are adding an area rug to a living room to define a seating area, for example, you'll want to make sure that the rug is large enough so that each piece of furniture in the space touches the rug.

As a general rule, if you're in doubt as to which rug size is best suited for your space, it's a good idea to choose the larger size; a rug that's too small for the room can make the area look and feel disjointed.

Choosing Area Rug Materials

The next thing to consider when choosing area rugs is the material. At Domaine Furnishings, we offer a wide selection of natural rug materials that range from hand-knotted wool to blends of wool and cotton, silk, hemp, nettle, bamboo silk, and more. We also carry synthetic options, including polyester and polypropylene, which are extremely durable and more cost-effective.

Ultimately, the material that's right for your rug will depend on your budget and priorities. If you want something that will feel soft and cozy on your feet, you can't go wrong with a natural wool and silk rug like our popular 8 'x 10' Traille Stone Grey Area Rug. On the other hand, if you're looking for something more budget-friendly without sacrificing quality or style, our power-loomed polyester 8' x 10' Javari Ivory + Granite Area Rug may be a great choice.

When to Consider Colour/Pattern

The color and/or pattern of your area rug can also make a major design statement in your space, so you'll want to keep this in mind as you shop. If you already have furniture and decor that you love, then you'll want to select an area rug that will complement those design elements. For example, if you already have living room furniture with bold patterns, then a more subdued and solid-coloured rug can help to balance things out. Meanwhile, if most of your decor is relatively subtle, a rug with a bold color or pattern can really help you make a statement.

Looking for something eye-catching and adventurous? Check out our 8'x10' Zoe PW James Area Rug, which is customizable in color and features an array of vibrant shapes. For a more minimalist look, our 9'x12' Fidelity MD Silver Area Rug anchors a space while still making a statement.

Care & Maintenance

Pay attention to the importance of proper care and maintenance when considering the longevity of your area rug. Then it can stay looking its best for many years to come. The Domaine Furnishing collection of area rugs is designed to last—but different materials require different care.

In general, rugs should be vacuumed at least once or twice a week to remove dust, lint, and other debris. However, thicker rugs may require more regular vacuuming to prevent dust and allergens from settling deep into the piles. A deep cleaning that involves an "old-fashioned" beating of the rug once per year can help to remove debris that a vacuum doesn't reach.

Stain removal is another consideration when choosing an area rug. Accidents happen, so you'll want to select an area carpet that will be easy to spot-clean as needed. Knowing how to properly care for your new rug lets you keep your space looking great and protect your investment.

Find the Perfect Area Rug at Domaine Furnishings

As you can see, there's a lot to keep in mind as you shop for an area rug. However, now that we've covered the basics of what to know about area rugs, you can shop with confidence. And when you shop for rugs at Domaine Furnishings, you can always rest assured that you're shopping a selection of the highest quality products that have been hand-picked by our team of talented and experienced designers. With rugs hand-made in Nepal, India, America, and worldwide, you're sure to find an option you love.

Shop our selection of area rugs at Domaine Furnishings, and reach out to our team with any questions you may have. Need extra help selecting the right furnishings for your space? Book a consultation with our design experts!