Area Rugs
Area Rugs
Today, I wanted to discuss the overwhelming topic of area rugs … As I mentioned before, I’ve found myself in a bit of a quandary since Milan Design Week, questioning the originality of design and authenticity in one’s home, including within my own four walls. So much of what we are drawn to is because it has become familiar.
I want to make a very concerted effort in finding the root of why I am drawn to something, and whether it is because it has been marketed to me, or if it is indeed something that fits into my core design values. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I want to choose things that I find beautiful and moving, not what is necessarily available in the market, or what others view as the standard of beauty.
Most recently, this comes in the form of rugs. Rugs can really be another piece of art in the space, depending on the quality of materials and the design, whether meant to catch the eye or blend in with it’s neighbors. I think I’ve often chosen a rug that is available to me in the moment, both physically and financially speaking. But also, something that fits into my color palette, and may check other boxes such as noise dampening, workout surface, ships for free, etc.
How Rugs Impact your Space
But when I really stop to think about what a rug can do to a space, I think I would have chosen something completely different. If I hadn’t been concerned about the timing, the price point, the durability to live within a household of sofa-eaters and shoe wearers, perhaps I would have chosen something like one of the above rugs. I am often drawn to geometric shapes, contrast as well as neutral and wool pile.
The above rugs include collections from Stark Carpets, Kelly Wearstler, Lulu and Georgie, Lemieux et Cie, CC Tapis and Eichholz.
Factors to Consider
Other factors to consider when purchasing a rug include sizing. The most common error is purchasing a rug that is too small for the space. Visually and technically speaking, rugs should allow the furniture in the room to sit on it, making the space cohesive. In other words, error on the larger rather than smaller size. Keep in mind that the rug provides natural borders and defines passageways within and around the rug.
When in doubt, measure out the rug you are considering with tape on the existing floor, so you can visualize the size within the room. Make sure at the least the front legs of your furniture can comfortable rest on the rug. Software nowadays often allows you to “see the rug in your space,” so use these tools available to you!
And many companies, like Stark Carpets, cut rugs custom to the size and shape you need! So look into this as well. A good rug purchase should last you a lifetime! Good luck!
