Area washable rugs are an excellent alternative to wall-to-wall carpeting, mostly because they are easier to remove and clean than carpeting on the floor. Moreover, they need less commitment, and it is simple to replace one if you become tired with it or wish to remodel.
A few crucial guidelines should be followed while placing area rugs in your house, as explained below. Look into these dos and don’ts for designing with area rugs before you make your purchase.
Washable Rugs – Do’s
Do: Rugs should be extended under furniture.
Check to see that the area rug reaches beneath all of the major pieces of furniture in the space when you are choosing one. As an example, in a living room, all of the furniture should be positioned on top of the carpet.
In a dining area, the rug must be large enough to accommodate both the chairs and the table comfortably. Even when the chairs are pushed away from the table, it is a good guideline to observe that the chairs should remain on the rug at all times.
Do: Make sure to pay attention to high-traffic areas.
Make certain that any high-traffic areas are completely covered by the rug you chose to avoid disappointment. Walking through shouldn’t be done with one foot on the mat and one foot off it. It’s inconvenient, unpleasant, and it can result in strange wear patterns on both the rug and your flooring as well.
Do: Make sure you leave an equal amount of space.
You should try to leave the very same floor space on both sides of your rug as you would on the other sides. Allow anything from eight to twenty-four inches on both sides to accommodate your needs. The most usual spacing is eighteen inches, but in a smaller space, you may get away with as low as eight inches. The major objective is to have the rug in the middle of the room.
Do: Be knowledgeable on the correct way of cleaning rugs.
Before purchasing any rug, make sure to read the cleaning recommendations on the label, but, because sisal, jute, as well as other natural fiber carpets, can’t be cleaned, you’ll likely have to replace them in the event of a significant spill. Before making a purchase, consider your budget as well as your alternatives.
Washable Rugs – Don’ts
Don’t: Skimping on the amount of space you have.
The most common error individuals make when designing with area rugs is purchasing rugs that are far too tiny in size for their space. This is reasonable, especially when you consider the high prices of some of the largest carpets on the market today. But, spending on a more expensive one can in fact save you money from having to constantly replace one that does not really function eventually, even more for the fact that the cost of a rug is still less expensive than the cost of carpeting a whole room.
Don’t: Making your room look too small.
What use is an area rug if it does not stretch beyond the edge of the mattress? The result will be that you will wake up to a chilly, hard floor rather than a warm, soft rug in the morning, so see to it that your measurements are accurate before you go and start shopping for rugs.
The ideal rug for twin or double beds is one that is large enough to stretch beyond the edges of the bed by at least 12 inches, and by at least 18 inches if you have a king or queen-sized bed. You may go higher if you wish, but these are the very minimums you should be looking for in a job.
Don’t: Being afraid to experiment with rug color and pattern.
Rugs are an excellent way to bring a sense of playfulness and enjoyment into a space, so embrace color and pattern while you’re looking for them. Given the abundance of low-cost alternatives accessible, switching is simple if you decide you don’t like something after a few years of use.
Don’t: Putting your most valuable rugs in danger.
Even though it is really tempting to put your best rug in a prominent area of the house, you may still want to reconsider this choice because it is still best to avoid placing expensive rugs in areas where there is a high likelihood of spills and accidents.
Despite the fact that rugs are less difficult to clean than broadloom carpets, removing stains from them can be a difficult process, so this should be something to keep in mind, especially if you have children or pets. Given the fact that you can’t always control what your family does on the rug, it may be preferable to choose less expensive, easier-to-clean alternatives in the most dangerous parts of your house.
Tips to Consider When Purchasing a Low-Cost Rug
The material used on the rug
Most rugs are made out of polyester as this type of material is typically more affordable and simpler to maintain than natural fiber rugs. However, rugs made of synthetic materials have a significant environmental impact. If you prefer natural, eco-friendly materials, look for rugs made of inexpensive natural fibers such as jute.
The rug size
As a rule of thumb, the bigger the rug, the more expensive it will be, so make sure that you consider how little a rug you can get by within a particular room while still getting the desired aesthetic and floor coverage. In a living room, for example, you may utilize smaller rugs if you hover the rug but also arrange your furniture around it rather than on top of it.
Whether you want it in a Pile or Flat Weave
Shag carpets are plush and comfy underfoot, but require extra upkeep to maintain their appearance. Plush pile rugs are prone to flattening due to foot traffic and furniture, and they attract dust, dirt, stray hair, and food particles. They also shed, necessitating constant vacuuming and making them unsuitable for pets or children. Low pile flatweave rugs offer a tighter, flatter, less sensuous feel underfoot, but they are easy to clean and typically last longer.
