Area rugs are carpets that cover only a portion of a room rather than extending wall to wall. They contribute to a warm, cozy atmosphere, and they’re easily maintained with professional area rug cleaning. Because they’re available in numerous styles and colors, they help you express your personal style. If you’re not sure what type of area rug to get or where to put it, follow these guidelines to make the most of your interior.

Do:

Center it.

An area rug should be centered so that it can serve as a stylish focal point. To center yours, make sure there’s an equal amount of floor space on each side of the rug. For average-sized rooms, you can leave about 18 inches of floor space on each side, though 24 inches is better for larger rooms and eight inches is best for smaller areas. 

Place it under key furniture. 

To highlight your furniture and make the room feel cohesive, extend the rug under key pieces of furniture. For example, in a bedroom, it should extend under the bed and beyond the sides so that you can step on the rug when you get up in the morning.

Similarly, in a dining room, the floor covering should extend under the table and chairs. It should be large enough to prevent the chair legs from touching the bare floor even when someone’s sitting at the table.

Don’t:

Go too small.

A smaller area rug might look nice now, but it might not be big enough if you eventually add more furniture or move to a home with larger rooms. Although a bigger area rug may cost more initially, you can go for many years without replacing it since it will work in almost any area. A smaller option will look awkward when surrounded by too much floor space.

Choose clashing patterns.

Because they serve as focal points, area rugs should feature your favorite colors and patterns. However, make sure they don’t clash with any existing styles in the room. When shopping for the rug, carry a picture of the room with you to visualize whether each option would fit in or not.

While an oriental rug might look good on its own, it might clash with your zebra print throw pillows or deep red couch. Intricate patterns will look best in relatively minimal rooms, while solid colors and muted tones will allow the existing statement pieces and patterns to thrive.

No matter the style or size of your rug, it’s important to schedule professional area rug cleaning. For over a century, Gray's Carpet Cleaning has served homes and businesses in Rochester, NY, and the surrounding areas. The team uses state-of-the-art techniques and products to keep floor coverings looking new. Learn more about their services online, or call (585) 473-4947 to schedule an area rug cleaning appointment.