Decor
7 Tips to Tap the Full Power of Area Rugs
If you’ve never thought of area rugs as having ‘power’ that’s OK. We didn’t either until we started thinking about writing this post. But when we did, we realized that area rugs might be one of the most versatile home furniture accessories there is. And that’s where they get their power.
You can use area rugs in every room in your home. Whether adding them to a bare floor or over existing carpet, they can instantly change the look and feel of the room. We can’t think of any other furniture accessory that can do the same thing.
That makes area rugs very ‘powerful’ in their ability to change the décor and ambience of ever room in the house.
Guidelines for Adding Area Rugs to a Room
Of course, you can just place one in the middle of any room and be done. But to maximize the power of area rugs to change the look of a room, it helps to follow a few simple guidelines.
What you’ll notice about these guidelines is that they might contradict each other. The size of your area rug, the size of your room, how much furniture you have and which room you’re redecorating all have a bearing on how to make the rug most appealing. So that’s why the following are called “tips” and “guidelines”, not “rules”.
1. All Legs On
Where you position furniture on and/or around the rug is important for the look of the room. Having one leg of a chair on the rug and the others off can make it unbalanced; both for seating and your décor.
If your room and area rug are large enough, try to have all legs of chairs tables and ottoman on the rug.
2. Front Legs On, Back Legs Off
If having all the furniture on the rug isn’t possible, or it doesn’t look right, try repositioning it using this guideline.
3. All Legs Off
If you have a larger room, and/or smaller area rug, this tip may be the one to follow.
4. 18 inches Between Rug and Walls for Enclosed Rooms
This is a interior décor standard. But it really only works in fully enclosed rooms. In open concept rooms, it can make the rug look too large for the space. In smaller enclosed rooms, you can reduce the spacing to help keep proportion and balance.
5. Bed On or Bed Off
Generally speaking, area rugs in bedrooms should extend beyond beds along a walled by at least 18 inches all around. In larger bedrooms, a small area rug can be used at the foot of the bed, or beside the bed, or both.
6. Entire Dining Room Suite On
Dining room area rugs should extend at least 24 inches around the table so that all chair legs can be on the rug while people are eating.
7. Cover Most of the Hallway
Area rugs in hallways should cover the majority of the space between the walls. They should leave enough floor exposed on either side for contrast, but make it very easy for people to keep their steps well within the rug area.
If you’re looking for area rugs, or the living room, bedroom and dining room furniture that go on them, visit your nearest Arrow Furniture location.
