HOW TO BUY THE RIGHT AREA RUG...

Purchasing an area rug is an investment. One of my clients compared it to buying a car citing several similar factors to consider when deciding what to purchase: Size, Material and Cost.

SIZE - In this case, size matters. Most rugs come in 5x8, 6x9, 8x10, 9x12 and 10x14 (give or take an inch or two). Determining where the rug will be used will dictate what size to purchase.  The function of each rug size varies from room to room. (Stay tuned for the post on successful rug placement.)

MATERIAL (or fiber content) - Choosing either a natural or synthetic fiber depends on the style of the rug and how much traffic you expect. Where the rug will be used should also dictate what type of material to select as well as the style, color, etc.  Some materials are more expensive than others and will also determine durability and where they can be used.  Although most people enjoy sunlight especially during the winter months, area rugs usually can do without it. Style, pattern, weave and texture vary within fiber categories as well.  The selections, not to mention colors, seem endless.

Here's a chart on the benefits of the most popular fibers...

Fiber Type	Composition	Uses and Benefits
Cotton	Natural	Durable Soft feel Wide range of colors Ideal for high-traffic areas
Jute	Natural	Beautiful natural coloring Suited for low-traffic areas Soft feel Should not be placed under furniture Difficult to clean
Nylon	Synthetic	Strong and resilient Ideal for high-traffic areas Stands up to heavy furniture Conceals and resists stains and soil Available in many colors
Polyester	Synthetic	Retains color clarity Easy to clean Provides a plush feel Ideal for living areas
Polypropylene  (Olefin)	Synthetic	Easy to clean Resists moisture and mildew Best for low-traffic areas Colorfast May be used outdoors
Sea Grass	Natural	Inexpensive Difficult to clean Should not be placed under furniture Natural coloring provides a rustic look Well suited to high-traffic areas
Silk	Natural	May provide highlights in wool rugs High luster Soft feel Best for low-traffic areas
Sisal	Natural	Strong Ideal for high-traffic areas Best for indoor use Coarse texture Difficult to clean
Wool	Natural	Provides a luxurious feel Soft and thick Strong, resilient and static-resistant Perfect for high-traffic areas May shed when new

COST - You should buy the best rug you can afford, even if it means living with bare floors while you save.  Usually the most expensive, a wool rug can develop a beautiful patina over time and last for years, thereby become a family heirloom. In general, use the cost of the other furniture in the room as a guideline for how much to budget for an area rug.  Set your price limit before you shop then add 10% so you can have some flexibility in that range.

Later we'll discuss proper rug placement...

Peace and Blessings,

Tammy

Photos courtesy of ThePerfectRug.com, AreaRugsCLub.com HomeDepot.com