More and more homes today have wood or tiled floors instead of wall-to-wall carpeting. The look is definitely more natural and organic – and yet, don’t you sometimes crave the coziness of carpet? Area rugs are the answer. Beyond comfort, they also create abundant décor possibilities. But you have to select a rug carefully – the wrong rug can make a space feel awkward.

When decorating a space, consider choosing your rug first. It becomes the palette foundation for the room.

Here are our 6 steps to choosing the ideal area rug every time:

1. 1. Style. What style is your home’s décor? Whether contemporary, traditional, modern or a more Bohemian vibe, choose a rug that suits the theme of the space for a harmonious look. For example, Persian and Oriental rugs are typically pattern-heavy and more classic, while a solid colour or geometric rug is definitely more modern. TIP: When decorating a space, consider choosing your rug first. It becomes the palette foundation for the room.
   2. Quality. Natural materials generally mean higher quality. Wool and silk are preferred, but some synthetics deliver excellent value and are better suited for high traffic areas. An obvious sign of quality is ensuring that the rug lays flat and evenly on the floor’s surface, without curling edges or uneven sides.Also check for colour vibrancy and integrity and other signs of quality including hand knotting and handmade details. Remember, handcrafted rugs age beautifully and will stand the test of time. TIP: Always use a pad under rugs to keep them in place and add comfort.
   3. Colour/Pattern. Start by looking at the tones in your floors, walls, furniture and anything else that’s staying in the room. If there’s already a lot of colour and pattern, you may want to choose a single-coloured rug, either a neutral or a shade which complements your existing décor. If you want a patterned rug with many hues, minimize the colours in your upholstery, curtains, etc.
      

      Stoney Creek Furniture carries a variety of hand-crafted and hand-knotted area rugs.

   4. Texture. Your rug can create textural interest by contrasting it with other fabrics. For example, if your room has soft plush upholstery like velvet, a short pile rug or even sisal may look best; for a room with leather or simple fabrics, a longer, more luxurious pile is preferred.
   5. Size. In a living room, a rug should fit the size of the seating area, even if just the front legs of all the furniture pieces are on it (but a bigger rug is even better!). In the dining room, a good guideline is that the chairs should be able to be pulled back and still sit on the rug. In the bedroom, your feet should touch the rug when you get out of bed, with about 24 inches to spare on either side. A rug should always look generous versus skimpy.
   6. Layering. Two rugs side-by-side can be a great way to fill up a large space and add visual interest. Or, if you have wall-to-wall carpeting, try adding a rug on top of it for a totally new look. Finally, you can layer one rug on top of another – for example, a smaller patterned rug on top of a larger neutral rug like jute. Layering is fun and fresh!

   Whether you’re redecorating a room from scratch or just want to add warmth and charm, consider adding a rug. Choose what you love and don’t be afraid to be adventurous! An area rug can singlehandedly make a room truly extraordinary. Stop by our Stoney Creek location to check out our selection of hand-crafted and hand-knotted area rugs today!