Area Rug FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I choose the right rug?
First, determine your decorating style. How do you want the room to look. Buy magazines and pull out pages that attract you. You will quickly find the kind of design motif you want to recreate. This is your decorating style.

Next, understand how the room is going to be used. For example, if it is a high traffic area find a color that will not show footprints or perhaps a patterned rug. If it is a room that you will eat in consider an olefin fiber rug that will not stain if an accident occurs.

If you are starting with an empty room a rug can be the perfect place to start. Select colors you like and coordinate the fabrics of your furniture, color of the walls or artwork to the rug. If you already have furniture and just want a fresh look, take into consideration the colors and patterns already existing and experiment with fresh combinations.

Do I need a rug pad?
It is a good idea to purchase a rug pad to protect wood and tile floors. They serve a dual purpose to protect the floor from scratches and to keep the rug from slipping. An added benefit is a thick rug pad will make the rug seem softer under foot.

How can I tell how well a rug will perform?
Performance is a combination of fiber choice, density, color and construction. You should look at performance not only as wear but in the pleasure the rug gives you and your family. Decisions should be made on density and construction as it relates to decorating style and price point. For instance, a light color rug will dirty faster and require more care but make a room look more spacious. A densely tufted or woven rug will wear better because of the closeness of the fiber in the pile. Pile height is more a factor to comfort under foot and not a determinant to durability. Cut and loop constructions and all loop like berber wear the best in traffic areas but remember a casual berber style may not be appropriate for your decorating style.

When is a pattern rug right?
A pattern rug needs to blend with the other colors and patterns in the room. Depending on your own taste, decorating style and ability to coordinate, a pattern rug can be a real eye catcher and finish the room. A rug with a bold overall design become a focal point in a room with upholstery that is solid or in lightly patterned.

Can rugs reduce the noise level in a home?
Rugs work as a sound barrier between floors by helping to block sound transmission to rooms below. Rugs and rug cushions are especially effective in masking the "hollow" sound from foot traffic often associated with stark room settings.

Do I need to invest in a handmade rug to get good quality?
Quality handmade rugs are a big investment. Consider your needs and your pocketbook. Machine-made rugs look strikingly similar to the handmade kind, but they’re usually much less expensive. In most cases you will tire of a machine made years before it wears out. If you think you will ever want to change your decorating colors or scheme, it's suggested you choose a machine made rug.