Here are the simple tips you need to insure you are buying the best area rug for your living space.
First, let's talk quality. The best, and most expensive area rugs are the hand knotted Persian rugs. These are the longest lasting and the most beautiful. The more knots per square inch determines the quality of the rug. These vary from as as 1200 knots to as low as 40 knots per inch.
The next best type of area rug is the hand tufted, these are 1/2 man made 1/2 machine made rugs that are more affordably priced but have similar characteristics to the knotted option.
A machine made rug will be the least expensive of the 3.
Telling the difference, especially between the knotted and tufted is simply done by taking a look at the back of the rug. By looking at the back, if you see the same pattern only reversed, you are looking at a hand knotted. If there is a fabric backing of some sort, it is hand tufted.
Look for the "Rug Mark" label on all rugs you are considering to be sure there has been no child labor involved in the manufacturing of the rug.
Next, let's talk about material. If you and and your family are hard on rugs with heavy traffic, food spills and pet evidence...go with the synthetic stain and water resistant rugs at lower price points.
Cotton is also available, slightly more comfortable but will absorb and hold stains making them harder to clean. Place this type of carpet in a more formal room with restricted access.
There are also tough and tender "green" rugs made of plant based fibers such as jute and bamboo. Beautiful, biodegradable and renewable make this type of area rug a fantastic choice. The only disadvantage is that they will wear out much quicker than their synthetic or cotton counterparts.
Wool rugs are best used in rooms where traffic is limited to formal occasions and special events where food and drink are supervised.
The size of the rug is also an important consideration. Too large and it becomes a wall to wall carpet, which defeats it's purpose of defining space. Too small and it will set the room's balance off making the room less than inviting.
Standard design applications include: The rug should extend approximately 3' beyond the bed on each side. Try to fit the nightstands on the rug as well. In the dining room the rug should accommodate a chair that has been comfortably pushed back from the table, than add an additional 6".
The living room is a little bit trickier and really depends on the look you are trying to achieve. The more causal look places the furniture 1/2 on 1/2 the rug. Placing the entire piece on the rug is the more formal position. Don't spend more on the area rug than you do on the furniture in the room. The price of the rug should be about the same price as the sofa.
Finally, to preserve the rugs look, comfort and stability place a rug pad underneath. The thicker the pad the greater the cushioning properties of the rug. Buy one that is 2" to 3" smaller than the rug itself. This will prevent slippage as well.
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For further information about furniture placement, scale and focal point design principles visit:
http://www.frugalhomedesign.com This site has been designed to provide money saving frugally fabulous design inspiration for every room in your home. You can also price comparison shop for area rugs also by visiting
http://www.frugalhomedesign.com/productpage.html
