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An area rug is an essential element of good
design of all styles. It anchors or grounds and
groups a collection of furniture used in a room.
Without an area rug, most furniture looks as if
it were floating in the room. You know you need
one for your space, but what factors determine
your selection? There are three key things that
you can learn to put yourself a step ahead in
the buying process. Let us discuss all three,
keeping in mind that each affects the other when
making your selection.
1.
Price Range
2.
Fiber of the Rug
3.
Construction of the Rug
Price Range:
The first step in choosing a rug is
deciding on a budget that you have to spend on a
particular space. There is no real rule of thumb
concerning how much you should allot to the rug
as a percentage of the whole room budget.
Rather, you make decisions based on your needs.
You may choose to spend more on the rug and less
on the furniture pieces. This is your choice.
Know that whatever your budget, you will be able
to find a rug that works in the space.
If you have done some preliminary
investigating, you know that rugs can range from
very affordable to extremely expensive. The same
size rug can range between a few hundred dollars
to many thousands. You may want to make a
decision, but do not understand what the vast
price difference for something that appears to
be the same size. You are not alone. This is
where an understanding of material or fiber type
used and the type of construction becomes
important.
Fiber:
There are several fibers used to make rugs
throughout the world. Most rug makers strive to
use materials that will be durable. These
materials include, but are not limited to, wool,
silk, acrylic, nylon and other fibers that used
in the production of carpet. Fiber helps to
determine price. A wool or silk rug, which is a
natural fiber, will more expensive and in many
cases, much more expensive than a rug made of
acrylic or nylon. These are synthetic fibers
that are man made. Usually, these fibers are
used for mass production rug making. There was a
time when mass production meant that you would
be buying a rug that essentially looked like a
bound piece of carpet, but today, the number of
styles are limitless and many of the patterns,
which have traditionally been seen in more
expensive natural fiber rugs, are available in
synthetic fiber rugs. The bottom line is that
natural fiber rugs will be much more expensive
than synthetic. Also, for all types of fibers,
the thicker the rug, the more it will cost.
Construction:
Construction of the rug is also another
determining factor in price. Some rugs are
machine made and others are made by hand. In
general, natural fiber rugs, like silk, maybe be
made by hand and synthetic rugs will most likely
be made by a machine. This is not to say that
there are not exceptions. Today, beautiful wool
rugs are being produced by machine. These rugs
will be less expensive than wool rugs that are
made by hand. If you are getting the picture
that the least expensive rugs are synthetic
fiber and machine made and the most expensive
rugs are natural fiber and hand made, then you
are almost ready to go shopping.
With your budget in mind, choose the size
rug that you need for your design and head out
comparison shopping. Find several rugs that suit
your taste and get an idea of the price. Then
ask questions about fiber and construction. You
will quickly determine that your buying trip is
following this discussion. If you have the
means, a quality natural fiber, hand made rug
would be a purchase that will endure. But, if
you are on a budget, know that the options
available today make it very easy to find a
quality rug that will suit your décor. There are
other details in rug buying such as fiber
density and hand knotting, but we are discussing
the basics. You knowledge will continue to grow
as you begin to shop and the rug dealers educate
you about their products. Most rug companies
will let you take a rug home on approval so you
can evaluate whether or not it works in the
space. They will ask you for a check or to
authorize a credit card for its purchase. Then
when you get home, if it is the perfect rug, you
can simply call them to let them know you will
be keeping it.
Finally, as for the style of rug you should
choose. This is completely up to you. You should
be expressive of your tastes when buying a rug.
You should not buy an Oriental rug just because
you have antique or traditional décor in your
home. Choose what you are attracted to if it
compliments your décor. As long as you love
looking at it in your setting and are pleased
with the combination of fiber, construction and
budget factors that led you to buy a particular
rug, then you will have made a sound investment. |
