CONTEMPLATE COLOR
PONDER MATERIAL
As with all soft furnishings in a room, area rugs can be an anchor to your design or play more of a supporting role in the overall look. Decide whether you want your rug to be a focal point or to blend in. Choosing a bold color can offer contrast and vibrant energy to a primarily neutral palette. On the other hand, muted tones will calm an otherwise maximalist space. Neutral tones also make it easier to change decor without needing to replace the rug. Tip: Color has the power to connect spaces throughout the home. Repeating at least one color in art, pillows, walls, or rugs can build a cohesive and curated look between one room and another.
While the look of the rug will be the first thing to draw your eye, the composition is a primary consideration. Match the material of the rug to your lifestyle. Think about the flow of traffic through your home and cater to the realities of kids and pets. You don’t want to invest in an expensive rug if pet urine and spills will have you hauling it to the landfill inside a year. In general, wool rugs are naturally durable and offer some stain resistance. However, they are at the high end of the cost scale. These are best for lightly-used spaces. Polypropylene rugs win for ease of care. The material cleans well and is budget-friendly, making it a strong choice for busy households. However, this type of rug lacks the plush and cozy vibe of wool. If durability is a primary concern, look at low-pile options. Furniture sits easily on these rugs, and they won’t block doors from swinging open. Depending on the material, low-pile rugs may not be as stain- resistant as polypropylene, but they are still ideal for high-traffic areas such as walkways and dining rooms. Zach Dannett, co-founder of Tumble told us, “People tend to put so much into what their rug should look like, what softness it should have, but they often overlook the manufacturing fiber that's technically the main thing holding the entire rug together. Picking the right fiber can actually be a home run for people who want a somewhat set-it- and-forget-it area rug, especially families with little kids. For example, rugs made of recycled PET yarn (which is made of upcycled plastic bottles) are not only versatile, as you can pair them with virtually any design, but they're also performance fibers. They'll resist staining and moisture, feel soft under bare feet (many of which are weather-treated), and offer longevity.” O’Brien says, “Material choices should be dictated by your lifestyle and budget. Options include wool, which is durable and soft, ideal for high-traffic areas; cotton offers affordability and easy cleaning, synthetic fibers are stain-resistant, perfect for homes with pets and kids, and natural fibers like jute and sisal that provide a rustic, eco-friendly appeal.”
12
HOME SWEET HOME Magazine
Powered by FlippingBook