The Ultimate Guide to Rugs: Choosing, Arranging, and Sizing
Decorating your home with rugs can be a daunting task, especially with the vast array of choices available. However, following the right design tips can make the process more accessible and manageable. In this guide, we'll explore what rugs are, the different types of rugs, how to arrange them in different rooms, how to choose the ideal rug, and various rug sizes to suit your needs.
What Is a Rug?
A rug is a moveable floor covering woven from synthetic or natural fibres. Unlike wall-to-wall carpeting that covers an entire room, rugs usually cover a specific section of bare, uncarpeted floor. They come in various styles and patterns, allowing you to consider how the aesthetics will match the rest of your room. Rugs can also be placed onto carpeted surfaces to help create a cozier vibe.
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How to Best Arrange Rugs Around Your Home
Bedroom: In the bedroom, the size of your rug should match the room's proportions. Large rooms benefit from rugs with enough surface area to contain your bed and bedside lockers. In smaller spaces, aim to cover only the lower third of the bed. Regardless of the room size, ensure there is at least a foot of rug around every side of the bed, providing a comfortable landing space for your feet.
Dining Room: In the dining room, your rug should go underneath the table and match its size and shape. Circular tables require circular rugs, while rectangular tables work best with rectangular or square rugs. Your rug should also extend about two feet outside the dining table to ensure that dining chairs do not slide off when pulled out.
Hallway: For hallways and entryways into your home, opt for a long, narrow runner rug made of durable, traffic-friendly materials. This not only enhances the aesthetic but also helps protect your flooring.
Kitchen: In the kitchen, less is often more. Place a small 60cm x 120cm rug or mat in front of the sink. If you have a narrow or galley kitchen, a runner rug is a great option to add comfort and style.
Living Room: When arranging a rug in your living room, remember this very important rule of thumb: your seating area should all sit within the perimeter of the rug. This includes pieces like your coffee table, snuggler, sofas, and accent chairs.
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How to Choose Your Ideal Rug
Measure Your Space: Before purchasing a rug, measure the space you want to cover. Consider mapping out the area with painters' tape to see if it will fit your furniture snugly. This ensures you get the correct size, and lessens the likelihood of running into issues down the line.
Pick the Right Style: To complement your room's decor, contemplate the style of your space. Sisal and Jute rugs convey a casual style, while dhurrie, kilim, or shag rugs may lend a more bohemian vibe. Consider geometric, farmhouse, and mid-century style rugs for modern decor and traditional Persian, Moroccan, or oriental rugs for eclectic design.
Consider the Material: The material of your rug is crucial. Natural fibre rugs like silk, cotton, and wool are durable but pricier. Synthetic fibre rugs are more affordable and easier to clean, making them suitable for households with children or pets. Consider the location when choosing the material; for example, a kitchen runner should ideally be stain-resistant.
Consider Foot Traffic: For high-traffic areas, opt for low-pile rugs as they are easier to vacuum and clean. High-pile rugs are better suited for areas with lower foot traffic, as they tend to lose volume and get dirtier with frequent use.
Choose Between Solid Colours or Patterns: Consider your room's existing decor when choosing between solid colours or patterns. If your walls and furniture are primarily solid colours, a patterned rug can draw attention to the centre of the room. Conversely, opt for a solid colour rug if you have patterned walls or furniture to maintain a balanced aesthetic.
Rug Sizes
At Meubles, we stock rugs ranging from 60cm x 120cm all the way up to 300cm x 400cm, and everything in between! We understand that every home is unique, with different requirements and preferences. Our varied selection allows you to transform your house into a home that reflects your individual style.
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Rug Brands We Stock
At Meubles, we proudly offer several designer rug brands as well as lesser known brands. The designer brands that we offer are Sanderson, Calvin Klein, Michelle Collins and Harlequin, as well as a plethora of other smaller name brands such as Brooklyn, 16th Avenue. Ankara, Craft, Inaluxe and many, many more!
Calvin Klein: Founded in 1968 by Calvin Klein and Barry Schwartz, this globally recognised lifestyle brand is a leader in the fashion industry. Their products are synonymous with urban sophistication, featuring high-quality materials and minimal, modern designs. Calvin Klein's home products often showcase eye-catching abstract patterns, offering a clean and contemporary aesthetic.
Sanderson: Renowned for hand-drawn designs and English garden palettes, Sanderson is a heritage brand that brings timeless and effortless elegance to the home. Their products combine classic hand-drawn patterns with vibrant colours for a modern and distinctive look, exuding both comfort and style.
Michelle Collins: Michelle Collins, an artist, designer, and illustrator from Sheffield, designs rugs that make bold statements and add a pop of colour to any room. Her work is inspired by various abstract and pop artists, including Warhol, Rothko, and Rauschenberg. Michelle's trendy, modern rugs are of high quality, with tufted rug options made from 100% wool.
Harlequin: Harlequin, known for their gorgeous bedding collection, combine comfort and style in all their décor endeavours. Harlequin's gorgeous collection of rugs will brighten up any room with colourful eye-catching designs, while maintaining a sense of effortless chic.
Smaller Brands: At Meubles, we're all about celebrating the artistry and craftsmanship of smaller rug brands. We believe that the world of home decor is not just about well-known names and big labels; it's also about the hidden gems waiting to be discovered. These smaller brands pour their passion and expertise into each rug they create, resulting in products that truly stand out.
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Different Types of Rugs
When searching for your ideal rug, you may want to consider the style or material. Here are some of the most popular rug types that we offer at Meubles:
Traditional Rugs: In addition to their rich patterns and designs, these intricately handcrafted textiles are often a labour of love, with skilled artisans dedicating hours, and sometimes even months, to create each piece. Their commitment to preserving age-old weaving techniques and using traditional materials like wool or silk not only ensures the rugs' durability but also honours a cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations.
Modern & Contemporary Rugs: Modern and contemporary rugs represent a departure from tradition, often featuring sleek, minimalist designs that reflect the aesthetics of the present-day. These rugs are a testament to the ever-evolving nature of design, with cutting-edge materials and technology playing a pivotal role in their creation. These rugs harmonize very well with contemporary design styles.
Vintage Rugs: Vintage rugs hold a unique charm as they evoke nostalgia and often feature artistic styles reminiscent of a bygone era. Dating back to the mid-20th century, these rugs may incorporate elements of pop-art, surrealism, or minimalism, reflecting the cultural zeitgeist of their time. They are characterized by designs that focus on abstract motifs, bold geometric shapes, and intricate patterns, showcasing a blend of artistic expression and functional utility.
Runner Rugs: Runner rugs are characterized by their elongated and narrow form. They find their most common placement in galley kitchens, hallways, entrances, and other high-traffic areas. Beyond their functional role in protecting floors from wear and tear, these rugs elevate the overall decor of a space. They come in a wide array of designs, colours, and materials, making them versatile tools for interior designers and homeowners alike.
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In Summary
Choosing the perfect rug for your home is an art that blends aesthetics with practicality. Rugs are the centrepieces of our living areas that help to reflect our varied styles and personalities, and ultimately serve in enhancing and elevating our spaces beyond what we may have initially thought possible. At Meubles, we offer a curated selection of high-quality rugs from renowned brands like Sanderson, Calvin Klein, Michelle Collins, and Harlequin along with several other smaller brands to ensure that you find the ideal rug to match your unique preferences. Whether you are drawn to the timeless allure of traditional rugs, the nostalgic charm of vintage pieces, the contemporary designs of modern rugs, or the intricate craftsmanship and practicality of runner rugs, at Meubles can assure you that the rugs we offer are more than just floor coverings; they are fundamentally transformative pieces of art that help in turning your house into a home. So, explore our collection today, and hopefully you will find the rug that resonates most with you. Happy decorating!
- 20th October 2023
