A guide to buying room size rugs

The history of rugs dates back to the history of mankind. Animal skins were first pressed into service as rugs. Next, came mats and rugs that were woven from natural materials such as reeds. Weaving flax came next, with pile weaving in 2000 BC. Weaving and making knotted rugs with wool began in Asia and pile rugs in 1000 AD. Room size rugs are available nowadays in all of these styles.

Colour

The colour of the room size rug should be the first consideration, as this is how you will first try to match your rug with the decor of the room. Since floor rugs are so large, it will inevitable focus on the room. You need to be careful that it doesn't become the focus unless that's your intention. The rug should compliment the decor of the room and pick up some of the colours that are already in the room, such as that of the walls, the furniture, the curtains and etc. A rug that picks up one or many of these colours would be an idea.

Style and pattern

These considerations often go together. Generally speaking, the patterns or rugs can be categorised in three ways: - Pictorial
These rugs may have a person or people, animals or even scenes as their pattern. Examples of these rugs could be found in child's or nursery rugs. - Curvilinear
These rugs have patterns which contain curved lines. Examples of this can be found in Persian, Turkish and Oriental rugs. - Geometric
These rugs have patterns which feature geometric shapes. Try to pick out a rug and a style that goes with the decor of the room. If the room is very modern, a pictorial or geometric rug would work. If the room is very traditional, a curvilinear or plain rug might work better. If the room is rustic, then a braided rug, rag rug or hooked rug would work well.

Size and shape

When picking out area rugs, the room must be taken into consideration. In the dining room, the area rug is generally, the size of the dining room table plus large enough to accommodate the chairs around it. This can work in the kitchen as well. In the bedroom, the area rug is usually the size of the bed plus a feet or two more. For the living room, the size of the room and the furniture's position must be considered. If centrally grouped, the furniture should go on the rug. If the furniture is pushed back, the rug could end just before it. The shape can be determined by the above considerations, as well as the style of the room (modern, traditional, etc).