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Posted on October 19, 2009 - by Jackson Wallis

Area Rugs – Which Size?

This article will help those of you who would like to make use of area rugs in their homes but are unsure of the right size to buy. Read on to find out some guidelines in determining the right size of area rug for your room.

Let’s consider the three major objectives for utilizing an area rug decor. In determining the ideal size, will you use an area rug as a focal point or the centerpiece of the room? Will it be displayed as an accessory, meaning as support accent to the room’s main decor? Or will the rug be primarily used for a practical purpose such as to cover a stain?

Focal point or central decor area rugs can be bigger than the usual size you often see, which are mainly for accenting a centerpiece. Area rugs that are made for practical reasons will rely on the specific need for the rug’s purpose, such as protection for a high-traffic zone, floor covering, skid protection, etc.

An area rug under the couch in the living room is mostly viewed as a central piece. It should be bigger than the couch, also even if it’s not to serve as a focal point to achieve some balance, but should be small enough to have some gap space from the surrounding furniture. If you end up engulfing other furnishings, you are on your way to carpeting the living room. Be careful not to overwhelm the things with your area rug. Focus on one spot, in this case the couch, and make sure that it is well covered but still keeping its distance from the other decors. The focus is the couch. Leave the others alone.

Now let’s look at an area rug used as a base for bigger furniture like the dining table. The method may be the same but take note of the difference.

For spicing up your dining table with an area rug, including all other pieces is vital. You just don’t put the area rug under the table alone. You have to allot space to accommodate the chairs and some more not to wobble when the chairs are pushed back. As a guide, get an area rug that goes about 4 feet from all sides of the dining table. This is enough space to guarantee you of a well-proportioned look.

How can we forget the bedroom? Most times, the use of more than one area rug is applied to instill a cozy, relaxing feel to the room. In this case, you can place two rugs perhaps one at the foot of the bed and the other either at the side of the bed (makes waking up and planting your feet on the floor nicer), or at the center of the room. It can also be placed at the door as a welcome greeting decor. Practice care in the positioning of the rugs so that they won’t divide your room into two but rather, will create a harmonious look that makes your room an even more ideal place for refuge.

Keep up with current trends in rug decorating and enhance your home with transitional style rugs.