How do I… Choose a Rug
Rugs are not just for cold weather; they are an important part in completing the room
Niki Bruce
22 May 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
A great rug can be both a statement piece of interior decor and as well as a useful piece of furniture. Rugs are not just for keeping your feet warm in cold weather, they are actually important in creating mood.
Rugs, carpets, mats, runners
There are as many types of rugs as there are interior design styles. No matter whether your style is, there is a style of rug that will suit your interior scheme.
There are as many types of rugs as there are interior design styles. No matter whether your style is, there is a style of rug that will suit your interior scheme.
Get the look: When it comes to materials, indoor rugs are made of softer fibres like wool, cotton and jute, while outdoor/semi-outdoor one are made from more hardy materials like leather, raffia, coconut fibre, rattan and pandan leaves.
Browse more rugs
Browse more rugs
Runners are long and narrow carpets used for hallways or narrow spaces like in the walk-in wardrobe.
Get the look: Basic rugs are almost always rectangular and range in size from 90 centimetres x 150 centimetres to 180 centimetres x 300 centimetres.
Traditional rugs
Traditionally rugs were hand loomed and mostly made of wool. China, Persia and India were particular famous for their rug making.
Traditionally rugs were hand loomed and mostly made of wool. China, Persia and India were particular famous for their rug making.
Get the look: Traditional style rugs come in a variety of styles and colours and price ranges.
One thing to take note of, the older rugs will tend to be muted in colour as the dyes used would be totally natural. Rare brightly coloured antique rugs are worth an absolute fortune. Most traditional looking rugs that are being sold these days are from the 19th century and tend to be more brightly coloured as the dyes used are chemical based. The rugs that are really historical are those made in the 18th century, using the traditional natural dyes.
There are a number of reputable rug dealers in Singapore: Lotto Carpets Gallery, Hedger’s Carpet Gallery and Hassan’s Carpets.
Contemporary rugs
The choices are vast from the shape to the style and even texture.
The choices are vast from the shape to the style and even texture.
Although still often made from wool – particularly the more expensive versions – most are made of synthetic fibres.
Before you buy
What is the purpose of the rug? To soften a cold tiled floor, to demarcate an area in an open plan layout or just to add colour to a tone-on-tone room?
11 rules for rugs and how to break them
What is the purpose of the rug? To soften a cold tiled floor, to demarcate an area in an open plan layout or just to add colour to a tone-on-tone room?
11 rules for rugs and how to break them
Low pile or high pile?
The ‘pile’ of a rug refers to the length of the ‘threads’ or fibres that make up the surface of the rug.
The ‘pile’ of a rug refers to the length of the ‘threads’ or fibres that make up the surface of the rug.
Get the look: A low pile rug has fibres that are shorter, feel a little more rough and are more hard-wearing. These rugs are generally less expensive.
Get the look: If your rug looks and feels more like a furry animal, then it’s a high pile rug. It will look more luxurious and cosy, but will cost more and not be suitable for high-traffic areas.
Get the look: If you have kids or pets, or need a rug in a high-traffic area, you’ll be better off with a low pile synthetic rug or a rush or coir rug.
How to choose a rug for your child’s room
How to choose a rug for your child’s room
Once you’ve sorted out what kind of rug you need, then you need to think about the size, style and colour. Remember when you’re choosing your rug that it doesn’t have to exactly match the colours of the room – unless you want it to, of course.
Think of the rug as a piece of art.
Pattern and colour
Naturally enough, the colour of your rug is generally the first thing you will think about. Next to your wall colour and your sofa, the rug in your room will be the next largest shot of colour in the room.
Naturally enough, the colour of your rug is generally the first thing you will think about. Next to your wall colour and your sofa, the rug in your room will be the next largest shot of colour in the room.
Get the look: If you have a lot of existing colour like brightly painted walls, a colourful sofa, or patterned floor tiles, think about going for a muted single colour rug in cream, grey or even black. You can add interest via texture or a simple tone-on-tone pattern.
Get the look: If your walls, floors and furniture are more muted in tone, then you can think about adding a shot of vibrancy with your rug.
Get the look: You could also throw down a series of rugs in a variety of patterns and colours if your area is large enough like in this home.
Indoors and outdoors
Don’t forget that you can add rugs to balconies and verandahs especially if you need to cover up old tiles or tired concrete.
Don’t forget that you can add rugs to balconies and verandahs especially if you need to cover up old tiles or tired concrete.
Get the look: Outdoor rugs are made of weatherproof materials like plastic and rattan, but if the area open to the elements, then any sturdy rug will be fine.
Size matters
According to many interior designers, homeowners make the mistake of choosing a rug that’s too small for the room. Rather than having a rug that looks like an afterthought, always go larger when imaging how the rug will look in your room. It’s much better to have a rug that’s a little too large, than one that’s too small.
Finding the right size rug for any room in the house
According to many interior designers, homeowners make the mistake of choosing a rug that’s too small for the room. Rather than having a rug that looks like an afterthought, always go larger when imaging how the rug will look in your room. It’s much better to have a rug that’s a little too large, than one that’s too small.
Finding the right size rug for any room in the house
If you want your rug to be centred in the room, have about 30 to 40 centimetres of border (edge of rug to the wall) all around it.
However, if the rug is being used to highlight a living area or a piece of furniture, have it at least 10 to 15 centimetres larger than the furniture or area.
Get the look: You can even use the rug itself as the highlight feature of a room like this grouping of ‘boulder’ cushions on a shaggy feature rug.
See more of this home
See more of this home
Caring for rugs
It’s a good idea to get a anti-skid rug underlay that sits under your rug; it also helps protect the floor.
It’s a good idea to get a anti-skid rug underlay that sits under your rug; it also helps protect the floor.
Vacuum new rugs daily at the beginning to get rid of any fluff. Low pile rugs need to vacuumed once a week. If there’s heavy furniture sitting on the rug, rotate the rug to prevent the pile from flattening. High pile rugs should be professionally cleaned.
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Its a very nice article. good stuff!
Thanks so much! Really appreciate it :)