When it comes to the floor, itโs yet another surface to adorn which is why weโve always been rug obsessed. Not only does a well-placed rug help define living zones but it anchors furniture, can tie a roomโs dรฉcor together and also softens hard surfaces to reduce noise levels.
However buying a rug can often feel a little overwhelming, which is why the stylish Aussie rug brand Armadillo & Co have put together a fail-safe guide to purchasing a rug.
Purpose: What do youย want your rug to bring to a room?
A rug can be usedย to define and anchor a space or setting, such as living and dining in anย open-plan room. The perfect rug will unite lounge furnitureย that might otherwiseย feel disconnected or gently soften the โleggyโ look of dining chairs around aย table.
A rug can warm andย soften hard flooring, such as concrete or tiles, and feel soft and luxuriousย underfoot in bedrooms and nurseries. Dark coloursย feel more intimate; lightย colours are brighter and airy. Considering the functional and aesthetic purposeย of a rug in a room will help you decide on theย weave and fibre, size and shapeย and the colour and pattern.
Weave and fibre: Whereย will the rug will be used and by who?
Different roomsย and spaces in a house have different levels of foot traffic. Rugs in transitionย spaces, such as entries and hallways, should be more hardwearing, while rugs inย living areas and bedrooms can be soft and plush.
For high-trafficย areas:
Flat-weave rugsย are handmade on a loom by weaving horizontal yarns (weft) through verticalย yarns (warp). They have the sturdiness to withstandย high-traffic areas, andย their very low profile is easier to clean, which is a great choice for peopleย with dust allergies, as fewer allergens get stuck in theย fibres.
Jute is a naturallyย renewable material that is extremely durable. It is naturally resistant to dustย mites and has anti-microbial properties. Jute has aย beautiful natural look, andย high-quality jute has a lovely soft lustre.
For softness underfoot:
Hand-knotted rugsย are incredibly labour-intensive as artisans tie individual knots to the verticalย yarns running the length of the rug. These intricateย knots form a pile and areย extremely plush. Hand-knotted rugs feel soft and luxurious underfoot and theย thickness of the pile absorbs sound in a noisyย room or large space.
Wool is soft andย durable andย has excellent insulation properties,ย helping to keep a home cool in summer and warm in winter. It easilyย shrugs off dirt,ย springs back into shape and has air purification and moistureย control qualities.
For outside:
Outdoor rugsย provide comfort and style in outside living areas and can be used to visuallyย connect the interior and exterior of a home.ย Armadillo&ย Coโs Indoorย Outdoor collection is crafted to withstand the elements but also feel like woolย underfoot. Made from recycled PET (plastic bottles), theย rugs are environmentallyย friendly and easy to clean with a quick hose down. They are also naturallyย resistant to fading, stains and mould.
Size: What sizeย rug should you choose?
The golden rule isย bigger is better. An oversized rugย helps to ground a space and gives furniture settings an anchor and foundation. Forย living areas and bedrooms choose the largestย rug possible while still leavingย space between the rug and walls to highlight the floor, as well as enough spaceย to open the doors. A large rug will helpย make a room feel more spacious,ย whereas a small rug can make a room look out of proportion.
An area rug in aย lounge setting should fit underneath all the furniture, or, at the very least,ย the front two legs of a sofa and armchairs. An area rug inย the dining areaย should extend 60 to 70 centimetres beyond all edges of the table so that theย back legs of chairs still sit on the rug when pulled awayย from the table. Thisย will also protect hard floors from scuff marks and scratches.
Shape: What shapeย rug should you choose?
The shape of a rugย should complement the shape of a room or setting.ย Rectangular rugsย generally work well in most rooms; however, an unexpected shape can sometimes beย more appropriate. Rectangular rugs are anย obvious choice for rectangular diningย tables and traditional lounge settings, featuring a sofa and armchairs, to createย a symmetrical and balancedย space.
A round rug canย add visual interest and soften the feel of a room โ particularly one with lotsย of straight lines. A round rug under a table creates aย cohesive design, while aย round rug in a living area adds a sense of playfulness.
Runners areย designed to fit a narrow space, such as hallways and entryways or in theย kitchen, to provide a softer surface underfoot when standingย for longer periodsย of time.
Colour and pattern:ย What feel do you want to create?
The colour andย pattern of a rug can tie a roomโs dรฉcor together. Choose a rug beforeย finalising dรฉcor, whenever possible. It will unify the otherย elements and canย provide a starting point for colour and textural palettes.
A richly textured andย patterned rug will add depth and luxuriousness to a room while neutral tones workย will with existing furniture or dรฉcor.ย Colours can changeย the perception of a space. Darker tones can make a space feel more intimate,ย while a room with lighter tones feel brighter, airyย and more open.
Environmentallyย and socially responsible: Where does the rug come from?
How a rug isย manufactured not only affects its lifespan but also impacts rug makers and theย environment. Choosing a rug that is made ethically,ย sustainably and using naturalย and recycled materials where possible will make your room beautiful whileย benefiting others.