I LOVE RUGS!! I honestly do. They do such an amazing job of not only adding style to a space, but also have the functionality of helping to divide open spaces. They can be a great way to bring in an accent colour, or help subdue the other colours in a space.
That being said, I do think there are good places for area rugs, and not so great places for them. I think area rugs work so well in living spaces, bedrooms and entryways. But I also think they have no place in a kitchen or dining room in terms of functionality. Now that last sentence may cause an uproar among some interior decor bloggers, but let me explain.
When I mention the above, I’m talking about not just beauty, but function. Of course I think those beautiful turkish runners look amazing in a galley kitchen or large area rug under a dinning room table. However, when I think about the day to day, or even the special event times in most homes – which is eating in the dining room, moving chairs in and out from the table when guests are there, and then prepping food in the kitchen and things constantly falling on the floor (unless I’m simply a messy cook in the kitchen), I just think that it not only reduces the lifespan of your rug, can annoy your guests in the dining room, or can lead you to be obsessive compulsive about not getting anything on the rug. For me, its not worth the stress.
The flip side is, if you need to cover unsightly floors in these areas in the meantime, they can be a great option. Just make sure you choose darker colours with more variation for things like spills, and the right size in the dining room so that the chairs aren’t constantly catching the rug. I also don’t recommend spending a fortune in those areas as it just likely won’t hold up as long. I mean, unless you need to worry about a budget.
Now, onto why I love them in other spaces, like bedrooms & living rooms. These spaces are intended for comfort and relaxation, and are less likely to have food and drinks spilled on them.. In addition, people are typically looking to step onto something softer in these spaces.
Aside from the comfort/coziness aspect, They also help really section off and divide an area. This is especially helpful in more modern homes, as they are often open spaces. For example, a rug can really help separate the living room from the dining room or kitchen.
For entryways, of course the main function of the rug should be a place for guests to take off and leave their dirty shoes, but that doesn’t mean it needs to be standard black rubber mat.
Same with in the bathroom (which I didn’t mention earlier). These rugs/mats definitely have a function of sopping up the water in that space, but there are more options than just the shag of the past. Below is the runner in our master ensuite, which was purchased from CB2, which was a steal at $79 CAD. I went with this style rather than a rubber backed thicker mat because we have heated floors, and this rugs allows more of the heat to come through without damaging the rug or overheating the floors.
How to select the right rug for your space
Overall, in terms of style, you need to thing about your style of home, along with your personal style. You don’t want to have an ultra-modern rug in a boho-chic space or old Victoria style home – or vice versa. But there are styles that cross different interior design styles. For example, a colourful turkish rug could look great in a old-Victorian, along with in a boho or modern farmhouse. Same with a woven interior/exterior rug (perhaps layered with another rug) – which can work with multiple spaces.
When it comes to living rooms, I really like to use a light coloured rug as it really helps the space open up rather than bring too much focus to the floor. It’s also great if you want to have a brighter space but without light coloured furniture. Along with the bedroom, its also a safer choice as there is less shoe traffic. But that’s not a hard and fast go-to. Have higher traffic? It’s probably better to go with a darker colour to avoid dirt and stains. Love a more monotone colour palette, use textures to add to the space.
For entryways, patters work well along with more of an antique look. These held to hide dirt and wetness. Make sure you protect your floors underneath and also look at indoor/outdoor options for durability.
Where to Buy
There are a number of places to buy rugs – from inexpensive to high end. All have their pros and cons. But here is a list of where I like to buy, and why. (Note this post is NOT sponsored).
Wayfair
By far this is one of my favourite places to purchase a rug. They always have the most up to date styles, a large number of sizes and selection. They are the most affordable that I have found – and I’ve price compared vs other online retailers with the same styles and sizes. But probably my favourite aspect of this online retailer is the reviews. The photos in the reviews really help you to see the actual colour and texture of the rug. You have to know that all product photos online are optimized and in particular with Wayfair, usually the exposure/brighness is turned way up – make them often look lighter than they actually are. Use the reviews to see what it would look like in a similar light as what you have in your room. It has helped me with many of my purchases.
Shown below are some of my top picks from Wayfair. The first three are those already have in my home but still recommend them to others. You can click on the links to see them on the site.
 Clair Area Rug // More Area Rugs |
 Keaton Area Rug // More Grey Rugs |
 Mistana Area Rug // More Area Rugs |
These next rugs are ones that I have my eye on, and I’m just waiting for a space to put them.
IKEA
IKEA now is not the same IKEA as the past. Their quality, styles and collaborations are lending it to be a great place to buy many different home decor items. They have very affordable rug styles that are functional and stylish, and also higher end styles that can be quite the accent in your home. The rug in the picture below (IKEA won’t let me share one from their site) is a great option for a longer runner by your door. It allows for you to have enough space for shoes, hockey bags, etc., while still integrating in well with many different flooring and design styles.
But this is just one example. I also like the SNAPTUM, the VONSBÄK, and for something really different, the ÖVERALLT
Urban Barn
Not only do they have some cute exterior door mats but some very nice area rugs as well. As I am a bit more budget conscious with my rugs – I’m usually headed to the sale page online to see what they have. I totally lucked out with this one for our bedroom as I paid just over $300 for a beautiful 8 x 11 rug.
There is this one I’ve also been crushing on, with no where to put it so I have to pass for now. So I will share it with you and hope that someone will be inspired by it and put it in their home. (At least share a pic with me if you do!!)
To Summarize:
- Think about the function – does it help or hinder the space
- Pick a style that will compliment the style of your home or room
- Use light colours in lower traffic areas only, unless they have variation that can hide dirt
- Don’t be afraid to do something a little “out there”. Especially if the rest of the decor is neutral.
- Use reviews when purchasing online. They will often explain any differences in colour or texture (if there are any) vs the photos online.
And if it still seems overwhelming and you need some help – drop a comment below or get in touch with me 😉
Leave a Reply