Shopping for Area Rugs

An area rug is a type of rug that covers a limited amount of floor space in a room, and with the right information, shopping for one can be a breeze. Area rugs come in a variety of styles, colors and sizes. They can be used under an end table, in front of a door, under a couch or at the end of a bed. Humans have used area rugs since the dawn of civilization. The oldest area rug dates back to the 5th Century B.C. While having an area rug in a home is not a new concept, adding an area rug to a room can brighten your space and make a tired room feel new. However, there are limitless options for area rugs. This can make shopping for an area rug a bit overwhelming.  Arm yourself with some knowledge, and use your personal style to find the area rug that best fits your room and space.

Before you head to the store to purchase your area rug, look at your room. Determine where you would like your area rug to be located. Note the size of the area you would like the rug to cover. You may even want to measure the dimensions with a measuring tape. If you are putting your area rug underneath furniture, keep in mind your furniture should sit fully on your area rug. You do not want your furniture to look like it’s too big for your rug. In addition to the size of your rug, note the colors used in your room. If you want the rug to match a particular piece of furniture or curtain, be sure to take a swatch of the fabric with you to the store. Use your measurements and fabric swatch was a reference points while you shop.

Where To Buy an Area Rug

You can purchase inexpensive area rugs at your local carpet store. If you only need a plain area rug for your bathroom or kitchen, then your local department store is the place to shop. If you are in need of a more luxurious rug, you should visit your local high-end furniture store. High-end furniture stores and local interior designers are excellent resources for finding rare and unusual area rugs. If the furniture store does not have any rugs you need in stock, they can usually refer you to a local rug maker or rug importer that can order or make a special rug to meet your needs. Most cities also have rug stores specifically dedicated to selling small and large area rugs.

Custom vs. Manufactured Area Rugs

A custom area rug is usually made of hand-woven silk or wool. A custom rug is designed to precisely fit your space and color combination. Custom area rugs can also be found at your local art gallery or rug shop. Manufactured rugs, on the other hand, are made in bulk at machines in factories. Manufactured rugs usually come in standard sizes. Manufactured area rugs come in a variety of styles, colors and patterns. However, if you need to match an unusual color in your room, you may need to get a custom rug. Keep in mind that manufactured rugs tend to be less expensive then custom rugs.

Area Rug Prices

The price of your manufactured area rug depends on the size of the rug. A large manufactured rug will cost more than a small one. Manufactured rugs can cost anywhere between $10 and $1,000. The price of a custom area rug is not easy to know in advance. If you are buying a rug from an artist, then the market will determine the worth of the rug. If you are buying a Persian rug, the age of the rug and the size will determine the cost. Keep in mind that a custom rug will cost you anywhere from $500 to thousands of dollars. Before purchasing a custom area rug, do your research on the Internet and find the price of three rugs that are similar in style and design to the custom rug you’d like to purchase. Finding similar priced items will help you determine whether or not you are getting a fair price on your custom area rug.

Rug Pads

When buying an area rug, you may also need to purchase an area rug pad. A rug pad is a cushion that fits under your area rug. The rug pad protects your floors and prevents your area rug from skidding. If you have wood or tile floors, you will want to protect your floor with a rug pad.