A nice, well-picked rug can bring so much to the room. Not only does it look good, but it can also be really practical. The kids enjoy playing on carpets, it can prevent the furniture from leaving the marks on your floor, it’s nice and soft when you walk on it, and can even reduce the risk of injury in case a child falls. The comfort and warmth the rug brings to the room can hardly be achieved with anything else. There are, however, things you need to look out for when buying one. The pattern, the color, the texture, the maintenance, the cost, it can all affect your choice.
Source: PlushRugs
Contents
Get that Padding
Many decide to save a few bucks by not buying the padding for the rug. Padding, which is usually made from rubber or foam, will increase the durability of your rug. It prevents carpet backing and stops the fibers from coming apart. The padding absorbs the impact and keeps the rug looking good for longer periods of time. You should definitely buy the padding even if it means spending a bit less money on the rug.
Decide on the color and the texture
Sure, you can go shopping unprepared with the idea that “you’ll know it when you see it.” That often works and can sometimes take the stress out of the equation. However, for most people, it’s best to leave the house with some idea about what they wish to buy. Mycarpets.com wrote about five main types of carpet textures: Loop, Cut and Loop, Plush, Texture, and Frieze.
Loop is an elegant option where the tufts are looped back into the carpet and it can often be seen in offices.
Cut and Loop carpets have some tufts looped back into the carpet and some are loose. This gives the carpet a more comfortable feeling and it adds it a bit of softness. Plush carpets have strands that are all even which gives the carpet a very uniform look. Texture, unlike Plush, has uneven pile height. It hides the footprints and is a bit more durable than Plush carpet texture. Frieze is quite similar to Texture, but here, tufts go in all directions while in Texture carpets, they point straight up.
Source: Nest.co.uk
Calculate the square footage
By taking some measurements before going shopping, you will be able to get more accurate information concerning the price of the rug. Also, make sure to define your budget. This will help you narrow down the options. Sometimes, it’s better to have a professional take a look at your home and help you decide on the right measurements, texture, color, and everything else.
Maintain your rug
The costs of maintenance can vary greatly among different types of rugs and their location in your home. Those that get a lot of traffic will need to be vacuumed and professionally cleaned more often than those that are placed in low traffic areas. Also, shag carpets need your attention more often than other types of carpets especially if you have kids and pets. They can easily accumulate a lot of dirt and can be problematic for kids and people with allergies.
You should vacuum at least twice a week and have your rug cleaned by a professional at least twice a year.
Source: Harvey Norman
