Nervous About Buying A Rug?
The. Struggle. Is. Real. And we know it all too well. The rug market is huge, and knowing how much to spend, what size to get, what colors, and all of the nitty gritty details in between, is stressful. Period. On top of it, you've got a small percentage of shady dealers out there promising you a whole new world on a magic carpet ride, when really you're just buying a brittle hunk of fibers that will tear apart in just a few months. Well chin up Jasmine, we're here to help.
Keep in mind that there is a difference between purchasing a rug for a dorm room that you just need for covering the floors and taking a beating, versus buying a beautiful rug to complement your home décor. We are specifically dealing with the latter. The long term.
First, a philosophy lesson: Carpet diem! (See what we did there?)
A good rule of thumb is to consider your rug an investment. If you spend about a month's rent/mortgage on a rug, you're doing it right. Why? Because you get what you pay for. Also, your home is a place for you to express yourself. Your sanctuary. Life is too short to continue the cycle of spending as little as possible, regretting your purchase when it tears apart, then tossing it. So suck it up, put some extra cash away, and get excited about the beauty you're about to bring to your space.
Second, consider your lifestyle when choosing material.
Not all rugs are created equal. If you have a lot of guests, pets, young children, or just a small space that gets a lot of traffic in one area, you need to choose a rug with sturdier material, such as wool, or polypropylene (a less expensive option). If you live alone and have no pets, you can opt to splurge on a silk rug, which is gorgeous, but requires more upkeep. Do your research!
Third, please please please, with a cherry on top, measure your space.
Size matters. Shape matters. Placement of your furniture matters. And the most common rug-buying faux pas is to buy a rug that is too small for the space, which dramatically shrinks the appearance of the room. Ideally your rug will be within one foot of the walls in your room, and all major furniture pieces will have at least its front legs on the rug.
Fourth, pick a style that YOU can live with every day.
It's easy to get caught up in seasonal color choices and style trends, but ultimately, you have to live with what you buy for a long time. What kinds of colors do you normally wear? Are you more chic and modern? Or do you love the retro charm of vintage? Whatever your preferences, your rug has the potential to be a centerpiece that pulls all of your color and design schemes together, and even provides inspiration for new accents.
Fifth, go with your gut!
Don't fall into the endless wormhole of looking at thousands and thousands of rugs after seeing a handful you love, especially out of fear that you'll find something better. It's a trap! And the truth is, more are being made every day. Just trust your instincts. If you love it, buy it before somebody else does!
Happy rug hunting!