Rug Buying Guide

Rugs are a great way to personalise the area we inhabit. Contemporary rugs can be bold and colourful, calm and cosy, natural or handmade and even waterproof. With all this choice available, it can be hard to decide which rug is right for you and your home.

The type of rug you choose will depend on a number of options – from taste to practicality – and our Rug Buying Guide aims to guide you through many of these. So sit back, relax, and let us help you find the perfect rug.

WANTS & NEEDS

The first thing to consider when buying a new rug is what’s going to work for you, your family, and your space. Rugs are exceptionally versatile and can satisfy a number of needs – from simple decoration to defining areas within your home. Before you start to look for a new rug it is important to have in mind exactly why you are looking and what the main purpose of the rug will be. In many cases this will be for aesthetic purposes, but for some this might take on an extra, more practical need. To help you decide exactly what you’re looking for, we’ve highlighted the most common uses for rugs in modern homes today.

DECORATION

If you are searching for a rug purely on its aesthetic merit, then the options available to you are plenty! There are so many styles, colours, patterns and even textures to choose from. If you are finding it hard to decide, start by thinking about what kind of shape you’d like – this can be something traditional like circular, rectangular or square, or something more contemporary, like cross-shaped or off-round. Secondly, have a think about style. Are you looking for something traditional or modern? Something colourful or something more subdued? Finally have a think about the material you would like. If you’re a fan of cosy interiors, you may like wool. Or if you prefer something less luxurious you might like woven paper. With a vast array of options available, take the time out to write down what you would like as this will help you decide what’s right for you.

PRACTICALITY

Hard floors might look beautiful, but they can often throw up a number of issues – such as noisy footsteps and loss of heat. They can also be hazardous if you have a little one running around. A cosy, deep-pile rug will help overcome these issues, and allow you to keep the floor that you love. Rugs also can protect areas where there is heavy traffic. Areas such as hallways and landings are used so often that carpets can often wear out quickly, tiles can get scratched and wooden floors become worn. Investing in a rug will ensure the flooring underneath is protected from all marks, scratches and general wear and tear. Paper rugs are a particularly good choice for this area as they are excellent value, hard-wearing and can be easily moved around and cleaned with a damp cloth.

DEFINING AREAS

Open-plan living areas really benefit from the use of a rug – it helps to divide up separate areas without the use of walls or screens, and can help add a sense of cosiness to a large space. Invest in a rug large enough to cover the area of your sofa and beyond to really separate the space.

LOCATION

Now you know what you’d like from your new rug, have a think about where it will be placed as this can often bring up further points to consider. If your new rug is destined for the kitchen, stain resistance might be important and if it is in a sunny front room then it might need to be to be protected against direct sunlight. Really think hard about the room in which it will be placed to get a good idea of what you need from your purchase.

HOW TO LOOK AFTER YOUR RUG

The best way of keeping your rug in tip-top condition will depend heavily upon its material, so be sure to check the label for specific care instructions. However, there are a few rules that apply to almost all new rugs.

First and foremost, remember to turn your rug often as this will not only ensure even wear, it will also kept it moth free. This applies to all rugs, no matter its material.

Secondly, if you have a wool rug, lightly vacuuming it on a regular basis will help keep on top of the natural shedding process and will keep it looking fresh and fluff free.

Thirdly, always remember to place an anti-slip pad under your rug. This will keep it in place and will stop it sliding around and getting dirty unnecessarily. These are available in a number of sizes and styles, but we recommend choosing a full-length polythene matt which should cover the entire underside of your rug.

Finally, never pull loose threads. If you do spot a loose thread on your new rug, always ensure you snip it off at the base as this will prevent unravelling.