By Kendry Lee
It’s become increasingly more popular to find area rugs online, as opposed to the traditional in-person showrooms that people used to shop in before the internet.
But the tough truth is that online rug shopping comes with unique advantages and disadvantages that homeowners should be aware of.
Here’s our guide of important factors that rug shoppers should keep in mind before buying area rugs online!
Area Rug Placement & Size
Placement and size truly are everything when it comes to finding the perfect area rugs for your home via the Web, because getting these two factors wrong can make your room’s aesthetic look cluttered or disjointed.
On the other hand, the right sized area rug can pull an entire room together and make everything seem polished. Placement is also another huge rug shopping factor because it’s what coordinates your area rug with all sorts of spatial requirements.
Here are some tips to keep in mind regarding the right placement and size of your next rug:
- Be sure to accurately measure your desired space prior to shopping online. This will give you the precise dimensions that you need, which can help filter your search more efficiently.
- Keep your room’s furniture in mind. You’ll want your new area rug to anchor your furniture setup together, while also remaining proportionate.
- Consider your room’s traffic flow when verifying the right pile length of your new rug. You should also make sure that you aren’t creating a tripping hazard with your rug’s fringe, and that there’s enough clearance around walkways and doors.
- Place area rugs in the center of a room if it’s meant to be the space’s décor focal point, and place your new rug slightly off to the side of the room if it’s meant to be a subtle complement to your design theme.
Area Rug Materials
A rug’s materials are undoubtedly some of the most important considerations to keep in mind, and this is easier said than done for online shoppers who can’t physically touch their preferred options.
Your rug’s materials will ultimately impact how it feels and looks, and it also impacts overall durability. Some of the most common rug materials that you’ll find online include:
- Wool: Wool area rugs are known for being incredibly durable, very soft, and easy to clean. Wool rugs are also hypoallergenic, which makes them a good option for people who suffer from allergies. One potential drawback to keep in mind about wool rugs is that they’re usually more expensive as compared to other rug materials.
- Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic fiber, so these rugs are always more affordable as compared to wool rugs. Polyester rugs are also stain-resistant and relatively easy to clean. One thing to keep in mind is that polyester rugs aren’t quite as durable as wool rugs.
- Cotton: Cotton is a durable rug material that’s also easy to clean. Cotton rugs are also hypoallergenic, and they tend to be more expensive as compared to synthetic fiber alternatives.
- Jute: Jute is a natural fiber that’s widely considered to be very eco-friendly as a rug material. Jute rugs are known for being easy to clean and durable.
Various Area Rug Styles
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right rug style for your home, and it’s usually best to match your new rug’s style with the rest of your existing décor.
Although there are many different styles out there for online shoppers to choose from, the following are some of the most popular rug styles that you should know about:
- Persian & Traditional Rugs: Persian rugs are widely considered to be the most luxurious area rugs in the entire world, and they feature unbelievable designs and beautiful colors. Persian and other traditional rug styles are a great option when you’re decorating more formal spaces like dining rooms or living rooms.
- Modern Rugs: A lot of online rug shoppers want something more contemporary than a Persian rug, which is where modern rugs become a great option. Modern rugs are known for having bolder patterns and cleaner lines as compared to their traditional counterparts, and they’re often a great option when you’re looking to make a fashion statement with your area rug.
- Shag Rugs: Shaggy area rugs are all about texture and comfort. They’re the perfect option for your home’s coziest areas, including family rooms, bathrooms and bedrooms.
- Outdoor Rugs: Outdoor living spaces are becoming incredibly popular, and so are outdoor rugs to decorate patios, porches and outdoor living rooms. These rugs are known for withstanding the elements, while also looking great!
Area Rug Patterns
Pattern is another huge factor to keep in mind prior to purchasing an area rug online, because right patterns can tie your room together and wrong patterns can make your ambience more cluttered and unorganized.
It’s easier said than done to find the right rug pattern to match your unique needs, so be sure to take your room’s overall style into account toward the beginning of your online search. Be sure that your new rug complements your furnishings, while also coinciding with your room’s existing style.
Pattern and color go hand-in-hand with one another, because the dominant colors in your new rug’s pattern should complement the dominant colors found throughout the rest of your space.
Area Rug Colors
Choosing your new rug’s colors is one of the most exciting aspects of rug shopping.
There are some things that online shoppers need to keep in mind regarding rug colors, like:
- Your Room’s Other Colors: It’s never good when your new rug’s colors clash with your room’s décor, so be sure the rug colors blend well with your space and aren’t too overbearing.
- Your Personal Style: Your rug’s colors should reflect your personality and taste, so have fun with this aspect of your online rug search by experimenting with what you’re individually drawn toward.
- Don’t Fear Experimentation: Many online rug outlets will allow you to order small rugs or swatches in various colors to help you see firsthand how a specific online product will look in your home prior to pulling the trigger on a final purchase.
Contact Rug Source When Searching Online For Affordable Area Rugs!
There’s a lot to love about shopping for area rugs online from the comfort of your own home, and following the above tips will ultimately help you to narrow down your search toward the perfect rug for you and your home’s unique needs.
One of the top online rug outlets in the United States is Rug Source, and you can check out their vast selection of high-quality, affordable area rugs when you go to their website via the link at the beginning of this article!
