A good area rug will bring decor elements of interior together and make it comfortable and cozy. Many interior designers and homeowners prefer to add rugs to enhance the elegance of their flooring & walls. Considering few tips discussed below can help in finding the right rug for you:

1) Your Personal Decor Style:

Every person has a different home decor taste. Some people like traditional rugs, some prefer modern rugs, while others choose vintage rugs. To meet consumer needs for various types of rugs, manufacturers divide rugs into following categories:

Traditional rugs:

Also sometimes called Oriental Rugs have early 18th century designs with Persian influence very prominent. These rugs have geometric patterns, borders and floral elements. The traditional rugs are not limited to old or casual decor styles. They are also very commonly used in modern luxury homes by designers.

Modern Rugs:

These rugs are great blend of contemporary and classic designs. Modern rugs add a unique splash of colors to your interior. These rugs have bold patterns and clean stripes. They go very well with bold, chic, minimalist and unique decor styles. 

Transitional Rugs:

If you are looking for a traditional design with modern look and feel, then transitional rugs will be your right choice. These rugs are very suitable for rooms where you want to mix and match modern looking furniture with traditional decor pieces.

Shag Rugs:

These rugs are high pile, soft and luxurious. Although they became very hit among interior designers in mid 1970's, they still can create a wow factor with their bright colors and fluffy looks if placed in the right environment. These rugs due to their long fibers and added thickness are suitable for rooms where you need more comfort like bedrooms and living rooms.

Outdoor Rugs:

These rugs are very durable and can withstand severe weather conditions like snow, rain and prolong exposure to sunlight. They are mostly made from man made fibers like polyester, nylon and polypropylene. These rugs are very easy to clean by quick rinse or wash with tap water. Some outdoor rugs can also be used indoors too.

2) Type of Weave:

How a rug is made can also be a factor in rug selection, the following are most common types of weave:

Handmade Rugs:

These rugs are very popular due to their durability and craftsmanship. In the handmade rug weaving process, a weaver tie knots around the warps and after each row is complete, he tightly packs weft strand to keep the tied knots firmly in place. This is a manual labor intensive process, as each knot is tied individually by hand and can therefore take months, for a rug to complete. However the end result is a masterpiece of art with such durability that it can be passed on to next generations.

Machine Made Rugs:

These rugs became very popular with the advancement of western industrialization in the 19th century. Machine made rugs are made using power looms instead of manual labor. These rugs are usually produced in large quantities with tighter quality controls that eliminate chances of error. Main advantages of these rugs are, they are less expensive and have uniform weave quality.

Hand Tufted Rugs:

Hand tufted rugs are different than handmade rugs. In the tufting process a mechanized tool is used to punch pieces of wool thru canvas backing which is later glued to a scrim fabric on back. This process is not labor intensive and does not require highly skilled weaver.

3) Rug Materials:

Choosing the right rug material is essential in the rug selection process. Some common rug materials are:

Wool:

Wool is strong, water repellent and stain resistant. It is soft under the foot and has excellent insulating characteristics. It is very good for high traffic areas like living and dining rooms. Woolen rugs mostly use natural plant dyes.

Silk:

Silk has subtle sheen, softness and luxurious looks. It is finer than wool, and suitable for low traffic areas like bedrooms or guest rooms.

Cotton:

Cotton is more affordable than silk and wool. It is commonly used in kilims and dhurries. Cotton is easy to clean and suitable for children rooms, kitchens and casual rooms.

Jute, Sisal or Seagrass:

These rugs are strong and free from chemicals. They have earthy tones, rich textures and are very close to nature. They are suitable for sunny and high traffic areas.

Animal Skin:

These rugs can be single piece hides or multiple stitched panels. They are durable but not great for humid areas. They are suitable for low traffic areas like bedrooms.

Synthetics:

The synthetic rugs are made from polypropylene, nylon, polyester or viscose fibers blended together in certain ratios. The synthetics have significantly improved over the years and are widely used as replacement for natural materials like wool, jute or sisal. These rugs are easy to clean and can be used in damp places, outdoor areas or high traffic areas.

4) Size of Rug:

Choosing the right rug size is as important as rug material or rug color, however it can be influenced by other factors like presence of fireplace, HVAC grill on floor or sliding doors in vicinity. For living rooms you have to consider, how you want to place your furniture on the rug. Sometimes you want all your furniture on the rug, other times you may want only front legs of furniture on rug. For dining rooms it is recommended to leave at least 2 ft of rug extending on all sides from the edge of table, so when chairs are moved back, all their legs are still sitting on the rug. For bedrooms, a right size rug should be extending atleast 18 inches beyond the sides and foot board of bed.

5) Color of Rug:

Choosing the right color of rug is an art. If done right, it can make a dull room look very pleasant and welcoming. If your room has dark furniture and walls then adding a dark color rug will make the place look very small. Similarly if you have a small room and you want it to look bigger then a lighter color rug will be better choice. If you have multiple kids around and often get soft drink or coffee spills then a dark color rug can help in hiding the frequent spill mishaps.

Don't be shy, and share the unique experience of using rugs in your living areas, to inspire others. Life can become dull sometimes, lets add some color to it.