area rug

When it comes to wall-to-wall carpets, a great alternative to take on is area rugs. If you need to remove one, it's easier to clean and just take away to return later. They're also less of a commitment than a wall-to-wall carpet, so if you get bored with the design you can easily switch it out for something new.

The Area Rug: What Is It?

Simply put, an accent rug does not end up extending all the way to the walls. It's used for spaces mostly to anchor particular pieces of furniture. When it comes to residential use, there are quite a number of guidelines that should be noted.

Do's and Don'ts

DO: Cover Areas With High Traffic

Don't let a rug hang over the edges of your rugs; use a rug all the way to the end of the space. If your rugs are not completely attached to all your flooring, people will trip over them as they walk by.

DO: Extend Rugs Under Furniture

When choosing an area rug, make sure it covers the entire floor underneath all of the main pieces of furniture. 

  • For the dining room - The rug must be large enough to accommodate all of the chairs and table. A good rule of thumb is to place the chairs on top of the rug rather than leaving them out in the open.
  • For the living room - Upholstered pieces of furniture should not sit on top of the rug. If you can't place the end of the base of the upholstered piece on the floor, you can place it on the rug's edge. However, all other legs must rest on bare floor.

DON'T: Go Too Small in Your Room

Most area rugs do not extend beyond the edges of the bed; this makes it difficult to get up in the morning and step onto a soft surface rather than a cold, hard floor. Be sure to measure the area around your bed before you go shopping, as this will ensure that you purchase the largest size that you can fit in your bedroom. 

Ideally, you should look for rugs that extend at least 30 centimeters beyond the bed on each side when purchasing a twin or double bed, and at least 45 centimeters on each side when purchasing a queen or king-sized bed.

DON'T: Underestimate Sizes and Get One That's Too Small

The most common mistake people make when decorating with area rugs is picking ones that are too small in size. This makes sense, especially when you see the high cost tags on some of the larger rugs. Still, bigger is better; going with a bigger rug now will save you the cost of replacing an inadequate one later. In addition, the price of a rug is still lower than a whole room full of carpeting.

Conclusion

Area rugs are great for a number of reasons. Many people tend to see them as an ideal alternative for wall-to-wall carpets. Some do's and don'ts include not going too small in the bedroom, not getting one that's too small in general and covering areas with high traffic.

Looking to get cheap rugs shipped to Brisbane? Shop at Cheap Rugs Australia today! We’ve got a huge range of the cheapest rugs you can find online in Australia.