Each week Mansion Global tackles an interior design topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week we look at how to choose a great area rug.
A rug might seem like an afterthought, but in fact, it can change the entire look and feel of your space. "An area rug can absolutely make or break a room," said Melissa Lewis of LG Interiors in Chicago. "It solidifies furniture layouts and adds a layer of depth and warmth that truly ties a space together."
"It’s a central design object in the room," said Berlin-based designer Cäcilia Verweyen. "Like a piece of art or a painting on the wall, it can change the whole atmosphere."
Here are tips from design pros for selecting the right rug for your room.
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Look at the logistics
"You should choose the rug either before decorating, and base your furniture and window treatment selections around the colors of the rug, or after to ensure the color dovetails perfectly with your furnishings. Never go rug shopping in the middle of the process.
"Choosing the right sized rug for the space is key. You don't want to over scale the rug so that it consumes the space. A rug that is too small always looks like a mistake. We suggest taking into account the furnishings in the room and measuring to make sure all the major pieces are sitting either all the way, or at least 75% of the way, on the rug.
"Placement also has importance. In the living room, we like to center the rug; it creates a great base point for circulation and furnishings. In the bedroom, there is nothing better than stepping out of bed onto a luxurious rug, so it should be positioned underneath the bed but stop short of bedside tables to give the room some breathing space. In the dining room, the rug should be centered under the table and have enough space for the chairs to still sit on top of the rug when pulled out."
－Melissa Lewis of LG Interiors in Chicago
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Determine the texture
"You’ll want to consider different types of textures for different rooms. For the bedroom, opt for a long pile weave, which tends to be softer. Woven or very short piles are better for high-traffic areas since these are more durable options.
"Multiple rugs can be used in one space as well. For example, in a master bedroom, you might opt for one rug under the bed and another in the sitting area. They can be different textures, colors, or even shapes.
"If you have a pet, don’t choose a shaggy or long pile rug, since these are difficult to clean. A woven, Berber, or cord pile rug are best for cleaning up mistakes."
— Los Angeles-based designer Elisabeth Fogarty
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Set the tone
"Before selecting a rug, I take the floorplan of the space into account. I place the major functional pieces in the room, such as the dining table, bed, sofa or coffee table. Based on this I can easily see in which areas a carpet is needed or can be used as the central object of a room.
"The carpet can tell the main story and the furniture, textiles, and wall colors set a frame for it. For example, you might take out a specific color from an eccentric rug and play with it in a reduced way in other aspects, like the walls, pillows, curtains, or furniture.
"The shape and style of your rug can influence the look and feel of the room. If you go for a rug with expressive shapes and bold patterns, you should use calmer motifs in other places, such as curtains and sofa textiles. Textured rugs can bring a lot of life to the room."
－Berlin-based designer Cäcilia Verweyen
Think of the rug in relation to the room
"The rug anchors the furniture and defines the style. Fall in love with your carpet first and decorate around it. Sofas can always be reupholstered, throw pillows can be updated, but the carpet is a big commitment that may be passed down for generations.
"Don't be afraid of patterns. The carpet is one of the pieces in your home where you can be exceptionally eccentric, ornate, or playful. Somehow, a wildly patterned rug reads much more subdued when it is on the floor. So, be bold. It's less risky than it may seem.
A bold mix of color and pattern underfoot designed by Aelfie Oudghiri enhances this room’s eclectic feel.
Aelfie"The shape depends on what space in the room you are looking to define and how you want to define it. Demarcating a round area creates an intimate, modern look that is great in some rooms, but doesn't make much sense in others."
－Aelfie Oudghiri, founder and creative director of AELFIE rugs
More:Click to read more design tips from designers who work on luxury properties