Rugs Everyone Should Own

Decorating the floors of the home takes more consideration than the walls due to the extra wear and tear from foot traffic. Rugs must not only look great and match the rest of the room but also hold up under daily use without fading or being difficult to clean. Using the various types of rugs to maximum benefit means matching the type, material, size, and design of each room. Make sure you’re using the must-have rugs that complete your home with this handy guide.

Why Rugs?

The benefits and uses of area rugs go beyond just the decorative. Practical benefits include:

  • The ease of cleaning when compared to carpet. Some throw rugs are even machine washable.
  • Less work to install or remove than carpet. No need for permanent installation or costly disposal.
  • Being able to be moved and rearranged throughout the house. Redecorate as often as you like.
  • The ease of replacement when needed. Get a new rug without having to worry about professional installation.
  • Tying the rest of the room together. Connect furnishings and wall art with a common rug theme.
  • Providing a softer, more comfortable floor surface over tile or hardwood. It’s warmer in the winter as well.
  • Absorbing and muffling sounds in the room. This can make all the difference in larger rooms that develop an echo.
  • Creating a soft play space for kids. Make sure to choose kid-friendly rugs.
  • Pairing well with rug-over-carpet ideas. Mix and match both types of soft surfaces for a trendy look.

Implementing your favorite master bedroom rug ideas can be as practical as it is decorative.

Rug Types Everyone Should Own

Before looking for rug ideas to replicate in your own home, consider the basic types of rugs based on their size and use. While rugs can also be categorized by material or manufacturing style, starting with the size and type makes more sense. Once you have a good idea of what size rug you need for a room or hallway, you can find a matching option in almost any style or color. Area rugs are most commonly the largest rugs you’ll use throughout the home. Many bedroom area rug ideas feature area rugs that cover everything but the outer 18 inches of the room’s floor.

Accent rugs are smaller, often as small as just three feet by five feet. They can be used throughout a larger room or as the centerpiece of a small space like a breakfast nook. Layering rugs are similar in size and shape, but they’re extra soft and thick and are usually used next to a bed or right in front of a seating area. Thick and plush piles give these rugs superior comfort, so they’re often placed over the carpet or a thinner flat-woven rug for contrast.

Runner rugs go down a hallway with a long and narrow shape or even help liven up stair treads. They come in a wide variety of length and width combinations to help you find a floor covering to fit any transitional space. Round rugs are popular for kids’ rooms and bedrooms alike, but they’re generally used in the center of the room and are less flexible in placement than rectangular rugs. Finally, door and bath mats are the smallest rugs used in most homes. They help add comfort and control messes at the same time.

Area vs. Accent Rugs

The biggest difference between these two popular types of rugs is the size. Area rugs are often also called room rugs because they’re designed in large enough sizes to cover all or most of the floor. Even in a large room, two or three area rugs can generally stand in for wall-to-wall carpeting. In contrast, accent rugs are much smaller and are designed more to add a pop of color or hint of softness in a particular area. Many popular bedroom rug ideas today feature a large area rug over the whole floor and then smaller accent rugs for layering. No matter the area rug ideas you prefer, consider working accent rugs into the design as well.

What Types of Rugs Should Be in Living Rooms?

Most living room area rug ideas today focus on solid colors and simplified patterns that tie the whole room together without distraction. Area rugs are most popular in the living room because they help add coziness and comfort to the space without the commitment of carpeting. Among the trendy living room rug ideas is the concept of keeping either all of your furniture touching the rug with at least one leg or none of them touching at all. You don’t have to follow this rule strictly, but it can help anchor the area rug you choose in the space. For accent rugs, you can get more creative with the placement and help draw attention to an entryway or other part of the room.

Most Popular Rug Materials

Wool is the most durable and easiest to clean material for rugs. As you can expect, it’s also the most expensive. It’s not necessarily the best for your master bedroom rug either because it can shed. This isn’t such a problem in a living room or other area where you vacuum regularly. Cotton is durable and often washer friendly, but you’ll find the colors fading faster. It’s a good choice for bedrooms and kids’ rooms. Jute and hemp offer a rustic look, yet seagrass is more durable and easier to clean. It’s also a better material for any outdoor rugs you want to add to your patios. Animal hides hold up to heavy traffic and hide messes, but you can’t risk any spills on them. Silk is the softest and has a shimmer that can’t compare, but keep it in low-traffic areas only. Finally, synthetic materials are the most affordable and are usually machine washable. Consider them for busy living rooms and kitchens where spills are inevitable.

Layering Rugs

Try pairing a colorful and playful accent rug with a more conservative flat-weave area rug for contrast and visual interest. Other popular rug layering ideas include tossing animal hide rugs over carpet. These rugs rarely have backings, so they tend to slip over hard surfaces and won’t go anywhere on carpet. Faux fur is popular today for the sheepskin rug over carpet look, but it tends to shed more than the natural option and is trickier to keep clean.

Entryway Rug Ideas

For a stunning welcome for your guests, you’ll need to use your best entryway rug ideas. This is a great place to use trending area rugs that are in style for the season. Larger entryways need area rugs that create a sense of flow, so look for geometric patterns and high-low pile features for more drama. Smaller entryways and hallways are best paired with accent rugs in bold colors and runners that help lead the eye into the next room.

Find a rug that’s perfect for every room in your home here at Ashley. Explore our selection today to upgrade your floor coverings.