Make a Statement with an Area Rug

No matter how much you love the furniture in your living or dining room, the space can look bare if you don’t have attractive floor coverings to complement the rest of the room. An area rug can add character to any room, creating a statement that reflects your personality and style. Here are some tips for using an area rug to make the statement that you want to make about your home.

Be Bold!

To make a strong statement using an area rug, choose bright colours and bold patterns. Patterns work particularly well if your walls and soft furnishings are plain. Geometric patterns featuring contrasting colours are modern and look stunning when offset by white walls and understated furniture. Black and white patterns are particularly striking, particularly when used as part of a minimalist setting. Meanwhile, floral and oriental patterns are a tasteful accompaniment to traditional furniture and décor styles.

Choosing Colours

There are two strategies to choosing the colour of an area rug; you can either choose colours that blend in with their surroundings or instead opt for a startling contrast. If your room is filled with dark wooden furniture, a bright orange rug can create a warm, autumnal atmosphere – perfect for relaxing in comfort on cold evenings. Alternatively, pair a bright yellow, blue or green rug with white or light-coloured walls to create a fresh, spring-like environment.

Selecting Shapes

Area rugs come in a wide range of shapes, so they can be used in almost any room. A rectangular rug is the perfect choice for a sophisticated dining room, as it reflects the shape of a long dining table. Living room furniture works best when it is arranged around a square or circular rug. Match the shape of the rug to the shape of your coffee table to add consistency of style to your home.

Cosy Comforts

Although wood floors and tiles offer many practical advantages over fitted carpets, they can feel cold underfoot. An area rug is a perfect solution, creating a cosy atmosphere that is welcoming and homely. Area rugs also protect your floor from being scratched by furniture legs dragging across the floor. The result of adding an area rug is a soft environment where noise is dampened and your feet are kept warm.

Don’t Limit Yourself

If you have a large room, for example a combined living and dining room, there is no need to limit yourself to just one area rug. Use two or more matching rugs to soften your living space and add attractive splashes of colour.

Unleash Your Creativity

Choosing an area rug is your opportunity to customise your living space without needing to spend a lot of money or put up with the inconvenience of building work. Choose an area rug that matches your personality and style.

Guest post contributed by Jonathan Azevedo on behalf of http://www.arearugs.com

Jonathan is a freelance writer with a penchant for interior design. His articles mainly appear on design blogs.