Area Rugs FAQ

Don’t you wish you had an on-call interior designer to answer those little questions that pop up when you’re making over a room?  Just a quick call to solve any design problem…

If you have a question regarding area rugs, try checking out the frequently asked questions that we’ve received on area rugs:

Does the rug need to be the same color as my walls/curtains/couch?

No, they don’t need to be the same color, nor do they need to match perfectly.  What you do want to do is have at least one color that coordinates with other design elements in the room.  Try a pattern that has several colors, if the rug’s colors have one that coordinates with the couch, one that coordinates with the walls and one that coordinates with the window treatments, it really pulls together the room and helps relate all the furnishings and colors for a more fluid design.


Which is better, a rug with an all-over pattern or one with a central medallion?

It depends what you would like the rug to do for the room.  If you have a focal point within the room, such as a fireplace, consider an all over pattern so it doesn’t compete for attention.  If you plan on having the rug define a focal point, such as a conversation area, an area rug with a central medallion, such as a Persian rug, will help it become the focus of the room.


Can I use more than one area rug in a room?

Absolutely!  The more the merrier!  Use area rugs in different sizes for contrast, using two or more rugs of the same size may make the rugs look competing rather than complimenting.


Do they need to be the same pattern or color?

No, but they need to coordinate.  If you’re going to use two or more different patterns, they need to have something in common, such as a common or coordinating color.


How about using solid color area rugs?

They work just the same as carpet!  But remember, the busier the pattern, the more dirt and wear that’s hidden, so rooms with high foot traffic do best with area rugs with heavier patterns.


Can I use an area rug over carpet?

Yes!  It’s a wonderful way to pull together a conversation grouping, a focal point or protect the carpet.  There are special rug pads you can use that help keep the area rug from bunching over carpet.  Make sure it’s color safe as well, the last thing you need is to have the dye run onto your white wall-to-wall carpet.