Area rugs are a terrific alternative to wall-to-wall carpets because they’re easier to remove and clean.
What Is an Area Rug?
An area rug is an accent rug that does not extend to the walls.
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It is mostly used to anchor furniture in a space.
Or, keep just the front legs of any major upholstered pieces on the rug.
Try leaving at least 3 inches of carpet in front of the legs to anchor the furniture.
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The back legs can stay off the rug as long as the front legs stay on.
Try keeping all the legs of smaller pieces of furniture on theliving room area rug.
A properly placedbedroom area ruganchors the bed and the surrounding furnishings.
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Ideally, chair legs should be on thedining room area rug, even when pulled out from the table.
Common Pitfalls
Consider the shape of your area rug as well as the size.
Leave approximately 6 feet of floor space around the perimeter of the rug.
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In most rooms, you will choose a standardarea rug size.
Large area rugs here help protect floors from wear and tear, scratches, and prematurely refinishing projects.
Area rugs are easier to maintain than wall-to-wall carpets.
Be sure toget your measurements rightbefore you go shopping.
For example, the sofa should be centered on the rug.
Give yourself anywhere from 8 to 24 inches of clearance on all sides.
Eighteen inches is the most common parameter but as little as 8 inches is okay in a smaller space.
Tip
Always remember that the main goal is to have the rug centered in the room.
Put your best rug in a space where it’s highlighted as a focal point.
Area rugs are easier to clean than broadloom carpeting.
However,removing stainson area rugs can still be challenging if you have a household with children and pets.
Go with inexpensive, easy-to-clean options in areas where staining could be commonplace.
This is understandable, especially when comparing price tags on a 5’x8' versus a 10’x14' area rug.
Determine your needs and plan your rug pad appropriately.
An oversized rug can overwhelm your space and make it feel less styled.
A couch’s front and back legs can go entirely on the rug.
Ideally, the rug is centered with both the room and the couch.
If that is not possible, center the rug with the sofa for a more intentional look.
A living room rug should be placed no more than 3 inches from a TV console or media center.
