Area rugs are an essential component of home design, adding comfort, style, and texture to a room. However, there are some common mistakes that people make when using rugs that can lead to frustration later. Many homeowners make unintentional choices about area rugs that reduce the impact of the design or cause an imbalance in the layout. From material considerations to spatial missteps, these errors can leave a room feeling incomplete, impractical, or awkward. Understanding the common area rug mistakes is the first step in choosing a rug that can elevate rather than detract from your interior design.
Whether you are selecting an area rug for a large living room or a small hallway, a rug is an essential part of the room’s style and function, so avoid these mistakes the first time around.
Choosing the Wrong Size Rug
Choosing the wrong size rug for the room is one of the most common mistakes that homeowners make when selecting an area rug. This is a fundamental mistake that will affect the balance and cohesion of the room. A rug that is too small makes a room appear smaller than it is, whereas a rug that is too large for the space obscures the floor and costs more than necessary.
Avoid this mistake by carefully measuring your room and considering the furniture in the room. Choose a rug that will accommodate at least the front legs of all the furniture in the area. In a dining room, the rug should extend beyond the dining table and allow the chairs to be pulled out without coming to the outside of the edge of the rug.
Skipping a Rug Pad
The decision to forgo a rug pad might seem like a good financial choice in the moment. In fact, skipping a rug pad is a mistake that can cause serious problems in the future, such as rug slippage. This is particularly problematic in high-traffic areas, where it can pose a safety risk. It can also cause the rug to wear down faster because it increases the friction between it and the floor.
Unless your rug has a pad built in or a non-slip backing, you should buy a rug pad as part of your initial investment in the area rug you purchase. This will ensure that your rug stays in place without slipping or bunching. This will also increase the longevity and comfort of your rug and protect your flooring underneath.
Choosing the Rug Material Without Considering the Room’s Function
Selecting the right rug for a room means considering the materials of the rug in view of the purpose of the room. A rug that is not appropriate for the room’s use or traffic can quickly become unusable. A delicate silk rug in a heavily used living room, for example, or a light-colored shag rug in a pet-friendly home, are not ideal choices.
Consider the demands of the space when choosing a rug material. Wool, sisal, and synthetic blends are good choices for high-traffic areas, as are cotton rugs that can be laundered when necessary. Look for features like stain resistance in areas with high traffic or a risk of food spills. Delicate rug materials are best reserved for low-traffic spaces like bedrooms.
Neglecting Rug Maintenance
Neglecting the maintenance of your rug can lead to a dull and worn appearance and ultimately mean that the rug does not last as long as it should. Dust, debris, and stains accumulate in your rug due to the consistent wear and tear of normal life. Unaddressed, these elements can break down the fibers of the rug and erode the color.
Establish a consistent maintenance routine, including vacuuming and rotating the rug to ensure even wear. Be sure to use the appropriate suction for the vacuum according to the material. Also, address spills immediately with rug-safe cleaning products. Test these products in the back or a small corner of the rug to ensure that they do not cause damage to your rug.
Choosing Rugs With Clashing Colors or Patterns
An area rug is one of the most vital foundational aspects of a room design, so clashing patterns or colors can disrupt the harmony of the room, making it feel chaotic and disjointed. Great care must be taken to choose a rug that works with the rest of the elements of the room.
When selecting a rug for an existing room, consider the other colors and patterns in the space. Opt for a rug with subtle tones and colors if the room already has bold colors and patterns. In contrast, a room with a minimalist design may benefit from a more vibrant rug style. If you are designing a room from scratch, choose a rug as one of the first elements and build the room with the style and colors of the rug in mind.
Failing to Define Zones
Not using rugs effectively in a room design to define specific zones is a wasted opportunity to create structure and visual interest. Without clear divisions, such as in open floor plans, a large room can feel overwhelming or disconnected. Area rugs can be used to define specific zones, such as separating a living room and dining room or delineating a reading zone in a living room or bedroom.
To use this strategy, consider the layout of your space and the areas you want to create. Choose a rug that suits the size and purpose of each zone. For example, in a living room, choose an area rug that anchors the seating arrangement. Choose a smaller, perhaps asymmetrical rug to place in a corner to define a cozy reading space.
Blocking Ventilation
Covering floor vents is a common area rug mistake that can compromise the air flow in the room and cause damage to your HVAC system and rug. Blocking vents restricts the circulation of hot and cold air, making your system work harder to maintain the desired temperature. The trapped air can discolor your rug and wear it over time.
Carefully measure your area and consider the placement of the vents before you purchase a rug. Because floor vents are most often located on the perimeter of the room, just buy a rug that fits inside the vents.
Using the Wrong Shape
The wrong-shaped rug can make an interior design feel awkward and out of sync with the room layout. For instance, a round rug in a long, narrow hallway will visually disrupt the flow of the space. To avoid this mistake, consider the shape of the rug in view of the room layout, shape, and furniture.
In dining rooms, the shape of the rug often echoes the shape of the dining table. This repeating pattern brings visually cohesion to the space. For living rooms, choose a rug that fits the configuration of the seating area you want to complement.
Neglecting Layering Opportunities
Layering rugs is an excellent way to add depth, texture, and visual interest to a room design. The key to effectively layering is balance—ensuring that the rugs complement rather than compete with each other. Start by choosing a base layer rug. This rug needs to be large, flat-woven, and likely have neutral coloring. Next, choose a smaller rug in a different material. This rug can have bolder colors and patterns than the base rug if you desire.
Not Choosing the Best Quality Rug You Can
Choosing a low-quality rug option may feel like a cost-saving option, but this choice can lead to frustration as the rug wears out and fades in color. Poor-quality materials, like some synthetic fibers, are prone to more damage from foot traffic, spills, and cleaning, resulting in a rug that looks more worn than higher-quality rug options. Cheaper-quality rugs also lack the warmth, comfort, and elevated style of more expensive rugs.
Rugs made from wool, jute, sisal, and certain synthetic blends are some of the most durable choices in terms of longevity, comfort, and style. Look for rugs with tight construction, high weave density, and heavy backing to ensure you are buying a quality piece. Even if these rugs are more expensive initially, they will last and become family heirlooms if you take care of them. This makes higher-quality rugs a smarter investment in the long run.
