Article:
Fashion underfoot: area rugs can add color and pattern to a room
By Shelley Anderson
The Journal Newspapers - February 2007
Adding an area rug to your home’s décor will bring an element of color and pattern. Area rugs ground your seating and dining areas. Even though you may already have wall-to-wall carpet, most likely it is a solid color. Consider adding an area rug to define the space where your furniture sits. It does not have to be room sized, just large enough that at least the front legs of your furniture will sit into the rug about 12 to 18 inches. This means that a 5’x8’ can be large enough to bring in just the punch of design you need.
Color and pattern is the next consideration. There are so many choices. Colors do not have to “match,” but they should coordinate or complement your décor. Try using your area rug to introduce a new color for added interest. The pattern you choose also needs to work with what you already have. Scale of the design is important. If you already have a lot of large patterns in your furnishings, draperies or wall coverings, then you should be looking at smaller scaled designs which won’t compete for attention. Conversely, if your furnishings are all solid or small design fabrics, a solid or simply textured area rug will not add the interest you need. Go bold! Whether you are looking for contemporary or traditional designs, your area rug should make a difference in your home.
When shopping for area rugs try to take fabric samples with you fro home, but remember that the light you are shopping in is not the same as in your house. Many retailers will allow you to take rugs home on approval. Always ask if this is a service they provide, or will they take the rug back if you purchase it.
The underlayment for the area rug is the next important decision to make. If you are placing the rug on carpet, there are “rug to rug” products to use which will hold the area rug in place. When placing your rug on a hard surface there are more choices to make. Depending on the weight of your area rug, your underlayment will need to be substantial enough to support it.
Whether you are looking for an inexpensive shot of design or investing in traditional or custom area rugs, the correct size, color and pattern will add fashion underfoot.
Shelley Anderson has been creating interiors in the greater Seattle area since 1990.You may contact her at (206) 719-6814 or email her at
shelley.anderson@shelleyandersoninteriors.com.