Adding a rug to your living room can change the entire look and feel of the space. A beautiful rug can be the centrepiece of the room, from which you can draw inspiration – think colour, texture and pattern. But there are some important considerations to think about before you choose a rug, like material, construction, size and placement.
How much traffic does your living room get? This will affect your choice of materials, construction and pile height (thickness). Which will work best for you and your lifestyle? In a living room, a flatweave or low tufted rug generally works well. A thick shag rug will feel great underfoot, but if your family eats in this room, it may become a bit of a crumb catcher! Sisal and jute rugs are hard-wearing, but aren’t such a good choice for crawling toddlers and can be difficult to clean if you spill something or your pet has an accident.
Rugs come in a wide selection of materials from wool and nylon to jute and sisal. When choosing the right material for your living room rug, you need to think about things like durability, feel under foot and stain resistance.
Wool
Soft, long-lasting and resilient, wool is a premium choice that naturally repels stains and can be cleaned easily. Wool is a great option for almost any room – especially the living room. But remember, it will shed for the first three to six months, especially if it’s a thick shag rug. But with regular vacuuming, shedding will decrease over time.
Nylon
Durable, affordable and shed-resistant, nylon is great for hard-wearing areas. So if your living room is where all the action happens in your family, a nylon rug could be the right choice for you.
Jute and sisal
These natural plant fibres are great for high-traffic areas, but they can be harder to remove stains from. With their neutral palette and rough texture, they provide a stylish base for any living room. If you’re concerned about the roughness, look for a blend of jute with wool or cotton – this will make it softer underfoot.
When you’re looking for the perfect living room rug, you should also consider the way it is made and the depth of the pile, as this can impact on the look, feel and durability of the rug.
Hand-knotted
Hand-knotted rugs are usually crafted by artisans who hand-knot each piece of yarn on a loom. This is how traditional Persian and Oriental rugs are made. This process is more labour-intensive, but the result is a rug that is both beautiful and durable. However, hand-knotted rugs can be more expensive because of the time they take to create.
Shagpile
Shagpile rugs have a deep, thick pile that feels fantastic under bare feet, and give a luxe look to any room. With wool shags, you can expect some shedding over the first few months, but it will all be worth it in the end!
Tufted
Tufted rugs can be looped, or the loops can be cut to create a plush, thick pile. A durable choice for the living room, these rugs can be tufted by hand using a tufting gun to punch the yarn through a canvas grid, and then a coating is added to the back for stability.
Flatweave
Flatweave rugs such as dhurries and kilims are usually made of heavy cotton, so they are usually very durable. This makes them a smart choice for living rooms and high-traffic areas. A rug pad is especially useful with a flatweave rug, to help it stay in place and add a little more cushioning.
It’s very important to make sure your rug is the right size for your living room. Too small or too big simply won’t work. Leave at least a 3 centimetre border between the rug and the walls of your room. When it comes to seating, have at least the front feet of the main pieces of furniture (like sofas or armchairs) on the rug. This makes the room look more cohesive, and brings everything together nicely.
Handy tip: It might seem like an unnecessary expense, but using a rug pad under your rug pays for itself by extending the life of your rug. It adds a layer of cushioning, and keeping your rug in place so it doesn’t curl, move or create a tripping hazard.
At Hallmark Homes, we know that creating a cohesive look for your new home is vital, as it can add enormous value to your greatest asset. Our expert Selection Centre Consultants will personally guide you through all your colour selections, ensuring that everything you choose works together seamlessly, both inside and out. They will also help you with all of your choices when it comes to appliances, finishes, fixtures, plus much more. Our Selection Centre, Select by Hallmark, is exclusive to Hallmark Homes’ clients, and entry is by appointment only.
So if you’re thinking of building a new home, the friendly team at Hallmark Homes is ready to help. With over 35 years experience, we’re proud to be the builder of choice for thousands of people who call South-East Queensland home.
With display centres located in prime locations throughout South East Queensland, you’re sure to find a home you’ll love that suits your budget. Come and check out one of our display centres for yourself. If you have any questions about our home designs or house and land packages, please contact us today.
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