How to Choose Rugs

A blue carpet with mandala designs

A Comprehensive Guide on Choosing Oriental Rugs

Whether you need help in choosing the right merchants, design, or size for your rugs, Rex & Rex Oriental Rugs and Furniture is here to help. We share our expertise with our clients by providing them helpful guides on matters related to choosing rugs.

Things to Remember When Buying a Rug

Find the Right Size

Figure out a size that will be appropriate as listed in the Choosing the Right Size for Your Space section.

Matching the Design

Decide if you like traditional, transitional, or contemporary styles. After this, determine the colors in your room.

Matching the Design

Decide if you like traditional, transitional, or contemporary styles. After this, determine the colors in your room. This can be found in your furniture, fabric, paint, art, and flooring. You can also check your design preferences from different patterns such as floral, abstract, or geometric.

For inspiration, it can be helpful to look at furniture and style magazines and see which photos appeal to you. If you find yourself unable to make these choices, we would suggest contacting an interior designer.

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Do Research 

Before going to a rug store, we suggest that you search for rug merchants in your area first.

Do Research 

Before going to a rug store, we suggest that you search for rug merchants in your area first. At this point, it is helpful to print out images of designs you like and determine your budget range so that you know how much you want to spend.

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Pick a Reliable Merchant

Research the reputation of the merchants you are interested in working with on different websites and see how long they have been in business

Pick a Reliable Merchant

Research the reputation of the merchants you are interested in working with on different websites and see how long they have been in business. Some important questions to ask are: 

  • Do they import or only distribute for other merchants? 
  • Are they only retailers or do they have wholesale operations as well? 

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    Ask for Recommendations from Friends

    It can be advantageous to ask neighbors and friends if they can recommend someone. A recommendation is worth its weight in gold. In our opinion, it is usually best to stay away in buying from liquidation sales or stores that are going out of business.

    Challenges of Online Buying 

    Buying from websites can be difficult as true colors and quality cannot be displayed well in photographs.

    Challenges of Online Buying 

    Buying from websites can be difficult as true colors and quality cannot be displayed well in photographs. There can also be complications in packing and returning when the rug you receive does not fit your requirements. 

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    Rugs Showcasing

    Ask the local merchant you chose to work with if they offer a free in-home showing of rugs if you select pieces.

    Rugs Showcasing

    Ask the local merchant you chose to work with if they offer a free in-home showing of rugs if you select pieces. Most reputable dealers will do so without charge or obligation.

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    Test It on Your Space

    Visit a dealer and show them your fabrics and/or samples of the room finishes.

    Test It on Your Space

    Visit a dealer and show them your fabrics and/or samples of the room finishes. Ask them to assist you in selecting several rugs that coordinate with your colors and styles of choice. Then, ask to see them in your home so you can see them in the light of your own space. 

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    Adjust the Design

    Once in your home, eliminate the ones that do not appeal to you and those with colors that do not work.

    Adjust the Design

    Once in your home, eliminate the ones that do not appeal to you and those with colors that do not work. Select and put aside those that work and eliminate the rest one by one until you reach the look you want. Ultimately, it's your home so it should be up to you to decide what you like best. 

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    Choosing the Right Size for Your Space

    There are different factors to consider to know which rug is best
    for your space

    Know the Room Size

    The rug should look sufficiently sized in the room and not like a postage stamp in a large room or a rug you had to use from another home that crawls up the walls.  

    Consider the Size and Scale of the Furniture

    Your furniture will dictate the minimum rug size needed. For example, under a medium-sized sectional in most homes, a 9x12 should work. However, if your room is 20x22 then you can easily use a 10x14 size and so on. The same goes for a dining room. 

    Room Function

    Living Room

    Most of the time, a 9x12 to 10x14 rug should work just fine in a nice sized living room. For most living rooms, you should place the rug just 6-12 inches under the front legs of the sofa and the love seat.

    Living Room

    Most of the time, a 9x12 to 10x14 rug should work just fine in a nice sized living room.
    For most living rooms, you should place the rug just 6-12 inches under the front legs of the sofa and the love seat. If there are any chairs, place the rug under the front legs of the chairs. 

    Try not to show any hard surface in front of the upholstery (i.e. do not put the rug under the front legs of the sofa). The idea of the rug is to define your space and create a conversation area. 

    There is no hard and fast rule about how much flooring border should be shown around the rug, so it is best to avoid traffic patterns. However, having this pattern will work in very large classic homes with a traditional design where you may want to put the whole room setting completely on the rug. In this case, you may need a larger rug.

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    Dining Room

    Most dining rooms with six chairs will need an 8x10 sized rug. For rooms up to eight chairs, 9x12 is sufficient. Occasionally, when the chairs or the room is large, a six-chair table may need a 9x12 as well.

    Dining Room

    Most dining rooms with six chairs will need an 8x10 sized rug. For rooms up to eight chairs, 9x12 is sufficient. Occasionally, when the chairs or the room is large, a six-chair table may need a 9x12 as well. The idea is that when you pull the chairs back to sit, the chairs do not fall off the rug. 

    If your dining room is much larger, you may need a rug which is one size larger for the table to function. Keep in mind that you should avoid putting the server, buffet, or china on the rug. 

    The rule of thumb is to have two feet on either side of the table to allow your chairs to push back and still be on the rug. If you have large or all arm chairs, it may be preferable to add two and a half feet on either side to the size of the table. This same idea applies to round tables as well. 

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    Bedroom

    Most bedrooms with a queen size bed will take at least an 8x10 sized rug.  As for most king size beds, it will need a 9x12 or 10x14 rug. The idea is that when you get off of the bed, you put your feet on a comfortable rug.

    Bedroom

    Most bedrooms with a queen size bed will take at least an 8x10 sized rug.  As for most king size beds, it will need a 9x12 or 10x14 rug. The idea is that when you get off of the bed, you put your feet on a comfortable rug. We suggest that you place the rug a few inches away from the nightstands and continue past the foot of the bed. Aside from this, avoid putting the headboard of the bed on the rug. 

    Alternatively, you can put smaller scatter sized rugs on either side of the bed, but these are much harder to find and match. In our opinion, it is more luxurious to have a large rug under the bed that flanks it all the way around.

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