People become very attached to rugs as decor. The primary reason many choose to go with an area rug is because it seems to have the magical power to really pull the patterns and themes in a room together. There are other reasons to choose area rugs, too. They can be both beautiful and functional in almost any space.
Protection for the Carpet
The wall-to-wall carpeting that covers most floors serves several functional purposes. It cushions the floor for walking. It also preserves cool air or heat in a space and ultimately helps save on energy costs. What protects the rug? That is one of the jobs of the area rug.
The jury is always split on keeping inevitable carpet stains from appearing. Some people believe it is unavoidable and plan for their carpeting to only have a certain life span. They clean up spills as they happen, but do not worry too much about the dark circles that can appear from heavy traffic, dust and wear. Others do much to protect their carpeting, especially in areas like dining rooms, where food is likely to spill on the floor. Area rugs catch these spills are are much easier to clean. Some can be tossed in a washer with little effort.
In cases where a permanent stain has already made its mark on the carpeting, an area rug can be an attractive distraction. Tossing the rug over the stain comes off as if you intended to place the rug where it is. Unless a nosey visitor decides to peek under the rug, no one is ever the wiser about the stain.
Easy Updates
There was a time when almost every house in neighborhood changed the in-house decor for every season. There were curtains for every season and bed linens that were switched out every couple of months. This trend does not seem to be as popular, but people still might find themselves in a mood for a change. An area rug is an easy way to make that change without disturbing too much of the existing furniture or layout scheme.
Colors, patterns and sizes for area rugs have become so versatile that just about anything is possible. One artist, David Hanauer, uses patterns from Google Earth, the satellite system that lets users see an overhead view of Earth’s landscape, to make area rugs. The designs in his aerial view creations sometimes resemble Persian rugs. He typical focuses on a Google Earth pattern and repeats it for an effect. Other area rug designers have used celebrity portraits, unlikely color schemes, geometrical shapes and abstract patterns for rug themes. If you can decide on what kind of rug you want, there is very likely an area rug already in existence that suits your tastes. The best place to find these rugs is online in portfolio and decoration idea sites and in magazines that focus on home style.
Sound and Movement Absorption
Most homeowners do not think beyond aesthetics when it comes to choosing an area rug, but these small floor coverings can help absorb sound in a room. We talked with Nourison Industries who said, “Specifically, when they are placed beneath entertainment centers, they can help take the sound of loud flat screen televisions down a notch. This is a peace-keeping method for those who like to watch loud movies but do not want to fight with others in the house in other rooms about the volume.”
Area rugs also help stabilize tall pieces of furniture like china cabinets or a collectibles showcase. On laminate or wooden floors, the contents of cabinets can rattle so much that they come under threat of breaking. Area rugs keep the cabinets from moving so much and protect what is inside.
No matter why you choose an area rug, it is best to approach it as a very affordable accent solution for your space. It may serve many purposes beyond the one that drove you to buy it. When you are tired of it, you can simple go get another. The seasons of your life change, and so will your area rug.
