Rugs can really make a room, don’t you think? They’re a great opportunity to bring pattern, color, and even texture to a space.
Imagine our dining room without the zebra rug – not nearly as interesting, is it?
But knowing that you need a rug is just half the battle – then you have to figure out where to buy one, how big it should be, and what style you like! {And all while staying on budget, of course.}
Ali wrote in the other day because she’s facing just this very issue. Here’s what she said:
Hi Liz! I don’t know if you like to hear from your friends/readers on suggested topics, but I’ve got one! The house we just moved into has wood floors in every room. We’re definitely interested in buying rugs – for starters, for the back (casual) living room and the front (formal) living room. Got any tips? Where to buy? Thanks!! ~ Ali
Congrats on the new house, Ali! Adding a few rugs will do wonders in terms of making the house feel cozy and homey, especially with all those wood floors.
Here are some things I’ve learned along the way:
1. You don’t have to spend a ton of money. As you have probably already discovered, you could spend your life savings on just one rug. Here are my words of wisdom – don’t do it! {Or at least, don’t do it if you don’t want to.} If you’re willing to do a little research, you can find affordable, quality rugs that you will be thrilled with.
2. Think about what you need. Before you start scoping out rugs, think about what you’re looking for in a rug – that way you won’t waste money paying for features that you don’t want or need. Are you wanting an heirloom that you’ll pass down to your kids? If so, a fancy, hand-made persian rug made of silk may be for you. But for most of us, hand-tufted wool rugs are almost always a great bet since they wear really well and look great. The most affordable rugs are made of cotton and nylon, but they won’t last as long as the other options. {Here’s some info about the different ways rugs are made.}
3. Places to buy:
~ Online Retailers: Overstock and CSN Rugs have a ridiculous selection of rugs. {Here’s a whole post I wrote about the rad rugs offered by CSN and a few other online stores.} You can find anything from fancy wool rugs to casual rugs to anything in between. I also really like the rugs from Dash & Albert – their cotton striped rugs are great in casual spaces, kitchens or as runners, and they also offer some pricier wool rugs. I’ve also heard great things about JC Penney’s rugs, and just last week my sister-in-law bought a great rug from Ikea.
~ Big Name Outlets: Personally, I am in love with the Pottery Barn Outlet in San Marcos, TX {that’s the closest one to me, although I know they have them elsewhere.} Who doesn’t love getting a gorgeous rug for half the original retail price? I scored my zebra rug at the PB Outlet, and I’ve also been really pleased with the Crate & Barrel Outlet.
~ Ebay: You can find rugs from Pottery Barn and other retailers for sale on Ebay, still in their original packaging. The PB Moorish Tile rug in our den was an Ebay purchase, and we’ve been thrilled with it.
~ Home Improvement Stores: This may sound crazy, but have you ever thought about buying regular by-the-yard carpet from Home Depot and having it bound? That’s a great way to get an affordable rug, with the added bonus that you can have the rug made in any shape or size you might need. I would go with a freize carpet because it will look more like a ready-made rug than some of the other options.
{We bought this ready-made freize rug from Home Depot, but you could achieve the same look by having carpet bound. And if you have a large carpet remnant, you might want to try this.}
4. Go bigger than you think. One mistake I’ve definitely made is buying rugs that are too small. {For example, while I love the rug in our den we should have gotten a size larger.} And they look kinda funny. Here’s what the peeps at Pottery Barn have to say about rug sizes:
So that’s my two cents on the whole rug issue. :) What tips do you guys have for Ali? Suggestions on where to buy a fab rug?
