How To Buy An Area Rug

Many people ask how to buy an area rug, when they want a quick way to dress up their home.  An area rug can help protect carpeting, add color to a room, or help to define a space.  Learning how to buy an area rug is more involved than you may think.

How to buy an area rug:

1. Measure your space.  Before you head to the store to buy a new rug, you'll want to measure the space where you'll be placing it.  The first step in learning how to buy an area rug, is learning how to get an accurate measurement.  Use a tape measurer to measure the width of the room, or the area under your dining room table, if you plan on placing the rug there.  Write down your measurements, and take your tape measurer with you in case the area rugs are not properly marked at the store.
2. Choosing a size. With your measurements in hand, the next step in learning how to buy an area rug is choosing a size.  If your area rug will be placed in a family or living room, you'll want to do one of two things.  Either use the rug as an accent, or use it your actual floor covering.  The larger the rug, the higher the price will be.  If you decide to purchase a large area rug that will serve as the actual floor covering, remember to leave approximately one - two feet of free space between the area rug and the walls.  This will serve to border the area rug and make it more visually appealing.
3. Choosing a pattern.  The pattern and color you choose will be a key decision in learning how to buy an area rug.  If you have children or pets, keep in mind that you'll want to select a pattern that will help conceal spills, accidents, or tracked in mud.  Solid-colored area rugs area not recommended, as they will show any damage that occurs to the rug.

Once you've learned the basics of how to buy an area rug, you're ready to go shopping!  To keep costs down, shop at furniture clearance centers, which often sell rugs that were used in their displays at a discounted price.