What better way to usher in a new season than with a simple but effective room makeover? Rather than spending time and effort moving around or buying furniture, you can just swap the rug to transform the look and feel of your living space. With this easy-to-follow guide, you can find the perfect rug to suit your home.
Rugs not only play a practical role in preventing scratches on the floor and absorbing sound, but they can also powerfully alter your impression of an entire room. So how exactly can a room’s interior design benefit from the addition of rugs?
The word “zoning” is used in urban planning to mean partitioning a city into zones, but it is also used in interior design to mean dividing the space within a room. Rugs can be used to “zone” a room, dividing the space according to purpose, which is an interior-design trick that works especially well in large combined living-dining rooms. Separating the living room from the dining room with a rug or two creates the perception of two different rooms and clarifies the purpose of each.
Rugs also link the furniture to the room itself, harmonizing the space. For example, in a room with a mix of different tastes, the viewer’s eye is drawn to the rug, which harmonizes the various design elements in the room.
When the furniture and the flooring are similar in color, a rug can be used to create a crisper transition between the two surfaces. The rug also effectively frames and highlights the furniture.
Even if the furniture in a room is simple in design, adding a rug can greatly change the atmosphere of the entire room. A jazzy or colorful rug can elevate the appearance of the space, making it more stylish. An elegant, round rug can make the room look more luxurious.
When choosing a rug, the important factors to consider are its size, the type of room where it will be placed, and its material. But to avoid becoming overwhelmed by the process, you should keep in mind four simple techniques when selecting a rug.
If choosing a rug with a variable pattern, make sure its predominant color closely matches the color of the cushions, curtains, and accessories in the room, because this will create visual unity within the room. This basic color-coordination technique enhances interior harmony and visual flow.
When choosing a rug, make sure its color contrasts moderately with the tone of the floor.
For example, if the floor is dark, the entire room could look gloomy and cramped. To make the room appear brighter and more spacious, lay a large white rug on the floor. The dark tone of the floor will be neutralized by the light color of the rug, creating an open, airy atmosphere.
Conversely, for a light-colored floor, choose a light-gray rug or a white patterned rug to create a subtle contrast. Be careful not to use colors that are too powerful, such as pitch black or dark gray, since they can make the rug stand out too much.
Although the suggestions above generally emphasize unity and coordination, it can be a mistake to ignore variation. If everything in the room, including rugs, furniture, accessories, and fixtures, is coordinated in tone and design, the room may end up looking drab and monotonous.
The trick to avoid this is to introduce interesting accent pieces that will keep the room visually appealing. Rugs are perfect for this. For example, picture an understated Scandinavian-style living room brought to life with an exotic-patterned rug, or a classic-style living room accented with a striped or geometric-patterned rug.
Since most contemporary interiors have a linear, boxy design, introducing curved elements in the form of rugs or tables can add richness and variety to the space, creating a softer, chicer look.
When the seasons change, and you need to pack away an off-season rug, take these steps to ensure its proper storage:
The following places are suitable for storing rugs:
For example, store it in a closet with a dehumidifier, or under a bed.
If your home is tight on storage space, you can use a storage service. These handy companies pick up, store, and return items that are temporarily not needed.
If you know how to care for and store your rugs, changing them with the seasons will be a breeze. However, large rugs can be heavy, sometimes weighing twenty to thirty kilograms or more. Don’t underestimate their weight!
Of course, Kurashinity's professional staff can help you not only with many general household chores, such as cleaning and laundry, but also with keeping your rugs freshly hoovered!
Ensuring that your home is one that you can take pride in requires an investment of time. It is only when you are relieved of the burden of constant housekeeping chores that you can do what is needed to ensure that. With Kurashinity, you can leave the daily upkeep to your housekeeper, and spend your precious time choosing a rug or redecorating your room to suit your taste.
Try our trial service for yourself, and experience the convenience and comfort of Kurashinity!
Originally from the United Kingdom, Jessica is a writer and translator now living happily by the sea just south of Tokyo in Kamakura, Japan.
