A gorgeous area rug has the ability to transform the entire atmosphere and appearance of a room. Whether your motivation to find the perfect area rug for your home is for appearance, function, or comfort, knowing what type of rug would work best for your family and how to care for it can help you get the most out of it. Before you purchase the first area rug that you fall in love with at our Tarpon Springs furniture sale, check out these tips from Matter Brothers Furniture.

What Are the Best Rugs to Use With Pets & Kids?

While you may be tempted to purchase an area rug based on aesthetics alone, there are other factors that are as equally important to consider before you do, such as your budget and lifestyle. For instance, you wouldn’t want to buy an area rug that was difficult to clean or wasn’t durable if you have young children or pets at home. Because of this, it can help to know the difference between the materials that most area rugs are made from.

Types of Area Rugs

Most area rugs are fabricated from natural or synthetic fibers. As their name implies, natural fiber rugs are made from animal or plant-based fibers known for their softness and durability. Common natural fibers for area rugs include:

  • Wool
  • Cotton
  • Sisal
  • Jute

On the other hand, synthetic fiber rugs are made from man-made materials and are well-known for their affordability and customization. Common synthetic fibers for area rugs include:

  • Nylon
  • Olefin
  • Polyester

For homes with children and pets, wool and nylon are rugs that can’t be beaten. Along with being warm, comfortable, and soft, wool and nylon rugs are durable and relatively stain-resistant. While wool rugs tend to be better quality than nylon ones, they can also be most costly and difficult to clean.

Can You Still Use Rugs When You Have Carpet?

Incorporating an area rug into a space that has wall-to-wall carpet may seem wrong, but can certainly look chic when done appropriately. Whether you are trying to cover up dingy carpet, add a pop of color, or breathe new life into a particular space, layering an area rug over carpet is an easy way to transform the look and feel of virtually any room in your home. Just be sure to keep these practical tips in mind before you do:

  • Keep it Simple: Don’t choose a rug with a busy pattern if your carpet is also patterned. A plain carpet is the best option for bold carpeting and vice versa.
  • Embrace Texture: Be sure to select an area rug that complements the texture of your carpet. For example, a fluffy area rug would pair perfectly with a low-pile carpet rather than a plush carpet texture.
  • Choose the Right Color: Just like with the rest of the room, your area rug should not clash with the carpet that it will be resting on.
  • Size Matters: Fight the urge to buy an area rug that sits in the middle of the room, away from your furnishings. Even with carpeting, an area rug should be scaled to the size of the room it will be adorning.

How Can I Keep My Area Rug Looking New for Years to Come?

No matter what your price point or lifestyle may be, you can keep your area rug looking new for years to come with these helpful steps.

  • Vacuum regularly
  • Read the instructions for how to care for your rug before using it
  • Clean up stains right away
  • If the material will allow it, have your rug deep cleaned once a year
  • Rotate them regularly to ensure one side doesn’t experience more wear than the other
  • Invest in quality padding to prevent slipping

Learn More About Getting the Most Out of Your Area Rugs

For more tips on choosing the best area rug for your home and how to keep it looking great for the long haul, the experienced team at our Ft. Myers furniture store is here to help. Give us a call or visit our showroom location today!