Finding the Perfect Rug for Your Interior

by Todd Dewey Jantz

No matter what you’ve been told by anybody who knows anybody in the interior design business, my first piece of advice is to ignore what you’ve been told! Placing a new rug does require following certain design principles if you want it to be an integral part of a beautifully-balanced and well-designed room, but first and foremost you have to love the rug and be taken by it...

So, do you love it? Does it speak to you? Setting décor aside, is the rug something that brings you pleasure in its beauty.  Buying a rug isn’t all that different than a buying piece of fine art. My motto is to always buy what you love and be true to your own interior sensibility as a reflection of you, not a designer.

Do you want the rug to give your room a “wow factor” and be a focal point, have some presence, or simply be a backdrop in the room to other more dominant pieces? This is something to keep in mind, both in the terms of placing your rug now, and working with your interior for many years to come. 

Making it all work

How well does the rug integrate with your current decor? A rug does not have to match your room perfectly. At Madison Millinger, we pride ourselves in helping you achieve a sense of harmony in your space, and creating a balance with your interior fabrics and furnishings. We’ll guide you to find something that you love and that will compliment your current interior pieces. You may have your eye on the vibrant crimson rug for your next home, but we’ll be asking about your current wall colors, upholstery fabrics, and hardwood floor color to balance out what you want with what will work best for you.

Is it a color that will hide traffic? The number one reason we find that someone has been displeased with a rug purchase is that it easily shows soiling. As resilient as wool is, and as easily as it can be cared for, no one want to have to clean something over and over again. If the room is in a high-traffic area, this may be a consideration.

Size is very important. An under-scaled rug in a large space can look odd no matter how beautiful the rug is. If it’s overshadowed in the room, it’s not going to be worth your investment if it can’t be seen to be appreciated. Too big? Yes, a rug can be too big if it’s overly crowded into your room and you’re not showing an ample border around the perimeter of the room. Planning a move? Pick a rug size that you can easily use again in another room, especially if you plan to move into a larger home or redecorate.  An 8x10 or a 9x12 can easily be moved into a bedroom space from its prior location of a living room or a dining room.

We're here to help you

Choosing a new rug for your home may seem like a daunting task at first, but our staff of knowledgable designers can help you through the process. You can also visit our Custom Rug Atelier and Design Resource Library in our showroom and take advantage of the many tools and materials we have on hand to help you choose the best rug for you.

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