5 TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A RUG

Whenever I shake a rug out on the driveway, I think of Mrs. Ingalls beating her rugs with a broom on the prairie. We can thank the Hoover family for carpet sweepers- the precursor to vacuums.

Years ago, after my first real estate closing, I treated myself to a vacuum that promised to pick up  Bernese Mountain dog hair. We are on our second or third Dyson. Here are a few tips I wish I considered when choosing a rug.

We have hardwood floors on our main level and vinyl flooring on the lower level. With two Bernese mountain dogs ourrugs took a few direct hits with accidents and rawhide bones. When Chloe ran over the Rainbow Bridge last year, it was time to assess the rug situation for the main and lower levels.

My motivation was simple; I wanted to step up my rug game. I had a few wins and too many cringes with other rugs. Here are a few tips on how to choose a rug.

TIPS ON HOW TO CHOOSE A RUG

For some of the tips, you may think, “duh, Laura.” Hopefully, a few of these tips will help you when buying a rug.

1. LIFESTYLE

Are you an outdoor enthusiast wearing the same shoes to run to the grocery store and a few miles on a dirt road? Or do you sometimes leave the house with your slippers on your feet?

My husband wears his shoes inside, and it drives me nuts. He will fall asleep on the couch with his work shoes. Those shoes have kissed the flooring at UPS, Home Depot, and the dog park.

2. PETS

If you follow me on Instagram you know that Elliott has a favorite rug. It’s also a wool rug that probably holds more dirt and dog hair than I care to imagine.

We are a big dog, full-on fur Berners type of family. Our marriage vows should include dog hair and muddy paws.

3. MATERIAL

Wool

I love wool rugs,  but they take work to clean. Elliott loves a wool rug which impacts the wool rug’s lifespan. Here is a great article on how to clean wool rugs.

Cotton

Cotton rugs are easier to wash and dry but never flatten once you wash them. Do you have any tips on how to lay cotton rugs flat?

These can fix this annoying slip. 

Fringe

How do you feel about fringe?

For our family, which always includes Bernese Mountain dogs, the fringe is a fancy word for dust catchers. They are magnets for kibble, dust, puzzle pieces and popcorn kernels.

Here is one of my favorite affordable rugs.  I have this rug in my home office and love it.

It has held up very well with my chair, dogs and my constant quest to find the perfect office layout.The study doesn’t get the wear and tear that other rooms get during the week so I was okay with the lighter colors.

4. CARPET PADS

I never thought we needed a carpet pad until a friend said the flooring beneath the rug will thank you later.

Carpet pads are like undergarments for rugs. They give a little extra padding where you need it and smooth out the lumps and bumps when the rug shifts.

I shared this post on how to remove the rug pad residue if you have a latex rug pad under your rug.

I have ordered two felt and recycled felt rug pads from USA Rugs on Amazon. They make a huge difference under the feet. They are helpful if your subfloor is hardwood or cement (in the basement).

5. HIGH-LOW TRAFFIC

Some rooms get more traffic than others. I found this round rug for under the kitchen table.  I love it. It is durable. Elliott loves to lay on this rug and stare at his dog food bowl.

I am eyeing this wool rug for the lower level with vinyl flooring.

 FOR YOUR RUG CONSIDERATIONS: 

1. Height of carpet pile
2. Wool, like long-haired dogs, is harder on a vacuum.
3. Make sure the door swing works with the carpet height
4. . Older homes with warped doors may struggle a bit if the plush is too high.

For additional tips check out these suggestions at Home Depot.

Thanks for stopping by today. I would love for you to follow me on Pinterest. Or pin this post for other rug enthusiasts to find! You can also find me on Hometalk! 

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