Decorating principles hold that an area rug can pull a whole room together. However, said rug can also be a discordant piece, one that makes the décor look slightly off. Color, pattern, size, and placement all play a big role in how well an area rug will work within your décor. Below is some advice to help you get started decorating with an area rug. Adhere to a Color Palette
Adhere to a Color Palette
One of the best pieces of advice to apply to all your decorating projects is to adhere to a cohesive color palette. You have different ways to choose a color palette. One is to start with the largest pattern, such as from your area rug or draperies, and pull colors out from there. Another is to choose the scheme according to the color wheel and use textiles within that palette.
Concerning the first approach, you've probably chosen a rug or set of drapes partially because it features a pleasing palette. Choose two or three colors, and adhere to the 60-30-10 rule. This design principle states that you should use the main color in 60% of your décor. The main accent color should make up 30% of your decorating with the secondary color making up 10%.
You might subscribe to color theory, which allows you to create a mood with your palette. To that end, look for patterns in all textiles, including the rug, that predominantly feature your chosen colors. You'll probably want a solid color in at least one of your large textile items. You can still apply the 60-30-10 rule.
Try a Statement Rug
One décor principle designers like to apply is the creation of focal points in a room. A décor focal point gives the room a pleasing sense of drama. Your area rug could become this centerpiece if you choose a rug that makes a statement.
A statement rug will be bold in some way. It can be an unusual shape, such a faux animal skin, or it can feature a striking texture, pattern, or color combination. For example, you might see a rug with a standard design but in bright colors.
You can have other textures and colors in the rest of your décor, but you'll want to show some restraint. For instance, you might choose muted colors similar to those in the rug. If your curtains feature patterning, set up the rug at a distance so they don't clash. Finally, the statement rug should be the most noteworthy piece in the room — don't try to layer on other statement pieces.
Position the Furniture Correctly
One of the ways a rug creates a sense of harmony is by complementing the area. You have to decide what kind of space you have and what you want to complement. For instance, if you have a small room, you might want it to look more spacious. Conversely, you may want to emphasize the area of a larger room.
Choosing how you want to complement the room has implications for the size of the rug and how you arrange the furniture on it. If you have a smaller room, you want a rug that will leave some border all the way around. When you arrange the furniture, follow the conventional rule of placing each piece with the front legs on and the back legs off.
With a larger room, you can pull the space together with a larger rug. When it comes to furniture placement, you could arrange the pieces so all the legs are on the rug. However, you may want to experiment a little. Depending on the visual weight of your furniture and rug, your room may look more cohesive with some of the furniture legs off.
Adhere to some design principles so your new area rug gives your room a cohesive feel. Let D. Schultz Interiors, Inc. provide all your area rug needs.