When you’re looking to buy a Rug it`s always advisable that you have a Rug Buying Guide. How to decide on, which Handmade Rug you should purchase can be a very time consuming task.  QualityHandcraft Rug Buying Guide should easy the pain in “YOUR” search for the perfect Handmade Rug. We are here to help “YOU” through the whole journey. A rug can make or break a room. A good choice brings everything together and says ‘this room is finished’. In a living space, a good rug helps to define zones. It brings warmth to all areas that can look and feel cold underfoot – we’re looking at you, tiles and hardwood. Choosing the right rug for your space can be challenging. We have some advice that can help “YOU” choose the best rug for any space every time that will give your room that Luxury & Delightful feel to you and others.

When you decide which Rug you want to purchase to decorate a room, the list of furnishings you need to complete the space can seem almost endless.

Remember that the rug will be actually the foundation of your room, decor-wise and pretty necessary for life at home, when you consider that rugs help muffle sounds and warm up your floors.

Rugs take up a large portion of the visual space in any room, and therefore are one of the most important design decisions you will make.

In fact, your priority should be to find rugs you love before you buy anything else if you are decorating your room or whole house.

Ideally, the rug is the first thing you would purchase for the space, many artistic & interior designers suggest “This way you can build the rest of the room around the color and shape of the rug.”. QualityHandcraft has the the perfect Rug Buying Guide to help you.

Shopping for rugs seems like it would be an easy task, but finding just the right rug in your go-to style can be trickier than you’d think in part because rugs are so important to a room. Rug & Interior Designers state that a rug can make or break a space. “It’s the base for the room” and that you need to “make sure it’s practical for the space you’re buying it for, design-wise, quality-wise, and material-wise.

So, how do you find just the right rug? It may be tempting to buy the first one you like, but there are a lot of factors to consider before you make that purchase—especially since rugs can get pretty pricey. This buying guide will help you narrow down your options until you find a rug that anchors your space and provides you the function you need.

Read on to learn about “YOUR” Rug Buying Guide – How to decide on a Rug everything you need to know about Rugs.

Rug-Related Terms You Need to Know

First things first: If you’re not super familiar with how rugs are made or what kind of rug you should look for, you’ll want to get to know a few basic terms. These will help you understand the construction of the rugs you’re considering, as well as to get an idea of what they’ll feel like underfoot.

Pile: The raised surface of a textile. Pile height refers to the length of the material that makes up the pile, so the higher the pile is, the thicker and plusher the rug will be.

Yarn: A strand of material comprised of fibers, used in weaving.

Warp: The vertical yarns that make up the base of a woven rug.

Weft: The horizontal yarns that are woven through the warp to make a woven rug.

Backing: A fabric on the back of a rug that helps it keep its structure. Not all rugs have a backing, depending on their weave and construction.

 

Flat-weave: Flat-weave rugs are made on a loom (either by hand or by machine) by weaving the warps through the wefts. Since they’re flat, you don’t have to consider pile height when you’re shopping. According to QualityHandcraft, these rugs don’t have a backing, which also makes them reversible. Flat-weave rugs are durable and easy to clean, making them great for high traffic areas and spaces where you’re concerned about stains.

Hand-Knotted: As QualityHandcraft points out, knotting is the most labor-intensive type of rug construction there is. Knotted rugs are handmade on a loom, where the weaver knots yarn around the wefts, which creates the rug’s fringed pile. The more knots there are per square inch on a rug, the more durable it is. Because of the labor involved, knotted rugs are expensive and best saved for more formal spaces. Go to some of the best Hand-Knotted Rugs in the World – BUY NOW 

Tufted: Tufted rugs are made with loops of yarn that are pulled through the rug’s backing, then sheared. That shearing gives them a soft, fluffy pile—but it also means they can shed more than the other constructions, so they may require more frequent upkeep. These rugs can be made by hand using a special tool, or by machine. Tufted rugs are typically less expensive since they’re a bit easier (and faster) to make, and work in most rooms.

Hooked: Hooked rugs are made using the same process as tufted rugs (both by machine or by hand, as well), but with one main difference: the yarn loops are not sheared. This gives them their signature knobby, embroidered look, according to QualityHandcraft. Like tufted rugs, hooked rugs work well in most rooms and are moderately priced.

Power-loomed: Power-loomed rugs are woven on a loom by a computer-controlled machine which gives them precise designs, according to QualityHandcraft. Like tufted and hooked rugs, power-loomed options are made with threads that are pulled through the rug’s backing. Of all of the constructions, these are generally the most affordable as well as being quite durable, so you’re not limited in placement.

The size of the rug you buy, and how you plan to place it in your space, depends on the type of room as well as the size and shape of the room you’re putting it in and how you want it to work with your furniture arrangement. To help, there are some expert guidelines you can follow based on which room you’re decorating.

“YOU” Maybe asking the question? Hand-knotted or machine-made – which do i choose? Choosing a hand knotted rug in advance has some important advantages, but is also reflected in the budget. Among other things, hand-knotted carpets are usually more robust, have a longer lifespan, are Unique pieces, can represent a very high level of detail in patterns, can have more colors and are mostly made of pure natural materials. Rare pieces can even show an increase in value or value retention after use. From advantages one can already decide for oneself in which direction it should go. Here we have summarized the main differences between hand-knotted and machine-made carpets.

SHOP – NOW for some of the Best Hand-Knotted Rugs in the World

Measuring Rugs

When you buy rugs online, each rug’s measurements are clearly indicated. Some rug designs are available in many different shapes and sizes.

Determine how a rug will look in your room by using masking tape to form a border on the floor. Keep 18″ of floor around the area to indicate the layout and show pathways. If you have a small bedroom, leave 8″ instead of 18″. Always give yourself 2″ of leeway so you don’t choose the wrong size rug. Consider a larger rug size and its borders when measuring for an outdoor rug.

Look at the tape borders and decide what size rug is appropriate for the area. Buy the rug size that is closest to the tape border size. When the rug you want is out of your budget, you can either find a smaller version or compromise on material or weave quality.

Your area rug needs to be close to the size of your sofa and/or seating area. Avoid an unbalanced-looking room with a rug that’s at least 1′ wider than your sofa/seating area on both sides. Follow the seating placement of your existing furniture to determine the setup, instead of putting your rug in the center of your room,

Use a rug that follows the shape of your room to make the area appear larger. You’ll create visual flow, especially if you have large furniture or a sectional not placed against a wall. This Rug Buying Guide will help you how to measure a room properly.

Most Popular Rug Sizes

The most common rug sizes are 3’x5′, 5’x8′, 8’x10′, 9’x12′ and 12’x15′. Let’s look at how different-sized rugs can complement the furniture and decor in each room of your house. We’ll also look at how to measure floors and determine the right size rugs for the set-up in your home. The Rug Buying Guide will help you with your perfect Handmade Rug size.

General Rules for Rug Sizing

Outside of these guidelines, there are some other general rules you’ll want to consider as you’re choosing a size for your rug. First, you’ll want to make sure that you’re mindful of the leftover space around the rug. “Generally, rugs are used over hardwood floors and as such, should allow no less than 12 inches of wood flooring to show beyond the carpet perimeter,” advised by QualityHandcraft.

Along with leaving some space between the walls and the rug, rug designers and ceramicist note that you should consider the space between the furniture and the rug, too. “For most rooms I would suggest adding about two feet on each side outside of furniture placement, so there is space around the furniture to sit on the rug.”

And at the end of the day, it’s really all about what you like! “There is no right or wrong—it’s all a matter of taste and look and what feels right for the room. Rugs can be used in so many ways to highlight, elevate, and connect different aspects of a room. They play a pivotal role in defining the aesthetic and feel. They can be a statement piece, or a quiet companion, subtly pulling a room together.”

 

Rug size	Good for…
80 x 150cm or 2’7’’ x 4’11’’	Slightly bigger than a standard coffee table, this is a great choice for compact spaces.
120 x 170cm or 3’11” x 5’7’’	Approximately the same length as a two-seater sofa, this works well in smaller living rooms, or as a coffee table rug in a mid-sized lounge.
160 x 230cm or 5’3’’ x 7’7’’	This mid-sized rug fits nicely underneath a rectangular six-person dining table.
200 x 300cm or 6’7’’ x 9’10’’	A good choice for larger living rooms, this size works well underneath a floating (not positioned against a wall) three-seater sofa. It’s also the ideal size for underneath a standard double bed.
240 x 340cm or 7’10’’ x 11’2’’	This size makes a brilliant area rug for spacious living rooms, or underneath a king or super king size bed.
280 x 360cm or 9’2’’ x 11’10’’	This long, wide rectangular shape works well with large corner sofas, or as an area rug in big living rooms with two or three floating sofas.

What are Standard Rug Sizes?

Regardless of where you buy area rugs, the standard sizes are usually the same. Small rugs are usually less than 5′, medium rugs measure between 5’1″-8’6″, and large rugs are between 8’7″-12′.

If you need to cover a large area, like a basement or open living room, choose an extra large rug that measures more than 12′.  Runners are long, narrow rugs used in hallways, entryways, kitchens or spaces where there’s lots of foot traffic.

The most common rug sizes are 3’x5′, 5’x8‘, 8’x10′, 9’x12′ and 12’x15′.

Let’s look at how different-sized rugs can complement the furniture and decor in each room of your house. We’ll also look at how to measure floors and determine the right size rugs for the set-up in your home. This Rug Buying Guide will show you below types of suggested sizes for your rooms within your home – but please remember this is only a guide.

 

Large Rugs

Large rugs usually measure 8’x10′, 9’x12′, or more. These large rugs help define the style of the room. In an open space, large rugs can also define an area. The rugs help set a specific room design and cordons off the space for a specific use.

 

Medium Rugs

Medium rugs-sized 5’x8′ and 6’x9′ let you work out multiple designs in a given area. You may not find them in most dining rooms, but they are common in apartments. These “in-between” rugs can help configure a table towards a window or wall. By pushing the dining area to the window, you’ll maximize natural light and save on electricity during the day. You can also use them near doors and entranceways.

 

Small Rugs

Rugs measuring 4’x6′ and smaller will look great in bathrooms or near the kitchen sink. You can use them on patios, by your front or back door, or in a bedroom with bare hardwood floors.

Choose the right size and shape for your room to define the area and bring out your personality (or the room’s design scheme.)

 

Bedroom

In the bedroom the sizing actually depends on the size of your bed. Per his advice, these are the ideal sizes you’d want to aim for:

Full: A 5′ x 8′ rug should suffice.

Queen: Go for an 8′ x 10′ rug.

King: A 9′ x 12′ rug is your best bet.

As far as placement goes, the most preferred way is to place the rug partially under the bed, laying the rug perpendicular to the bed and pulling it under, stopping a bit before your nightstands. This makes the rug sit around halfway under the bed, with the bed centered on top. “This maximizes the amount of useable rug space, and gives you a soft surface to step onto when getting out of bed. If your room is particularly small, try placing the rug in the middle of the room or at the foot of the bed. We also suggest adding two runners on either side of the bed, for instances when you don’t want to place a full area rug under the bed.

You have several options for rug placement in a bedroom. Make sure the longer side of the rug is parallel with the headboard. The bed’s front legs should be on top of the rug, and you should be able to see the floor on all sides. The foot of the bed must appear halfway across the rug for a balanced look.

Another option is to put all bedroom furniture on top of the rug. You can also place an 8’x10′ rug so that only the nightstands and head of the bed are on the bare floor. There should be 20″ of bare space on both sides of the bed. Rug Buying Guide will only show you standard bed sizes – we always advise measure your bed sizes as they may vary depending on location around the world.

Dining Room

Placement in a dining room is fairly straightforward—you want the rug to be big enough to fit the whole table centered on top of it, as well as plenty of space around the edges for the chairs to sit, even when pulled out. In order to choose the best rug size for your dining room, you’ll want to measure based on the size of your dining furniture, and of course, the size of the room.

Find a round or rectangular rug that can hold all the legs of your dining room chairs. All the chair legs should rest on the rug, even when they are pulled out from beneath the table. An 8’x10′ rug is the most common size, but you can use a larger one.

Living Room

The Do’s And Don’ts Of Choosing Living Room Rugs

A rug can make or break a room. A good choice brings everything together and says ‘this room is finished’. In a living space, a good rug helps to define zones. It brings warmth to any areas that can look and feel cold underfoot – we’re looking at you, tiles and hardwood. Choosing the right rug for your space can be challenging. We have some advice that can help you choose the best Handmade Rug for any space every time and give your room a Cozy, Luxury & Delightful appearance & feel. The Rug Buying Guide below gives you further advice on selecting the right Handmade Rug for your Living Room.

1. It’s All in the Timing

Do choose your rug first – or last. If you want to make a real statement with a rug to steal the show, start with your rug and then build the room around it. However, if you have already furniture that you love, your rug can be a supporting element in the larger space and it can be chosen so it works with the palette you already have in place.

2. Sing a Rainbow

Do embrace colour and trends. After all, replacing a rug is a great opportunity to freshen up your living space and give it a completely new feel, so don’t be afraid to try some of the new hot colours for 2018 such as earthy red and pink shades, which play well with mustard, tan, navy and teal. Warm, earthy tones from the brown family will also be big. Think cognac, almond and beige here. If would like to introduce a real pop of colour, consider soft mauve, faded indigo or peachy terracotta.

3. What Lies Beneath

DO consider your flooring. It is the base your rug will be placed on and some colours just work well together. Warmer toned timbers work much better with warmer rug shades, whereas modern, light timbers look great with grey, navy and white rugs.

4. Love Thy Neighbour

Do consider your neighbours. If you live in an apartment complex, rugs can be a great sound insulator, particularly for busy areas like a living room. A strategically placed rug will absorb sound and stop your neighbours hearing every move you make and will soak up some of their noise too.

5. Size Matters

Don’t choose a rug that is too small for the space. In all areas, a bigger rug can be the difference between pulling your space together – or not. Go bigger every time; it will be worth any extra expense. Let the room orientation be your guide when deciding which way to have the rug running. In a long room, it is best to place a rug lengthways. Using painters tape to mark where your rug will help to visualise the final look and is a pro tip that ensures the rug is in the right spot from every angle.

In the living room QualityHandcraft suggests several options that depend on the size of the space you’re in:

Large rooms: Frame the whole space with a large rug that can fit all of your furniture on top with room along the outside to walk around the furniture comfortably on the rug.

Large living rooms or dens need rugs that measure between 8′ and 10′. It’s fine to place the front legs of your sofa or other furniture on top of the rug. You can also put the sofa or other pieces on top of the entire rug, with all four furniture legs resting on the rug. Create a border for the space by leaving 18″-24″ on all four sides.

Do you have furniture “floating” in the middle of your room?  If so, use a rug that’s 9’x12′ or larger. Put all the “floating furniture” on the rug, and make sure the pieces are evenly spaced.  Sofa, chairs, tables or other furniture should sit completely on the rug. Leave between 12″ and 18″ of floor space free on all four sides.

Mid-sized rooms: For mid-sized rooms, get a larger rug and then place your large furniture around it (like the sofa) so that the front legs are on top of the rug and the sides of the rug extend beyond the sofa.

Small rooms: In a smaller room, if you don’t want a big rug, you can float a smaller rug in front of the sofa and under the coffee table to anchor your space.

If you’re unsure which route you want to go, choose a larger rug. “A larger rug can really pull a room together, grounding the furniture and making the space feel bigger.”Use a 5’x8′ to 6’x9′ rug for small living rooms. Place the rug in front of your sofa, with the fabric resting two or three inches in front of the furniture. You can also place your armchairs and sofa so the front legs are on the rug. When you place an area rug under a coffee table, make sure the rug is large enough to hold all the table legs.

How to Buy Vintage & Antique Rugs

If you’re considering buying a Vintage or Antique rug, the first thing you should keep in mind is what actually constitutes a rug (or any item!) being either one. A piece must be at least 100 years old to qualify as antique. Vintage pieces, on the other hand, are generally between 20 and 99 years old. This This Rug Buying Guide is here to help you on “YOUR” Journey to purchasing a Vintage or Antique Handmade Rug with History & a Great Story. 

It should go without saying, but because of their age, don’t go into shopping for a vintage or antique rug expecting it to look brand new—imperfections from over the years are what give a rug the character you’re probably looking for, anyway. “Don’t let the age and distress of a vintage rug scare you, as long as it is minor and consistent throughout the rug we say at QualityHandcraft. “It can add character and tells a story.” However, she also adds that there are some imperfections you should avoid. We would caution against purchasing vintage rugs with major defects such as bad repairs, large stains and frayed edges, as these take away from the beauty and value of the rug and are costly to repair.”

If you’ve never purchased a vintage rug before, QualityHandcraft has some tips. Alongside keeping in mind that imperfections are part of the deal, she notes that it’s helpful to focus on a specific style, construction, or time period when you’re shopping. You should also be sure to do your homework. “Research the design and construction characteristics of the rug so you are knowledgeable about it,” she says. That, and work with a dealer you trust—or at least, make sure you see the rug in person.

When you do check out a rug you’re considering, QualityHandcraft notes what to look for. First and foremost, you should ask the dealer about the rug and any repairs that it may have had, noting that it’s important to have an idea of the work that has been done on a rug before you buy, especially if you’re purchasing it as an investment. Then, take stock of the rug yourself. “That means looking at the carpet front and back, making sure to check the sides and the ends, and looking at both sides to see if there are any areas with mismatched yarns—especially in the foundation where it may not be as obvious that a spot has been patched.”

If you do notice any issues (think: spots that are coming apart, or unraveling around the edges) on a rug you have your heart set on, Qualityhandcraft says that you should inquire about getting it repaired before you make the purchase. “It’s worth asking if the QualityHandcraft can have that repaired or reinforced before you purchase it so aren’t dealing with having to undertake that yourself in a few months or years.”

At the end of the day, QualityHandcraft says the most important thing is that you buy what you like and as QualityHandcraft point out, when you’re decorating with vintage rugs, you can have fun with it. “Vintage rugs serve a purely decorative function,” & “There are no rules here. They can define a space, they can overlap each other, they can be thread bear or over-dyed.” The only thing that matters when you’re buying vintage is that it tells a story. We at QualityHandcraft say that “A good vintage piece will convey a sense of curiosity, history and value,”. This Rug Buying Guide is here to help you select a Vintage or Antique Handmade Rug with History & a Great Story

Should You Buy a Custom Rug?

Buying a custom rug means you can tailor it to your space so that it fits perfectly and has the look you’re going for. QualityHandcraft says that it prefers custom-sized rugs in every room since they are such a large and important part of any space. “If you’re able to have equal margins it makes a room feel much more considered and bespoke.” This Rug Buying Guide is here to help you select a Custom Handmade Rug.

On the budget side, however, it’s no secret that a custom rug will also cost you more than buying one off-the-rack, which is why you should consider going custom an investment—and one that’s probably not best-suited to an apartment you’re only going to stay in for a year or two.

“If you plan on staying in your home for at least five years, invest in a custom rug,” QualityHandcraft advises. “Once you move you can always take the rug with you—rugs can be cut to size in order to fit a new space.” This way, QualityHandcraft says, you’re able to get exactly what you want in size, color, and shape.

That said, QualityHandcraft also notes that you should get to know the companies you’re thinking about buying a custom rug from before you commit. “It’s good to know the company’s creative abilities, so you understand the custom capabilities. “Sometimes custom options are only available in size and color, and not in the overall design.”

QualityHandcraft does have a trick for going custom on a budget, though. “If a custom rug isn’t in your price range, a simple trick is to buy a solid rug that is larger than the room, and then have an installer cut it down or around features like fireplace hearths on site.” QualityHandcraft also notes that having an installer fit the rug on-site is an option, but reiterates that you have to be okay with cutting the rug and making those alterations. If so, the end result will be a rug that fits your space perfectly without buying an entirely customized rug.

 

Don’t Forget a Rug Pad

No matter what rug you buy or where you place it, a rug pad is key. “Most rugs would benefit from a pad, as it keeps the rug in place. “A pad also extends the life of a rug by preventing the fibers from being crushed, as it acts as a buffer between the rug and the surface under it.” Go with a rug pad that’s either felted or made from thick rubber (skip the cheap webbed kind), so it stays secure to the floor for safety and feels extra comfortable underfoot. Please remember at QualityHand we offer a Rug Buying Guide but the final decision will always be “YOURS”.