Why Area Rugs are the Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Times are bad.  We all know it.  It makes us dissatisfied with everything; our jobs, our homes, our families.  But sometimes all you need is a small change…something different…that won’t break the bank, but will still give you something to smile about when you return from your job…or from looking for one.

When we can’t afford to go out a lot, our home becomes even more important.  It needs to be a place where we can feel content, comfortable and secure.  And what can help us do that better than a quick, inexpensive face-lift for our favorite rooms?

If you are walking into your family room and your eye sees only the stain in the carpet, or that damaged wall, stop right there.  Yes, it would cost too much to repaint the room or replace the carpeting (or whatever else is on your floor). Enter the world of area rugs. 

Area rugs can fix an awful lot of problems.  Place one over that stain and turn that area into a conversation grouping.  If it’s in the center of the room, use a larger one, leaving the older flooring as a border.  If you use the room for more than one use, visually divide it with two area rugs, giving you your office or media area on one side and your family gathering or conversation area on the other.

Area rugs make great wall hangings.  Not only do they cover damaged walls, but they also add warmth, absorb sound, and carry color themes up visually. If you are tired of that taupe sofa on that beige carpeting, why not add an area rug on the floor that brings in some vibrant earthtones, add a few throw pillows to the sofa in coordinating colors, and then add a wall-hung tapestry or area rug to that unsightly wall?

You have changed the whole look of the room, given yourself a new color scheme, and actually bought very little that was  new into your room. Area rugs are perfect in children’s rooms, in front of drippy areas like sinks, showers, and tubs, as hall runners, and for added warmth when you set your feet down on that cold floor when you get out of bed.

Area rugs can be very pricey, depending on what kind you buy.  Hand tufted, imported rugs from the middle east can be very expensive.  Cotton, chenille, and synthetic rugs are much cheaper.  However, there is a huge market for used and discontinued patterns.  Estate sales, flea markets, consignment shops, thrift stores, garage sales, and, of course the web…Craig’s List,  E bay, and countless other online sources all offer amazing prices that you will be able to afford.

So spice up that bedroom, bring new color and life to that family room, and love coming home again.

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