How to Buy Rugs and Get your Money's Worth

There are many things to consider when you are planning to buy a new area rug for your home. Of course, the first thing that needs to be decided is where you are planning to put it. Are you planning to use it on the floor in a high-traffic area? Not directly in a traffic area? Or perhaps hang it on the wall as a decorative tapestry? The location of the area rug to be purchased will influence many other factors that need to be considered, thus it is essentially the first decision that needs to be made.

After determining where your new rug will go, you must consider your budget. If you are on a modest budget, then perhaps outlets or large rug retailers are best for you to go shopping in. If your budget is a bit larger, then you can visit specialty shops or galleries to find that special weaving.

Of course, you should have some idea about the size of the rug you want when you head out to buy one. If you have decided to buy a pre-cut rug for the space you wish to accent, then your options are much more open than if you have decided to have a custom-cut rug made specifically for the size you desire. That’s why it’s essential that you figure out exactly what size your new area rug will be.

Next, you’ll want to determine the color palette you wish to use in the area rug. If you can decide on a color palette and you have some idea about the patterns you’re interested in, before you hit the shops, you’ll make the shopping part go much faster and smoother. It’s also important to know what types of colors you wish to bring out in the space. Pastel colors will have a different, more subtle effect. Bold colors on the other hand will make your rug stand out more and can do well in places that are otherwise under-decorated.

Suggested Rug Shopping Places

Considering where the rug was made and the density of knots you desire can also help you focus your search for an area rug. If you know you want a Persian rug you will only need to frequent the stores that carry Persian rugs and then you can judge the quality of the rug by its knot-count. Generally, the more knots, the better the quality. Different parts of the world construct rugs in different ways. Some parts of the world create traditionally more durable rugs while other parts spend more time on a rug’s decorative features. Once a little bit of rug history, you’ll be better prepared to choose a quality rug.

If you are seeking an original piece or an antique rug, you will want to see what the retailer has to offer in the way of guaranteeing its authenticity. Often times, a certificate of authenticity is presented at the time of sale but it is important before purchasing such a rug to determine how the retailer handles his or her guarantee of authenticity.

And of course, whenever purchasing an area rug, just as you would when making any sizable purchase, you need to be clear on the return policy and length of warranty, if any, is applicable to the rug you have chosen. What happens if you get it home and the colors don't blend as well as you had hoped, or you get it home and discover a flaw in the weaving? Are you able to return the area rug or are all purchases final? Is there a warranty that goes along with the area rug, and if so, do you return to the retailer if there is a problem or have to contact the manufacturer directly? Knowing all of the policies of the retailer you are choosing to work with is essential to making sure that your satisfaction is protected once the purchase is complete.

So when searching for an area rug for your home, consider all of these components before you set out to find that perfect rug for the designated space in your home. Don't run out without the answers to these elemental concerns and jump into something you may regret later simply because you did not take the time to think things through before you began!