Decorating with Color

Many, if not most, people are afraid to use color in their decorating scheme. It feels safer to stick with neutral colors. But… If you want to be brave with color, rugs are a great place to experiment. Why? Area rugs are not a permanent fixture. Unlike walls, wall-to-wall carpeting or tile, you can move rugs from room to room if you wish. Also, the color pops from underneath and is more subtle than a brightly painted wall. For example, a predominately red area rug is not as dramatic as painting all four walls red. A vibrant rug color can be an excellent complement to your interior paint color scheme.

When making the decision to purchase a rug, check with the company’s return and exchange policy. Many times you can order small size rugs to reduce your risk. Purchase the smallest size available and if you like it, you can then exchange it for a bigger size. Order two or three rugs at time to compare and contrast. Be cautious however. The small, delicate pattern on a 2x3 rug may grow in proportion with an 8x10 area rug. Also, the background colors may appear much stronger on a 9x12 carpet than they were on a 2x3 mat.

Use color to create optical illusions and make rooms seem larger or smaller. If you have a massive room with high ceilings, choose a darker color scheme. This will make the room seem smaller and cozier. Conversely, if you have a very small room, choose light or pastel colors to make the room seem more spacious.

If the rug will be placed in a high traffic area, such as in a hallway, entryway or living room, it is best to use mid to darker tones to hide traffic patterns.