One of the least common styles of carpet is round area rugs. Most people are seeking rectangular or square rugs to fit their rooms symmetrically. If a more rounded profile is desired, they’ll often choose an oval over round area rugs, as the oval tends to fit more comfortably into an overall design scheme.

Yet there are some situations where round rugs can offer a dramatic accent to a room’s style, and others where the complete unexpectedness of the shape turns a rather standard looking room into a classic design statement. Obviously, though, round rugs require a bit of thought to fit into an overall decorating scheme. Consider the following uses and special considerations for their use.

Round area rugs as accent pieces

Round rugs can create a beautiful ‘spotlight’ when used to highlight a piece of furniture. Try placing a small rug with an interesting border pattern beneath a round occasional table or chest to set it off on its own. A round rug used in that way should extend several inches beyond the perimeter of the tabletop.

Round area rugs as ‘area definers’

A round rug can be the perfect floor covering beneath a dinette set in a little alcove or corner of the room. Rugs used in this way should have either an all-over pattern or design (a braided round area rug is ideal in a Colonial or rustic country setting this way), or a border pattern. A central medallion would simply be lost beneath a table.

Round area rugs with center designs and medallions

Have you found a simply stunning area rug that fits beautifully with your room decor and colors – but aren’t sure how to fit it into your existing room design? Imagine it as the centerpiece of a small furniture grouping in a larger room, with the center medallion left uncovered as a focus. Picture a smaller round rug as a wall hanging in a room in which its colors are used. Center it over a wood floor, or a solid carpet, using it to anchor the furniture. There are many possibilities if you open your eyes to them.

For a unique look, try a round rug

If you are looking for a unique way to create a focal point for a room, think about placing round or octagonal rugs in the centre of the room.

Round rugs in a square or rectangle room look quite spectacular and with the vast range of colors and patterns available online today you will have no trouble finding a rug to brighten up your décor.

Round area rugs are available to suit your dining room, family room, lounge, kitchen and outdoor areas in fact any room that you decide to dress up. These rugs particularly suit areas under round dining tables, outdoor patio areas and kids rooms.

Area rugs are traditionally manufactured in rectangular shapes, but these conventionally shaped rugs are not always suited to all situations. Round or octagonal rugs are versatile and can be placed in a wide variety of areas.

Round rugs can be handmade or machine manufactured in silk, wool or any other material that rugs are generally made of. The choice of material will depend on where the rug is to be situated and your budget.

Tips and hints for caring for your area rug

Buying a good quality rug for your home is a great investment that will last for many years providing it is looked after correctly. One of the advantages of buying a rug as opposed to wall-to-wall carpet is that you can take the rug with you if and when you move house.

Deciding when to clean your rug will depend if the rug is in a high traffic area of your home. Cleaning your rug yourself is an option but if you have a hand-woven or an expensive rug it would probably be best to leave it in the hands of professionals.

Vacuum your rug as required and ensure that you vacuum under the rug as dust and dirt accumulates underneath. Avoid using the beater bar of the vacuum on the fringes as they can easily be pulled loose.

Use a broom to dislodge the dirt or depending on the size of the rug, simply take the rug outside and shake it well. There are times when no amount of vacuuming appears to revive your rug; then it is time to have the rug professionally cleaned.

Rotate your rug regularly to ensure that there is an even distribution of wear. This is particularly important if the rug is placed in an area where the sun shines onto the rug. Continual sunshine will eventually cause the rug to fade.

The repair of rugs is a recognized trade and it is best to have any damage to your rug repaired by a rug repairer. If you own a hand-woven oriental or Persian rug and notice even just a small hole then it is imperative that you take it in as soon as possible to be repaired.

A rug repairer craftsman will be able to repair almost any type of damage to your rug, including very large holes or breaks. When you have purchased an expensive quality rug, then you will want to make sure it is kept in prime condition.

To prolong the life of your rug, purchase rug pads to cushion your rugs and provide a softer base to walk on. Rug pads also provide a means of preventing the rug from slipping, particularly on hard wood floors.

Just following a few basic steps will keep your rug looking pristine.

Beautify your home with quality rugs including braided, oriental, Persian rugs, bathroom rugs and more

Rugs are a great way of changing the look and feel of a room. For a reasonable price you can change a drab and boring room and make it into something more colorful and interesting.

Rugs come in a huge range of styles, colors and designs so there is no reason for not finding the perfect rug for you. You can purchase braided rugs, oriental and Persian rugs as well as rugs for specific rooms or areas of your home like bathroom rugs, kitchen rugs, outdoor rugs and kids rugs.

Rugs are an expression of your style and as rugs come in so many different designs, from traditional to contemporary; you can choose something subtle or go for the extreme with bold dramatic colors and geometric designs. The choice is yours.

An area rug can be placed in almost any room of the house and is a great way of protecting high traffic areas or your expensive wall-to-wall carpet. Rugs can completely transform rooms especially those with hard wood floors.

If you really want something special then you can purchase a Persian rug. These rugs are hand-made and always look stunning in any home. They have a look and feel that just can’t be beat.
Braided rugs are another beautiful style of rug. Braided rugs are made from fabrics or yarns and are woven together in spectacular designs. Braided rugs are versatile and will suit almost any room of the house including kitchens and bathrooms.

For a contemporary look and feel try a shag rug

Shag area rugs are a look that is definitely in and they look great in any living area. Shag rugs made from wool, polypropylene or leather have a modern look and feel that fits in perfectly in any contemporary home setting. They are also suitable for a log cabin or ski lodge as they have that warm and inviting look and feel.

Wool is one of the more common materials used to create shag carpets. If your budget allows, buy a super plush shag rug, hand made from 100% angora wool or a classic sheep skin rug – both are luxurious and the ultimate in style and elegance!

Shag area rugs are not only available in the traditional woolen and cotton materials but also in nylons, acrylics and leather. Totally in vogue today, shag leather rugs are made from soft leather, which is woven to create a textured look that is very chic. Shag leather rugs are available in beautiful golds, blacks, browns as well as multi-colored shades including blues, reds and purple. Beautiful and soft, these rugs add a touch of style to a contemporary home.

Shag rugs are no longer confined to one or two colors. Although you may prefer to purchase a rug in neutral tones, shag carpets are also available in contemporary styles with bold, geometric patterns and designs to complement any décor.

Once upon a time, our mothers used vinyl rug runners to protect their floors and carpets from dirt and damage. Rug runners are growing in popularity again, but they’re no longer textured, hard vinyl, or simply strips of leftover carpeting cut to fit a narrower room. Instead, designers are creating patterns and motifs that work especially well in narrow, long spaces to make the most of the design possibilities.

A rug runner can help accent a narrow entry hall, bringing colors from two rooms together to create a natural transition from one room to another. In the process, it can help protect your floor surface from damage, provide a natural pathway for people to walk on and serve as an anchor for design details in space that is often left bare and unused. It can warm a stone floor, accent a wooden one and protect your good carpet.
 
Rug runners are narrow strips of carpet or rug that are generally laid down the center of a hallway or narrow room. There’s nothing that confines their use to hallways though. Rug runners make natural dividers in large rooms, for instance.

A rug runner on a bare floor—or in a contrasting color to the basic carpet in a room—can define a path between furniture groupings, or serve as a visual dividing line between a sitting and dining area.

There are many uses other than the traditional ones for rug runners. An outdoor patio rug runner, for instance, can subtly encourage children to stay to a particular path when traveling from pool to garden to patio. A textured outdoor rug runner can also provide a non-slippery surface for walkways and stairs in the patio area.
 
Likewise, a cotton rug runner in a bright color can serve as an area accent in a nursery, either in front of the crib or on the floor by the changing table.

Have a long counter in your kitchen that runs from sink to wall with cabinets between? A rug runner that picks up colors from your kitchen wallpaper and floor can provide a comfortable path along its edge, and keep your feet from getting weary while standing at the sink. There are also rug runners designed specifically for stairways that can help reduce wear in the center of stairs where feet usually land.