The quest to live in your dream house is a long and tedious one, and it involves you being super hands-on with it. But because we’re all human, we are bound to make mistakes a few times along the way. And we get it--sometimes things just feel perfectly right that we go full throttle and forget to consider things that actually matter.

This especially rings true when we shop for area rugs. Sure, it does feel nice to have a rug to walk or sink our feet on, but that does not mean you could get away with buying anything you want. You should first think about what truly works for your home. So unless you want your house to look and feel underwhelming, take note of these common mistakes you might commit!

Mistake #1: Choosing the wrong rug size

This is the most common area rug no-no. Before buying a rug, consider measuring the whole room first. Next, measure the length and width of your furniture and think about how you want them to fit within the rug. A rug that is either too small or too big is going to make everything go off at a tangent. Worse, it might raise some eyebrows!

In the seating area, for instance, the popular approach to this is to have the front legs of your chairs get into the rug while the back legs stay outside its parameters. Another approach is to buy a rug that covers the entire area so everything fits in. Just be careful not to damage your floor or your rug every time you push back your chair.

How to fix it

If your rug is already in place, perhaps the easiest way to solve this problem is to simply adjust your furniture depending on the size of the rug. You can always try the above-mentioned approaches for any of your rooms.

Mistake #2: Pairing the wrong rug material with your room

Do not let the rug’s material fool you! Just because it’s soft, budget-friendly, and made of natural fibers doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your room. Some rugs tend to last longer when placed in the right room, which usually means you are going to save more in the long run.

Outdoors, polypropylene and polyester are the most ideal rugs. They are resistant to water, so you will not have to worry about mould and mildew growth even after the rain. Jute and sisal rugs are good, too. They are tough on the feet, but they can stand up to foot traffic pretty well. You are most likely going to have footwear on when you go outside, so this should be a non-issue.

In your bedroom, you would surely want to wake up to a texture that feels so dreamy. With a wool rug there, you’ll definitely not hesitate to roll out of bed early! Though wool rugs are known for being water-absorbent, you don’t have to worry about it if you do not bring drinks inside the bedroom anyway.

How to fix it

If you have different types of rugs at home, consider relocating each one and see if it works in other areas.

Mistake #3: Not buying a rug pad

We are all guilty of using our area rugs way too much, and that’s okay. Most rugs are resilient and durable anyway. But one thing is for sure: they cannot last long on their own; they need rug pads underneath to support them. Plus, they reduce slippage, which makes your rooms less prone to accidents. So unless you’re not planning to make the most out of them, you are better off with a rug pad.

How to fix it

It’s not too late to buy a rug pad! Rug Emporium offers rug pads that provide a strong base to your rug. Don’t worry, they will not damage your floors in any way.

Mistake #4: Not cleaning rugs properly

Cleaning your rugs is crucial. It is your first line of defence against any kind of fungi and bacteria that might enter your home. If you do not do it regularly, you may suffer from dire and scary consequences. However, doing it the wrong way might also sow havoc on your rug and your overall health.

Bear in mind that different types of rugs also require different types of care. For example, viscose and silk tend to absorb liquid stains fast, so you have to clean it immediately once a spill happens. Or else, mould can grow in.

It’s also not a good idea to use hard-bristle brushes on your natural fiber rugs. Yes, it does loosen up dirt, but it will also create snags and scratches.

How to fix it

Following the cleaning instructions for each rug is the only way to go, but it also pays to be more careful and neat when you have rugs around at home! As they say, prevention is key.