Bare floors with no pizzazz, especially the hallways can look a bit bland. So, spice things up by adding a beautiful traditional rug. If you have no idea what to do, then these tips are here to save the day.
Hallway Rug Buying Guide
Take Measurements
This is the number one tip of rug buying 101 and it applies to all kinds of rugs. You must measure the dimensions of your hallway before getting a rug. Not measuring and buying a rug blindly can turn this thing into a disaster.
If you measure the width and length of the hallway, then you’ll get an idea as to which rug can fit snugly in the available space. You don’t want to make the mistake of buying a rug that’s either too big or too small for your hallway. You’ll only be wasting your money.
Keep Room For Furniture
Hallways aren’t usually always blank. There can be furniture like a shoe rack or a small table for keys and your bag. There also might be potted plants bordering the hallway. The point is that these things are also taking up floor space, so you need to keep this fact in mind when measuring the width of a rug.
This mainly applies if you’re getting a runner rug that’s going to cover the majority of the floor because, with area rugs, you can pretty much set them down wherever there’s a bit of space.
Runner Or Area Rug?
The type of rug you go for ultimately depends on the width of your hallway. If your hallway is a traditional thin path to the main opening, then a runner rug is more suitable. If your hallway is a bit wider and there’s a lot of floor space, then you can opt for a small area rug as well and it can be placed either near the door or somewhere in the middle.
Complimenting Colors
Rug colors play a very important role in how your hallway is tied together. Try to go for colors that compliment and bring each other’s hues out. Neutral and light colors are always winners, but if you want to play with colors, then the color wheel and the complementary color theory are things you’ll need to turn to for the right matching.
Don’t Block The Door
We’ve all been in this situation when open the front door and the bottom of it gets stuck in the thick rug. The result? The frayed and bald side of the rug isn’t pleasant to look at.
Well, there’s one way to rectify it and that is by getting a rug that matches the dimensions of the door. Floor dimensions are important, but the rug also needs to align perfectly with the door. So, that it can open and close without any rubbing or dragging.
Stripes Are Stylish
Stripes may seem old-fashioned, but the right orientation of stripes can add length to the room. Stripes are evergreen and classic and they will never go out of style. Vertical stripes are the best because they elongate the narrow hallway and it can give the illusion of a bigger and longer space, which is perfect for smaller houses.
The trick to making stripes look amazing is the right color and complimenting the pattern of the hallway rug with the rest of the décor. So, go out and look at all of the striped rugs you can set your sights on. You will find something that fits your preferences.
High Pile Equals Durability
If you want to get a rug for the hallway that’s not going to fray over time, then opt for something with a higher pile density because it is woven more tightly and there is a lower possibility of it getting loose. Moreover, rotate the rug frequently so it wears from each end equally.
The Material
With any type of rug, regardless of the fact if it’s for the hallway or any other space, the material choice makes all of the difference. You might think that every material will be the same, but that couldn’t be more wrong.
Each material has different characteristics and some are perfect for the hallways whereas others can be a recipe for disaster. Here are some options that are great for hallway rugs and some that might not be as good as you think.
Wool
Wool is a winner every single time. It’s thick, it’s cushiony and it’s highly durable. Wool is also like a sponge, so it’s going to absorb noise and ruckus, which is good if you’re looking for a material with acoustic properties.
The downside of wool is that it can be very expensive, even for a runner or area rug, because these rugs are usually handmade and the designs/patterns are exquisite and come at a hefty price.
Also, sometimes wool can be very thick and it’s not ideal for the entryway because the door can get caught underneath and that’s a whole issue in itself.
Polypropylene
Polypropylene is a great choice for hallway rugs. Firstly, it’s a man-made material. This means it has every possible quality that you can think of. It is waterproof and stain-resistant.
Moreover, this rug material is also very sturdy and it doesn’t budge or snag at all no matter how much you manhandle it.
It’s a synthetic material so it’s naturally hypoallergenic. Hence, polypropylene great if you get seasonal allergies and don’t want your rug to be a breeding ground for allergens. Lastly, polypropylene is very easy to clean and maintain, so what’s not to love about it?
Sisal
If you’re looking for a sustainable option because you have a green thumb and want to contribute to producing as little waste as possible, then Sisal is the way to go. Sisal is obtained from a plant and it is essentially a fiber similar in appearance to jute. It is highly absorbent and it acts as a natural humidifier in dry and barren climates.
However, this absorbency comes with its own set of demerits and one of them is stains and splashes. So, it’s best that you keep it clean and dry at all times if you don’t want to spend hours on your knees scrubbing said stains.
Silk
Silk is a great option for rugs in any room, but for the hallways, it can be a hit or miss. Silk is a very luxurious material and it’s also the most expensive one from the lot. That fact alone is the reason why people don’t go for silk rugs when they need a rug for a hallway or any part of the house that receives a lot of traffic.
Silk can also slip and slide, especially if you buy a thinner rug and it’s going to be a constant pain to rearrange. You can use a rug pad, but given other problems with silk, it is out of the question for hallway rugs. Some materials just aren’t compatible with certain layouts and silk is, unfortunately, one of them.
Conclusion
Hallways can be neglected when it comes to décor, but you don’t want to be that person. Remember these tips in mind when buying a hallway rug, and you’re good to go. To start your journey, check out some great wholesale oriental rugs VA.
