Red Area Rugs - Will They Work in Your Room?
Few people think about red when they pick a color theme for their room. After all, it’s not exactly what you’d call cozyit’s bold and brilliant, a stark contrast to homier colors like yellow, blue and brown. But when it comes to area rugs, red is a classic choice. Red rugs add life and color to a room and create an instant focal point. If your room lacks visual punch, a red rug almost always does the trick.
That being said, red rugs aren’t a one-step solution to all your design problems. It does take some creativity to make a red rug work in your room. But if you get it right, you’ll see that it’s well worth the effort. Below are some things to bear in mind when decorating with red rugs.
Your theme
Most people associate red with heavy oriental or contemporary homes. But red rugs can suit just about any theme; you just have to pick the right style. Here are some of the most common themes and how you can work red area rugs into them.
Classical: Oriental rugs
First made in Asia and the Middle East, oriental rugs are known for their intricate designs and use of bold, eye-catching shades. Red is a great oriental color because it perfectly evokes its cultural origins and gives the room an air of grandness and wonder. If you have a large room, a large rug with a central medallion instantly creates a classic, elegant mood.
Authentic Oriental rugs are distinguished by their unique construction. Instead of machine-made, they are either woven without pile or knotted with pile. If you’re on a budget, don’t worryyou don’t have to splurge on a handmade piece to create the oriental look. In fact, a lot of manufacturers offer machine-made red oriental area rugs that look just like the real thing.
Country: Southwestern rugs
Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the woodsy feel of a southwestern area rug. Southwestern rugs bring a sense of the outdoor to your home, perfect for creating a cozy country theme. Designs range from simple stripes and solids to elaborate geometric patterns, so there’s one to suit everyone’s tastes. With the right color and texture, these rugs can give you the comfort of a log home and the edgy look of a modern pad.
Southwestern rugs seldom come in solid colors, so a red one will almost always come with other colors. Some of the most popular combinations are red and brown, red and orange, and red and black. If you’re not bold enough for a red southwestern area rug, this can be a good way to introduce it more subtly.
Contemporary: Natural rugs
If you think natural rugs come in boring earth colors, think again. Most modern materials can now be made in any color and pattern, and red is actually one of the most popular. Contemporary design is all about using natural materials around the home, and for most people, area rugs are a practical way to start. Your first choice should be a wool rugit’s soft, sturdy, and the benchmark of quality for all area rugs.
More “exotic” materials include jute, seagrass, and sisal. The problem with these rugs is that their color doesn’t last, so you can only use them in dry indoor areas. The best color is usually created with cotton rugs. A red cotton area rug with colorfast dyes can withstand several washings and still look like new!
How much red do you need?
The amount of red you use is more of a personal decision. Red can be used in any size and amount, but if you’re not too daring, start by adding it in small splashes. Instead of a large central area rug, use several smaller ones and distribute them around the room. Alternatively, you can use a large rug but with red only as a secondary color. Floral and geometric patterns are fairly easy to find and will suit most room designs.
It’s seldom a good idea to cover the entire floor in red, unless you’re going for the Bollywood look. It tends to darken the room and make it less inviting. All-red floors are also harder to complementyou’ll have to choose your furniture and dcor carefully to match your floor. Instead, let the floor’s natural hue highlight the red, or vice versa.
Choosing a shade
The most common shade for red rugs is Afghan red, a deep rust-red color. Perhaps because it’s close to brick, a more neutral color, it’s easier to match with the rest of the home. Afghan red rugs look especially brilliant against natural wood flooring. If you want a more casual look, look for a brighter, livelier shade. A bright red kids flower rug may work better for a child’s room than brick or rust.
As a general rule, darker shades of red add a warm and cozy glow to the room, while lighter hues make it seem larger and more casual. If your room doesn’t need darkening or lightening, you can still use a red ruglook for one with a pattern that combines both light and dark shades.
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