Cotton Area Rugs

How a Cotton Area Rug Can Highlight Your Room Decor

A cotton area rug can highlight your room’s decor by reinforcing the room’s style, theme, and color palette. Adding a rug shouldn’t detract from the room’s decor--quite the opposite! A rug should connect to the decor so that they all work together to establish the room’s style. 

Decorating With a Cotton Area Rug

Many people enjoy decorating with cotton area rugs because they are both stylish and comfortable. Aside from spot-cleaning options, washable cotton area rugs are an option for any room that needs that extra security. Plus, they come in all sorts of finishes, from low, medium, and high pile all the way to rugs that use a blend of different heights to establish unique patterns and designs. No matter what sort of look and feel you want with your rug, there’s plenty out there to choose from to fit your personality. 

Choosing Which Cotton Area Rug is Right for You

Cotton rugs are a popular choice for any style, and you may not know where to even begin your search. Fortunately, if you think through these important areas, you’ll be well on your way to finding the rug that’s right for you.

Position: First, determine your room’s layout and where to place the rug within that. There’s no singular way to do a room’s layout since each one is unique, so take the following ideas as guidelines to get you started. 

Living Room: The most common living room layout is to center your rug in the middle of your main seating area. You may place the rug directly in front of the chairs, under their front legs, or further beneath them if the room is large enough. You can also use a small cotton area rug elsewhere to establish a different space. 

Dining Room: When you’re sizing a rug to sit directly beneath the dining room table, be sure to leave about two-three feet of excess for the chairs to be pushed in or pulled out. 

Bedroom: If your bed is a central focal point, reinforce that by adding a rug beneath the bed. Common placements for rugs under beds are laying the rug all the way under the bed, under the bottom two-thirds of it, or closer to the foot of the bed. If your bed is off to one side, center a rug in the middle of the room itself to create visual interest in that space. 

Kitchen: 2x3 and 3x5 cotton rugs are perfect for in front of kitchen stoves and sinks. Or if your kitchen has an island or other narrow area, style it with a cotton runner rug. 

Bathroom: Similar to kitchens, bathrooms benefit from those smaller rugs in front of sinks. Runners are also a great addition in front of a double vanity or in a pathway. 

Size/Shape: Once you know your ideal layout, finalize the size and shape of the rug. Cotton area rugs come in a variety of shapes from the standard options of rectangular, round, and runner to other unique options of oval and square. The most common sizes for cotton rugs are 2x6, 5x7, 5x8, and 8x10, although there’s plenty of other choices to choose from for your specific room. 

Pattern: Since cotton rugs are so popular and versatile, you’ll find they’re available in many different designs. Some rugs will simply focus on texture as the main focal point through braiding or alternating pile height to create a design. Otherwise, each interior design style has certain patterns and motifs associated with them, such as geometric shapes fitting in with modern style and oriental patterns decorating traditional homes. Study your favorite style and look at your existing decor for inspiration of what pattern to use in the rug. 

Color: Cotton rugs are available in every style, which means they’re also available in any color palette. Neutral colors like tan, grey, black, and white are common colors in a variety of styles, but even other colors like green, red, blue, and pale pink are popular. When you’re choosing a color palette, focus on the other colors in the room or use the rug as a starting point for establishing the room’s color palette. Also make sure that the colors strike the proper tone and express your personality.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cotton Area Rugs

Are cotton area rugs suitable for high-traffic areas?

Cotton area rugs can be suitable for moderate-traffic areas, but their durability in high-traffic areas may vary depending on the rug's construction and thickness. In busy areas like entryways or hallways, consider choosing a rug with a higher pile or combining the cotton rug with a rug pad for added cushioning and stability.

What are the benefits of cotton area rugs?

They are soft and gentle underfoot, making them comfortable to walk on and ideal for areas where you spend a lot of time, such as the living room or bedroom. Cotton is a natural and hypoallergenic material, making these rugs suitable for individuals with allergies or sensitivities.

How can I style a cotton area rug in my home?

Cotton area rugs blend well with various decor styles. In a bohemian or casual setting, consider a colorful and patterned cotton rug to add a playful touch. In a more minimalist or contemporary space, opt for a solid-colored cotton rug in neutral tones for a clean and modern look.

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