Tuesday, March 5, 2013

A Great Room Rug Dilemma

I need some help choosing a new rug.  Here is our great room:


I happen to think the space is lovely...a little on the small side, but lovely nonetheless.  When we moved in three years ago, we needed a rug for our great room because our previous great room was carpeted and we didn't have a rug for the space.  We went to Home Goods and picked one out.  We always knew it was on the small side for the room, but we also knew that finding a bigger rug would be a huge expense, and we really just loved this rug. 

We obviously kept it and now we have a new use for this rug in our office, which we are in the midst of redo-ing (I'm a bit behind in posting about the office, stay tuned for that:).)  By transplanting our current great room rug into the office, we'll have to fill the rug-less hole left behind.  We definitely want a bigger rug, 10' x 13' or so would do the trick nicely, even up to 10' x 14'.  (Our current rug is 7'6" x 9'6".) 

Finding a rug this big is not an easy task.  Home Goods doesn't typically stock rugs this size, and most stores like Pottery Barn, West Elm, World Market, and Crate and Barrel only go up to 9' x 12' rugs, and we'd really like to go bigger.  Ordering online can be tricky too, as I've experienced before.  Colors aren't always true to the pictures, and rugs are not cheap to return.  Still in order to find a rug in the size we need and within a budget we feel comfortable, we will most likely resort to an online order.  I fluctuate between wanting a thick, wool, neutral rug (like our current rug) and trying a rug made of natural fibers like jute.  Here are some inspiration pictures for the natural fiber option:

via Pinterest

via Pinterest


via Pinterest


Part of my indecisiveness results from the fact that we don't intend to change out our great room furniture any time soon.  My style has changed a bit since we purchased our couch and chairs, and the room would benefit from smaller scale furniture, but the fact remains that the current pieces are high quality and are extremely kid friendly.  It would be hard to justify making a change anytime soon.  That being said, I'm not sure how great the texture of our couch would work with a jute/natural rug, even though it's the look (especially combined with a nice light colored cowhide) that I'd really love for the space.  So what I'm saying is I need some help with this decision.  My mind has been so close to the issue for a long time as I've poured over every rug source I can think of...help a girl out:).

Here are some potential rug options:

Home Decorators
9'6" x 13'
$320 shipped (on sale with free shipping)


Home Decorators
9'9" x 13'9"
$765 shipped (would wait for a better sale:))


Home Decorators
9'6" x 13'
$390 shipped
(The reviews all say that the pattern of this rug is more apparent than the picture shows.  The chevron alternates between a creamy white chenille and a natural jute, much like this rug from West Elm, which I LOVE.)



Home Decorators
9'6" x 13'
$454 shipped


 Home Decorators
9' x 13'
$769 shipped



Home Decorators
9' x 13'
$625 shipped


Handwoven Mandara New Zealand Wool Rug
Overstock
9' x 13'
$880 shipped



Overstock
9'6" x 13'6"
$620
(This has a green cast to it, that I don't think I love...if it was straight brown/beige, I think it'd be in our great room already:).)


Moroccan Brown/Ivory Dhurrie Rug 
Flat Woven
Overstock
10' x 14'
$600

(Our hardwood floors are dark cherry colored, so I don't know if this one would provide enough contrast.)


Overstock
9'6" x 13'6"
$610 Shipped

(In my opinion, tufted wool rugs hold up better than hand hooked wool rugs.  It's not a deal breaker necessarily, but it's something to keep in mind.)

I included some blue rugs, which I love, but I tend to prefer a beige rug which would allow me to switch our great room colors whenever I feel like, which historically is quite often (ie: I'd like to decorate with red and green for Christmas if I feel like it, without needing to incorporate blue because our rug is blue...does that make sense?)

Basically, I'm asking you to pick your favorite (or suggest a rug not on this list!) that you think would work best.  I'm especially interested in opinions regarding the first four rugs listed:).  Although prices vary greatly on my list, you know I'll be waiting for the king of sales, and I'll use a coupon and probably ebates too, so knowing that, we're comfortable with purchasing any of the rugs listed.

5 comments:

  1. I think my favorite is the Zig Zag Chenille one. I'll be watching this post closely because I'm having the exact same dilemma, only it's our Master Bedroom that desperately needs a rug. :)

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  2. If I were you I would go to a large retail flooring/carpet store and find a color/pattern/etc. that I liked, get the exact size needed, have it bound and who-la, you have the exact sized carpet, as well as one that you love. Have fun.....a new carpet can make a room feel new in entirety.

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    Replies
    1. Superb idea!! I actually had pondered this a bit, but never went the extra mile to go to a store and look into it further. I really want a wool rug or natural fibers at least, and I think I was able to find something that will work well in our space in rug form.

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  3. My favorite is the Allure Flat Woven Rug although I am guessing you are going to go the beige route since I know how much you love versatility...I don't blame you. A close second is Renee's favorite, the Zig Zag Chenille one.

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  4. Yeah to the Hey, a rug has been ordered. Fingers crossed it looks as good in reality as it currently does in my head! Thanks for the input!!

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