How to Match Rugs With Drapes

Collect together samples or photos of the items that will be placed in the room. Take photographs of furniture, lamps, light fixtures or other larger decor items. Acquire samples of floor coverings, wall paint color, the area rug --- use a photo for this --- and trim color. Typically, an inspiration piece such as a painting is the source point for the room colors. Wall, ceiling and trim color are chosen from the inspiration piece. Floor color may also be chosen. In some cases, such as an existing hardwood floor, the floor color must be accepted as-is.

Take your samples to a home decorating store to select drapery fabric that coordinates with the room, furnishings and proposed rug. Acquire samples of the drapery fabric in several color variations that you feel will work with your room colors. Take your samples to the location of the area rug to compare the items side by side.

Eliminate drapery colors that conflict with the area rug. The drape should complement the consistent feeling that the rug conveys. The colors do not need to match exactly, so long as the colors work well together in the same family of colors. Often a direct comparison will wash out one color and make another color look better.

Select several area rugs to sample from a rug store if your room already has finished drapes. Often rug stores will allow customers to try out several rugs when making a purchase. Unroll each rug individually and position it where it would be if you purchased the rug. Observe the room, the drapes and the rug in both daylight and evening light before selecting or eliminating rugs. The rug you select should coordinate with the drape color so that neither jumps out colorwise or looks odd when you enter the room.