Advice for Decorating With Oriental Rugs

Considerations

• Decorators use two contrary approaches when using oriental area rugs in a space. Some advise buying a rug before all other elements and decorating around it, while others prefer to put everything in its place and then hunt for a rug that fits. Either way, oriental rugs can set the mood in a room or provide a neutral backdrop.

Placement

• Oriental rugs come in a multitude of sizes for a wide variety of uses. Long runners decorate hallways while short ones can fit beside a bed. Placing oriental rugs beneath chairs and sofas both anchors them and creates a distinct area. Grouped upholstered furniture should sit on a portion of the rug.

Decorative Options

• Oriental rugs needn't be used in a traditional way. Instead of putting a large area rug in a living room, for example, multiple small rugs layered over one another give the space a slightly Bohemian feel. Layered rugs don't have to match, but they should set a similar tone. Expensive handmade rugs are both appropriate on the floor as well as the wall.