Things to Keep in Mind When You Are Choosing a Carpet For Your Foyer Hall

A foyer, entrance hall, entryway. The entrance to your front door is called by many names, and it isn’t always easy to decorate. This can be particularly true for rugs, because you must consider not only the natural elements, but also the style of your home, and tastefully merge the two. Below is a guide in choosing the entryway rug that is right for you:

1. Make sure the size of the rug is in proportion to the size of the entryway. A small 2’x3′ rug in a giant entryway will look miniscule. Conversely, a larger 5’x7′ rug in an entryway that is barely that big itself will probably look too big for its britches. Although foyers come in every shape and size, be conscientious that the scale of your rug will be complementary to the scale of the space.

2. Open and close your door several times and note the space between the bottom of the door and your entryway floor. Although you might love the feel of thick shag between your toes, the constant rub of a door’s opening and closing will significantly decrease the life of the rug. Plus, thick-pile rugs are harder to keep clean at a doorway; thinner piles tend to be hardier. Always leave a sufficient vertical air gap between your rug and the door. 

3. Consider the ease of cleaning your dream rug. As an obvious example, an all-white cotton rug might be beautiful to look at for a day or two, it won’t be easy to keep lustrous and bright for much longer than that. Plan on snow, mud, dirt, and/or water (depending on where you live) to come into contact with your entryway rug; even if your home has a no-shoes policy, it is likely that people will take a step or two inside in order to take their shoes off. Indoor/outdoor rugs, which are typically made of synthetic materials are a great option.

4. Patterned rugs can be very forgiving. Not only does the well-chosen pattern add visual interest to a space (which is often the most important determining factor but at very least a bonus), but it also hides dirt and grime temporarily until you have a chance to clean the rug. For most entryways I find that, all else being equal, multiple colors and an interesting pattern extend the aesthetic life of a rug much longer than if the rug were of a simple, solid design. 

5. Of course, all of this isn’t to say you should throw your entire sense of style out the window because your entryway rug needs to have all of these components. As one of the first things seen upon entering your house, the entryway rug is arguably one of the most important decorating decisions you can make. You want to make sure it correctly introduces your Does it introduce your design aesthetic, your personality, and your home? Does it give the visitor an idea of what s/he will find inside? Be true to your sense of style in selecting an entryway rug, as this will play a big role in your home’s first impression.

Extra tips
Use a rubber pad underneath the rug to prevent it from slipping. This way it will stay fixed and you don’t have to worry about a thing. First measure the length and width of the rug and then lay the rubber or vinyl nonstick pad on a flat, clear surface. Measure and cut it, locate the position you want for your entryway rug and lay the pad on the floor. Then put the rug on top. If you have a double front door then you have to select a rug that lies in front of both doors. A smaller rug will simply look tiny and less welcoming, not to mention it’s not practical at all.

The shape of the rug is also important. Choose a rectangular one if you have a long and narrow entry or if the space is wide and shallow. This way you can better define the entryway. Round rugs are very elegant can be used for arched front doors or double-stair entryways.

 

 

3 comments

  1. Rugs are very important in the entryway. I’m a decorator, and I think this article pretty much nailed everything I would have said. The key to a great entry rug is to make sure that the rug looks proportional to the space, and is to scale. Nail that, and you’ve got the perfect rug for the perfect space!

  2. You don’t have to buy an Oushak. Wayfair.com has great prices, and I would definitely check out eBay too, as well as Craigslist. Surprisingly, World Market sometimes has some great rugs that look more expensive than they are.

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