The Art of Unrolling: Top Tips for Buying Rugs Online

The Art of Unrolling: Top Tips for Buying Rugs Online

Follow these easy steps to make sure that you stay on the right track when it comes to buying rugs online.

So you need a new rug but you’re not sure where to start. The options online can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when there’s so much choice. Everything can blur into one and seeds of doubt with colour, sizes and material can leave you unsure. This is why we’ve outlined some key tips to help you on your journey of finding the right fit so you can feel calm and confident in your decision.

There’s a few things to think about before starting the process to avoid receiving a rug that just doesn’t hit the mark. Here at FLOOR_STORY, we have a firm belief that a good quality rug is the beating heart of a space. Its functionality and form can reflect mood and personality as well as your style.

Save time, money and worry by ticking off these 7 hacks:

1_ Starting with colour

Get inspired by what’s around you, and use these colour tools to help get precise matches

Look at your furniture, wallpapers or paint colours to understand the palette that’s already there, choosing a rug that compliments the space is done best by picking up accents within your scheme. You can get universal colour codes to match these colours online using the Pantone Connect, an online colour-coded gallery or by ordering a swatch card. For complete accuracy we’d recommend always using physical colours, but if you’re just looking for a reference, using the online tool provides ease.

Fancy taking colour precision a step further? We have a selection of over 3000 coloured poms (tufts of coloured yarn) to make exact colour matching possible. This means that you can refine any of our designer rugs to be at one with your interior by curating your own palette. You can do this with any of our designer rug collections.

Some things to consider when looking at colour digitally

Many screens (phones, laptops & tablets) have different screen settings, and as a result can skew the original colours in an image when viewing online.

To avoid this, a great hack is to look at the rug on multiple devices and to compare the colours. This way you’ll know that if there’s a huge difference between them, that the colour accuracy will need further consideration. You can always ask us about more specific information on the colours in a rug to make sure that it matches up perfectly with your interior. Alternatively, this next tip will settle any doubts.

2_ Ordering a sample

Get a feel for the tactility of a rug, it’ll ultimately save you time and effort

Although it might elongate the process at the beginning, ordering a sample is a vital way of making sure that you’re happy with the rug you buy. You’ll get a realistic idea of the texture and colour within the rug and how this works in your space. Having it in the space with you will also give you a better sense of what the rug will look like at different times in the day, from morning sunshine to late afternoon’s golden hour - it’s a real-life indication of what the rug will provide within the interior.

We offer a sample service for most of the rugs we have on our website and you can order one with ease on the product page of each rug. Once a refundable deposit is paid we’ll send it right out to you, wherever you are. We’ll refund the deposit in full to you on return or offset it against any rug order made.

We also offer sampling services on bespoke rugs, so if you fancy taking rug designing into your own hands, you can get a feel for it before going ahead with an order. Take a look at our bespoke rug buying guide for more information on this or get in touch.

3_ Understanding different rug constructions

How to choose between hand knotted, tufted and flatwoven rugs.

The construction of a rug (what type of weave) will affect the overall texture and quality of a rug. There’s a few different rug constructions available, each offering different features.

Buying a rug that’s high in quality may be more investment at the beginning, but it’s made to last which will save you time and money on replacements as well as being a more sustainable approach by avoiding unusable textile waste going into landfill. Always buy the best that you can afford.

Flatweave

A flatweave rug is made on a loom and woven flat, meaning there is minimal pile height. This means they’re great for areas of heavy footfall or heavy furniture like hallways and dining room / kitchen areas. They’re also easier to clean because dirt won’t seep into the pile as easily and can be brushed off.

Flatwoven Rugs

Tufted

A tufted rug offers a cosy pile, made with a tufting gun through a canvas material and secured with a backing. This type of rug is great for living rooms and bedrooms because of its luxurious and comforting finish.

Tufted Rugs

Hand Knotted

A hand knotted rug is the premium quality because of it being hand-woven in knots on a loom. This type of weave can have various pile heights and doesn’t have a backing. You can see the hand made process of weaving one of these Nepalese hand knotted rug in this video.

Hand Knotted Rugs

4_ Materials really do Matter

Make sure you’re in the know when it comes to quality and durability.

Natural fibres are generally at a higher price point, but because of their non-toxic and durability, it’s definitely worth the investment. We mainly use Tibetan wool and New Zealand wools in our rugs, as for silk we use either pure Chinese silk or Viscose. For commercial rugs that will be in a high traffic area we would recommend that the use of silk/viscose is kept low as wool is a better material to withstand high traffic areas.

When it comes to materials, we always favour wool because of its vast array of qualities like its durability, biodegradability and low maintenance. Wool is nice and soft underfoot and takes dye brilliantly which gives a rich depth of colour. You can see more on why wool is such a great fibre for rug making on this page.

The best way to get a shiny finish on a rug would be to use Chinese silk which comes from silkworms. The cost of a rug can increase a lot when it has genuine silk, but it is totally worthwhile because of its absolutely mesmerising finish and a more sustainable solution because of its natural origins, it’ll decompose at the end of its lifecycle.

The fibres reflect light beautifully, resulting in a vibrant array of colours that can elevate the overall aesthetic of a room. However, the allure of silk comes with some considerations. While silk rugs are undeniably gorgeous, they are also quite delicate and require more meticulous care compared to other materials. They're best suited for low-traffic areas, as they can be prone to wear and tear. Regular maintenance is crucial; gentle cleaning methods and avoiding direct sunlight can help preserve their stunning appearance for years to come.

With a similar finish to pure silk, viscose provides a shiny finish to a rug for a lower price point and without the process of silkworm farming. Viscose rugs are known for their affordability compared to silk, making them an attractive option for those seeking elegance on a budget. However, while they are soft and visually appealing, viscose rugs can be less durable and more susceptible to stains and wear than other materials, requiring careful maintenance to preserve their beauty over time.

When choosing a viscose rug, it’s essential to consider the environment in which it will be placed. While these rugs can add a touch of luxury to living rooms or bedrooms, high-traffic areas like hallways or dining rooms may not be the best fit due to their tendency to wear more quickly.

Bamboo silk is a material you may have come across if you’ve already been searching rugs online. It’s a more affordable alternative to pure silk and doesn’t require the process of farming silkworms and instead uses bamboo extract to create the fibre. The finish is a soft, silky and metallic look which catches the eye. It’s best used as a blend with wool, the combination of bamboo silk with wool creates more stability in the fibres and creates less fallout as opposed to a rug which is woven purely with bamboo silk.

Often referred to as the "Golden Fiber," jute is strong, durable, and biodegradable, making it a sustainable choice for those looking to decorate their homes responsibly. The downfall of this is that it’s not very soft (the hardness varies depending on how the rug is constructed). With this in mind, Jute rugs are better for hard wearing areas like hallways, dining rooms and kitchens. They’re also relatively easy to clean - regular vacuuming and occasional spot cleaning can keep them looking sharp. However, it’s important to note that jute rugs can absorb water and may be prone to mildew if placed in damp locations, so keeping them in dry, well-ventilated areas is key to maintaining them.

Measuring up for Different Interior Areas

Yantra by Kangan Arora. Styled by Hannah Bort, Photographed by Felix Speller.

Yantra by Kangan Arora. Styled by Hannah Bort, Photographed by Felix Speller.

Dining Area

Generally speaking, we always advise measuring 50cm on each side of the widest points of tables and chairs to compensate for a rug. That would mean if your table is 100 x 200cm, the rug would be a 200cm x 400cm, with the table and chairs centred. Rugs don’t always need to go underneath all the furniture, just make sure you consider the pile height (thickness) of the rugs to avoid wobbly furniture when chairs are placed half on half off the rug.

Dining Area

Lounge Areas

The amount of furniture in the space will play a key factor in this. As a simple measure, place all the furniture how you want it and then add 30cm on each side to give a nice amount of spacing. For larger rooms it’s worth considering going a little larger with the rug for impact. For a small space, placing the rug in front of the sofa will make it feel centred and add the illusion of the room feeling bigger.

Lounge Areas

Bedrooms

There’s a few routes you could take with this, either having a large rug right underneath the bed or you could add two separate runners on either side or even a large one at the end of the bed.

Each option provides a feeling of comfort underfoot (we’d recommend rugs with a pile height for comfort), so the main thing to think about is how much overhang you’d want or can have on either side of the bed.

Bedrooms

Hallways

For narrow hallway and landing spaces consider the width and length of the hall but also the width of any doors. A standard door is around 76cm wide and our standard runner width is 70cm, which fits nicely in this context. Any of the runners from our designer collections can be resized to fit your space perfectly.

Hallways

For Awkward spaces

Our made to measure service comes in really handy if you have tricky areas. First, grab a measuring tape and measure the space, taking note of the sizes on a sketched diagram will help with this one. Always double check the measurements - we’re all human and it’s really easy to mis-measure.

To go the extra mile, especially if a space is quite random (all shapes and sizes welcome here with our custom rug services!) it would be a good idea to stencil the new rug. An easy way to do it is by laying some sheets of newspaper or wrapping paper together, placed in the dimensions of the rug. This way you’re getting an idea of scale directly within the space.

What to look for when it comes to ethical rug-making

Welfare certification ensures proper standards when it comes to rug-making.

There are several certifications to look out for when buying a rug online, Goodweave and LABEL Step both work to ensuring good working standards for weavers and all factory workers as well as abolishing forced and child labour. These certifications mean that routine audits are made in the production factories, with a close eye to ensure adherence to these standards.

Our designer rugs are LABEL step certified, a non-profit organisation is committed to assurance of working standards and the wellbeing of weavers and all factory workers. Label STEP works across seven countries which covers all of the main hubs of handmade carpet production.

Future proof your rug from the get-go

Adding things like anti-slip underlay and stain treatment from the beginning will help make the rug last longer

While you’re going through the process of ordering a new rug, whether bespoke or off-the-shelf, it makes sense to add things like underlay and microseal treatment so your new rug is ready to be enjoyed from the moment it arrives at your home without the worry of slippage or spillages.

Take a look at our additional services including underlay and installation.

Explore Our Rug Services