Buy Area Rugs on the Web? What a Site!

After spending hundreds of dollars on your favorite Picasso print, the idea of buying it online, anticipating its delivery, tossing it on the floor and going for a stroll seems unimaginable. But there is a form of art that you can walk all over: the area rug.

Sure, the comparison may seem a bit far-fetched, but area rugs are the art underfoot. Whether it's oriental or Persian, braided or contemporary, the area rug is a reflection of our style and character, much like a picture or painting. And with the advancement in online shopping technology, buying your area rug has never been easier.

Interior designer John Kurtz of Wilmington, Del., says the most important thing when buying a rug is that it has a "beating heart and is going to please you every time you look at it."

The area rug gives a room structure, flavor and design, allowing room colors to be accentuated and drawn out simply by adding this one piece of decor. Unlike wall-to-wall carpet, area rugs bring a pattern into a room without being permanent fixtures. The versatility of an area rug means it can be moved from great room, to dining room, to bedroom and finally find a home in the garage.

Like with any piece of art, you can't just visualize an area rug. You have to see it first. Like standing in front of the wall at an art gallery, your eyes wander from place to place before an image catches your eye. At a store where you can flip through the hanging rugs like posters, the important option of feeling the rug is available, but selection is sometimes limited. This is another area where the shopping technology of the Internet can pay off.

Cutting a Rug While Surfing the Net

Shopping for merchandise online continues to increase every year, with a jump of 19% expected for the 2004 holiday season, according to the ClickZ Network, which monitors online sales. In hard numbers, $21.6 billion is projected to be spent online in November and December. Area rugs have joined the ranks of products available at the click of a mouse.

Before choosing an area rug online, it's important to exercise all of the same techniques and precautions that would be used if you were buying from a store. Because you likely won't be dealing with a salesperson online, you have to ask and answer the questions yourself with research. What is my budget? What room do I want to put my new rug in? What is the right size? What style best reflects my taste?

First and foremost, start with a budget. Like with a piece of furniture or appliance, you should buy the best area rug you can afford. Quality will pay off over time, so natural materials like wool and silk are your best bet. A high quality wool rug even has the capacity to look better over time through exposure to light and air.

Some alternatives to wool and silk are sisal, jute and grass rugs. The upside is these rugs are less expensive. The downside is they are hard to clean and likely to ware out quicker.

A good rule of thumb used throughout the industry when determining how much to spend is called the couch factor. The price of the rug should equal that of a sofa. Set a price and add 10 percent to give yourself some shopping flexibility.

There's a good guideline when determining size as well. When choosing a rug, pick one that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room. For a room that's 14 x 20, consider a rug that's no more than 12 feet wide.

Many of the high-end online sites offer tips on buying, caring and selecting the right area rug. The biggest selling point, however, is selection. With hundreds of choices from the comfort of your computer chair, it might take days going from store to store to view the same amount of rugs.

Most quality sites break down shopping for area rugs into several categories, including color, weave, shape, design and brands. Since sight is so important when choosing a rug, it's imperative that the Web site offers large pictures with high-end resolution of its images. Information on each rug should include the manufacturer, the origin and a brief outline on the construction. For example, a brief synopsis might include the type and percentage of material, whether it has a built-in gripper or not, and if it's machine washable. After making a style decision, size, shape and price should be listed with your choice.

Rug Refresher: Tips, Tricks and Taxes

A simple game plan should be followed in order to make a smooth online purchase of an area rug:

• Make certain all rugs are of the highest quality and come with a manufactures warranty of at least one year.
• Compare shipping costs between retailers. Shipping can add a hefty toll to any online purchase, so it's a good idea to find the best price, or a retailer who offers free shipping.
• Check to see if the retailer charges for tax. This varies from state to state, but a big savings on taxes is usually one of the benefits of ordering online merchandise.
• Find out how long delivery will take. Like any piece of furniture, the typical wait can be two to six weeks.
• Remember that most rugs need non-slip pads. Price is based on size, with an average ranging from $10 for a 2 x 4 pad to $250 for 12 x 18.
• Most importantly, make sure that if you don't like the rug, you can return it, no questions asked. As outlined before, an area rug is like a piece of artwork, and the only true test of whether it fits your style is when it's spread across your floor.

Based in Los Angeles, Ron Neal is a free-lance writer, editor and owner of Writemind Media. With more than 20 years of experience, including six at the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Neal has produced and edited hundreds of articles on a variety of subjects, including flooring, home improvement and area rugs of all kinds, including Oriental rugs.

---

Interior Design For Bargain Hunters

Interior design for bargain hunters is the new fashionable item... Read More

5 Reasons to Make Early Spring Firewood Time at Your Home

As the weather hints of warmth and the spring buds... Read More

A Look at Steel Building Kits

Steel building kits are a comprehensive set of all the... Read More

Quick and Dirty Guide to Wood Flooring

If you've always longed for hardwood floors, you're in good... Read More

Do You Have a Master Bedroom? You Shouldnt! Tips for Remodeling Your Bedroom

The word "master" is an antiquated term that suggests control,... Read More

Skip Troweling Method for Textured Ceilings

There are several ceiling texture choices to choose from when... Read More

Chairs, Rocking Chairs and Other Comfortable Places To Park It!

A chair is one of the best inventions ever made.... Read More

6 Saving Tips When Moving

Moving households, whether it is due to a job transfer... Read More

Let?s ?Clear the Air? Shall We?

What can you do to "clear the air" indoors, at... Read More

Electric Radiant Floor Heating

Electric radiant floor heating systems are heating systems designed for... Read More

Lighting and Your Emotions (Part One)

Do you feel unhappy in your home and you don't... Read More

Refinishing A Hardwood Floor

Want to bring your hardwood floors back to their former... Read More

What To Look For In USPS Mailboxes

High quality residential and commercial mailboxes are available in styles... Read More

With A Stylish Bathroom Vanity You Can Take Pride In Your Bathroom?s Appearance!

An easy way to instantly improve your bathroom's image is... Read More

Kitchen Cabinets are The Soul of Your Kitchen

Kitchen cabinets reflect the heart and soul of the homeowner.... Read More

Imported Tools vs. Brand Name - Are They As Good?

So you are looking for hand or power tools on... Read More

Outdoor Ceiling Fans Complement the House

Fans extending from the ceiling have been around for centuries... Read More

Feng Shui Tips For Your Home Office

Did you know that over 50% of women now run... Read More

Bring Out the Comforters for Back to School

If the weather is turning chilly it must time for... Read More

Measure Your Window for Verticals and Horizontal blinds, Wood blinds, Faux Wood Plantation Shutters

Here are five important things to remember.1. Use a steel... Read More

Removing Your Old Sliding Glass Door

Last week I explained how to measure your existing sliding... Read More

Bathroom Interior Design

Any advice or guide on the interior design of a... Read More

Waterproofing Basement Walls

Although representatives from waterproofing companies may guarantee results from their... Read More

Marble Information

Marble is any limestone or dolomite that can take a... Read More

What Are The Benefits of Radiant Heating: How Do They Compare With Other Heating Applications

Some of the benefits of radiant heatComfort: Let your bare... Read More

Enjoy The Beauty Of Hardwood With The Endurance Of Laminate Flooring

Everyone likes the beautiful, timeless look of hardwood floors. Elegant,... Read More

Upholstery Fabric Will Give Your Furniture a New Look!

Upholstery fabric will put some new life into your old... Read More

Non Slip Maintenance Of Honed Interior Marble

A honed finish is a satin surface with relatively little... Read More

The Art of Power Washing Decks

Since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) started banning the use... Read More

Home Remodeling: Colors and Temperature Perception

Colors contain underlying psychological meanings and evoke particular feelings when... Read More

Pre-Fabricated Steel Buildings

More and more construction is being done with steel in... Read More

How to Use Do-It-Yourself Toxic Mold Test Kits

VANCOUVER, CANADA. Many homeowners, landlords, renters, property managers, business owners,... Read More

How To Give Your Home More Space

Have you been wondering how to free up space in... Read More