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How to
Choose the
Right Entryway Rug

There are a few things to consider when choosing a rug, and your own personal style preference is arguably at the top of the list. When it comes to your home's entryway, you're going to want to keep a few other factors in mind as you shop. Shape, size, material and appearance are all important criteria to apply to your options as you narrow down your choices for the best in show. Whether your entryway is part of a formal foyer that usually only sees foot traffic when guests come over or it's your main thoroughfare in and out of the home, you can apply some critical thinking in order to make the right choice.

how-to-choose-the-right-entryway-rug

As you look through our selection of rugs, think about how your home is decorated or what you're trying to get it to look like as you redecorate. If you're going for a simple effect, a solid-colored rug might be the right choice for you. Solid rugs allow you to jazz up the entryway in other ways. For example, you can add a brightly patterned wallpaper or an ornate chandelier to the space and let the rug serve as a subtle accent. Keep in mind, however, that dirt and other stains tend to show up easily on solid colors – especially lighter shades – so if you tend to come in and out of the entryway with muddy boots on, you should opt for a darker color.

If you'd rather keep your walls subtle for the entryway, patterned rugs are a great choice. Patterned rugs can hide stains better than their solid counterparts, though again, light colors may not be the best choice if you live in a snowy or rainy climate. If your entryway is a low-traffic formal foyer, a light-colored patterned rug can have a big impact on the space, giving it an elegant look and feel.

Sometimes a light rug works best in the space, and there are some ways you can get around having to shampoo your rug on a weekly basis in order to keep it clean. Place a sturdy door mat outside the door and make sure your guests wipe off muddy shoes before coming inside. Providing a bench or chair to sit in while removing shoes is another good idea. While not everyone may want to take their shoes off before entering your home, it is a good way to ensure that your rugs stay stain free. 

After thinking about the practicality of your rug choice, make sure it matches with the general decor of your home, particularly any curtains, art or furniture that happens to be within view of the entryway. After all, and entryway is a chance to make a first impression of your home. To impress your guests, it's best to make sure the entryway's pieces fit together nicely and give a polished impression. This is also why it's a good idea to choose a rug that's the right shape and size for the space. As a general rule, choose a rug that matches the shape of the room, and make sure you aren't putting a large rug in a small room or vice versa.

Finally, no matter what kind of rug you end up choosing, it's a good idea to stick a non-slip rug pad underneath if your entryway floor is a slick material such as hardwood or tile. A rug pad grips the rug in place and keeps it from shifting under foot traffic.