Most floors in Mexico are marble or tile. Although practical and beautiful, they tend to be hard and cold. A rug will warm up any space.
There is nothing that will transform a space more than a beautiful rug. Rugs bring warmth, color, and texture to any room. It adds that extra softness to your living, dining or bedroom.
When I am designing a space, I consider the rug to be the artwork for the floor. The perfect piece ties all the colors of the room together like a bow on a present. It can also help define separate spaces in an open area. For instance, it can separate the living from the dining when both areas are in one space.
Many folks struggle with figuring out the right size rug is best and often end up purchasing a rug that is too small for their space. It is critical to measure the size of your area and do a floor plan before you start searching for options. I recommend scratching out a floor plan with the measurements of your room as well as each of the pieces of furniture that are in your room.
Generally, I like to allow 10 to 20 inches from the outside walls for the edge of the rug. You want to show some of the marble or tile floor around the edges. Make sure to keep the same amount of space from each wall so that the rug is centered correctly. The best approach is to have the legs of all your furniture on the rug. If this is not possible due to room size or budget, then make sure to get a rug that will allow at least the front legs of your furniture on the rug.
There are two main categories of rugs. One is natural and the other is synthetic. Most rugs manufactured and purchased are made from synthetic materials. This is because they are less expensive both in the upfront cost of purchase and to maintain. Synthetic fibers are much more stain resistant and are therefore a better option if you are renting out your home in Mexico when you are not using it. The downside is that synthetic rugs may emit gases, so investigate the materials before you purchase if you have someone in your home with sensitivities.
Rugs made from natural materials such as wool, cotton, jute and seagrass are not only beautiful, they are also eco-friendly. You will need a little more room in your budget for these types of rugs, but they can really make your room look elegant. Some natural material rugs have synthetic backing, so again check before you purchase.
If you are purchasing a new condo in Mexico and would like a free home furnishings checklist, email me at sa.novak@solutionsmexico.com.
Sheryl Novak is an expat from Canada who has owned a home in Mexico for over 10 years. She is the owner of SOLutions Mexico, an online furniture store and an expert on sourcing all styles of furniture, for all budgets, in Mexico.
Buying a home in Mexico? Email furniture@solutionsmexico.com to get a free home inventory list.
