Talkin’ ‘bout toes: June is the Month for All Things Underfoot – Rugs!

Kick off those sneakers - the season of bare feet has arrived! If you’re a fan (like us!) of naked toes, you’ll love this month’s feature on all things rugs. From the door mats at the front porch, to foyer runners, living room area rugs, kitchen sink catchers, and outdoor patio rugs, House Dressings has tips for everything “under foot” in your home.

Rugs are definitely a dashboard topic each time we meet with sellers in our pre-listing consultations. How big? What color? Where to place? These are just a few of our most frequently asked questions. If you’re thinking about selling and want to make an amazing first impression, go ahead — dip a toe in and read on for this month’s “sole” satisfying hints:

Welcome mats:

Yes please! As buyers (& visitors) wait at the front door to enter your home, nothing says “welcome - glad you’re here!” like a colorful & inviting welcome mat at the door. Whether it actually says welcome or is just super cheerful, it definitely needs to be newish & cute-ish. Pack up those personalized mats with initials or names and save for the new house.

Foyer runners:

That welcome sure doesn’t need to stop at the door! Foyers should feel comfortable and inviting. Here’s a great HD insider tip – using runners in the foyer actually help lead buyers into the home. We also prefer runners because of the narrow widths that instantly allow buyers to see and appreciate your floors without covering up too much. Runners come in many lengths so pick one just right for your space. Keep it on-trend, newish and go very subtle with patterns and colors.

Living room area rugs:

How big? How small? Ever feel like Goldilocks looking for a rug that’s JUST right?! Let’s go behind the scenes for answers - when selling, a rug is used to define the living space, create a cozy nesting vignette, highlight the room’s focal point (usually the fireplace) and sell the flooring.

Yep - quite a list of tasks for a simple rug! Don’t be intimidated. Our first tip is to avoid going too big. Our comfort size for staging is usually no bigger than a 6 X 9 ft rug. What’s next? Align and center the rug length-wise parallel to the fireplace, leaving a nice band of flooring between the hearth and rug edge. Center the coffee table on the rug and build your vignette around this point. It’s definitely okay to place only the sofa’s front legs on the rug. Just like the foyer, select trending & newish rugs with subtle patterns and colors. Textures that cushion bare feet are an added bonus!

Kitchen & laundry room dirt-catchers:

It’s really all about the fun in these spaces! Tired, well-worn rugs are a big N-O when it comes to selling. Our favs for kitchens and laundry are runners, centered in front of the sink. Go playful in these spaces and be bold with energizing & trending patterns and colors.

Bathroom comfort rugs:

Turn that volume down a few notches for a more spa-like vibe here. Daily use rugs are completely taboo for selling. We love new white fluffy rugs, and often just one will do. Center the rug on the tub, buying one large enough to make the tub the focal point of the room.

Patio outdoor rugs:

Bring a bit of the indoors outside by creating a second living area on the patio. Most sellers are surprised at the difference an outdoor rug makes in defining a patio as an extra living space for a home. That’s added value $$ in the eyes of potential buyers! Go bold & fun when it comes to colors & patterns, complimenting your patio furniture and accent pillows. For sizing & placement, see the tips above for living areas.

Sourcing your rugs:

A final tip for buying new rugs of all shapes & sizes - bargain hunt! There is absolutely no need to overspend on rugs. Slip those sneakers back on and get busy walking to find great prices in person. We frequently source locally at HomeGoods, AtHome, & Target. For larger rugs, shop online for Amazon & Wayfair sales.