Good Tip: Inexpensive Rug Solution

When we moved into our loft we quickly came to the realization that we had a great deal of bare floors. And although that's not really a bad thing, floor coverings were quickly needed to help tie our spaces together and make things feel coherent. Not quite ready to chose rugs or carpeting colors, we turned to a more temporary solution that we have kinda fallen in love with. Click through the jump to hear what this "rug" is (if you can't already guess!)

Our rug is made of simple wool carpet pad. We purchased it from a carpet remnant store and it was half the regular cost. This piece that sits in front of our art gallery (which is still in progress) near our entryway cost us all of $8 and is roughly 5'x3'.

It's a great tip for those who are looking for something inexpensive and aren't quite ready to lay down the cash that sometimes rugs can require. It's soft on the feet and easy on the eyes and worked out quite well on our grey floors!

Comments (11)

I'm happy you like it but... to me it looks like a wool carpet pad. As in, when's the actual carpet getting installed?

Maybe the photo is making it look a little dirty and lumpy.

posted by kellylc on January 22nd 2009 at 8:25pm
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Isn't it scratchy, too?

posted by Veruca on January 22nd 2009 at 9:22pm
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We moved a few months ago and repurposed our large berber rug (cheap from Home Depot) into a hall runner by cutting it up. I thought it would fray along the edges and need some trim, but it only shows wear at the seam from kitty scratching it.

posted by tam-tbag on January 22nd 2009 at 9:40pm
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Affordable, comfy, creative, and goodlooking.
I dig the flooring.
It's unique & it keeps the feel of cement flooring intact.
Although, I'm sure it would look good on hardwood too.

posted by Kali Meadows on January 22nd 2009 at 10:18pm
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More photos please? it's really hard to get a sense of whether it looks good or not (at least to me)

posted by kimg924 on January 22nd 2009 at 10:44pm
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the same here, more pictures please!

posted by delikatissen on January 23rd 2009 at 4:53am
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I think this is a great, inexpensive way to figure out rug size and placement. Thanks for the tip!

posted by chottomotto on January 23rd 2009 at 8:31am
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can it be dyed?

posted by misslissa on January 23rd 2009 at 11:23am
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Does your vacuum eat it? It looks like its a lot lighter than a rug or carpet would be and may not take well to vacuuming... plus pet hair... how would that work?

posted by deirdre on January 23rd 2009 at 1:12pm
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Here's a few answers to your questions!

1) It isn't scratchy, not even a little. Although it's not plush, it's just not the hard floor.
2) I have actually considered dying it. I keep looking at it thinking I could dye a design or pattern on it (but then again not all of my brilliant ideas pan out).
3) The vacuum doesn't eat it, but I stand on the edge when bringing the vacuum close to the sides. I am sure if I used carpet tape to keep it down it would be just fine.
4) Pet hair isn't noticeable on it at all due to the little bits of wool that it's made from. But I do keep it vacuum since I can't see the hair that I know has to collect on it!

Thanks everyone!
-Sarahrae

posted by sarahrae on January 23rd 2009 at 1:19pm
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I prefer bound carpet remnants. Locally I can get a 3'x5' for about $10 and it's actual carpet.

posted by SherryBinNH on January 24th 2009 at 3:15pm
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