It’s no secret that rugs add comfort to your room and show off your taste and designer’s eye. Sometimes, people shy away from a rug they love at first sight because of the size of the rug is not a perfect match for a space.
But you don’t have to say no to a rug that is too big for your room!
Resizing a rug is a simple solution that will help your rug have the size and shape that complements your room the best. Experts from Pettyjohn’s Cleaning know how to resize a rug in a way that will make you feel like the rug has been custom made to your needs. Call us now and make the most of your purchase.
There are two major reasons for resizing a rug: design and safety. Wrong rug sizes ruin the proportions and distort the general view of the room. Too big of a rug may spoil the look of your room making the accents you add less visible and appealing.
The second issue you face when the rug is too big for the space, is the risk of creating a trip hazard in your home or workspace. When a rug has an unsuitable size or shape, the rug may be folded to fit into a space. The folds can cause damage to the rug as well as impede walking!
There are several DIY (Do It Yourself) methods for cutting your rug to the needed size and shape. The problems created by cutting down a rug to fit a smaller space is reason enough to avoid doing this task yourself. One main difference between professional and DIY rug resizing will be in binding and finishing options, as well as the preservation of the rug’s pattern and structural integrity. Often, to achieve the best possible pattern, professionals cut rugs at all sides and make sure the ends have matching bindings. A DIY approach is more about making minimal changes, which might work well for resizing a small bedroom or bathroom rug (especially one where the DIY rug cut can be hidden under a piece of furniture,) but not for an expensive handmade rug from your living room. If you choose the DIY process for rug resizing, here are some steps and considerations you should follow:
Measure the area and the rug several times to avoid any mistakes or miscalculations. Remember, cutting cannot be reversed, so a rug should never be resized in a hurry. It’s best to fold the sides first and put the rug in the place for a few days to make sure it is what you want. You can also apply painters tape to delineate the areas you are considering cutting.
Use a straight-edge or ruler to help guide tape placement. If you want to shape the rug, consider creating a template first and then tape along its edges. Double-check the markings before cutting the rug.
Place the rug upside down on a sturdy surface that you don’t mind to be scratched. If the rug is thin, you may easily cut it with a carpeting knife using the marking line you have drawn. Otherwise, score the dimensions with a carpeting knife and then cut with shears.
Depending on the construction of the rug, a DIY approach to cutting and binding may not be advisable. Unfinished edges are a safety hazard for tripping as they may not lay flat. Open cuts on the edge of a rug will also cause most rugs to begin to unravel. The foundation of the rug will loosen up without proper binding tension and face yarns and fibers will start to fall out. If you have purchased a rug that is too large for your space, and you are considering a DIY approach to resizing your rug, use the above directions to measure and mark the areas to be resized, then consult with a professional rug repair company before making any cuts. An experienced rug repair company will have many different binding options to complement your resized rug!
If you need your rug resized, call the rug cleaning and repair specialists at Pettyjohn’s. We will give you a quote for repairs and provide the best possible service to the highest industry standards.
