Guide to Area Rugs for Small Businesses

Small businesses, particularly new ones, don’t often have a large budget for decorating. Yet your business space needs to project a professional and attractive face to your clientele. Discount area rugs can help give your space style and warmth without making you spend all your money in one place. Consider what an area rug can do for your space:

1. Area rugs give wood, cement, or other “cold” floors warmth and comfort.
2. They add color and style to your office.
3. You can use discount area rugs in high traffic areas to protect more expensive flooring.
4. Clearance area rugs can cover up stained or worn carpet or other flooring blemishes so your office doesn’t give off the wrong impression.

You can find a wide range of sources for discount area rugs for your small business office, including online retailers, auction sites and local carpet stores.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Measure your office space for area rugs

Before you begin shopping, you'll want to measure the areas that you'd like to cover with discount area rugs. While it may be easy to return a rug that doesn't fit to a local home improvement store, you may wind up with extra shipping costs if you need to return one you bought online. Write down the measurements and the number of area rugs you'd like so you'll have a record when you're shopping

I recommend: Overstock and Rugs USA have discount area rugs in a wide range of sizes to fit almost any office. You can also shop for rugs locally at any Lowe’s or other home improvement store.

Consider what traffic levels your discount area rugs will encounter

You'll want durable, stain resistant rugs in high traffic areas. More delicate rugs can be used for decoration or warmth in less trafficked areas. Even with clearance area rugs, you may be able to find a retailer who offers a guarantee on the rug's durability. Keep in mind that sometimes you'll need to pay a little extra to get the durability that you need, but it will pay off in the long run as you won't need to replace the area rug as often.

I recommend: On the Clearance Rugs website, you can find rugs made from wool, bamboo or other materials. Shaw Area Rugs has a reputation of creating well-constructed, beautiful area rugs that would be a great addition to any office.

Use area rugs to create style in your office

If you don't have a large decorating budget, look to area rugs to add style and color to your office. Look to patterns, bold colors and different textures to give your office depth and an attractive presence. The right paint color, the right rug and a few extra touches can give you a stylish office for a very reasonable price.

I recommend: Rugs to My Door has a number of stylish options as well as free shipping. With Rugs Direct, you can choose from a beautiful traditional area rug or a more contemporary one. Go with a designer rug from Rug Studio for style and comfort.

Order custom area rugs for a personalized look

Although you may spend a bit more than on clearance area rugs, custom area rugs offer you more personalization and different sizes. Depending on your budget and needs, a custom rug may be just what your office needs and well worth the extra expense. You may also find special deals or discount area rugs that someone else has ordered and now doesn't want.

I recommend: Natural Home Rugs sells custom natural fiber rugs for the eco-conscious business. Direct Mat can create an area rug with your logo or other pattern. Mastercraft Carpet Makers can also create a rug with your logo or create a rug to custom fit any room in your office.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Vacuum your area rugs frequently to keep them looking their best. To clean your discount area rugs, follow the manufacturers' recommendations or hire a carpet cleaner for the tough stains that can occur in high traffic areas.
• Don't forget that local second-hand furniture stores often carry rugs. You can find some beautiful, traditional rugs by checking out these stores or estate auctions.

The official source of Area Rugs for Small Businesses is the Area Rugs page at Business.com