We all lead busy lives, so it’s always nice when we can spend less time cleaning and more time relaxing. This includes maintaining our furniture, and especially our much-loved rugs! In order to reduce the amount of time spent maintaining your rug, consider these questions to choose the perfect one for your household and lifestyle.

1. Where will you be placing your rug? Not only is it important to choose a rug which matches your interior design, but it is also necessary to think about where you will be placing the rug.

For instance, if you're constantly walking through the front door with muddy shoes/a bike/a pram etc, then perhaps your hall runner is better placed in an upstairs landing area, rather than by the front door.

In addition, you can protect your rugs from sun fading by placing them away from windows and other areas where they're in contact with direct sunlight.  If this is unavoidable, try closing your curtains when you're away from the room to minimise contact as much as possible.

This may seem obvious, but it's also necessary to consider the size of your rug. If you buy a rug which is slightly too big for your floor space, the edges might begin to curl upwards against the wall. To avoid this, make sure you measure your floor space accurately before purchase.

2. What is the function of the rug?

If you're looking for a rug with a specific purpose, it's really important to ensure that you choose a rug which is practical for the role.

For example, if you're looking for a rug to support furniture, such as a dining table or a coffee table, consider both the size of the rug and the pattern. You want to make sure that the rug is large enough for both the table and its chairs, but you also need to decide if the furniture is the statement piece, or the rug.

The pile is also a key factor when deciding upon a rug. If you're choosing a rug to go beneath a dining room table, it's probably not a good idea to go with a shaggy pile. The density of the rug means that it's tougher to clean than rugs of a thinner pile, so food spillages are likely to cause more damage. Top tip: picking a patterned rug can be a good way of disguising said food stains!

3. Who will be using the rug?

Keeping houses clean can be tough enough when you live alone, but adding children and pets to the equation can make it even more difficult! For these homes, choosing a low-maintenance rug is the easiest way to save time.

Consider a fibre such as jute; it's environmentally friendly, fashionable, and usually only needs a quick vacuum to be kept clean. If you do choose wool, opting for a rug with a low pile will give you the soft texture without the extra fluff.