How to Choose the Right Basement Area Rug

Just because basements are frequently depicted as scary, dark, and drab in the movies doesn’t mean they actually are.

In reality, most basements these days are no longer the poorly lit, cement floor storage spaces of the past. Instead of sticking with tradition, homeowners are turning their basements into fully functional, usable spaces instead of rooms that only get visited when someone has nowhere else to put something.

A big part of transforming a basement is by introducing the right colors, textures, lights, furniture, and decorations to elevate the space. Since the best place to start when building is from the bottom, today’s post is all about how to choose the best basement area rugs for your home.

What details should I consider when choosing a basement area rug?

There are a few things we consider important when it comes to choosing a basement rug that’s going to best fit your needs. They are:

• Whether or not your basement is at risk for moisture problems. Some basements are, and some aren’t. If you’ve had problems with flooding, humidity, or moisture before and expect them to happen again, make sure you choose linens (that includes rugs) that can stand up to that potential. If not, consider the benefits of fixing the root of your moisture problem before adding any new decor to the space.
• What you’re going to be using the space for. A basement is a blank canvas. They can be turned into anything from a spare bunk room to a workout palace to a movie theater to a pinball arcade. Know what you’re going to be using your basement for before you purchase any rugs so that you can choose floor coverings that won’t only meet the needs of your space, but your lifestyle as well.
• Don’t skip the rug pads. This is especially relevant for basement rugs because basement floors are more likely to be colder, denser, and harder than other floors in your home. Save your feet from discomfort by getting pads to go with every rug placed in your basement.

Which materials are best for basement area rugs?

Some rugs will work better than others in your basement due to a few different things. Because basements are subterranean and typically run colder than the rest of the house, a rug’s warmth becomes a priority. Since basements also have less traffic but more variations in climate, durability with a focus on being moisture-proof should also be prioritized. 

Because of these two main factors, we recommend starting with the following rug fibers when choosing a basement area rug:

• Wool. Wool is going to be your best bet for basement area rugs because of its unique lanolin-coated fibers. Basements are frequently susceptible to moisture, and wool’s natural moisture wicking characteristics make it a good choice to subvert any issues. Additionally, wool is considered one of the softest natural rug fibers, being very warm and sometimes even “fluffy” underfoot. If your basement runs cooler than the rest of your house, the presence of a wool rug will help add warmth and coziness to the space.
• Polypropylene or polysilk. We love natural rugs with all our hearts, but that doesn’t mean we can’t recognize the areas where synthetics might be better suited. Indoor and outdoor suited rug fibers like polypropylene and polysilk can be perfect for basement spaces because of their manufactured waterproof characteristics. Polysilk is designed to be similar in look and feel to wool while polypropylene is similar in look and feel to sisal.

Your basement sees a lot of action, especially if you also use it as a recreation or lounge space. Choosing the right rug for that space will make sure you keep your basement feeling comfortable and cozy for years to come. If you’d like to take a look at rug options other than the ones we’ve listed above, you can always check out our wide selection of natural fiber area rugs available for purchase online.