Shopping for Rugs at HomeGoods - I'm a Fan!

We just completed our lower level renovation (aka basement) and one of many struggles was finding a nice rug that would work well in this new space.  I hadn't shopped for rugs for quite a while and didn't quite know how to approach it.  I wanted something a little more contemporary for this space but couldn't quite get to buying a jute or seagrass rug although I saw MANY beautiful settings with just such a rug.

One of the things that really frustrated me were the seemingly huge selections (and recommendations) for buying an online rug using a site like Overstock.com link which offers a huge selection at great prices and great shipping ($2.99) and does allow returns - although not at this price.   Another site was Josh and Main link which also offers wonderful options at pretty good prices but doesn't allow for returns.  Most on-line sets were variations on this theme - lots of choices but either costly or no returns.  Considering I have a business selling refurbished heirloom upholstered pieces mostly on-line link to Wydeven Designs, it was unsettling to find that I just didn't feel right about buying a rug that I couldn't feel in colors I couldn't quite trust.

A friend suggested I check out HomeGoods - link.  There are quite a few stores in our area and I had barely visited them more than a few times.  I checked on their rug return policy and learned they accepted returns for up to 30 days.

I visited the one closest to my home and did find a nice but  limited rug selection at really good prices and also noted that several people were in the process of buying rugs.  I visited two other sites and found the same pattern - not too many rugs but at great prices and active purchasing.  One store clerk told me that the rugs arrive (different ones at different stores) three times a week and are usually put out the next day.  They move quickly!  With that wisdom, I developed a plan to visit each of the three stores at least once a week and sometimes more if convenient.  

I planned to buy each and every rug that might work for me.   I needed a 8X10 preferably wool rug with some or more of the following colors - cream, taupe, charcoal/black, pale gold and/or seafoam blue.  I was really hoping to add the latter color to my decor, but figured it might be the hardest to get right.

I saw many rugs but nothing worked quite right.

 After about ten visits (and close t the time I actually needed the rug), I found a black and white and grey patterned (unfortunately, I did not photograph it) but thought it might work.  I purchased it and planned to pick it up last week Saturday to actually place in the just-completed space.  I wasn't 100% sure about it but it was a nice rug (8X11 wool - $299) so I felt it was worth a try.  As I waited to have it put into my van, I checked the rug section again and found a seafoam blue and cream/gold patterned rug (8X10 wool - $299) that looked even better.  I brought it home as well and there is remains.

Rug in new space - love it!

SO ... perseverance pays off here.  HomeGoods is not a quick solution unless you are incredibly lucky to find just what you want right away.  I also found that, generally, some of the patterns and colors are not the most popular ones - nice neutrals were also hard to find.  But, if you can wait it out, it's a great solution at the right price!

Looking for that Perfect Rug - A Struggle

Chair I plan to use in my new basement (unless it sells and/or doesn't work with final rug selection)

We are getting close to finishing our basement renovation and I will unveil the end results soon.  Like any project, both the timeline and price-point have been challenging.

Love Seat I plan to use in basement - matches color of the walls

I am currently looking for a rug for the "media area" of the basement.  I need at least an 8 X 10 size - perhaps a little bigger.  It goes without saying that I want a great deal!

 It's been quite a while since I've shopped for rugs so this is almost a new experience for me.  The colors I am looking to put together are a pale gold taupe  (color of wall and loveseat I plan to use - see photo), a lighter cream pair of chairs and a seafoam blue (one of my own Wydeven Designs chairs unless it sells before I have a chance to move it it) - see photo above of this beauty!  I would really like to bring this color into my new space and this chair would work well!

My biggest frustration is the availability of very few in-store options for rugs compared to the vast array available through websites like Overstock.com Link, Rugs Direct, Rug Exchange and others.
The on-line prices look good and there are LOTS of choices in all colors and sizes.  Some sites such as Overstock.com offer really low shipping ($2.95) and do allow you to return the rug if it doesn't work - of course, not for $2.95.  Overstock also provides customer comments which, when present, are very helpful.

My problem is the issue of color. The wall color is set because we were matching with other spaces already redone.  One of the customer comments made by many on-line buyers addresses the accuracy of the colors seen on their screen and the actual rug once they receive it.  Quite a few say that the colors are quite off.  This would not be a huge problem if you like what you get and it doesn't clash with other color requirements.  But this is what worries me!  I am afraid to buy an on-line rug I fall in love with only to find it just doesn't match well enough with my colors.  Even if it can be returned, it will be expensive and a hassle!

So, I am dragging my husband to the various stores in the area to look at "store-in person" options.  You would think that in a metropolitan area such as Atlanta, there would be a lot of options but you would be wrong.  Here is where I've been:

Pottery Barn Outlet (Dawsonville, GA) 

Ballards Back Room (Roswell, GA)

HomeGoods (Norcross, Dunwoody and Alpharetta)

West Elm (Atlantic Station)

Restoration Hardware (Dawsonville, GA)

I have found the best prices at HomeGoods and even recognize some of the patterns from my internet search - e.g. $199-299 for 8X10 wool rugs!   The selection, however, is very limited.  Pottery Barn had a few possibilities but would not allow returns.  I am still looking!

If anyone has any suggestions or ideas on this one, I would love to hear it!  I would also love to hear of experiences with on-line rug purchases!