A rug can help complete a room, adding personality, warmth and comfort.
Rugs are extremely versatile and can be used in any room in your home, but with so many options available, it can be tricky to know how to choose the right rug for a space.
When choosing a rug for your home, size matters. A well-proportioned rug will give a room effortless style.
Living room rugs
Generally, it is better to choose a rug that is too big rather than too small.
The living room has many pieces of furniture and you want a rug big enough so that all pieces of furniture are sitting on the rug, even if only partially. This will make the space look bigger and more balanced, and bring the furniture together, helping to ‘zone’ the living room. This is especially beneficial in open plan living room designs.
With larger pieces of furniture, like a couch or armchair, placing the front legs on the rug can help anchor it in place, you don’t necessarily need to sit the entire piece of furniture on the rug.
Ideally, you want at least 20-30cm of the rug visible around the perimeter of the room. You don’t want the whole floor covered as this can lessen the impact of the rug and make the room feel smaller.
Living room rugs help anchor the furniture, bringing all the elements of the room together. A rug can be used to tie together a larger or open plan area, however, in compact spaces, go for a smaller sized rug, with the furniture set partially on the rug’s edges.
A high-traffic area in most homes, look for hard wearing rugs for the living room that will still look beautiful after many years.
Dining room rugs
Dining room rugs can add a luxurious feel, creating a cosy and sophisticated atmosphere.
Choose a rug that extends at least 50-60cm on each end of the dining table. Position the table fully on the rug, with the chairs sitting fully on the rug, even when pulled out.
When choosing a rug for the dining room, carefully consider the material and pattern, as it needs to hold up against potential spillage. Wool rugs are a good choice for the dining room, as the material is durable and can be easier to clean.
Bedroom rugs
Add cosiness and warmth to the bedroom with a beautiful rug.
You have numerous options when it comes to positioning your bedroom rug, depending on the size and layout of the room.
Layer the rug under the bed with about 70-90cm showing around the edges. This will provide a soft landing for your feet, adding warmth and comfort to the room.
Alternatively, if you don’t have much space, choose a rug that sits under the lower section of the bed, showing more of the rug at the foot of the bed.
Consider other furniture in the room as well. To achieve a balanced look you may want to choose a rug big enough to sit under bedside tables or footstools at the end of the bed.
Choosing the size rug for a room
Consider the room itself before buying a rug, this includes the size of the space, by also the layout and factors such as inward swinging doors, floor vents and if there is a fireplace you may not want a rug to sit too close to.
Think about the arrangement of furniture in the room, as this may impact how big you need the rug to be.
If the rug is big enough, you can sit the furniture fully on it, otherwise, at least the two front feet on and the two back feet off. However, if you can’t fit a bigger rug, as long as the rug sits against the couch and your feet are on top, you don’t have to worry if it doesn’t sit under the couch.
It can depend on your space and the amount of furniture you have as to what rug size is best for a room. It’s all about creating balance, so it’s up to you to play around with the proportions and placement to get a look you’re happy with. To find out what rug size may be best for various rooms in your home, check out this size guide.
Smaller spaces may be better suited to a single large rug, whereas, for a big open area, you may need multiple rugs.
If you do have a rug that is too small for the space, don’t throw it away! Find a bigger rug that will compliment it and then layer the small rug over a bigger one to create a unique interior style within your home.
