Choosing The Perfect Rug

From the elegance of a classic Oriental rug to the casual look of a natural jute, an area rug will add a sense of personality and warmth to any room. But with so many styles, colours, sizes, and materials to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you?

Here are a few ground rules for finding the perfect area rug to fit in your room.  

Colour

Colour is the most obvious starting point for when it comes to choosing the right rug, as the rug will help anchor your room. If your space already has a lot of colours and patterns going on it, you might want to stick with a single colour rug, one that may feature a neutral colour or a shade that complements the other existing furnishings in that space - like furniture upholstery or artwork. One last thing to keep in mind is that darker-coloured rugs will help hide stains or dirt in high activity or high traffic areas. 

Texture

When choosing a rug, this is sometimes the most overlooked aspect, but it shouldn’t be. Rugs add character and texture to any room. When looking for a rug to add warmth and interest into a room, consider adding one with a prominent weave style. 

Size

Taking rug measurements will help you narrow down your choices, so it is easier to start selecting styles and colours you would like. Ideally, when styling your room the furniture should be on the rug, however you can also use the front-legs-only as a compromise. The idea behind this is that if you are sitting on a sofa, your feet are on the fabric, not the floor. If you plan on putting the rug in your dining room and under the dining table, you want to be able to pull the chairs back and still have them on the rug.

Use One or a Few

There is no rule that says you have to limit yourself to just one rug in the living room. Designers often use multiple rugs in large rooms to define different areas. So how do you know if you should use one or a few?

If you have a small space or a living room that is enclosed by walls and doorways, these rooms usually benefit from having just one single large rug. 

Open-concept spaces normally benefit from using multiple rugs to help define and separate areas. 

Can’t Decide on One? Layer them

Another option is to layer rugs on top of each other, with a single large, plain rug on the bottom to cover most of the floor, and smaller decorative rugs on top to anchor different seating areas.

Shape

The layout of your room and the furniture in it will help to determine which rug size will work best for you. When it comes to rug shapes there are three general types of rugs: rectangular, circular, and square.

Rectangular rugs are the most traditional rug shape, and are perfect for covering large areas, as well as fitting into long and narrow spaces.

Circular rugs are a little more casual and often more fun. A round rug is better suited to smaller spaces or rooms that are circular in shape, but there are some exceptions.

Square rugs are ideal for square rooms and to match furniture that is square, such as a coffee table.

Pick a material

When it comes to materials of the rug, it is best to stick with natural materials and fibers. Rugs made of cotton or wool hold up a lot better over time than synthetic fibers. Synthetic fiber rugs normally don’t hold up over time, as they wear and fade faster than other materials. Also, natural materials and fibers just feel better under your bare feet!

Durability

Durability is important when considering a rug and where the rug will be placed. Will it be placed in the family room where there may be little traffic on it, or is it going to be used as a runner down a high traffic hallway?

If you would like any advice on any of our wonderful rugs, please get in touch with us today and we will be happy to help.