The Ideal Rug to Style Your Home (Buying Guide)
Choosing the perfect rug for your living space can be a game-changer. Even though we don’t always pay them a huge amount of attention, a rug quietly makes the room feel cozy, complete, and comfortable.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deeper into the details of choosing the right rug for your home - from materials to rug sizes, we’ve got you covered!
Understanding your living space
Room size and layout
The first step in choosing the ideal rug is understanding your living space. The size of your room plays a crucial role in determining the rug size. A common rule of thumb is to have all your furniture either completely on the rug or at least the front legs on it. This helps create a cohesive look and anchors the room.
For small living rooms, opt for rugs that fit under the front legs of your furniture. A 5’x8’ rug often works well, providing enough coverage without overwhelming the space.
Larger spaces can handle bigger rugs, such as 8’x10’ or even 9’x12’. These rugs help fill the space and can accommodate all furniture pieces, making the room feel more unified and less scattered.
Recommended read: The Ultimate Guide to Living Room Rug Placement
Lifestyle considerations
Your lifestyle is another critical factor. If you have a busy household with kids and pets, you’ll need a rug that’s durable and easy to clean. On the other hand, if your living room is more of a formal space used for entertaining guests, you might opt for a more luxurious, delicate rug.
For high-traffic areas, choose rugs made of durable materials like wool or synthetic blends. These rugs are resilient and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing wear and tear.
In less frequented rooms, you can indulge in more delicate materials like silk or high-pile rugs, which add a touch of luxury and softness underfoot.
When you have children or pets like @briebenfell, the material of your rug really matters! Pictured: The Odette Performance Bouclé Sofa, Paloma Bouclé Armchair, and Yara Jute Area Rug.
In high-traffic areas, consider a durable rug made from wool or synthetic blends. Pictured: The Mira Wool Area Rug.
Choosing the right rug material
Rugs need to be relatively hard-wearing to deal with the foot traffic and general wear and tear of everyday life. That said, it’s important to consider the type of rug material that works best for your home.
Wool
Wool rugs are often hailed as one of the best choices for various living spaces due to their unique blend of durability and comfort.
The natural fibers of wool are incredibly resilient, which means wool rugs can withstand significant foot traffic and daily wear and tear. This durability is largely due to the structure of wool fibers, which are naturally elastic and can bounce back to their original shape after being compressed.
Wool rugs also offer a plush and comfortable feel underfoot. The fibers are naturally soft, providing a cozy and luxurious sensation. Getting a wool rug can be especially important in living rooms where people often sit on the floor or play.
Additionally, wool is often associated with luxury, which enhances the overall perception and aesthetic of your home.
Best for: High-traffic areas, households with kids and pets
The Atmore Wool Area Rug is made from 100% wool that is hand-tufted with a cotton backing.
Handwoven from 100% New Zealand wool, the Inez Wool Area Rug provides a soft underfoot.
Jute rugs
Jute rugs have a distinct, natural look that can add warmth and texture to your living space. Their earthy tones blend seamlessly with most color schemes, making them a popular choice in many homes.
Jute rugs can withstand moderate foot traffic but may show wear and tear in high-traffic areas over time. That said, they are ideal for areas that don’t experience heavy foot traffic, such as bedrooms, dining rooms, or home offices.
Best for: Moderate-traffic areas, rustic or bohemian decor styles, and casual living rooms
Cotton
Cotton rugs are a popular choice for many households due to many factors. Cotton rugs are generally more affordable than other types of rugs, such as wool or silk. This makes them an excellent option for budget-conscious buyers or those looking to decorate multiple rooms without breaking the bank.
One of the standout features of cotton rugs is their ease of cleaning and maintenance. Cotton is a machine-washable material, which makes these rugs particularly convenient for busy households.
Cotton is a breathable material, which means cotton rugs tend to be lighter and more airy than those made from denser fibers - making them easier to move and handle.
Best for: Casual living rooms, budget-conscious buyers, and those who frequently change their decor
Synthetic blends
Synthetic fiber rugs, such as those made from polypropylene, nylon, or polyester, are engineered for strength and resilience. These rugs are highly durable and resistant to stains, making them perfect for high-traffic areas and households with children or pets.
They are also typically more affordable than natural fiber rugs, offering a budget-friendly option for those looking to decorate their home without a significant investment.
For busy households, synthetic rugs offer the convenience of easy maintenance, freeing up time for other activities. Regular vacuuming and occasional spot cleaning are usually enough to keep them looking their best.
Best for: High-traffic areas, households with kids and pets, outdoor spaces
Recommended read: Which Rug Material is the One for You?
Considering different types of rug shapes
One of the main factors that will determine the rug you choose is the shape of the space you want to cover. While rectangular rugs are the most common, exploring different shapes can add visual interest, define areas, and complement your room's layout.
Here’s an in-depth look at various rug shapes and how they can enhance your home:
Rectangular rugs
Rectangular rugs are the most traditional and widely used rug shape. They come in various sizes and can fit almost any room layout, from living rooms and dining rooms to bedrooms and hallways.
If you’re looking to anchor your main seating area in the living room, consider placing a rectangular rug under your coffee table, and extending it to the edges of your seating area.
The Cora Wool Area Rug comes in 3 different sizes to choose from - 5' x 8', 7.5' x 9', and 9' x 12'.
@brownstoneboys uses a rug to delineate the main seating area. Pictured: The Marlow Performance Bouclé Curve Sofa.
Round rugs
Round rugs add a playful and softer touch to a room. They help to break the monotony of straight lines and angles, offering a refreshing change to the space. Round rugs also work well in smaller rooms or rooms with round furniture pieces, such as circular dining tables or ottomans.
Square rugs
Square rugs offer a balanced and symmetrical look, making them ideal for square rooms or creating distinct zones in open-plan living spaces. These rugs also complement square or rectangular furniture arrangements, enhancing the room’s visual harmony.
Runner rugs
Runners are long and narrow, designed to fit in hallways, entryways, and other narrow spaces. They can make these narrow spaces appear longer and more inviting. They also guide the eye and create a sense of direction, making spaces feel more connected and cohesive.
Oval rugs
Oval rugs combine the elongated shape of rectangular rugs with the softness of round rugs, adding a unique, flowing dynamic to a room. Oval rugs also fit well in rooms with long, narrow layouts, such as dining areas or living rooms with extended seating arrangements.
@homeandkind creates a cozy reading area for the little one with a rug and the Amber Bouclé Swivel Chair and Kit Bouclé Stool.
The Marc Oval Jute Rug adds a rustic touch to @villastyling’s bedroom. Pictured: Amber Bouclé Swivel Chair and Kit Bouclé Stool.
Deciding on the best rug size
Rugs come in a variety of sizes for almost every layout in your home. However, with the variety, it also becomes a challenge to pick the best rug size.
Rectangular rugs for living areas come in a choice of sizes, including:
2’ x 3’
2.5’ x 6’
5’ x 8’
8’ x 10’
Oval rugs for living areas are generally either:
5’ x 8’
8’ x 10’
And circular rugs are 6’ in diameter.
For living rooms, a large rug around 5’ x 8’ or 8’ x 10’ is ideal to accommodate all the furniture in a seating area, including the sofa, chairs, and coffee table. This creates a cohesive look and helps define the space.
Depending on the size of your dining area and the amount of chairs you will have around the table you will generally need a 8' x 10' for 4 to 6-seaters and 9' x 12' for 6-seaters or more.
In the bedroom, a 5’ x 8’ is perfect for a queen sized bed and an 8’ x 10’ works best with a king sized bed.
The ideal rug can transform your home
Getting the perfect rug for your living space involves considering several factors like your lifestyle and what the unique characteristics of different rugs can offer you. Remember, a well-chosen rug is an investment in comfort, style, and the overall ambiance of your home.
FAQs
What types of rug are good for living rooms?
Living room rugs are generally located in the centre of the living space and need to be cozy but also in context with the rest of the design and color scheme of the room.
Choose a rug that does not dominate the space but that is also not too small and it can really tie the room together. Colors of other soft furnishings can be reflected in the rug for a subtle tying together of design scheme.
How do I choose a rug for my space?
Think about both the size and shape of your available floor space and choose a rug that is suitable. Rugs that are too big can swallow up furniture and too small leaves wide open spaces around the edges of the space.
What kind of rugs make space look bigger?
A well-proportioned rug will make the space look bigger. Lighter colors and rugs with no pattern are also good at increasing the sense of space.