How to Choose a Rug

Rugs are like art for the floor. When space planning and designing a room; we typically like to start with the rug first, seeing that a rug is such an essential piece when it comes to good design. A good rug adds warmth, color, and texture to a room. When choosing a rug there are three things to consider; size, color, and durability.

Size

A rug that’s too small for the room is one of the most common decorating mistakes that often make a room feel smaller. For most average-sized rooms, there should be about 8-24 inches of bare floor between the edges of the rug and the walls. Make sure that the rug is centered in the room and that the distance between the rug and the wall is the same on all four sides.

For living rooms, the rule of thumb is that you want all your key pieces of furniture to fit on the rug, which includes the sofa, armchairs, side table, and coffee table. You want the front 2 legs of each piece to be on the rug.

Standard sizes for living rooms: 8’x10’, 9’x12’, 11’x14’

For dining rooms, you want to measure the length and width of your table and then add 24” to each side to get the size rug you need. This will ensure that the chairs stay on the rug when pulled out.

Standard sizes for dining rooms: 8’x10’, 9’x12’

Color

When choosing a color for the rug, you want to think about what is going on in the space already. If your room is already full of color and pattern, then consider a rug with neutral tones or solid that will compliment your space rather than distract from it. If you are working with a more neutral space, then a rug that is rich in color or pattern will help ground the room and give it some depth.

Durability

Rooms like living and dining are typically high-traffic areas where choosing a rug that can hold up to kids and pets is key. Machine-made polypropylene acrylic rugs that are a flat-weave or low pile offer great durability and are easy to spot clean. A little bit of mild soap and warm water with a stiff brush can remove any stains or spills on these types of rugs.

Rugs with a higher pile are great for low-traffic areas, such as bedrooms, because they create a cozy feel. The higher pile rugs are easier for dirt and debris to get caught in their fibers, so they take a bit more to keep clean. These types of rugs you usually want to take outside once a year to shake out the dirt and then vacuum with a special vacuum attachment.

Hope that helps you in picking out your next rug! Be sure to stop into our store now until July 15th to receive 35% off all our in-stock rugs!