4 tips for selecting the right area rug for your home
A beautiful rug can dress up and elevate the look and feel of a space. Rugs can help create a bold statement, delineate one room from another, add color, depth, texture, and warmth. A properly curated rug can absolutely transform a space and make a huge impact that truly ties a room together.
There are so many rugs out there today in the market that the choices can be overwhelming. Choosing the wrong rug can make a room look incomplete, imbalanced, and awkward, so it’s an important decision that requires thoughtful intention and planning.
Below are 4 tips on selecting the right rug for your home.
1. Size
One of the most common mistakes people make is choosing a rug that is too small. For example, a small rug that fits just under a coffee table and nothing else looks like it is floating awkwardly in the middle of all the furniture.
If a rug is too small or too large relative to the surrounding furniture and space, it throws off the balance and cohesiveness of a room. A properly sized rug should enhance the overall aesthetic and scale of the furniture. Either all your furniture should be sitting on the rug, or at a minimum, the front 2 legs of your sofa and chairs should be on the rug.
2. Material
If your living room is a high-traffic area that gets a lot of use, then wool is the best material. Wool is a natural fiber that is resilient, durable, hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, soft, and warm. It has good heat insulation and a natural ability to resist staining. However, it may be prone to shedding. Jute, sisal, and cotton are also great materials for rugs as it has soft underfoot textures but may not be as durable. A wool rug comes with a higher price tag, but it’s worth the investment if you want a rug to last for years to come.
For medium-traffic areas such as your office, laundry, or bedroom, wool rugs are also a great choice. Another more affordable option is polyester and synthetic rugs such as nylon, acrylic, and polypropylene/olefin. These materials are strong and stain resistant often used to mimic the characteristics of natural fibers. For example, polypropylene is often used as an inexpensive, but comparably soft substitute for wool.
3. Pattern
There are many patterns to choose from geometric to abstract, chevron, floral, oriental, ikat, and many more. How do you select the right pattern for your living room? Look around at your furniture, pillows, drapes, lights, or accessories. Select a pattern that can tie into one of these items. For example, a geometric pattern that picks up on a pattern from the pillows or an abstract pattern that ties to a large, oversized artwork. A patterned rug adds style, texture, and depth to any living space whether it’s subtle or bold.
4. Color
The color of your area rug will set the tone for the entire room, so it's important to take time to decide. I recommend 2-3 colors. Determine what is the primary color in your room. Make sure the rug’s primary color or background color matches your room’s primary color. Match the secondary color in a rug to your sofa or accent chairs. Match the third rug color to your pillows, wall color, accents, or drapes in the room.
If your living room has carpet, you can still add a rug by layering it over the carpet. If your carpet, furniture, and color scheme are predominately neutral with subtle patterns, try this beautiful vintage Moroccan rug by Coco Carpets. It will add color, texture, and warmth to any room.
The right rug that is properly curated truly ties a space together and can transform a room from ordinary to extraordinary! Remember, it’s more important to fill your home with pieces you love that represent who you are and work for your needs and lifestyle rather than what’s trendy and popular right now. I always advocate for a simple, comfortable, and inviting home that best represents you. If you need a designer’s help and touch to transform your space, please schedule a 30-minute discovery call here.