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Your Guide to Choosing the Right Area Rug for YOU!

Area Rugs!

Where do you need an area rug?

Do you have to have an area rug?

How big should the area rug be?

Do all of your area rugs have to match?

Just a few of the many area rug questions I get on the regular.

Adding an area rug to your room can transform it! Area rugs can add warmth. It can help with the acoustics of the room. Area rugs can add color and a pop of personality. Area rugs are a great way to finish off a room. The perfect area rug can pull the whole room together.

But, how do you choose the right area rug for you and your space?

Start with size – it matters.

Here are a few good rules of thumb.

In a living room the rug should at least go under the front feet of a sitting area. If you want a room size area rug, then leave about 18″ of floor showing on the perimeter. For the love of all that is, PLEASE do not put a little 2′ x 3′ area rug just under your coffee table. Save your time and your money until you can get a properly sized rug for your room. 🙂

In a dining room the rug should be large enough so that when you pull your chair the back legs are still on the rug. This eliminates the constant battle between the rug and the chair. Two feet larger than the table all around usually covers this.

In a bedroom the rug should fit under the bed and come out enough on the sides so that when you get out of bed your feet land on the rug. It’s always nice to start the day with a cushy feel!  A perfect size would go from outside edge of nightstand to outside edge of nightstand and extend about 2-3 feet from the foot of the bed.

Next comes shape.

In a living room rectangular seems to work best, because of the shape of sitting areas.

In a dining room use your table shape as a guide. If you have an oval table then you can get away with an oval rug. A rectangular rug works for all table shapes. Round rugs only work with round tables that do not turn into ovals with leaves.

A great tip for picturing how large and what shape you should get is to use painter’s tape on the floor. Map it out and see if it looks right in your space. This is a great tip for furniture as well. I usually do this for clients that are having a hard time picturing how new furniture will look and fit.

Next choose the right color and texture.

If you have several colors in a room a great way to pull it all together is by choosing an area rug that contains all of those colors.

Or, you can go neutral and just add some great texture to the room with a one color shag or a natural fiber.

All of the area rugs in your home don’t need to match. But, if they are in an open area or can be seen from each room then make sure they coordinate and don’t clash. Many rug lines have several different patterns with the same colors in them.

Another great tip is if you can’t find an area rug you love go to a carpet store. You can buy carpet by the yard and have any size you like bound for a minimal cost.

Lastly, if you know that your tastes and/or needs change frequently don’t buy an expensive area rug.

If you’re someone that wants to buy a great quality rug, don’t choose a trendy one. Go with a classic pattern that will stand the test of time.

Talk to your local carpet and rug showrooms. The sales people are usually super knowledgeable and can inform you of what the rug is made of and how best to care for it.

You can share a pic of your favorite area rug on my Facebook Page!  I love to see how YOU live!! LINK AT TOP