If you’ve been feeling like something is missing from your living room, bedroom or dining room décor, an area rug might be the answer. A well-chosen area rug that coordinates with your furniture and décor can elevate the space and bring your room’s design together. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right area rug for any room:
1. Size & Shape
While the appearance and style of a rug may be your top priority, it’s also important to consider size. The size of an area rug has a big impact on how large the room appears and how balanced it feels. The most common area rug sizes are 5×8, 8×10 and 9×12 feet. Here are some rug sizing tricks to help you choose the best size for your space:
- Larger rugs can help make the room appear bigger.
- Keep at least 18 inches of floor exposed at the edges of the rug. This helps ensure the room appears large, but still open and not cramped.
- A 5×8 rug is a good choice for under the coffee table in your living room, or for an entryway. You can also use it in a bedroom, with some of the rug positioned under the end of the bed and the rest exposed.
Image: Celine Area Rug (8’X10′) From The RoomPlace - An 8×10 rug also makes a great living room area rug. Place it under the coffee table and arrange the furniture so that the front legs of the sofa and chairs are on the rug.
- A 9×12 rug works beautifully in most spaces, assuming the room is large enough (remember, leave 18 inches around the edges of the rug). In a living area, usually all the living room furniture can be placed on it. In the dining room, where you want all legs of the dining chairs to sit on the rug even when the chairs are pulled out, a 9×12 is generally perfect. As a bedroom area rug, this size can be placed horizontally under the bed and nightstands with room to spare.
- A 12×15 rug or larger is well-suited for extra-large rooms.
- Round rugs are ideal for use in entryways, beneath round dining room tables, or for certain living room furniture arrangements (such as those with round coffee tables or circular setups).
2. Color
- If you’re struggling to decide what color area rug to choose, consider these general guidelines:
- If your sofa and chairs are a solid color, choose a patterned rug that features that color or colors in the same family.
- If your furniture is patterned or especially bold, opt for a neutral rug that will complement rather than compete.
- For dark furniture, choose a lighter rug color to keep the space looking open
- If your walls, furniture and décor are generally neutral, you can add a splash of color with a bold rug.
3. Texture
Regardless of the design style you chose for your home, an element of texture is essential. Home accents like area rugs are a great way to add visual texture and contrast to your room. Here are a few beautiful ideas to consider:
- Hand-Woven: Unique textile rugs with a hand-crafted look can add a rustic or sophisticated aesthetic, depending on what style you’re looking for. We like the Surya Tahoe Area Rug for its striking texture.
- Faux Fur: Faux fur rugs are perfect for adding texture and comfort to your room. This Linon White Faux Sheepskin Area Rug is a gorgeous complement to many popular design styles, including mid-century modern and farmhouse chic.
- Shag: Shaggy rugs are back in style, thanks to their unmistakable texture and softness underfoot. The Celine Area Rug adds a unique luster and comfort to your floor.