How to choose the right rug for your space

Rugs are such a beautiful way to add both a decorative and functional design element to your home. They set the foundation for a space- defining zones and anchoring furniture pieces, bring in pattern and texture, provide soundproofing and insulative qualities, and create a sensory, comforting experience as you move from room to room.

To me- a living or bedroom doesn’t feel quite complete without a beautiful rug anchoring the space! And when it comes to their placement no room is off limits; from kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, dining rooms-both indoor and outdoor and of course the more obvious living and sleeping areas. Today we will talk you through 3 key elements to consider when choosing the perfect rug for your space.

01 ] SCALE

Rugs take up a large amount of surface area, so choosing the right size for the space is key to ensuring the right proportions are achieved in the room. A common mistake I see in clients homes is not having the right size rug for the space; throwing the whole room off - no matter how beautiful the rug is!

In a dining room, ensure the rug extends past the table & chairs about 900mm . This means that when chairs are pulled out to sit down, all of the legs are still on the rug.

In a bedroom, the rug should start a small distance from the bedsides- between 200-600mm and extend well beyond the foot of the bed- at least at least 500mm showing. The rug should be at least the width of the bedsides, but if not, only slightly narrower.

For the living room, the rug should either have all lounge and armchair feet sitting on the rug, or at least the front two legs. Keep the borders of the rug away from the edges of the room on all sides- at least 200-300mm. The living room rug is key to anchoring all of the furniture pieces in the room- the sofas, armchairs, coffee table and side tables- and when the scale of the rug is too small it can leave these pieces feeling like they are ‘floating’ in the space and make the room seem smaller than what it is.

This beautiful bedroom is grounded with a grand scale rug of the perfect proportions. Design credit: Intimate Living Interiors

02 | MATERIAL

Wool, cotton, natural or man-made fibres- when it comes to the composition of rugs there are a lot of different types on the market. And while it can be tempting to skip this step and go straight to an aesthetically beautiful piece; it’s very important to consider what material it is made of when investing in a rug for your space, as it determines the rugs longevity; both cleaning and wear-wise and how it feels underfoot.

Wool being a natural fibre is typically a bigger investment compared to a synthetic option. It feels beautiful underfoot and is very durable if well maintained and stains are treated quickly. Vintage rugs are made from wool and they have lasted hundreds of years so don’t be deterred by sales people trying to steer you towards a synthetic option! Yes a synthetic version can be more forgiving with stain resistant properties but they won’t last as long as wool, nor have they been handcrafted or artisan made. Synthetic materials include polyester, nylon and polypropylene and are machine made and more affordable - so if budget is the top consideration this is a good route to go. If you’re after an outdoor rug; Polypropylene or PET rugs are the go to for suitability.

When it comes to the type of rug we choose, we consider a high quality softer, comforting feel of wool in the bedroom or living area depending on the clients lifestyle but opt for a forgiving polyester option in the dining room where spills are unavoidable.

A neutral, textured rug elevates this inviting dining room by The Lifestyled Co.

03| STYLE

Now that you have the background as to what size and material you are looking for its time for the fun part - aesthetics! This is where colour and pattern come into play and can be either a complimentary backdrop to a room, or where you begin designing the space from. We are drawn to the earthy qualities of a jute or sisal rug which provides a neutral, yet textural base and we also love a transitional/vintage style rug to bring pattern into the room. Jute rugs can always be layered beautifully with a patterned rug overtop to get the best of both worlds!  

Designer living room vibes achieved through this

layered rug combination by Halfway Wholeistic

Until next time,

Lottie xx