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 provide soundproofing and insulative qualities, and can create a sensory, comforting experience as you move from room to room.

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.

In a dining room, we like to ensure the rug extends past the table (& tucked in chairs) almost a metre.

In a bedroom, the rug should start a small distance from the bedsides and extend well beyond the foot of the bed. 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 20-30cm.  

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.  A synthetic version can be more forgiving with stain resistant properties however they generally won’t last as long as wool. Synthetic materials include polyester, nylon and polypropylene and are a more affordable alternative to wool. 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 to 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 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