How To Choose The Perfect Rug For Your Living Room

How to choose the perfect Area Rug for your Living Room

A Practical Guide

Rugs have the power to ground a space but it’s a design element that unfortunately, many people tend to overlook. If a living room feels incomplete, it’s most likely due to the lack of that anchor. Perhaps that is why you are here, or maybe you already have a rug but something still feels off. Regardless, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we are breaking down the exact rules and tips you will need to choose the perfect area rug for your living room.

There are four key elements we must consider to get this right.

FUNCTION

Rugs can be a big investment so we should navigate this process with patience. This step will always take precedence.

How do you and your household function in your space?

In other words:

What do you need in a rug that will blend well with your lifestyle?

The type of rug you decide to purchase will be dependent on how you answer this question.

Do you have kids or pets? → Consider a rug that’s easily washable

Do you have carpet? → Consider a flat low pile rug

(It’s not recommended to place a rug on high pile carpet. It may look bulky and could potentially be a tripping hazard.)

Do you have a busy schedule? → Consider something low maintenance

The questions above are just a few of the many things to consider. The goal here is to establish a clear list of needs so you can narrow down your shopping

options. It is completely okay if you don’t have all the answers right now. Simply having this list will help you tremendously going forward.

You should now know what you need from your rug.

SPACE

When it comes to space, you may have very little or more than you know what to do with. Both can be a blessing and a curse in their own way. To find the perfect rug for your bedroom, it is important to analyze how much space you actually have.

Here are two guidelines you can follow:

Your area rug should have all legs of sofas, chairs, and coffee tables inside the rug with 12-18 inches extending outwards.
Your area rug should have the front two legs of sofas and chairs and all four legs of the coffee table inside the rug with 12-18 inches extending outwards.

Large spaces have the luxury of choosing their preference but small spaces are typically constrained to rule number two. It is important to note that if your space is really small, you may want to have the rug extend a shorter distance outward but I would not go below 8 inches.

Here’s what we don’t want: We don’t want your area rug to take over your space.

Pay close attention to this detail.

You should now know what type of rug can fit in your space.

DIMENSIONS

Dimensions can now be taken after finalizing our decisions in the previous steps. Measure out the ideal length and width for your rug on the floor of your living room. You may also use painters tape on the floor to see if you like the layout.

Don’t forget:

Your area rug should have all legs of sofas, chairs, and coffee tables inside the rug with 12-18 inches extending outwards.

Your area rug should have the front two legs of sofas and chairs and all four legs of the coffee table inside the rug with 12-18 inches extending outwards.

You should now know what your ideal measurements are for your rug.

STYLE

Style is our most exciting step. Use the guide below to help you decide.

Budget: Rugs can get expensive so it is important to set a budget before you choose a style. That being said, I recommend investing in a high quality rug. It can save you money in the long rug because they are durable. In this case, you wouldn’t have to go buy another “temporary” rug.

Design styles are here to guide you but they are not hard rules. Most people have a mix of styles in their homes and when done right, it can look beautiful. Don’t be afraid to step out of your interior design style.

Rug Characteristics: Minimalist patterns, earthy tones, bold abstract art, high low pile heights, and geometric line art.

Common Materials: Wool, jute, viscose, and polypropylene.

Design Goal: To create an environment that is intentional and functional by eliminating clutter and visual noise.

Rug Characteristics: Heavily textured Moroccan shags, geometric tribal patterns, distressed vintage looks, and playful details like fringe or tassels.

Common Materials: Wool, cotton, jute, and sisal.

Design Goal: To create an environment that shows off your lifestyle, nature, and one that embraces maximalism.

Rug Characteristics: Neutral stripes, classic plaids, simple ticking patterns, or faded, low contrast vintage motifs in muted color palettes.

Common Materials: Chunky wool blends, durable cotton, jute, and sisal.

Design Goal: To create an environment that feels cozy by inviting in natural elements.

Rug Characteristics: Intricate oriental or Persian motifs, formal central medallions, detailed borders, and rich, deep color ways (like navy, burgundy, and sage).

Common Materials: Silk, high quality wool, and dense faux whip polypropylene.

Design Goal: To create an environment that is timeless, familiar, and elegant.

Rug Characteristics: Bold geometric shapes, iconic retro line work, atomic era bursts, and warm earth tones (mustard, olive, terracotta) paired with high contrast neutrals.

Common Materials: Low pile wool, dense tufted synthetics, and flat weaves.

Design Goal: To create an environment that prioritizes function through simplicity.

Rug Characteristics: Ultra clean minimalism, high texture micro shags, simple neutral monochrome grids, and muted pastel or bright monochromatic tones.

Common Materials: Undyed wool, organic cotton, and light jute.

Design Goal: To create an environment that embraces the concept of hygge (coziness) by prioritizing a bright and airy space.

Rug Characteristics: Monochromatic concrete tones, faded or heavily distressed vintage patterns, abstract iron/rust toned washes, and stark geometric grids.

Common Materials: Low profile polypropylene, durable nylon, and distressed hides.

Design Goal: To create an environment that embraces raw materials.

Rug Characteristics: Fluid organic shapes, asymmetrical wavy lines, tonal stone veined marble patterns, and rich textures like bouclé or silk sheen gradients.

Common Materials: Viscose, Tencel, modal, and fine wool.

Design Rule: To create an environment that feels fresh and comfortable while being inline with the current trends.

Wool comes from a sheep's coat.

Pros: Very high quality due to its longevity.

Stain Resistant
Fire Resistant
Exceptionally Soft
Natural Elasticity (It bounces back even after heavy furniture sits on it.)
Eco- Friendly
Hypoallergenic (Reduces allergy symptoms.)

The Cons:

High Price Tag
Constant Shedding for the First Few Months
Sensitive to Harsh Chemicals
Sensitive to Moisture

Cotton comes from the cotton plant.

Pros:

Lightweight and Breathable
More Budget Friendly Option
Many are Machine Washable
Soft Underfoot

The Cons:

Wears Down Faster
Can Curl at the Edges
Can Slip and Slide (This can be treated by adding a thick rug pad.
Prone to Stains

Jute is derived form the Corchorus Plant. Sisal is derived from the Agave Sisalana Plant.

Pros:

Plant Based Materials
Jute is Soft
Sisal is Durable
Often Base Layers for Smaller Rugs

The Cons:

Highly Sensitive to Moisture
Jute Sheds Fine Fibers Over Time
Sisal is Quite Coarse and Scratchy

Silk is harvested from the cocoons of the silk worm.

Pros:

Intricate Details in Design
Highly Resistant to Natural Wear
Can Increase in Value Over Time

Cons:

Very High Cost
High Maintenance
Absorbs Moisture Rapidly
Not for High Traffic Areas
Fades in Direct Sunlight

Viscose is a semi-synthetic material derived from natural sources like wood pulp and bamboo cellulose.

Pros:

Mimics Silk Well
Soft Underfoot
Has Design Versatility

The Cons:

Extremely Sensitive to Liquids (This breaks down the fibers, causing them to permanently mat, yellow, and lose their silk-like sheen.)
Prone to Crushing and Matting
Required Professional Cleaning