Must-Know Tips for Choosing the Perfect Rug

Size matters

When it comes to rugs, the golden rule is the bigger, the better.

Choosing a rug that’s too small for the room and the furniture in it is the most common mistake people make. The rug ends up ‘floating’ in the room, making it feel awkward and out of proportion.

To get the size right, start by measuring the room and the main pieces of furniture. You’ll want the rug to be big enough for your furniture to sit on top of it – or, at the very least, the front legs of the sofa and any smaller pieces, such as side tables and stools – while leaving 20 to 30 centimetres between the rug and the wall, and enough room to open doors.

For the bedroom, select a rug that fits under the bed and extends out between 60 and 90 centimetres so that your feet have a cosy place to land when you get out of bed. Or, select a pair of floor runner rugs to go either side of the bed.

For a dining room, choose a rug that extends 60 to 70 centimetres beyond the perimeter of the table so that the back legs of chairs will sit on it when they’re pulled out. This also helps protect floors from scuffs and scratches.

Consider how and where it will be used

A good-quality rug is an investment, so whatever you choose needs to last the distance. For high-traffic areas, such as hallways and family rooms, consider a style with a tight, flat weave that can handle some wear and tear, such as a jute, cotton or low-pile wool rug.

Chunky, oversized loop-pile rugs are popular and are great for adding texture and warmth to a living room with lots of hard surfaces. But they are best avoided if you have pets or young children as the loops can pull.

Rooms that are all about luxury and relaxation, such as living areas or your master bedroom, call for rugs with a deep, plush pile you can sink your toes into, such as a shag rug or a textured, cut-pile style in wool, bamboo or art silk (an artificial silk with a beautiful lustre).

What your rug is made from also affects its durability. For one that will cope with the rigours of homes with children or pets, choose synthetic fibres, a wool blend or natural fibres such as jute.

Pure wool is soft and durable and has excellent insulation properties. Plus, it shrugs off dirt easily and bounces quickly back to shape. But a wool rug can be expensive, so you may prefer to keep it in mid- to low-traffic spots such as a formal living area or bedrooms.

Colour and pattern

Do you want your rug to stand out or blend into the room it’s going into? A graphic, patterned rug will act like art in a room, and be the hero of a space, and is best balanced out with simple furniture and neutral or block colours in soft furnishings.

If your room is already busy with pattern and colour, opt for a block-coloured rug that picks up on the tones in artwork or soft furnishings, or go for an understated pattern or neutral hue. This allows you to add texture and warmth to the room without visually overwhelming it.

Remember, the colour you choose for your rug will have an impact on the look and feel of the room. If you have dark furniture and floors, a lighter rug can help balance them out, while a darker rug can provide some much-needed contrast in a room with lots of pale furnishings.

Which shape?

While a rectangular rug is the most popular choice, it’s not your only option. You may find that a round rug fits your room better: use it to highlight curved architectural features, soften a room with lots of hard lines or add a touch of fun to a bedroom or playroom. Or choose a square rug to fit a dining table of the same shape or to finish off an outdoor entertaining set-up.