James Wood
Coupled with sound design choices, floor covering is the anchor that brings a room together. Read on to learn how to choose a rug size, color, and style perfect for every room. At times, you may be unsure about making a room feel cozy or what to do with a small but beautiful rug. Not only will a pair or trio of rugs provide more cushioning underfoot, but they also bring visual depth. From wool to viscose to polyester, rug material selections are diverse and vast. The composition also matters as it dictates the rug’s durability, softness, and chances of shredding.
Rug materials include wool, cotton, silk, natural grasses (e.g., jute and sisal), hide, viscose, and synthetics (e.g., polypropylene). For instance, handmade (tufted, knotted, or woven) and machine-made result in very different style rugs and price ranges. With the basics in mind, you can use this rough guide to choosing an area rug according to the room type.
Since the living room is one of the areas that sees the most activity, it’s best to select a hardy rug that’s easy to clean.
So how to choose a rug for the living room boils down to picking a durable material, like wool or synthetics. Unlike for the lounge, how to choose a rug for the bedroom hinges on your style preference.
This means you can try delicate and thin materials, like silk or viscose, or something with a plush, high-pile finish. Cotton is also a great option for kids’ bedrooms as they are affordable and easy to clean.
But as it’s another high-traffic space, how to choose a rug for the dining room rests on your budget and style. Owing to restricted floor space, kitchens, hallways, and foyers are often better suited to rug runners. As these spaces see a lot of foot traffic, opt for durable makes. Also, add a rug pad as some hardy materials, like cotton and seagrass, are prone to slipping.
Keep front furniture legs on the rug to anchor the items and balance the layout. Unify a large room with an oversized rug , but keep 18 inches of the floor exposed to create a border.
Round and organic shaped rugs, like animal hide, work well in smaller settings . A pattern works well with solid-colored furniture, whereas a monochromatic rug complements motifs. For smaller rugs or large rooms, leave a small section of floor space open between the mat and the furniture. Balance the layout by leaving an equal amount of rug around or underneath chairs and sofas.
Leave 24 inches excess rug between its border and the side of the tables to ensure chairs remain in the mat when they are pushed away.
