We lay down the ground rules on how to pick the perfect rug for every room in your home
A rug can make or break a room, but getting it right isn’t always easy, especially when you’re shopping for a rug online. If you can’t try before you buy, it’s essential to get the exact measurements you’re after (bigger is always better when it comes to rugs), have a specific style or colour in mind, and know what material is best suited to the space (hardwearing for high-traffic areas, low-pile if laying over carpet).
Whether you’re buying a rug for your living room, dining room, bedroom, or hallway, with this checklist in place, you’ll be much more likely to land on a design that ideally makes the space feel larger, creates a distinct zone, and adds the right amount of colour and texture to enhance the mood.
LIVING ROOM: GETTING THE RIGHT RUG SIZE
In a living room, the rug will define the space. It should be large enough to sit underneath the front legs of the sofa and armchairs so your feet are on fabric not the floor. If in doubt, remember that bigger is always better when it comes to rugs. A rug that’s too small will make the space feel out of proportion, unfinished and smaller than it actually is.
Measure the lounge width and allow enough space on either side for the front legs of the armchairs. If it’s a large room, or you’re renting, try layering two medium-sized rugs. They can be mixed and matched to suit any room, or future homes.
CHOOSING A RUG FOR A DINING ROOM
Choosing a rug for a dining room can be tricker as the rug needs to be large enough so that when the chairs are out and being used, all four legs of every chair still fit on the rug. To get the sizing right, pull the chairs out slightly and measure around the chairs. It’s wise to opt for a low-pile rug that doesn’t bunch or prevent you from moving a chair out.
Keep fabric and colour front of mind too, as you don’t want to worry about food spills and stains every time you sit down to enjoy a meal. Seek out stain-resistant, washable or hard-wearing fabrics and go for darker tones over white, always.
SAFETY TIP
If you’re placing a rug over wall-to-wall carpet remember to avoid a thick pile as it can create a trip hazard.
RUGS FOR THE BEDROOM
Where you position a rug in the bedroom depends on the size and layout of the room. If the bed is placed in the centre of the room, a rug that extends from the foot of the bed will help to soften hard floors, add warmth and texture and turn that empty space into a zone.
Bear in mind that rug sitting underneath the whole bed will be hard to get out and clean, so laying runners or smaller rugs on either side of the bed is another option. Make sure they’re large enough so that your feet hit them when you get out of bed on cold mornings.
WEAVE AND SHAPE
Look to your own style – does a Persian or a sisal rug work best for your room and personal style? Maybe a shag rug is more for you.
In terms of shape, a rectangular rug will generally work best for a rectangular room, while a square or round rug will suit a more square-shaped room and a round coffee table or dining table.
COLOUR AND TEXTURE
Consider the colour of the existing floor and furnishings and how they will all look together. If your lounge and accessories are quite neutral, a bold pattern or colour can really lift the whole room.
If your room is already busy with pattern and colour, a block-coloured rug may work best, in a tone in harmony with the room.
If there is little pattern in your lounge fabric or cushions then be bold with a more textured rug to make a statement.
If you have dark furniture and dark floors, a lighter rug will help lift the room and add some contrast. There should still be visible floor around the rug, so it becomes a feature and doesn’t dominate the space.
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