The area rug. It is often overlooked and frankly, doesn't often get the credit it deserves. Can we make #appreciateyourarearug a thing?
Anyways, an area rug is not only beautiful, but it does the heavy lifting when it comes to defining a space and tying a room together. But as with all things home decor, there are some major dos and don'ts when it comes to selecting and placing your rug in your home. So here we go...
1. Placement
The first step to decorating your room is to lay down the area rug. It anchors/defines your space and holds your furniture. Getting your area rug placed correctly will determine the flow of your space so this is key.
Your rug should be centered on any major architectural elements in the room such as a fireplace, or feature wall to balance any focal points, but does not always mean the center of the room. Try turning the rug both horizontally and vertically or even at an angle to see what feels most comfortable to the space. If possible, allow for the same amount of floor space on all sides of your rug. For a smaller room, give yourself 8” and for a larger space around 18” to 24” is a good rule of thumb.
Additionally, you must think about the traffic flow through space. Does the rug allow someone to walk with both feet either completely on or off the rug with enough room?
2. Size & Furniture Placement
There is nothing worse than a rug that is too small, or too big, for the space. While we know area rugs can have a big price tag, getting a rug that is the right size, will do wonders for your space. A good rule of thumb here is to ask yourself the following based on the room you are decorating:
Living Room
Can you fit all your major furniture with either all four legs on top of the rug or at minimum the front two legs of all major furniture on top of the rug?
Bedroom
Does your area rug extend beyond the two sides and foot of the bed? For a twin or double bed, this should be about 12”, and for a king or queen 18”. If your rug is large enough. It can extend to the head of the bed but is not necessary.
Dining Room
Can all of your furniture pieces fit on top of the area rug completely when the chairs are both pushed in AND pulled out? This is a common mistake, the chairs fit when pushed in, but when pulled out, the back two legs are on the floor. This is a no, no - not to mention can be uncomfortable. Your rug should extend from your table about 20” to 24”.
3. Choosing the Best Material and Pattern For Your Space
Think about the use of your space. A good area rug is not cheap. But a good rug can hold up better against foot traffic, spills, and pets. If your space has less traffic, you can skip that high price tag. Caring for your rugs is as important as placement. If your rug is stained and matted, it's not going to do your space any favors.
Things to consider when purchasing your rugs are kids, pets, and high-traffic areas. If you have small kids, maybe skip the white area rug under the dining room table. Perhaps no rug at all a darker rug, or one with lots of different colors to hide spills. If you have pets, a loop pile rug can get ripped easily by claws so stick with a pile rug and pick rug colors that can camouflage your pet hair. If your space is high traffic, get a darker-colored rug or something with a lot of patterns to hide the dirt.
Remember, area rugs can easily be swapped in and out. Styles change, the popularity of colors shifts so your rug does not have to be forever. Oh and don’t forget the rug pad, not only does it keep your rug in place, but it also helps protect it from wear and tear (not to mention that extra cushion can do wonders for your feet).
Live well. Laugh often. Design like a pro.
