Hey friends!
Choosing the right area rug for your space can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! With a few simple tips and tricks, you can select the perfect rug to tie your room together. In this blog post, I’ll explore different factors to consider when choosing an area rug. We will also look through some of my favorite examples of rugs from Pinterest.
Size Matters
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing an area rug is the size. You don’t want a rug that’s too small or too large for your space. I personally use a different set of rules, depending on the room in question. For instance, many people will say you need to have a rug large enough that all your furniture will fit on top of it. While I think this is a must for dining room rugs, every chair & table leg should be fully on the rug. I disagree when it comes to living & bedrooms.
For living rooms, I feel that at least the front legs of your chairs and couches should be on the rug. But I don’t think they need to fully sit on the rug. Same goes for bedrooms. I think as long as the rug covers the majority of the space, you shouldn’t worry that your side tables are sitting fully on the rug. The most common sizes for bedrooms is going to be 7×9′ or 8×10′. With some smaller rooms you can get away with a 5×7′. Common sizes used in living rooms would include 8×10′ or 9×12′. I’ll share some living room and bedroom looks later in this post.
Texture & Area Rug Style
Another important factor to consider is the style of your area rug. Do you want a low-pile rug or a cozy, fluffy one? Is the area high traffic? Do you know that your family (like mine) will struggle to keep the rug neat and clean? These are all things to think about when selecting the right rug for your space.
For areas like dining rooms & kitchens, I think that low pile rugs are your best bet. They are easier to clean and collect less dust than their thicker counterparts. Loloi has some beautiful & quality options for reasonable prices. Wayfair & amazon frequently have this brand on sale & you can snag them at crazy low prices. Think 8×10′ rug for under $200. Below is the rug that we use in our dining room. Also, a runner option that we have in the kitchen.
For living rooms & bedrooms, I love using thicker rugs. They give that cozy vibe that I think is necessary for lounging spaces. The “Cloudpile” line from Loloi is a great option for a thick, cozy rug at a great price point. It’s seriously so freakin’ soft! It is now the preferred napping spot for both of our puppies.
This is the one we have and it’s a favorite for everyone in the house.
Another great option for areas where there are bound to be spills are Ruggable rugs. These are washable rugs that include the top patterned rug with a velcro mat that it is attached to. The top portion can be taken off and put in the washing machine and dryer.
From my experience, they come out looking brand new with each wash. One thing I would say about Ruggable is that these rugs are a PAIN to get laid on the mat perfectly. We tried using an 8×10′ rug from Ruggable in our living room last year. After struggling to get it to lay straight on the mat for over an hour we gave up and returned it. I could not image having to go through that process every time we washed it. However, we do have a 2×10′ Ruggable runner & a 3×5′ rug in the kitchen. They are minimally painful to get laid down. So, I would say, definitely worth it for those size of rugs or smaller.
Ruggable rug we have in our entry.
Area Rug Color
One more detail to determine before shopping is what color of rug you are looking for. When I think color, I don’t only think in terms of color scheme for the room. I also have to take into account what kind of people live in your home. For me, the people I live with are a mess! Which means that I steer clear of lighter and solid-colored rugs. Rugs with varied colors & patterns are going to be the best for hiding stains. Which are perfect for families like mine with young kids and pets.
My Favorite Rug Looks
Let’s take a look at some of my favorite rug looks from Pinterest.
This living room by Jenna Sue Designs is an excellent example of rug size. Not all the furniture is fully on the rug, but it fills enough of the space to be substantial.
Haneen’s Haven does it again with this stunning bedroom! Notice how the rug covers under only half of the bed, but it still gives a perfectly finished look.
This dining room by Anthology Interiors is the perfect example of the size a dining room should be.
I hope this blog post was useful in helping you make your rug purchasing decisions. When choosing an area rug for your space, it’s important to consider the size, texture, and color of the rug. You want a rug that complements the style of your space, but also one that make sense for your home lifestyle. If you would like some more home styling tips, check out more blog posts here.
Happy rug shopping!
