How to select the perfect rug

Rugs can be the perfect way to add texture, colour or to define a space, and with today’s style of ‘open plan living’, rugs can be essential in creating zones between a living and dining room for example, giving each space its own footprint.

We have compiled our guide to selecting the perfect rug for your space.

Living Room:

The size of the rug will be dependant on the size of the space and the layout of the furniture within it.

To anchor your furniture in the space, place the front legs of a lounge or occasional chair on the rug. The width of the rug should be wider than the largest piece of furniture (usually the lounge) to provide a sense of balance.

If in doubt, go larger! A larger rug will make a room seem more spacious. Always allow clear space between the rug and the walls, however, as well as reasonable space for walkways and hallways.

Selecting a colour and texture can often be confusing as there are so many varieties available. A good rule to remember is contrast is key! 

If your lounge cushions are quite busy with colours and prints, opt for a subtle solid coloured rug that doesn’t compete with the patterns already on your lounge. If you have plain block colour cushions on your lounge, a patterned rug can be a great addition to the space.

When selecting the colour of your rug, first determine if the palette of your room is warm or cool. Whilst keeping within that palette, select a colour that also contrasts with the floor beneath. Try selecting the same tone, but changing the shade or intensity of the colour. For example, if your flooring is dark grey tiles , select a lighter shade of grey or light coloured rug to allow it to stand out from the tiles. 

Dining Room:

A dining room rug should extend far enough around the edges of the dining table that a chair will still sit on the rug when pushed back from the table. This usually means that an extra 60cm is required on each side of the table.

Echoing the shape of your dining table is the key here – selecting a round rug for a round table is a must!

When selecting the material and texture, consider that there is likely to be much movement over the top of a dining room rug. You might consider selecting a short piled texture such as sisal. Sisal brings a beautiful texture as well as being easy to clean and maintain. We love using them in dining rooms as well as lounge rooms!

Bedroom:

We love to use rugs in bedrooms with wooden or tiled floors to create warmth underfoot. When selecting a rug in proportion to the bed, we like to place the rug in front of the bedsides, allowing more of the rug to sit at the foot of the bed. There should be a generous amount of rug on both sides of the bed, enough to step onto when getting in and out.  When considering texture, you might want to opt for a luxurious long pile that’s soft under your feet for those cold winter mornings.

Adding a rug is also a lovely way to define a feature sitting space within a bedroom.

Outdoor:

An outdoor rug can be a great way to add colour to your deck or balcony and define an outdoor space.  If you have a generous size alfresco area that houses both a dining setting and a lounge setting, we recommend placing the rug as part of the lounge setting to differentiate the two areas. There are a fantastic array of colours and textures available that allow you to compliment your indoor spaces.

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see some of our favourite rugs and how we use them to complete a room!