Some of the most common questions I get are about rugs. What size do I need? How do I place it in the room? What’s a good material to buy? And it can be daunting because oftentimes a rug is a big investment and the colors can set the tone for the whole room. But don’t worry! There are a few general rules to follow that will help guide you in your purchasing and make all the difference in elevating your space.

Let’s start with size:

Living Room:

When it comes to rugs, a good rule of thumb is the bigger the better, especially in living rooms. A small rug that only goes under the coffee table may be tempting because it costs less, but try to avoid this mistake because your furniture will look like it's “floating.” A large rug helps anchor everything, so take measurements and make sure the front feet of each piece of furniture are about 1 ft over the rug.

Most often in a living room this requires an 8x10 rug or a 9x12 rug:

Dining Room:

Again, the bigger the better. Sensing a theme yet? You need a rug that holds your table and all your chairs even when they are pulled out from the table. So a good way to measure is to measure your table, then add 24” of extra room on all sides.

In terms of shape, if you have a rectangular dining table, you need a rectangular rug. But if you have a square table, try mixing the shapes with a round rug and if you have a round table, go for a square rug. Varying the shapes in a room can help create a more dynamic look.

Bedroom:

And once again, you guessed it, go big! Don’t place a tiny rug at the foot of the bed that looks random and out of scale. The rug should come under the bed just below the nightstands and extend at least a foot or two past the edge of the bed. If you have a larger space, the rug can go all the way under the nightstands and be placed about 6” away from the wall.

A good rule here is a 9x12 rug for king size bed and an 8x10 rug for queen size bed
If your bed is in the corner, try a 2’6”x7 runner to the side of the bed

Next, let’s talk about materials:

You’ll need to pick the material that’s best for your home. Do you have pets that would risk getting their nails caught? Do you have kids that will track in dirt all day long? Is cleaning the rug professionally something you can commit to doing in the future? These are a few questions to consider as you determine which material of rug is best for you. Here’s a breakdown of the most common rug materials:

Wool - durable and strong but not ideal for damp conditions
Synthetic - easy to clean and affordable
Jute - strong, durable, eco-friendly but not very soft and difficult to clean
Cotton - affordable and easy to clean, not as soft or as durable as wool
Silk - very soft, slight sheen, but requires professional cleaning

And finally, a few tips to keep in mind:

Tip #1:

Don’t be afraid to forgo a rug under a dining table. Rugs can help create distinct zones or areas in an open-concept floor plan, but sometimes to achieve a clean modern look, you can skip it. This is also a great place to save some money and no rug means easy cleanup if you have kids or pets or friends who love to spill red wine at your house… speaking from experience.

Tip #2:

Try layering! Layering one rug on top of another not only adds extra coziness and texture, but is also a great option if you have a rug you now realize is a little small. You can buy a large natural texture or jute rug and layer it underneath.

Tip#3:

Always, always buy a rug pad! Rug pads not only eliminate the chances of someone slipping on your rug and falling, but they also hold the rug in place during vacuuming, help keep the rug laying flat, and prevent dents in your floors. Plus they help add an extra layer of cushion.

where to buy rugs online:

Budget Friendly:
- Rugs USA
- Boutique Rugs
Scandinavian: Nordic Knots
Moroccan: Ibaba Rugs
Vintage: Kate Lester Home
Washable: Ruggable
- Note: I love ruggable for certain purposes, like an entryway, but if you love a soft plush rug then these are not for you. They’re purposefully designed to be thin and fit in a washing machine, which is great! Just not for everyone.

elevated essential:

If you’ve seen any of my projects, you know I love a cowhide rug and you know I love CB2 so of course, that’s the rug I’m choosing for this week’s essential. And while you can find cowhide rugs that cost less, this one is high quality, the perfect color brown and 4x6 is a great size for layering.

https://www.cb2.com/light-brown-and-white-cowhide-rug-4x6/s342525

how to select the right rug