In my opinion, adding a rug to a space automatically makes a space feel cohesive and warm, like the finishing piece that ties it all together. The only problem is that there are so many rug choices out there and the incorrect size, shape, or positioned rug can make a room feel awkward, and it can be tricky to find the perfect one for your space. Here’s the guide I stick to whenever I’m rug shopping!

WHAT SIZE DO I NEED?

First things first, you’ll want to figure out what size of rug you will need for the space. If your rug is going to be in a dining or living room, it needs to be large enough that all or most of the furniture can sit on it. The general rule of thumb is that all four legs of your dining chairs should be on the rug, and the front two legs of your living room furniture should be on the rug.

Try to keep an area rug 12-18 inches away from the wall on all sides—specifically for bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, your rug shouldn’t take up a whole room and should never go wall-to-wall.

You can use painter’s tape to map out a few different sizes of rugs on the floor to see which would fit best!

WHAT SHAPE + PLACEMENT WILL WORK BEST?

It’s important to take into consideration the shape of the room the rug will live in. If you have a rectangular room or seating area, I would go with a rectangular rug. If you have a smaller square room, a square or circular rug would likely fit best.

The flow of the room will always feel best it the rug is positioned in the same direction as the room.

If you really love a pattern or style of a rug that is too small for a space, you can always layer it over a larger area rug.

HOW DO I DECIDE ON TEXTURE, PATTERN, AND COLOR?

Texture

Depending on where the rug is located in your home, how easy different materials are to clean, and how much wear and tear your rug will endure is a large determining factor on deciding on the texture and style.
- For a rug that’s going to last in high traffic areas, you’ll want to go with a rug that’s durable and easy to clean, like wool, a synthetic blend, or seagrass. (I’ve heard nothing but good things about Ruggable also!)
- Low traffic areas can accommodate soft rugs with less durability, such as plush or tasseled rugs.
Mixing and matching textures can be a fun way to make a room come together. If your furniture is sleek and smooth such as leather, then choosing a fluffier, moroccan rug might be a fun addition. And if you have softer furniture, a low pile rug will typically help balance things out.

Pattern

If your furniture and walls are all solid colors, a patterned rug can really bring your room to life. And if you have patterned furniture, a solid rug can have a grounding, calming effect.
For a more timeless design, you can’t go wrong with neutral tones and smaller-scale patterns. For more of a statement, find a rug with a blend of colors and a moroccan or vintage pattern.

Color

Deep, rich color tones will stand out while neutral tones will more likely blend in, so I would think about what effect you’d like it to make in your space.
Make sure to consider all of the other aspects of the room including the floors, walls, lighting, and other furniture.
There really is no “wrong” choice when it comes to selecting a rug color, it’s completely up to you and what you really love, but you do want to keep in mind how it will tie everything together since it’s such a large visual focal point!