How to choose an area rug.
December 1, 2021
An area rug is often a great starting point for a room design. Not only can it help define a space within an open concept area, but it can also add interest, colour inspiration and sound absorption. In many cases, however, people purchase a rug that is too small, which in turn makes the room itself look a lot smaller.
Ideally, your area rug should leave a twelve to eighteen inch exposed perimeter of your hard flooring (i.e. hardwood, vinyl, tile, cork, etc.). It is a bit counterintuitive, but the more generous your area rug, the bigger your room will feel. An exception to a twelve inch perimeter would be in a bedroom, where an area rug should definitely be under the bed but can stop just shy of the nightstands so that it doesn’t interfere with the legs of the nightstands. You want it wide enough to hold the scale of the bed and for you to step onto the carpet comfortably when getting off the bed, ideally at least 24” either side of the bed.
In a living room, at least the front legs of your furniture should rest ten to fourteen inches onto the area rug. Better still to have all the furniture fully on the rug. If your space is small and you would like it to feel larger, try to minimize the contrast between the area rug and the hard flooring. In other words, if you have a dark hardwood floor, don’t choose a white rug if you’re trying to make the room feel larger. Perhaps a charcoal or navy rug would be more suitable.
In a dining room, make sure that when you pull out your chair, the chair legs are still on the area rug. No one wants a tripping hazard! Generally speaking, you need 24” beyond the table edge for a chair to be pulled out comfortably.
Now that you know the size of area rug to select, what rug material is appropriate for your room?
Mostly I love natural fibres in area rugs , particularly wool and silk. Not only do they have longevity, but there is less off-gassing, and they look and feel more luxurious. Of course, that generally comes with a higher price tag, and often some shedding of fibres over time.
There is, of course, a time and place for a synthetic rug. In a dining room, or a room that gets a lot of direct sunlight, an indoor/outdoor rug that can easily be cleaned and that is colourfast may be a good choice. Indoor/outdoor rugs are usually made of polypropylene, polyester, and even recycled plastic bottles. A wool carpet placed in direct sun will discolour over time.
So much of your choice depends on the room itself, how you want it to feel and how it harmonizes with the other design elements (furniture, art, decor, wall and floor colours and materials, etc.). A busy family room with pets, kids, and lots of traffic requires something much more durable than a rarely used guest room. In either case, you’ll want to purchase a rug pad in the same size to lay under your area rug. This will not only provide a little extra cushion, but it will protect your floors and extend the life of your rug.
Finally, think of a good quality area rug as an investment; you will have it for years to come. And a well chosen rug that integrates with an overall design, can often be moved to a different room as you update your decor over time. So choose once and choose wisely! Need help? Contact us for a virtual or in person consultation!