Choosing the Right Living Room Rug for Your Home

Area rugs can bring personality to a living room, and they’re often more beneficial and versatile than wall-to-wall rugs for a number of reasons:

• Area rugs allow you to showcase the beauty of your hardwood floors while maintaining softness underfoot.
• A rug or two can help you define different spaces in your living room.
• Area rugs are easier to remove for cleaning and maintenance.
• You can take a rug to your next home.
• You can move a piece of rug to another room in your home.
• Depending on the type of area rug, it may be less expensive than a wide rug.

However, if you’re choosing a rug or two in your living room, there are a few things to keep in mind regarding size, color, and pattern. The key is to have a carpet that is proportional to the size of the room and in harmony with the décor. Choosing the wrong rug can leave your living room looking unfinished or filled with awkward contrasting colors and patterns. Here are tips on how to choose the best area rug for your living space.

Area Carpet Size

When decorating your living room, avoid choosing a rug that is too small. Area rugs are available in the following standard sizes:

• 6 x 9 feet
• 8 x 10 feet
• 9 x 12 feet
• 10 x 14 feet

Of course, you can always order a custom size for your living room if necessary. Whatever size you choose, the rule of thumb for placing a rug in your living room is: There should be about 4 to 8 inches of bare floor on each side of the rug. In addition, all legs of the furniture should be placed on the carpet. If this is not possible, the front legs of the main upholstered parts can be placed on the carpet, while the hind legs are removed. When the legs of sofas, chairs, and tables are not fully resting on the carpet, the room may look unfinished or unbalanced.

Tip: You can ask the rug shop to add trim to your wide-format rug so that you can make a custom-sized rug. In general, this custom-sized rug is very cost-effective and affordable.

Colors and Patterns

Flooring has a big impact on the overall appearance of the living room. It can be helpful to consider the following tips when choosing an area rug:

• Choosing a patterned rug can be the perfect way to add color and interest to a room with neutral furniture and walls.
• Dark patterned rugs hide dirt and spills better than light, solid rugs.
• Solid rugs in neutral colors blend perfectly with an eclectic room without compromising the décor with colors and textures.
• For a vivid and colorful room, one or two colors can be chosen from the décor and they are used when choosing an area rug so that the colors do not clash or clash with each other, creating a visually cluttered space.

Materials and Textures

Think about how you want your rug to feel under your feet and how much maintenance you’re willing to put on your rug. For example, you can find beautiful silk or leather rugs for a luxurious look and feel, but they can be difficult to clean. Here are the common materials and textures you’ll find when looking for a rug:

• Wool: Wool rugs are a natural fiber that adds warmth and softness to the look and feel of a room. Wool is stain-resistant, and the fibers are durable and resilient (they bounce back when compressed). Wool rugs can be expensive and need to be professionally cleaned.
• Sisal and jute: Natural materials such as sisal or jute are made from durable plant fibers that make them smooth and cool on the feet. (Sisal may be more durable, but jute is softer to wear on the feet.) As a rule, natural fiber rugs are neutral in color, although many rugs are dyed with pattern coverings. Natural fibers need to be locally cleaned with minimal water.
• Cotton: Many plain weave rugs are made of cotton, which gives the living room a soft and casual vibe. Cotton rugs have a lighter touch and texture that is perfect for summer living and can be machine washed according to size.

• Synthetics (Nylon and Polyester): Nylon and polyester carpets have very similar properties. Nylon rugs are more durable than polyester rugs. But both come in various types of patterns and colors, they don’t fade easily, they don’t stain, and both fibers are easy to clean and maintain.
• Viscose: This synthetic fiber, also known as rayon, can be manufactured to have the sheen, appearance of silk or wool. It sounds perfect, and it’s definitely affordable, but this fiber isn’t as durable or stain-resistant as you’d expect in a high-traffic living room.
• Acrylic: If you choose a faux fur rug or synthetic leather, it’s likely to be made from acrylic fibers. For example, a faux sheepskin rug may be a mixture of acrylic and polyester. Acrylic is washable, but faux fur rugs may need to be hand washed, and it’s easy on a budget.
• Leather: You’ve probably seen expensive genuine cowhide rugs that can make a statement in your living room. Hides are one of the more durable rugs you can buy. They are also resistant to mildew, dust, and cowhide carpets often have a long lifespan that don’t require a lot of maintenance or multiple deep cleanings.

Multiple Carpets

Layer on top of each other to add interest or further define your space. You can also spread a small rug on top of the carpet. Layering is a technique used in eclectic and bohemian décor to bring out more colors and patterns. Use seasonal rugs as the top layer of rugs in the main area for easy replacement. For example, if you have a large sisal or jute rug, spread it out in a thick, fluffy faux fur rug during the colder months. In the warmer months, swap out fur and layer a plain weave rug on top of a larger natural fibre rug for a lighter look that keeps your feet cool.