Rug Selection - How to Get It Right

You’re obviously not going to cram a small round rug in a long, narrow room, nor are you going to choose a runner as an area rug for a large, spacious room.

When selecting the right size of rug for your space, most designers will agree that there should be 30 – 45cm between the edge of the rug and the wall. While this rule is not written in stone, it is usually advised to have some bare floor visible. You don’t want your rug climbing the walls, nor do you want it floating in the middle of a large room.

The most accepted and practiced rule when it comes to furniture placement on rugs states that the front two legs of the the sofa or occasional chair  should be on the rug, and the back two should be off.  This allows the rug to "anchor" the furniture together and turns the space into a cohesive space. 
 

Here are some common spaces and how to best choose a rug that suits. 

Image provided by West Elm.

Once you know what size you are looking for, you'll need to decide on the style of rug. There is a huge range of options, and also blends of materials. As a guide these are some common styles you will come across:

Dhurries + Kilims

Dhurries and kilims are flat-woven wool and cotton rugs that are usually reversible. Known for their bright colours and graphic patterns, they tend to be durable, easy to clean and work just about anywhere.
NaturalNatural rugs are woven from fibres extracted from plants, including sisal, jute, seagrass and hemp. Because of their durability, affordable price and neutral colour palette, natural rugs are especially good for high-traffic areas.


Tufted

Tufting, a technique that involves inserting yarn through a woven base to create a pile, is a common way to achieve precise patterns. The pile can be looped or cut, creating subtle texture in different combinations. Tufted rugs last longer in lower-traffic areas.


Overdyed + Distressed Rugs

Overdyed and distressed rugs use a cycle of dyeing, washing or distressing to achieve a one-of-a-kind finish. During this artisanal process, colours blend and textures soften for a vintage feel that's good for moderate foot traffic.

The rug selection can be an overwhelming process and can sometimes make or break a room. I often recommend leaving your rug selection until last so you can really see how all the other pieces are going to fit into the room. If you are feeling overwhelmed with the rug decision process, keep in mind that I offer ad-hoc consultations where we can hit the shops together for a few hours and tackle the problem head on. Feel free to get in touch here if you would like to chat over this option.