The Ideal Rug to Style Your Home (Buying Guide)

Choosing the perfect rug for your living space can be a game-changer. Even though we don’t always pay them a huge amount of attention, a rug quietly makes the room feel cosy, complete, and comfortable. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deeper into the details of choosing the right rug for your home - from materials to rug sizes, we’ve got you covered!

Understanding your living space

Room size and layout

The first step in choosing the ideal rug is understanding your living space. The size of your room plays a crucial role in determining the rug size. A common rule of thumb is to have all your furniture either completely on the rug or at least the front legs on it. This helps create a cohesive look and anchors the room.

For small living rooms, opt for rugs that fit under the front legs of your furniture. A 5’x8’ rug often works well, providing enough coverage without overwhelming the space.

Larger spaces can handle bigger rugs, such as 240 x 300 cm or even 270 x 360 cm. These rugs help fill the space and can accommodate all furniture pieces, making the room feel more unified and less scattered.

Recommended read: The Ultimate Guide to Living Room Rug Placement

Lifestyle considerations

Your lifestyle is another critical factor. If you have a busy household with kids and pets, you’ll need a rug that’s durable and easy to clean. On the other hand, if your living room is more of a formal space used for entertaining guests, you might opt for a more luxurious, delicate rug.

For high-traffic areas, choose rugs made of durable materials like wool or synthetic blends. These rugs are resilient and can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing wear and tear.

In less frequented rooms, you can indulge in more delicate materials like silk or high-pile rugs, which add a touch of luxury and softness underfoot.

Choosing the right rug material

Rugs need to be relatively hard-wearing to deal with the foot traffic and general wear and tear of everyday life. That said, it’s important to consider the type of rug material that works best for your home. 

Wool

Wool rugs are often hailed as one of the best choices for various living spaces due to their unique blend of durability and comfort.

The natural fibres of wool are incredibly resilient, which means wool rugs can withstand significant foot traffic and daily wear and tear. This durability is largely due to the structure of wool fibres, which are naturally elastic and can bounce back to their original shape after being compressed. 

Wool rugs also offer a plush and comfortable feel underfoot. The fibres are naturally soft, providing a cosy and luxurious sensation. Getting a wool rug can be especially important in living rooms where people often sit on the floor or play.

Additionally, wool is often associated with luxury, which enhances the overall perception and aesthetic of your home. 

Best for: High-traffic areas, households with kids and pets

Jute rugs

Jute rugs have a distinct, natural look that can add warmth and texture to your living space. Their earthy tones blend seamlessly with most colour schemes, making them a popular choice in many homes.

Jute rugs can withstand moderate foot traffic but may show wear and tear in high-traffic areas over time. That said, they are ideal for areas that don’t experience heavy foot traffic, such as bedrooms, dining rooms, or home offices.

Best for: Moderate-traffic areas, rustic or bohemian decor styles, and casual living rooms

Cotton

Cotton rugs are a popular choice for many households due to many factors. Cotton rugs are generally more affordable than other types of rugs, such as wool or silk. This makes them an excellent option for budget-conscious buyers or those looking to decorate multiple rooms without breaking the bank.

One of the standout features of cotton rugs is their ease of cleaning and maintenance. Cotton is a machine-washable material, which makes these rugs particularly convenient for busy households.

Cotton is a breathable material, which means cotton rugs tend to be lighter and more airy than those made from denser fibres - making them easier to move and handle.

Best for: Casual living rooms, budget-conscious buyers, and those who frequently change their decor

Synthetic blends

Synthetic fibre rugs, such as those made from polypropylene, nylon, or polyester, are engineered for strength and resilience. These rugs are highly durable and resistant to stains, making them perfect for high-traffic areas and households with children or pets.

They are also typically more affordable than natural fibre rugs, offering a budget-friendly option for those looking to decorate their home without a significant investment.

For busy households, synthetic rugs offer the convenience of easy maintenance, freeing up time for other activities. Regular vacuuming and occasional spot cleaning are usually enough to keep them looking their best.

Best for: High-traffic areas, households with kids and pets, outdoor spaces

Recommended read: Which Rug Material is the One for You?

Considering different types of rug shapes

One of the main factors that will determine the rug you choose is the shape of the space you want to cover. While rectangular rugs are the most common, exploring different shapes can add visual interest, define areas, and complement your room's layout. 

Here’s an in-depth look at various rug shapes and how they can enhance your home:

Rectangular rugs

Rectangular rugs are the most traditional and widely used rug shape. They come in various sizes and can fit almost any room layout,  from living rooms and dining rooms to bedrooms and hallways.

If you’re looking to anchor your main seating area in the living room, consider placing a rectangular rug under your coffee table, and extending it to the edges of your seating area.

Round rugs

Round rugs add a playful and softer touch to a room. They help to break the monotony of straight lines and angles, offering a refreshing change to the space. Round rugs also work well in smaller rooms or rooms with round furniture pieces, such as circular dining tables or ottomans.

Square rugs

Square rugs offer a balanced and symmetrical look, making them ideal for square rooms or creating distinct zones in open-plan living spaces. These rugs also complement square or rectangular furniture arrangements, enhancing the room’s visual harmony.

Runner rugs

Runners are long and narrow, designed to fit in hallways, entryways, and other narrow spaces. They can make these narrow spaces appear longer and more inviting. They also guide the eye and create a sense of direction, making spaces feel more connected and cohesive.

Oval rugs

Oval rugs combine the elongated shape of rectangular rugs with the softness of round rugs, adding a unique, flowing dynamic to a room. Oval rugs also fit well in rooms with long, narrow layouts, such as dining areas or living rooms with extended seating arrangements.

Deciding on the best rug size

Rugs come in a variety of sizes for almost every layout in your home. However, with the variety, it also becomes a challenge to pick the best rug size. 

Rectangular rugs for living areas come in a choice of sizes, including:

• 60 x 90 cm
  
  

• 75 x 180 cm
  
  

• 150 x 240 cm
  
  

• 240 x 300 cm

Oval rugs for living areas are generally either:

• 150 x 240 cm
  
  

• 240 x 300 cm

And circular rugs are 180 cm in diameter. 

For living rooms, a large rug around 150 x 240 cm or 240 x 300 cm is ideal to accommodate all the furniture in a seating area, including the sofa, chairs, and coffee table. This creates a cohesive look and helps define the space.

Depending on the size of your dining area and the amount of chairs you will have around the table you will generally need a 240 x 300 cm rug for 4 to 6-seaters and a 270 x 360 cm rug for 6-seaters or more.

In the bedroom, a 150 x 240 cm is perfect for a queen sized bed and an 240 x 300 cm works best with a king sized bed.

The ideal rug can transform your home

Getting the perfect rug for your living space involves considering several factors like your lifestyle and what the unique characteristics of different rugs can offer you. Remember, a well-chosen rug is an investment in comfort, style, and the overall ambiance of your home.

FAQs

What types of rug are good for living rooms?

Living room rugs are generally located in the centre of the living space and need to be cosy but also in context with the rest of the design and colour scheme of the room. 

Choose a rug that does not dominate the space but that is also not too small and it can really tie the room together. Colours of other soft furnishings can be reflected in the rug for a subtle tying together of design scheme.

How do I choose a rug for my space?

Think about both the size and shape of your available floor space and choose a rug that is suitable. Rugs that are too big can swallow up furniture and too small leaves wide open spaces around the edges of the space.

What kind of rugs make space look bigger?

A well-proportioned rug will make the space look bigger. Lighter colours and rugs with no pattern are also good at increasing the sense of space.