Rugs serve so many purposes in a room: they help tie together furniture and décor into one cohesive space, they make a statement through design and color, and, perhaps most importantly, they add comfort and warmth underfoot. However, choosing the right rug for a space can be a tricky process. From ply to sizing to design, here are a few pointers for picking out the perfect rug for every room in your home!
Measure your room first to ensure your rug is proportionate to the space.
Before you start the exciting process of rug shopping, it’s important to measure the room you’re shopping for. Big rugs make spaces look bigger, and the common practice is to buy the biggest rug that will fit in your room. However, keep in mind that you want to leave approximately one foot of bare floor space between the rug and the wall on every side. Rug shopping for a perfectly square or rectangular room is a relatively straightforward process; if your room is a unique shape, this can be trickier. If you need help visualizing how different size rugs will look in the room, marking out the perimeter with tape can be helpful!
For the living room: go big or go home.
Living rooms are the ideal rooms for large area rugs. If your goal is to cover as much floor space as possible, choose the biggest rug that will fit in the space while still leaving about one foot of floor space on either side. If your rug doesn’t take up most of the room, just make sure that the front two legs of your seating furniture is on the rug at a minimum. This will ensure that your rug unifies all your living room furniture and doesn’t create any awkward gaps. A rug that is too small will make the room look smaller.
Keep in mind that your living room is a high-traffic area. You’ll want to choose a rug that can be easily cleaned and won’t show wear too quickly. Rugs that are low or medium pile work best in high-traffic areas. Patterned rugs, colorful rugs, and rugs in darker colors also tend to hide discoloration better than solid and light-colored rugs.
Protect your high-traffic entryway with a durable, non-slip rug.
Not only does a beautiful entry rug make your home feel inviting, it serves a purpose by protecting the floor that often sees outdoor shoes and elements. That said, it’s important that your entry rug is made from a durable material that is easy to clean – synthetic materials are a smart (and affordable) option. Just like in the other rooms, you should leave one to two feet of bare floor space between the rug and walls. Your entryway is the introduction to your home, so don’t be afraid to have a little fun with color and design!
Match dining room rug to the shape of your table.
For the dining room, you’ll want to choose your rug based off the shape and size of your dining room furniture — particularly your dining table. A circular table calls for a circular rug, a square table calls for a square rug… you get the idea! Ideally, your dining room rug should extend approximately two feet out from your table so that a diner can scoot their chair out and still be on the rug.
Dining room rugs often see their share of spills and crumbs, so it’s important to get a rug you can clean without too much difficulty. A low-pile rug is a great choice in this room for this reason.
In your bedroom, make sure the rug covers the floor beside your bed.
It probably goes without saying that in terms of your bedroom furniture, your bed is the focal point. With that in mind, you should choose a bedroom rug that extends approximately two feet beyond your bed. How you do this, however, is up to you. One option is to measure your room and choose a large rug that will cover most of it, leaving about a foot of floor space between the rug and wall. Then, you can put your bed and nightstands fully on the rug. Another popular option is to choose a smaller rug to position perpendicular to your bed, with approximately 1/3 of the bed on the rug and 1/3 off the rug, so the rug shows at the foot of your bed and along either side of the bed. To create this look, the rug size for queen bed is 8’ by 10’, and the rug size for king bed is 9’ x 12’.
Because your bedroom isn’t as high-traffic as other spaces in your home, this is also your opportunity to choose a more plush, comfortable option. High-pile rugs make your bedroom feel cozy and luxurious, and they give you a soft place to land when you get out of bed in the morning.
For your bathroom and laundry room, choose non-slip rugs that can handle moisture.
Putting rugs in your bathroom and laundry room is a great way to make the spaces feel stylish and warm, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, rugs in both rooms will experience moisture daily (your bathroom rug especially!), so it’s important to choose a material that won’t be damaged if it gets wet and dries quickly. Cotton, chenille, bamboo, polyester, and nylon are also popular choices for these rooms. (A rug you can toss in the washer is a major plus!)
Additionally, you’ll want to get a rug that has a non-slip backing or add your own grippy rug pad. For a standard rectangular bathroom, a single bathroom runner rug down the center of the room is an easy addition that can make a big impact. For your laundry room rug, choose something that feels comfortable on your feet while you’re doing the tedious chore.
Choose flatweave rugs for any outdoor spaces.
Any furniture or rug you place outside is going to be subjected to the elements, so it’s best to purchase a rug specifically designed for going outdoors. These rugs are more “weatherproof”, breathable, and fade-resistant than typical rugs. In terms of placement: the same rules for living room rugs apply to outdoor rugs. There should be about one foot of floor space showing on every side of the rug, and, at a minimum, every piece of furniture should have its two front legs on the rug.
In every room, choose a pattern and color that complements your furniture and décor.
When it comes to choosing a color, pattern, and design for your rug, there truly are no hard and fast rules. Rugs are creative opportunities! That said, if you feel completely overwhelmed by the process of rug shopping, there are a few pointers that can help point you in the right direction. If most of your furniture is neutral, a colorful, patterned rug can add interest to the space. Choose a rug that incorporates the color of your largest piece of furniture. Conversely, if your space is already colorful and on the busier side, a large, solid-colored rug can make the room feel unified and anchored.
The color palette of your rug can set the tone for your space. For example, deep, cool tones are relaxing and calming, perfect for a bedroom. Bright, light colors can make rooms feel bigger and add warmth.
Find Rugs and More at CORT Furniture Outlet
Find the right rug for any room at CORT Furniture Outlet. Shop our assortment of new and gently used rugs online or in-store today. In search of quality, budget-friendly finds for your entire home? Browse our ever-changing collection of decor, electronics, and stylish dining, living, and bedroom furniture at up to 70% off original pricing!
