Determining the right size of the rug is just as important as finding the right colour and pattern. The wrong size of area rugs can make a room look cluttered, too small or unbalanced. Here are some tips to choosing the right size rugs to create your desired look in your home.

Area Rug Size and Placement

One of the most common mistakes first-time rug buyers make is a choosing a rug that’s too small for their space. Remember, a rug isn’t a filler — it’s a focal point. A rug that’s too small will fit your room like an awkward pair of highwaters. A rug that’s too big will look like a clumsy hand-me-down. Just like buying a new outfit, finding the right size rug is all about a comfortable fit.

The good news? You don’t need an eagle eye to avoid poor rug sizing. Use painter’s tape to mark where to place your rug and measure the area. In your living room, the front legs of your seating should all fit onto a rug’s borders for circling up a conversation. In your dining room, you should be able to scoot your chair back from the table without snagging the edges. In a bedroom, your bare feet should have a buttery-soft landing, no matter which side of the bed you roll out of.

Rug Materials

Sure, your rug’s materials will affect its cost and quality. But before anything else, your priority in choosing a rug should be picking a material will hold up to your daily life.

Kids and pets are hard on rugs, so choose a rug fiber that’s durable and easily cleaned, like wool or synthetics. As a general rule, the longer the fibers, the more luxurious your rug will feel. So if you’re constantly dropping your phone or movie marathoning on the floor in a slouchy tee, you need a dense rug for supreme softness.

On the other hand, if you have members of your family with canes, walkers, or wheelchairs, a low-pile rug has more secured edges. Those with allergies will want to be super careful about the fiber makeup of the rug, so you might try an organic weave of jute or seagrass. However, doing simple things, like removing your shoes when you’re at home, will also reduce the amount of dirt you may have to wrangle later.

The Rug Styles

Let’s face it, the most intimidating part of choosing an area rug is finding a rug style that not only reflects your personality, but also looks good with the rest of your room and furniture. The choices are seemingly endless!

There are no hard and fast rules about choosing a rug style, but many designers recommend to mimic the shape of the room, a key design element, or piece of furniture.

For example, a sleek metal coffee table pairs well with a hard sisal rug if you want to come off as an industrial urbanite. Going the opposite direction, layering a few fringed tapestry-weave rugs will lend your home a whimsical boho vibe. Light a soy candle as you sip mint tea on a leather pouf. You’re golden.