Choose the Perfect Rug in 4 Easy Steps

Choose PERFECT RUG

Once you’ve decided a room needs a rug, it’s very easy to get bogged down in the infinite array of options to be found in physical and online stores, complicating an already arduous balancing act between size, shape, color and texture. You can make it much easier by defining what you’re looking for before beginning your search. SIZE If you’re looking for an area rug to cover most of a room, consider one that will sit 2 feet away from each wall, as in an 8-foot by 10-foot rug for a 10-foot by 12-foot space. If that sounds like too much, look for one that will extend under every major piece of furniture in a living room, the entire table and all chairs in a dining room or at least the bottom third of a bed. Use masking tape on the floor to take these measurements. SHAPE Most area rugs are going to be rectangular or square, so choose whichever will flow the best with your room and furniture arrangement. Smaller rugs can be found in ovals and circles while authentic and vegan fur carpets often have irregular edges. Each can be used to dramatic effect under a coffee table or placed halfway between the primary furniture pieces in the space. Layering a smaller rug on top of a large, neutral one can help put it in sharper relief. COLOR This will depend on what your décor needs are for the space involved. If you intend for the rug to be the main source of color for the room, find one with a shade and pattern that’s compelling without being overwhelming. THE IN 4 EASY STEPS If you’re seeking one to tie the room together without competing with the rest of the furnishings, a solid neutral rug will work the best. TEXTURE What matters here isn’t just the appearance but how it feels to walk on. A high-traffic area such as a hallway or dining room needs a woven or low-pile rug that’s easy to navigate, while one under a sofa or bed can be more plush and sumptuous.