Choosing a Rug

If you've been following this blog for a while you may have noticed my struggle with choosing a rug for the living room. Part of this problem is that I constantly change my mind about what I like and don't like. But I'm super excited about a new rug I have coming in soon that I will share with you in the future.

In the meantime I thought we would talk about how to choose a rug.


Jumping off point for color in your room. If youre starting with a blank slate your rug should be one of the first things you choose. It will be one of the largest items in the room therefore taking up the most visual space. You can go neutral or choose something colorful that will help in picking paint colors down the road.

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If you are trying to choose a rug to work with existing furniture (like me) it can be more difficult. Finding a rug that works with the exitsting colors and textures in your room is not impossoible but may take a little longer. If possible take swatches, paint chips, even your throw pillow with you when you are going to  look at rugs. This will help you visualize right off the back how everything will look together.

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Some people ask if it's ok to have their furniture on or off the rug. It really depends on your taste and the furniture you have. You can place your rug under the legs of a couch or just off it. 

How size matters: Measure your room and the space around your seating area. Maybe even tape off a square or rectangle to see how it looks. Most rugs come in common sizes of  4 x 6, 5 x 8, 6 x 9, 8 x 10, 9 x 12, 12 x 14.

The only time you'll want furniture on a rug is in the case of the dining room. You want a rug that is atleast 2' wider than the perimeter of the table. This allows for the back legs of the chair to be on the rug even if someone is seated in the chair.

Usually you will want to coordinate the colors of you rug with the colors in other rooms, especially if you have an open floor plan.

If you see a rug you like in the store and it's hanging up, ask someone to take it down for you, a rug will look different on the floor than it does on the wall.

If at all possible take your rug home for a trial period. Most places allow you to do this so you cans see how it looks in your home. The lighting in your house is different than the lighting in the store, and sometimes it takes a while to get used to seeing a rug in it's place.

Hopefully this helps when your choosing your next rug!

*Unless noted all images are from House Beautiful or Elle Decor