Choosing the right rug for your space has its fair share of challenges as it is more than just a style decision; it’s about finding a balance between functionality, style, and comfort. Whether you’re revamping your living room, bedroom, or dining area, the material and size of your rug play crucial roles in enhancing the overall ambiance of the room. Purchase one that’s too small and you run the risk of ruining all the effort you put into designing the room. Run too large and the rug can overwhelm the space. Bringing the wrong rug into your space can be an expensive mistake. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the key factors to consider when selecting the perfect rug for each room in your home and make this process easy.
Material Matters
Rugs put up with a lot from us in our homes. They get walked on, played on, wiped on, spilled on, yet provide us with padding and comfort for our feet. The material of your rug not only affects its durability but also contributes to the overall look and feel of the space. Here’s a breakdown of some common rug materials and their characteristics:
Wool: Wool rugs are known for their durability, softness, and natural resistance to stains and spills. The rugs are hand-woven & made from natural wool; making them very environmentally friendly as they come from a plentiful renewable resource. Wool has natural oils that repel dirt and other oils and the natural elasticity and shape of the fiber make it bounce back easily. These properties translate to wool being able to withstand heavy foot traffic and heavy furniture. In addition a little known fact is wool is naturally hypoallergenic and a flame-retardant material; it will keep fires from spreading. They provide excellent insulation, making them ideal for living rooms and bedrooms where comfort is key. Additionally, wool rugs have a luxurious feel and can add warmth to any space.
Natural Fiber: Jute and Sisal are the most popular natural fiber rug materials. The main difference between these is the texture and durability. Sisal is a stiff fiber that feels very coarse underfoot and is an ideal choice for entrances and hallway runners. Jute is durable as well but feels softer underfoot making it ideal for main living spaces in your home.
Cotton: Cotton rugs are lightweight, affordable, and easy to clean, making them perfect for high-traffic areas such as entryways, kitchens, and playrooms. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to easily customize your space.
Silk: Silk rugs exude elegance and sophistication with their luxurious sheen and soft texture. While they may be more delicate than wool or cotton rugs, silk rugs can make a stunning statement in formal living rooms, dining rooms, or master bedrooms. The major downside is silk is the most expensive of all the rug materials making them cost prohibitive for most homes.
Synthetic Fibers: Materials like polypropylene, nylon, and polyester offer affordability and versatility. Polypropylene and polyester are very similar. The main difference between these two fibers is the dye method. Polyester is dyed as yarn whereas polypropylene is dyed in a liquid state before it is turned into yarn. Synthetic rugs are often stain-resistant and polypropylene is more water resistant than polyester. They are a practical choice for outdoor spaces, basements, or areas prone to moisture.
Viscose: This is a semi-synthetic material, derived from wood pulp, that is known for having silk-like characteristics and qualities. Unfortunately even though it is made from a natural source, the fibers are bonded together using chemicals making it a semi-synthetic fiber. Viscose is known for the silk-like beautiful sheen and velvety feel, therefore it is extremely soft to the touch and very comfortable underfoot. It is a delicate fiber that can damage relatively easily, isn’t resistant to spills and difficult to clean. So a low traffic space is an ideal location.
Recycled PET: Short for Polyethylene Terephthalate, PET is a polyester made from recycled plastic bottles which means it is a 100% sustainable material. This material can be woven and become soft to the touch mimicking a wool feel in indoor flatweave rugs as well as a stiffer outdoor option. It is 100% cleanable and can just be hosed down, making it an ideal choice for high traffic, high use areas and rooms.
Pile it High (or Low)
A rug’s pile refers to the density of fibers. The pile height or thickness of the rug and the length of the fibers in the weave combined determine the pile of a rug. Rug pile generally falls into a low-pile or high-pile category.
Low-pile rugs: These rugs have shorter fibers and loops (less than ¼”), as a rule they tend to last a bit longer than longer piles and are extremely easy to maintain because they are usually more durable and thus simpler to clean.These points make them best for high-traffic areas such as the kitchen or hallways.
High-pile rugs: These rugs have taller, looser fibers ( 1/4″ to 1/2″ (medium) and 1/2″ to 3/4″ (shag)) making them more plush and ideal for the bedroom or living room. Thick pile does not necessarily equate to quality. Some very fine rugs are thin. That said, high-traffic areas can benefit from rugs with some density.
Size Matters
The size of your rug can significantly impact the visual proportions of a room. An undersized rug leaves the room feeling incomplete, with an awkward floating appearance that detracts from its overall design. Conversely, an oversized rug overwhelms the space, making it feel cramped and overly crowded. Here’s a room-by-room guide to help you determine the appropriate rug size:
Living Room:
For a large living room, opt for a rug that accommodates all furniture, with the front legs of sofas and chairs resting on the rug. In smaller living rooms, choose a rug that sits under the coffee table and extends beyond the front legs of the furniture, usually a 5×8 and 6×9 are optimal, For larger spaces, extend the rug further under the furniture; 8×10 size will usually work. For large spaces ensure the room is covered with the rug about 2 feet from the walls and the furniture completely anchored. 9×12 is optimal here but if you have the room, really make a statement with 10×14 or 12×15.
Bedroom:
In the bedroom, select a rug that extends at least 18-24 inches beyond the sides of the bed and cover the bottom 2/3 of the bed providing a soft landing for your feet when you get out of bed in the morning.
Alternatively, opt for runners on either side of the bed or a large area rug that covers the entire floor space. This will keep your floor warm without breaking the bank.
Dining Room:
In the dining room, the rug should extend beyond the edges of the dining table to allow ample space for chairs, even when they’re pulled out. Aim for a rug that is large enough to accommodate both the table and chairs, with at least 24 inches of extra space on all sides. If you have a round table- a round rug is a perfect choice! For 4-6 seater dining table 5×8 and 6×9 are good. An 8 person table can support an 8×10 rug and for 10 or more seats 9×12 and 10×14 large rugs will work well.
Fit Your Function
Your lifestyle plays a significant role in determining the ideal rug for your space. Think about who will be using the rug and how often. Children, pets, entranceway, vacation or rental property. The durability and cleanability of the rug is a major consideration to keep your space looking fresh with minimal effort. For high traffic areas choose durable rugs with easy maintenance – think easy clean or even washable. For guest areas or primary bedrooms high-pile and more delicate materials can be used.
Choosing the right rug for your space involves careful consideration of both material and size. By selecting a material that suits your lifestyle and a size that complements the proportions of the room, you can enhance the aesthetic appeal and functionality of any space in your home. If your room already has an established design and you are just looking for an update, ensure the chosen rug harmonizes with the existing aesthetic. Don’t be afraid of taking risks- rugs offer an opportunity to inject color or incorporate playful patterns that reflect your personality! Whether you prefer the luxurious feel of wool, the practicality of synthetic fibers, or the elegance of silk, there’s a perfect rug out there waiting to transform your space.
For personalized guidance in selecting the perfect rug, start your journey with Seeded. From our AI powered shopping feed to our full service collaboration with an interior designer. Seeded makes the process fun, easy and tailored to your unique needs. Kickstart your journey with our design quiz today.