Area Rugs
The ideal size of an area rug should be big enough to go under furniture while still remaining visible and providing space to walk on. That means the rug size will vary depending on the room size and type of room.
A living room area rug should be big enough for all of your furniture to fit on top or at least have the front legs on the rug. Aim for a length that provides six to eight inches of space on both sides of your longest couch.
If your living room is big enough for all of your furniture to fit on a large living room rug, remember to leave about 10 to 20 inches around the rug for walking. This will help to create a defined space and ensure the rug isn’t too big for the room.
You can also use a smaller living room rug centered between the couches under your coffee table, but just make sure the space between the rug and the couches isn’t more than six inches or it may look too small.
When it comes to bedroom rugs, the rug size will depend on your bed size. A large area rug that fits beneath the entire bed and nightstands is a simple solution. Or you can place the rug perpendicular to the bed so that it stops a few inches short of the nightstand, but still allows you to have a soft surface for your feet and extends past the foot of the bed.
Dining room rug size is also important. Choose one that fully fits beneath your table and chairs even when pulled out.
Certainly! Even if your room already has carpet, you can still place an indoor rug over it to create a focal point. It's a great idea to hide any stains or protect high traffic areas from potential spills and damage (a washable rug makes for a great option in these spaces!). Choosing an area rug that’s a different material than your carpet will also enhance the room décor by adding texture. And, since most carpets are a neutral tone, you can choose a unique area rug that adds a pop of color to the room.
A brightly colored rug or one with a strong pattern can act as a design element that the rest of the room plays off of. If you’re just beginning to furnish a room, you can pick the area rug you like and use the colors from it to coordinate the rest of the room. The second main color of the room rug can match your sofa, the third main color can match your accent pillows or curtains, and so on.
If you already have a color palette, choose a rug that pulls in colors from the entire room. For rooms with bright colors, select a neutral area rug. For rooms with patterned furniture, select a solid color rug. Light colors can make a room look bigger while dark colors will do the opposite. Lastly, don’t focus too much on getting exact color matches, colors of the same hue work just as well!
Since carpets and rugs are shipped rolled up, they might need some help lying flat. Try laying out your rug in an open space and placing heavy books along the curled ends for at least 24 hours. You can also anchor your rug with furniture to keep it weighed down.
For stubborn rugs that won’t lay flat, try rolling it the reverse way or using a blow dryer on the backside at a distance of at least six inches to release the tension from the carpet fibers.
A rug pad will further assist with keeping your floor rug in place. Most wrinkles or bumps in a new rug will flatten out on their own over time, but these steps can help accelerate the process. Be patient with your area rug and it’ll soon blend into your home seamlessly!