How to Choose living room area rug?

An area rug can bring personality, comfort, and safety into a living room. Choosing the right area rug makes your living room look finished, well-proportioned, and harmonious with your decor. It also allows you to showcase the beauty of hardwood floors, define areas, remove for easy cleaning, and it can be less expensive than broadloom. Learn more about how to choose a rug for the living room and why an area rug may be your best option compared to wall-to-wall carpeting.

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Area Rug Sizes

When the legs of sofas, chairs, and tables are not fully placed on an area rug, the room can look unfinished or unbalanced to the eye. All the legs of your furniture should ideally sit on the area rug. If that's not possible, keep the front legs of your large upholstered pieces on the rug and the back legs off the rug.

Area rugs come in many standard sizes, including:

• 3 by 5 feet
• 4 by 6 feet
• 5 by 7 feet
• 6 by 9 feet
• 7 by 9 feet
• 8 by 10 feet
• 9 by 12 feet
• 10 by 14 feet
• 12 by 15 feet
• Custom sizes

What Size Area Rug Do I Need?

Your room's size, shape, and furniture arrangement determine the size of the area rug you need. When buying an area rug to cover most of the living room, avoid choosing one that is too small for the space. There should be a 4- to 12-inch border between the rug and the wall on the sides, and all legs of the major pieces of furniture should ideally rest on the rug.

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Shapes

Though rectangular or square area rugs are typically used in a living room under a seating arrangement, you can also choose round, oval, or octagonal shapes.

Consider a round, oval, or octagonal-shaped area rug if you want to accent a round or oval coffee table. Round rugs are measured by diameter. To measure for a round rug, find the center of your living room and measure from there to the outside edges of the seating area. Measure that length in feet, double it, and that's the diameter size you should get for your space. If you measure 4 feet from the center of the room to the outside edge of your couch, double that for an 8-foot diameter area rug.

Tip

Have a carpet store add binding to a remnant piece of broadloom for a custom-sized area rug. This type of custom-size rug can be cost-effective.

Colors and Patterns

Flooring has a huge impact on the overall look of a living room. Consider the following tips when choosing an area rug:

• Choose a patterned area rug to add color and interest to a room with neutral furniture and walls.
• Opt for a patterned area rug in a darker color to better hide dirt and spills.
• Consider a solid-colored area rug in a neutral color to blend with eclectic decor.
• Pull one or two colors from your decor and use them to choose an area rug so you don't have clashing hues creating a visually cluttered space.
  

Materials and Textures

How do you want the rug to feel underfoot? How much maintenance are you willing to put into your area rug? For example, beautiful silk or leather area rugs offer a luxurious look and feel but they can be tough to clean. Here are some pros and cons of common area rug materials and textures:

• Wool: A natural fiber, a wool area rug adds warmth and softness to the look and feel of a room. Wool can be stain-resistant, and the fiber is durable and resilient (bounces back after compression). A wool area rug can be pricey and needs professional cleaning.
• Sisal and jute: Natural materials, such as sisal or jute, are made from durable plant fibers that can be smooth and cool on the feet. (Sisal might be more durable but jute is softer on the feet.) Natural fiber area rugs are often neutral in color though many are dyed with an overlay of pattern. Natural fibers need spot cleaning with minimal water.
• Cotton: Many flatweave area rugs are made from cotton, which gives a living room a casual vibe. Cotton area rugs have a lighter feel and texture, making them ideal for summer living, and they can be washed in a machine, depending on the size. Some flatweave area rugs come in smaller sizes and may not cover a large living room space.
• Synthetics (nylon and polyester): Nylon and polyester area rugs have similar characteristics. A nylon area rug is more durable than polyester. But both come in many patterns and colors, they resist fading and staining, and both fibers are easy to clean and maintain.

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• Viscose: This synthetic fiber, also known as rayon, is manufactured to have the luster, look, and feel of silk or wool. It's affordable but the fiber isn't as durable or stain-resistant as other choices for a living room with heavy foot traffic.
• Acrylic: Faux fur area rugs or synthetic hides are typically made from affordable acrylic fibers. For example, a faux sheepskin area rug is usually a blend of acrylic and polyester. Faux fur rugs need to be hand-washed or spot-cleaned.
• Hides: Though pricey, genuine cowhide and sheepskin area rugs can make a statement in a living room. Hides are one of the more durable area rugs you can buy. They resist mold and dust, are long-lasting, and don't usually require much maintenance. Genuine hides are also limited in size.

Multiple Rugs

Add texture or define your space even more by layering area rugs. You can also layer an area rug on top of a wall-to-wall carpet. Use a seasonal area rug as a top layer over your main area rug for an easy swap. For example, layer a large sisal or jute area rug with a thick, fluffy faux fur area rug in the colder months. Switch out the fur rug and add a flatweave area rug over the natural fiber rug to create a lighter, cooler look in warmer months.

Tip

Layering is often seen in eclectic and boho-style decor to introduce more color and pattern.

FAQ

• What is the general rule about area rugs?

  The general rule about area rugs is that all of the legs of the furniture should sit on the rug, not off of it.

• How far should area rugs go under furniture?

  Area rugs should go all the way under furniture. If that is not possible, the carpet should at least go under the front legs of all pieces of furniture with at least a foot of rug extending to the sides of each piece of furniture.

• Why should I consider an area rug instead of wall-to-wall carpeting?

  An area rug highlights your hardwood flooring while offering comfort. In addition, it's easier to clean an area rug. Consider an area rug if you have family members in the home prone to falls, just crawling or newly walking, or if you prefer more muffled sounds in your living space. An area rug can also be more cost-effective and versatile than wall-to-wall carpeting in a living room. 

What size rug do I need?

When it comes to how to choose a living room rug (or any rug for that matter), think about proportion and scale. You want the rug to fill the space nicely without looking too crowded. Most interior designers follow a simple rule of thumb: the larger the room, the larger the rug.

What is the best way to measure a room for a rug?

Start by taking the general measurements of the space and reduce those dimensions by 1-2 feet to get an idea of the best rug size for that area. Additionally, try using painter&#;s tape to map out your ideal rug placement, then measure the outline&#;s dimensions.

Do I need a rug pad?

Is the rug going to be in contact with a hardwood floor? If so, you should definitely use a rug pad, as it provides insulation, absorbs the impact of your footsteps and minimizes slippage. A breathable rug pad is also essential&#;hard flooring that can&#;t get air has a tendency to become discolored.

How do I choose a rug pad?

It all depends on the size of your rug. A general rule of thumb is that the rug pad should be about one inch less than your rug size, on all four sides. For example, if the size of your rug is 8x10, get a rug pad in the same size and use scissors or a box cutter to trim down if needed.

How should I decide what rug color or pattern to choose?

Designers consider rugs to be like works of art for the floor. A bright color or interesting pattern is great for defining the overall look and feel of the space, especially if the furniture is all solid colors. What about rooms that already have ample color, such as a kids&#; room? Go for a rug in neutral tones instead. No matter what you choose, the best rug is the one that feels right for your home.

How do I store my rug?

Before storing your rug, clean it according to its care instructions. Then, roll the rug up with the pile on the inside. Wrap it in kraft paper or a breathable, water-resistant paper&#;but do not wrap in plastic. Plastic can trap moisture and encourage mold growth. Make sure to keep your rug elevated to allow for air circulation. And lastly, store in a climate-controlled space.

How do I care for a wool rug?

To care for wool rugs, vacuum regularly. For the first two to three months, additional vacuuming without the beater bar turned on may be necessary to manage the normal shedding that occurs. If a little one spills a cup of juice or a pet has an accident, blot the spill immediately with a clean, absorbent white cloth. Avoid using cleaning solvents or scrubbing excessively to keep the rug&#;s texture intact.

How do I care for a natural fiber rug?

To care for a natural fiber rug, vacuum regularly. Immediately blot accidental spills with a clean, absorbent white cloth. For a more precise spot clean, use a dry extraction powder that removes hard-to-remove marks. Professional dry extraction cleaning services provide pristine cleans. Natural fibers are quite absorbent and can shrink and expand with changes in humidity&#;these are intended for indoor use only.

How do I care for a cotton rug?

Look for the machine-washable label on smaller rugs for an effortless clean. To wash larger cotton rugs, opt for industrial-sized washers or dry cleaning for a crisp finish. Avoid unwanted fading by placing a cotton rug in shaded areas of the home, avoiding direct sunlight.

How do I care for my synthetic rug?

Vacuum regularly. To clean accidental spills, immediately blot the area with a clean, absorbent white cloth. For a more thorough clean, spot clean the spill with shampoo or a mild detergent. We recommend periodic professional cleaning&#;these deep cleans make your synthetic rug look as good as new. If the desired use is indoors, use a rug pad to protect your floor. Indoor-outdoor rugs should be washed outside with a mild detergent and rinsed off with a garden hose.

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