A rug can make or break your space—are you getting the size right?
Introduction
So much about creating a welcoming and comfortable home is about making that space work for us and enabling us to live in the space in a relaxed way. Depending on where and how you live that can look a few different ways.
Rugs are an item that has a place in every home. They are such an important - and often overlooked - piece of decor that can instantly transform, ground, link and also separate spaces. Choosing the right rug size is essential for creating a balanced, cohesive, and stylish room.
In this post i'll explain the importance of rugs, and why the size rug you choose matters and how to get it right.
The Role of Rugs in Interior Design
Throughout the home there are different spaces - some are open plan, others are separate rooms, there are literally no rooms where a rug doesnt work.
If you have a bedroom with hard floors a rug will instantly ground the bed and create a focal point which highlights the bed.
If you have an open plan kitchen/dining room rugs can be used to define each ‘zone’ and help make sense of the space. The addition of a rug can easily help to create structure and ground each area - this in turn makes the room feel more balanced and therefore easier for our brains to relax in.
Rugs can be used to add sotftness to areas with hard floors too. It can feel quite uncomfortable to step out of warm bed onto a cold floor so by simply adding a rug under the bed you help to soften the space and elevate the experience for the person using the bedroom.
Adding that layer of softness also helps to stop the room feeling so hard and echoey. In warner climates, where you might not have fitted carpets, rugs can be excellent choices for adding a soft layer but also stoping the overall room sound so hard and make it feel more intimate.
Adding a rug is also a useful way of bringing in some more colour and pattern into a room, this can also be by way of texture. Depending on your colour scheme and overall feel you will find a rug which suits the space. For example a bohemian or neutral colour scheme room might benefit from a flokati rug which has a lovely texture and neutral colouring, it adds luxury and interest to the room.
In an opulent bedroom you might like to add a more traditionally patterned rug, such as a persian rug which has pattern and colour and can be perfect for linking the space. The rug can have the colours which are found elsewhere in the room and can be a fantastic way to pull the whole scheme together.
TOP TIP** If you know you are going to include a rug in your space (you should) then I would recommend choosing the rug first. For example if you know the scheme is going to be green and pink then find a rug with green and pink in it and then build the scheme around it. Finding a rug which has the exact shade of green in it will be nearly impossible.
Common Rug Sizing Mistakes
Too Small: Makes the room feel disconnected and unfinished.
So something I see a lot of is that IF clients have added a rug they have generally chosen one which is too small for the space. This is unhelpful as it isnt fulfilling its role of grouping furniture or grounding an area and has become another disconnected piece in the room.
Too Large: Overwhelms the space and loses its purpose as a design anchor.
Alternatively if you have chosen a rug which is too big for a space then it seems to disappear and becomes almost like a fitted carpet and loses impact and purpose - again the furniture seems to float rather than being grounded by the rug.
Floating Rugs: Rugs that don’t connect to furniture create visual imbalance.
Sometimes I see floating rugs, this isnt a vision problem - this is when a rug is placed somewhere for no apparent reason. I think this can only work along a hallway where a runner rug has been used and is clearly being used to link 2 areas. Otherwise I really dont see as there is a reason for it.
Rug Sizing Guidelines for Each Room
So how do I know which size rug to use? Well it really depends on how you have your funtiture arranged. In a living room you should aim to have all of the furniture sat on the rug. If this isnt achievable then at least the front legs of the sofas etc are on the rug.
Rugs are expensive and this is probably the reason people try to get away with a smaller size but they are so useful and I really dont think you can go wrong investing in a beautiful rug - you will always find a use for it in your home and its transormative powers are unstoppable!
You also dont want to go too big, make sure there is clear space around the rug so you are able to see the floor. This allows the rug to fulfill its role of grouping and zoning the space.
In a dining room a rug is a must. Not only does it have practical qualities such as being easier to clean than a carpet but it also stops echoes which in a room of clattering cutlery and conversation can be really helpful.
I would choose a rug which the table and chairs can comfortably sit on when people are sat at the table. So the rug might have to be about 50cm or more larger than the table all around.
I would also choose the rug shape which matches the shape of the table, this looks much more pleasing that a rectangular rug under a round table for example.
Ideally in a bedroom you should be able to sit the bed and bedside tables on the rug, there are a few alternatives for a bedroom, maybe the rug comes down so the head of the bed and bedsides are off the rug but you definitely want the rug around the sides so you step onto it from bed. If you have a small room and aren't able to fit a large rug then smaller rugs ether side of the bed can work. In this case you need to consider if the rugs will be slippery underfoot as they wont be anchored by the bed.
Pro Tips for Choosing the Right Rug Size
Measure Twice, Buy Once: Double-check dimensions before purchasing. Rugs can be expensive so definitely check measurements twice before purchasing - also consider rehoming a preloved rug as these can already have patina and be a lot more affordable.
Use masking tape: Outline the rug’s size on the floor to visualise placement. Using masking tape on the floor is an excellent way of visualiseing the rug size before you buy it. It can be a useful way to guide you towards the rug size you need.
Layering Rugs: Combine rugs for texture and flexibility in sizing. Sometimes you might be able to buy 2 smaller rugs to make up the size if the join is going to be covered such as when its under a bed.
Also rugs in the same space dont always have to be matching as long as they work together and connect in some way. Layering rugs can create a very relaxed and boho feel to a room which can look great in certain spaces. This is also a great opportunity to mix styles such as berber and silk flat weave rugs etc.
Oversize Over Undersize: Larger rugs often make rooms feel more luxurious. If in doubt go bigger rather than smaller - you wont be disappointed.
Conclusion
The right rug size enhances design, creates balance, and pulls the entire room together. I rarely design a room that I havent included a rug in - they are a great design resource and bring so much to a space. Some clients think this is one of the items that theyll get ‘at the end’ or ‘if they need to’ but I would argue that a rug can make or break the space and shouldnt be considered an afterthought.
Found this useful and Ready to transform your space? Contact me today for expert interior design advice and rug selection tips!
Comments