How to Choose the Right Rug for Each Room

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There’s an art in choosing the interior decorations for a home. A home is, after all, the sanctum where people rest after a long and tiring work day. There are many factors to consider when pulling together a home’s interior design.

Should the wallpaper be the thread pulling everything together, or should the furniture simply carry the room? Sometimes, rooms are brought together by floor coverings, specifically, the right rug. 

Rugs and carpets are the home’s subtle decorators, providing the house with more warmth, texture, and style. By choosing the right rug, homeowners can tie together a room’s aesthetic and give it a unique atmosphere that guests will always appreciate.

Selecting the right rug and pairing it with the correct room can sometimes be challenging. In addition to considering the rug’s design, people should also think about the size, material, and functionality that best suits each room.

This article will be a comprehensive guide that explores the nuances of rug selection. Whether the homeowner is aiming for a cozy and traditional feel in the living room, or a durable and practical choice for the kitchen, this guide can serve as a reference on how to choose the right rug that enhances the room’s aesthetics and caters to the room’s unique function.

How to Choose the Right Rug for Each Room

The Living Room

Size: The living room requires a large rug–one large enough to anchor the seating area. A good rug would be one where all the front legs of the furniture can rest on the edge of the rug.

Material: Foot traffic is frequent in the living room, so the rug must be made of durable material such as wool or synthetic blends. 

Style: A rug’s style extends the home’s overall theme. If the house has a classic style, having a traditional rug is good. A contemporary home, however, can gain more flair with a geometrically patterned rug.

The Dining Room

Size: Dining room rugs require some technicality. Measure your dining table and add at least 24 inches to each side to accommodate the pulled-out chairs. This measurement ensures that chairs remain on the rug even when pushed back.

Material: Spills are very likely to occur in the dining room, so easy-to-clean materials like sisal or polypropylene would be great choices. 

Style: A simple pattern or solid color works best for dining rooms. These rugs should complement the room decor but not blend in. 

The Kitchen

Size: Foot traffic is more frequent in the kitchen, so smaller rugs that don’t obstruct but still provide comfort are ideal for areas where people frequently stand, like the sink or stove.

Material: Rugs that can withstand frequent spills and cleaning are ideal. Some good options are indoor or outdoor rugs or those with a low pile.

Style: The rug will be best coordinated with the kitchen decor. To add a bit of personality to the space, a rug with bright and cheerful colors would be ideal.

The Bedroom

Size: Rugs in the bedroom should either be just a few inches bigger than the bed itself or take up under the low two-thirds of the bed. For cost and aesthetic reasons, people usually choose the latter.

Material: Comfort is key in the bedroom, so the rugs here are made of plus materials like wool or shag to give the room an extra cozy feel.

Style: Also consider the bedroom’s overall style. A neutral-colored rug is the best choice if a calming effect is the goal. But if having a focal point is the focus, then a rug with a bold color or pattern would be ideal.

The Entry Hall or Hallway

Size: For the hall and entryways, a runner that covers the length of the hallway while leaving some space on either side would be a great choice.

Material: This area gets a lot of foot traffic, so durable materials like jute, sisal, or synthetic blends work well. 

Style: Just like living room rugs, these hallway runners should extend the home’s theme while setting the tone for the rest of the space. 

The Workspace

Size: The size of the rug should complement the size of the office space. Larger spaces should have larger rugs that cover significant areas on the floor to create a more unified look. Smaller offices, meanwhile, can make do with smaller rugs or carpet tiles.

Material: Rugs that are easy to maintain are key in offices. Low-pile rugs or commercial-grade carpet tiles are ideal options as they’re unlikely to trap dirt and are easier to vacuum. 

Style: If professionalism and minimalism are the office’s themes, then a subtle pattern or solid color rug would be a great choice. For a more creative and casual environment, bolder patterns or colors that reflect the company are ideal.

Final Notes

Investing in the right rug is more than just a trend to follow. The home is the first and only place where one can be safe and relaxed from the outside world, so the upkeep of every interior piece is a requirement. Keeping the rugs clean is also essential to maintaining and caring for your investment. 

By keeping rugs clean, you’re paying attention to several important reasons. Some of these include maintaining the overall appearance of your home while ensuring a healthy, comfortable, and safe living environment.

With regular rug cleaning from some of the best rug cleaners near your area, you’ll be extending the life of your rugs while maintaining a healthy and comfortable living environment.

Tony Kantzavelos is the CEO of Love Your Rug, a carpet and rug cleaning company established in 1984. Love Your Rug has 10,000 square feet of rug cleaning and repair facilities strategically located in East and West Toronto.
Julie Higgins
Author
Julie is a Staff Writer at momooze.com. She has been working in publishing houses before joining the editorial team at momooze. Julie's love and passion are topics around beauty, lifestyle, hair and nails.