From making a statement to defining a zone, a rug is the ultimate styling tool. Key pieces to “ground” your furniture and the main building blocks to create a cohesive space, and infuse it with personality, style, texture and warmth.
First up – measure your space, then decide on the style you want.
Style, Weave, Shape, Fibres
Consider the sofa and wall colour, the size and shape of the room and the feel you want to create. Rugs can be one of the more expensive soft furnishing pieces you buy, so it’s important to ensure you choose the right one for your space and lifestyle.
If you want a harmonious, relaxing atmosphere, try a wool rug in a muted palette. If you prefer something dark and moody then look for one that features deeper, richer tones and texture.
Weigh up where your rug is going to sit, what colours are in the rest of the room and what arrangement your sofa or chairs take. A dark rug is going to make a space feel more intimate while a pale rug won’t look so imposing or heavy.
Oriental, Persian and Turkish rugs are beautiful, often a great match for more formal rooms.
Kilims and Dhurries add texture and colour, offer a tactile feel, tending to be a little more suitable to a casual style.
Turkey is well known for producing rugs. Also many are handwoven by skilled artisans in India. These are mostly sustainably grown and ethically produced, Jute, and are a great eco-friendly choice. Bamboo too is proving a strong and resilient fibre.
Consider these questions:
- Patterned, stripe or solid colour?
- Natural fibre or synthetic?
- Wet areas, or high foot traffic?
- Will it be partially covered by your sofa, chairs or a coffee table?
- How do you want it to feel underfoot?
- Short or long pile, or plusher pile like a shagpile?
Look at the space holistically and work out if the rug can be seen in its entirety.
I wouldn’t buy a beautiful rug with large scale pattern if it’s going to be covered up by furniture.
The material / fibres you choose for your rug depends on where it will live and what purpose it will serve; whether it’s purely functional or a touch of luxury in your room.
If it needs to be durable, look to synthetic fibres.
Wool blends and natural fibres such as Sisal, generally can take a lot of wear and tear.
In NZ we have to consider our high UV and if the rug is in a high sun position, whether it will fade.
Rugs can be inside and outside, with some hard wearing, durable exterior rugs available to bring a touch of style to your outdoor areas.
How To Position A Rug Right
Depending on which room the rug will be in, decisions need to be made on its positioning and ultimate purpose.
It’s not enough to simply have your dream rug – it’s also important to know how to position it right.
The correct placement of a rug depends on how big the room is and what sofa configuration you have. It’s really important to get the balance right.
Take a holistic approach when considering the layout of the room and each element – sofa, chairs, table, lamps, ottoman, paint or wallpaper and ensure it works for a cohesive, overall look, that is aesthetically pleasing.
If the rug is for the living or family area, consider the sofa arrangement – do you have a 2 seater, 3 seater or modular.
Standard sizes are 2 X 3 metre and 160cm X 230cm, or you can have custom made.
Round rugs are generally 180cm or 240cm diameter.
If You Have Two Sofas
If you have two sofas then the rug needs to be evenly positioned between them – it should be an equal distance from each sofa – not 10cm in front of one and 20cm in front of the other. Aim for symmetry.
In A Small Space
In a small space, I like the rug to sit in front of a sofa, so there is a narrow strip of floor showing – this makes the room appear lighter and more spacious.
In A Big Open-Plan Space
A rug is the best tool to “Zone” a space, especially in open plan areas.
It may mean using 2 or 3 different rugs – one for a more formal seating area, a family area and/or dining area.
The rug should sit under the front legs of both the sofas – or if you have a large rug, then both sofas can sit completely atop the rug.
If you have chairs in the space as well, then the front legs of the chair should be touching or “hovering” on the rug. This placement creates a cosy zone without closing off the area to the rest of the room.
A big rug makes a large open space feel more intimate by connecting all the elements.
With A Modular Or Corner Sofa
With a modular sofa, measure the space for the rug carefully – a standard-sized rug of 230cm by 160cm may be too small, a 2 X 3 metre one may work better.
Or you may have to have a custom size to get it right, possibly a 3 X 4.
Dining Room
The rug should always be large enough so that when the chairs are out and being used, all 4 legs of every chair still fit on the rug. Choose a tightly woven “Flatweave” for this area so it is not a tripping hazard, and the legs of dining chairs don’t get caught in the weave.
Rugs For The Bedroom
Make sure they’re large enough so that your feet hit them when you get out of bed on cold mornings. A shagpile or heavier woven / textured wool rug in the bedroom is cosy.
Round vs Square Rug
Rectangular or square rugs are more traditional, but there’s something beautiful about round rugs. They add “softness” and curves to a room and it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t fit the space perfectly.
With a rectangular or square rug, it has to be the right size to be in proportion with the space otherwise it will look out of place. A circular rug is more forgiving in this sense.
Cowhides are a fabulous option too for adding shape, form / curves.
Child-Friendly Rugs
As well as good looking, child friendly rugs need to be able to take the rough and tumble!
Go for something with a little bit of synthetic fibre in it. A wool blend would be my pick as it feels great underfoot and is easier to clean.
Children like to sit and play on rugs, so make sure it feels cosy.
Choose a patterned rug, rather than a solid block colour which will show marks easier, or a two tone effect, especially with a longer, inviting pile.
Rugs can be expensive – The old adage applies – Buy once and buy quality that will last.
You can’t go wrong with a “Classic” rug that will last for years and won’t date.
As with anything for your home, purchasing a rug is an investment.
I’m here at STYLE + SOUL, to help and would love for you to touch base.
Favourites To Suit Each Décor Style
COASTAL STYLE
Relaxed, textured, tactile, timeless and practical – Jute Herringbone or Other Natural Fibres, or Striped rugs
RUSTIC STYLE
Distressed, Weathered, Natural Fibres, Jute, Wool, Sisal, Seagrass
TRADITIONAL STYLE
More Formal, Wool, Turkish or Persian – Balanced, or Symmetrical Patterns
HERITAGE STYLE
Classic stripes, Damask – Silk, Viscose, Wool, Silk/Cotton Blend in Neutrals
NEW HAMPTONS
Fresh and Airy, Crisp Whites, Neutrals with some Ocean Inspired Elements – Jute, Sisal, Bleached Wool
MID CENTURY STYLE
Bold, Graphic, Linear or Sleek Lines, Diamond Patterns
BOHEMIAN STYLE
Floral Motifs
BALINESE
Tropical, Natural Environment – Jute, Jute Herringbone, Sisal
OUTDOOR STYLE
Tropical Prints, Stripes, Colourful, or a Neutral (and add bold printed cushions), Polypropylene
If you need a hand choosing the perfect rug for your space, get in touch and let me help you find the perfect fit.
