How to choose the perfect rug

Our tips will help you find the best style & size for
your space.

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Size Styles Fibers & Construction Design Tips Care & Cleaning Rug Influencers

Measure for size

Choose the right rug size for the room

Living Room

Leave at least 18” of exposed floor around the perimeter of the rug, so for a standard living room, a 9’ x 12’ area rug will allow you to rest all furniture on the rug for a coordinated look.
For smaller spaces, or if you prefer showcasing more of your flooring, opt for a 5’ x 8’ or 6’ x 9’ rug. For abstract layouts, an 8’ x 10’ rug placed in front of the furniture works best.

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Dining Room

Before gathering the crew for dinner, first consider the shape of your dining room table, as it’ll dictate the shape of your rug. A round table looks best on either a round or square rug. An oval or rectangular table works best on a rectangular rug.
Aside from style, a dining room rug helps to protect the floor and cut down on noise when chairs are pushed back. You’ll want to leave about 18–24” of rug material on all sides  to account for that.

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Bedroom

Give your feet a soft landing every morning by adding the perfect cozy rug. Make sure that your rug extends equally beyond both sides of the bed. For king and queen beds, that’ll be a minimum of 18” of rug on either side, while full and twin beds should have at least 12”.
This will guarantee that your nightstands also rest on the rug for a polished look. As an alternative to one large rug, place a smaller rug at the foot of the bed with runner rugs on either side.

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Choose a rug style

Traditional

These rugs are a modern take on European and Asian designs with hints of oriental or persian motifs. Think bold color pallets and all-over designs like geometric & floral.

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Modern

Abstracts, bold colors, and sharp geometric elements can easily elevate your space and become the statement piece in your room.

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Transitional

Mix contemporary and traditional designs, and you’ll get a transitional rug that gives off subtle and sophisticated vibes. The elegant feel of traditional rugs serves as the base for these timeless patterns and beautiful hues and textures.

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Southwestern

Bring the desert landscape home by combining earthy tones, textures, and themes such as yellow, gold, red, and brown in structured interpretive designs.

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Find the right
material

Natural fibers & Natural fiber-blends

Wool: Noted for luxury, softness, and its natural ability to repel water, hide soil, and resist breaking and compressing; it’s a very popular material for higher-end rugs.

Jute: A natural grass fiber generally flat-woven to produce durable rugs that are highly resistant to abrasion and stains. Its soft texture makes it a great choice for lower-traffic areas.

Sisal: Is a stiff fiber derived from agave plants, and is an excellent choice for high-traffic areas, like entryways and hallways.

Pros: Durable, long-lasting, highly absorbent and dries quickly.

Cons: Sisal and Jute can change in color with exposure to direct sunlight, particularly if dyed.

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Synthetic Fibers

Polypropylene: A petroleum-based fiber formed into yarns. It’s strong with a soft wool-like feel that resists wear, stains, and fading.

Nylon: Extremely durable, stain resistant and low in moisture absorbency, its fibers feature a soft luxurious texture and rich, lustrous appearance.

Pros: Affordable, easy to clean, usually stain resistant. Commonly used for outdoor rugs.

Cons: Can grow bacteria & mildew from repeated spills or pet accidents; may need replacing sooner than wool or natural fiber rugs.

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Semi-synthetic

Viscose: A type of rayon fabric made from wood pulp that is used as a silk substitute, and has a similar drape and smooth feel to it.

Pros: Affordable alternative to silk; busy patterns can conceal dirt.

Cons: Viscose is like an absorbent sponge—it not only attracts moisture and oil, but even a plain water spill can ruin fibers.

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Rug Construction

Handmade Rugs
Handmade rugs include hand-hooked, hand-knotted, hand-tufted and braided/flat-weave rugs. Hand-knotted rugs are typically more expensive and durable, but hand-tufted provides a more affordable alternative.
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Machine-made Rugs
Machine-made rugs can also be woven, braided or tufted and are manufactured with computer-driven power looms usually made with synthetic materials like polypropylene, polyester or nylon. They are resilient, affordable, and have a long life-span.
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Design tips

Lifestyle

If you have young children, pets, or are placing your rug in a high-traffic area, you’ll want to select a rug that’s durable and easy to clean.

Color

Whether it’s a bold pop of color, eclectic patterns, or rich neutrals, adding a rug in contrasting colors is a great way to change a room’s dynamic. Deep-colored rugs provide warm and cozy vibes, while light-colored rugs open a room and make it feel airy.

Texture

Textured rugs are an easy way to add depth and dimension to any room. The unique materials, designs, and textures, like shaggy or plush pile, create a sense of movement in your design scheme. You can even layer textures or play on existing patterns in the room’s decor.

Personal style

Liven up your space by choosing area rugs that complement the colors and interior design of the room; this will make them blend in rather than detract from the room’s overall decor.

Pattern

Impress your guests by artfully mixing patterns, like florals and stripes, but only if the rugs have distinctly different sizes and coordinating colors. Patterned rugs can be used as statement pieces, create conversation areas in large rooms, and help break up conjoining rooms.

Multiple Rugs

Layering rugs can be a great way to enhance or divide a space while experimenting with multiple colors and textures. Make sure the rugs complement each other by varying the scale of the patterns and designs.

Caring for your rug

Tips for vacuuming your rug

You’ve picked the perfect rug, now it’s time to talk maintenance: shake and vacuum both sides of your rug regularly. It’s best to vacuum in the direction in which the material feels the smoothest to remove surface dirt.

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Cleaning stains

No need to get upset; accidents happen, but you’ll want to move fast and immediately blot away stains. Wiping or rubbing the spills may worsen the stain and fray the yarns. Call a professional if the stain can’t be removed with water and gentle dabbing alone.

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Protecting & storing

Protect: use curtains or shades to avoid fading from direct sunlight. Otherwise, rotate your rug 180 degrees every year or two to extend its shelf life.

Store: roll the rug up with the pattern facing in and place it in a dry, well-ventilated space. For extra protection, wrap the rug in a breathable cloth.

Why use a rug pad?

A rug pad adds comfort, prevents tripping, and adds protection against everyday wear by providing a soft, supportive foundation that keeps the rug in place. It can even be cut to match the shape & size of your rug.

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Brands you’ll love

Lauren Ralph Lauren

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi