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Rugs 101: Size, Placement and Material for Every Room

A rug is one of the hardest working pieces in a room. It anchors the furniture, softens hard floors, brings in colour and pattern, and changes how a space feels and sounds. It is also easy to get wrong, and most often the problem is simple: the rug is just too small for the space.

Here is our guide to choosing the right rugs room by room.

Size Matters Most

The most common mistake is a rug that floats in the middle of the room with the furniture around it. It makes the space feel smaller and the furniture disconnected. As a rule, go bigger than you think. In most rooms, leave around 30 to 45cm of floor showing between the rug and the walls, so the rug defines the space.

If you are unsure, before you buy, mark out the size on the floor with painter's tape and live with it for a few days. It is the simplest way to see what size will work.

Living Rooms

In a living room, the rug should be large enough that at least the front legs of the sofa and every armchair sit on it. In a larger room, all legs on the rug is even better. The rug should also extend beyond the width of the sofa, ideally by 20-30cm on each side.

For most living rooms, that means a rug of around 2.5 x 3.5m or 3 x 4m. A standard 2 x 3m is generally too small once the furniture is in place.

Dining Rooms

A dining rug needs to be large enough for the chairs to stay on it when they are pulled out. Allow at least 60 to 75cm beyond the edge of the table on every side. Follow the shape of the table: a rectangular rug under a rectangular table, a round rug under a round one.

Choose a low pile or flat weave that chairs slide over easily and that is easy to clean.

Bedrooms

In a bedroom, the rug should sit under the bottom two thirds of the bed, extending around 50 to 60cm on either side and beyond the foot of the bed, so the first step out of bed lands somewhere soft. In a smaller room, a pair of runners or smaller rugs either side of the bed works well.

This is the place for softness underfoot. A wool rug with a little more pile feels lovely in a bedroom.

Hallways and Entries

Runners bring warmth and character to hallways, and protect the floor where it gets the most wear. Leave around 10 to 15cm of floor on either side, and stop the runner short of each end of the hall. Make sure doors can open freely over it.

Entries need a hard wearing rug that can handle sand, rain and daily traffic. A flat weave wool or wool and sisal blend is a good choice.

Choosing the Right Material

Wool is our first choice for most rooms. It is durable, naturally resists stains, and feels warm underfoot. Flat weave wool and kilims sit low and suit dining rooms and high traffic areas.

Jute, sisal and seagrass bring a lovely natural texture and suit coastal homes, but they are firmer underfoot and are harder to clean. Cotton is affordable and often washable, which makes it practical for children's rooms. Silk and viscose blends have a beautiful sheen but are delicate and best kept to low traffic rooms. For outdoor areas, choose a purpose made outdoor rug.

The Finishing Touches

Always use a good underlay. It stops the rug moving, protects the floor beneath, and extends the life of the rug. Rotate your rugs every six to twelve months so they wear and fade evenly.

A rug is often the foundation of a scheme, so it is worth choosing early. Buy well, buy once, and a good rug will last for years to come.