How to choose your living room rug?
Aug 15, 2023
Here you will find very valuable tips for living room rugs regarding: The perfect size, color and placement of the rug, and more.
What size rug should I choose for my living room? It's one of the many questions we ask ourselves every time we move into a new home, buy new furniture, or redecorate. The size of living room rugs can dramatically change the overall feel of a space. A small rug can make your living room feel unwelcoming, while a rug that is too large can, paradoxically, make it feel smaller.
Choosing the right size living room rug will provide balance and warmth, creating the perfect finishing touch. It also forms the basis of your living room , ensures the comfort of your feet and helps protect your floors. Once you understand what size rug is best for your living room, we'll look at how different colors and layouts can help you make the most of your space.
How big should a rug be in a living room?
The carpet in a living room is a centerpiece of the space, so it must be aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the placement and size of living room rugs, there are some tips to help you find the look and feel that best suits your home. It's also good to note that you can transform your living room rugs (and save a lot of money) with the smart use of an outdoor rug.
Bigger is better, and a few inches can make the difference between a rug that brings the space together and one that makes it feel disjointed. Therefore, opting for a large sized rug will always prove that the extra expense is worth it. We advise you to choose a rug with a size between 250 × 300 cm and 270 × 360 cm and ensure that the rug is at least 15 to 20 cm wider than your sofa on all sides.
Run the rug along the longest length of the sofa and leave a space of 75 to 90 cm between the largest pieces of furniture if your space allows. If your living room is small, leave a space of at least 45 to 60 cm. This should help you make an informed decision about the size of the rug.
How to place a rug in a living room?
The shape, size and furniture of your living room should dictate the size and orientation of the rug, so that the space is comfortable and feels connected. As a general rule, your living room rug should cover the size of your seating area in order to anchor your conversation area. Additionally, to keep your room from looking weird, buy a rug that's at least six to eight inches wider than your couch on one side or the other.
Always analyze the room first
When choosing the size and orientation of your living room rug, make sure it is well proportioned to your space; large rooms require large rugs.
Orient the rug to match the shape of the living room: Place the rug so that it echoes the dimensions of the room (lengthwise for long living rooms). This is useful if you have larger furniture (like a sofa), if your space has a special shape, or if you haven't placed your furniture against a wall. This will make the room feel larger and create visual flow.
Visualize the final layout
Use masking tape to simulate the placement of your living room rug before purchasing it. This will allow you to see how your rug will fit into the room from any viewpoint. Try different rug sizes to see which one fits your space and budget best, and to get a feel for how the rug will feel.
Below are five rug ideas to try in your living room.
1. All feet clear
If you have enough space in your living room and want to move your accent furniture away from your rug (sofas, accent chairs and coffee table, for example), leave a distance of about 15 cm between the edge furniture and carpet.
Also leave a space of 24 to 45 cm between the carpet and the wall (or more if you have space). A rug too close to the wall gives the “almost” wall-to-wall feel. The only exception is if you have placed your sofa against the wall or a few inches from it, or if your space is small.
2. Front feet only
In this case, only the front legs of the furniture (sofas and chairs) rest on the carpet, while the rear legs rest on the bare floor. This arrangement is the best location for a living room rug for several reasons. It fits better in a smaller room, is more economical, and can make a small space feel larger.
The rule is to only pass the carpet under each piece of furniture over a third of its width. This helps unify the seating area and create a cohesive look without the added cost of a room-sized rug.
3. The floating layout (without the feet)
In this case, you only place your coffee table or a central piece of furniture on your carpet, but not your seats. This arrangement can be interesting, but only if it is done well. Base the size of the rug on the interior dimensions of your sleeping area to get the correct proportions.
If done right, the rug will fill the negative space created by your furniture group. A small rug, such as 150 × 210 cm , suits this arrangement perfectly.
4. Layer two rugs on top of each other
Do you have a vintage rug that goes perfectly with your living room decor, but it seems a little small? Don't worry, because you can layer this rug with a larger one. If you find the right combination, this layout can be fantastic. A good practice is to choose a natural jute rug as a large base and place a smaller rug on top, preferably of a different color and material.
5. Rounded Layout
Choose a large round living room rug to distinguish your living room area. Opt for a rug large enough but of standard size to accommodate all your furniture with a few centimeters to spare. You can also choose a rug large enough to accommodate at least the front legs of each piece of furniture.
Choosing colors and fabrics for living room rugs
Living room rugs serve as an anchor for the room. The color, style and fabric of your rug can therefore create an atmosphere. Light colors make small rooms appear larger, while dark, rich colors help define more intimate spaces. Warm shades like yellow, red or orange bring warmth, while cool shades create a calm atmosphere. Choose the colors of your rug based on your main furniture, such as the sofa. If it's a solid color, choose a patterned rug and vice versa.
Consider the following when choosing fabrics for living room rugs:
Rugged, durable carpet fabrics can withstand high-traffic spaces. Jute and seagrass are fabrics that work well. They are also perfect for outdoors.
Soft, pleasant fabrics provide comfort and are perfect for relaxing. Choose cotton and wool rugs, as they are soft, easy to clean and provide insulating properties against the cold.
Synthetic rugs offer a balance between comfort and durability and are less expensive than natural fabrics like wool.
We hope that you now feel confident and well-equipped enough to choose the rug for your living room and arrange it according to your desires. The rules above are only guidelines, as only you can determine which living room rug location is best for you. Take your time to decide and shop around to find the best living room and outdoor rugs.
Finally we let you discover several of our living room rugs which can help you in your choice. Enjoy your stroll on our site!