It’s no secret around here that we adore a good rug. Heck, I’ve almost been kidnapped for them in the past. I mean, it’s the same for me as a clown in a sewer, except a man with a truck full of good rugs, and I’m totally game. They’re the fifth wall next to ceilings, and I’ll go ahead and rip off the bandaid to say… stop writing them off just because you have carpet. Seriously. If you have, you may want to read this.
So without further ado, here are a few of our fave tips: the guide to working with rugs.
Consider your lifestyle:
Shopping around can be overwhelming, and hard to choose. This is where you should start. What will work for little knees or pets? Do you have any allergies? Because wool may not be the sane option for you. Also, are tassels too fussy? {I learned the hard way that they can get sucked into the vacuum cleaner, and I wasn’t the one who did it…} It can be easy to fall in love with a rug, without considering the way it’s made. Think through what works for you and your lifestyle.
Of course, there’s always the exception to the norm, because if I’d listened to reason and two 70+ lb dogs, I wouldn’t have settled on this one. It’s all about what you want to live / work with, within your home.
A few things on sizing:
The next big question! So many people get a little bit of that analysis paralysis when it comes to choosing something for their space, and aren’t sure about what to choose.
Here are some of our best tips.
• Use them to define areas: We use them all the time in large rooms to anchor a space, or define certain areas. Especially an open concept room. {Yes, even if you have carpet – more on that below.} It helps define the space, and bring in so much character. But also, show the floor around them. You don’t want the rug to overwhelm, either.
• For living rooms, these are good options: All legs on, all legs off, or front legs on. Again, this will depend on your space, but we’ve found that front legs on are a winning combo, with large items like sofas, every time.
However, there is always the exception to the rule, which {also} worked for our pool room, with the striped rug above. If that’s the case, go for symmetry as a rough rule of thumb. Fringe to each side of the daybed/sofa, chairs with two front legs on. The key here is making your design look intentional. You can’t lose.
• For dining areas: Keep the rug underneath your table and chairs large enough to comfortably slide your chairs in and out without catching on the rug. Because that’s kind of annoying, and if it’s large enough for that, it should be proportionally correct.
• For bedrooms: Consider the size of your room and the actual bed. Avoid the postage stamp effect. Choose a rug that will go under most of your bed, but also show more when you pull it out. In other words, never go too small. Depending on the size, an 8 x 10 will probably not disappoint.
Save the rug for last
Or at least close to last. Just like you don’t want to feel limited by paint colors, you don’t want to feel limited by your rug, either. I always choose staple items first, like the sofa + chairs in a room, and then the rug should complement them. None too sad a woesome tale, than someone who falls in love with a rug, only to feel limited by it later. No, I have no idea why I’m writing like Shakespeare.
Go neutral when in doubt
First of all, don’t be afraid to mix it up. If something isn’t working, shop your house and switch it around. But also, go neutral in the beginning if you need a temporary fix. My rule of thumb is that natural fiber rugs come in great, larger sizes, and can be used to layer, later.
Use them with carpet.
Yes, as mentioned above, it’s totally okay to use it with carpet. This isn’t 1985. It helps define the space, and adds so much character. Imagine this room without the blue rug. It’s fabulous. Also, unless you really just enjoy staring at beige carpet… sometimes people defer to the known, because they’re unsure. We get it, but it’s a lost opportunity for a great way to bring in character for your space.
Play with pattern
Have fun, and use it to your advantage. Incorporate bold stripes to make a room seem wider. Pair organic pillows with geometric rugs or vice versa for depth. Let your rug be your statement piece if you can’t paint those walls. Use it as a fun staple, and not an obligatory accessory. The possibilities are endless when you use design elements to your advantage. Like makeup on a face to heighten our features, so the rug should be for whatever we wish to utilize in a space.
A few rules to remember:
• Awkward angle? layer them. A fun pattern on top of a natural texture can work wonders for a space. If we hadn’t utilized this element in our living room, the fireplace would have awkwardly cut off one side and we just wouldn’t know what to do.
• When in doubt, tape it out. We use Frogtape® on the regular to map out a room. It will definitely help you decide on the right size before pushing purchase on that order.
• Curvy corners gotcha down? Speaking of tape, rug tape is a must have. Just add it to your floor, and push down. One of our best tips for all things obstinate rugs.
• Better in real life. Rugs almost always look better in real life, than online. So don’t be afraid to purchase online. I’ve never been disappointed with the beauty of a rug when it shows up for real. Those flat photos on the screen just don’t do them justice. They’re the best!
We hope that some of our fast tips for rugs have been a great guide! As always, let us know if you use them. We’d love to hear.
Have an inspired day!
Jen says
I KNEW you would have the answers I needed while I’ve been online rug shopping. Thanks for addressing so many questions in one post!