How do you choose a rug for your living room?
A rug should always be considered a true decorative piece, no matter which room of the house it is placed in. This is especially true for a living room rug, which is often a focal point of the room’s style and ambiance. However, a rug must serve several purposes and fulfill several functions: it should decorate, provide warmth, and, depending on the situation, define or delineate a space within the living room.
These numerous criteria should be taken into account when choosing the right rug to enhance your living room and the furniture in it. Let’s explore how to make the best choice, based on the desired effect and the decorative style you want to create.
What shape and size should you choose?
Before deciding on the shape and size of a living room rug, it’s essential to choose where it will go. Is it meant to define a walkway or a specific area, or is it being purchased to go under a coffee table, a dining table, or a sofa?
This consideration has a real impact on the choice of shape and size. Indeed, if the rug is placed on the floor without being covered by furniture, it is essential to take into account the total area of the living room and its proportions relative to the size of the sofa, which is generally the main decorative element.
Interior design experts recommend choosing a rug whose surface area does not exceed 30 percent of the room’s total area. A large rectangular rug in a small living room will therefore tend to make the space feel smaller. A round rug can also work well in a small living room, thanks to the contrast it creates.
When placing a rug under a sofa or table, use the dimensions of the furniture as a guide. Ideally, the rug should extend about 50 cm beyond each side of the furniture to create visual harmony. A small detail that’s actually quite important: when placing a rug under a table, for example, the rug should have the same shape as the table—whether it’s rectangular, round, or square. By following this guideline, it’s much easier to make the right purchase in terms of shape and size.
Another important consideration in interior design is the placement of a rug near the sofa or under the coffee table; it should take into account the width and orientation of these pieces of furniture in order to find a suitable position that enhances the existing decor.
The most common sizes of rectangular rugs available in stores are as follows:
- small sizes: 70 x 140 cm, 80 x 120 cm, and 90 x 160 cm;
- average size: 140 x 200 cm or 170 x 240 cm;
- large size: 200 x 300 cm.
As for round rugs, the most common diameters are 60 cm, 80 cm, 100 cm, 120 cm, 200 cm, or 250 cm.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Materials for Rugs
The choice of material for a rug affects its comfort, design, and maintenance. There are two main categories of fibers used to make rugs: natural fibers and synthetic fibers.
Natural fibers are primarily composed of:
- made of wool, comfortable, and highly resistant to wear and stains. It is also a material that provides good sound and thermal insulation, depending on the pile height chosen;
- silk, keeping in mind that a silk rug is both lustrous and soft, with the unique quality of being cool in the summer and warm in the winter. However, caring for it requires a very specific procedure to avoid damaging it;
- cotton, which—thanks to its excellent ability to absorb and wick away moisture—is a fiber recommended for damp areas;
- other natural materials, such as jute (the current decor trend), linen, or bamboo fibers, which are both eco-friendly and durable.
As for synthetic fibers, they are limited to viscose and polyester. Viscose stands out for its visual resemblance to silk. It is known to be difficult to care for, at least when it comes to removing stains. Polyester, which somewhat mimics the appearance of wool, is easier to care for and retains its vibrant colors for a long time.
Understanding these criteria helps you choose a specific type of fiber, especially based on the location and intended use of the living room rug. For example, when placed under a dining table, the rug will be subjected to frequent movement from chairs, not to mention the risk of stains from food or spills. Durability and ease of care should therefore be top priorities when choosing the material.
A Few Decorating Tips for Choosing Colors and Patterns
Color and patterns are elements that catch the eye right away. Therefore, they should be chosen based on the atmosphere and decorative style you want to create in the living room.
By choosing neutral colors, such as beige or ecru, and subtle patterns, the rug is likely to blend easily into the living room’s decor, especially if it’s classically furnished with dark wood furniture. A gray rug can thus add a touch of modernity to a traditional living room. Furthermore, these neutral colors—with the exception of black—help maintain a bright, airy feel. In a living room with warm-colored walls or furniture (orange, plum, or red), a brown or taupe rug can create a beautiful contrast.
Colorful tones and bright colors are harder to incorporate, since you have to consider the overall harmony of the room. That said, there’s nothing stopping you from using a small, colorful rug to add a vibrant pop of color to a fairly neutral living room.
A rug's patterns and graphic design generally point to a specific style, which may be modern (geometric patterns), Scandinavian (minimalist and graphic), Berber, or inspired by other ethnic traditions.
It's also important to carefully consider the decorative impact of a rug's patterns and colors in a living room, since a rug is, in theory, a purchase meant to last for several years.
We recommend these other pages:
- What are the benefits of a wool rug?
- What are the benefits of a jute rug?
- How to Choose an Entryway Rug?
- How to Choose a Kitchen Rug?
- How to Choose a Rug for Your Bedroom?
- How to Choose a Dining Room Rug?
- How do you choose a rug for a child's room?
- How do you choose a rug for a baby's room?
- How to Choose the Right Colorful Rug?
- How to Choose the Right Berber Rug?