Here’s How to Choose a Rug for Your Home

Figuring out how to choose a rug is more complicated than you might think. Rugs are available in many different sizes, shapes, colors, materials, and patterns. Choosing the wrong rug will, at best, clash with your other soft furnishings, but at worst, it’s a safety hazard.

Don’t worry! This guide will break down the different rugs and tell you everything you need to know about buying a rug you will love.

Figure Out the Size and Shape

Size and shape are the most important considerations when choosing a rug. You could fall in love with a rug that looks beautiful, but if it doesn’t have the proper measurements, it won’t work.

First, decide whether you want a rug to fill almost the entire room (area rug styles) or a small section. Area rugs are rectangular or square, but other rugs are available in rectangles, squares, circles, and ovals.

Use a measuring tape, go to the room you are buying the rug for, and measure exactly how big you want it. If you’re unsure how big an area living room rug should be, measure the whole room and remove 12 – 24 inches. The front legs of your furniture should be on the rug.

Choose a Rug Material and Pile

There are four main categories of rug material. These are:

• Artificial silk – banana silk, bamboo silk, viscose
• Natural fibers – wool, cotton, silk, jute
• Synthetic fibers – acrylic, polyester

It would help if you also considered the “pile” of a rug when choosing a material. Low-pile rugs have shorter fibers, making them great for living rooms and kitchens. High-pile rugs are plusher and softer, which makes them good bedroom rugs.

If you’re unsure which rug material and pile you prefer, you can compare their appearance on an online rug store like this site.

Keep rug care and cleaning in mind when choosing a rug material. Synthetic fibers are the easiest to clean, and natural fiber rugs are the most durable. Artificial silk rugs are often the cheapest but aren’t as durable, so these are better for low-traffic areas of your home.

Find the Ideal Pattern and Style

Style is one of the most complex considerations when buying a rug. There are so many different patterns, but most fall under these four categories:

• Bohemian
• Contemporary
• Traditional
• Natural

If you already have a lot of busy patterns in a room, opt for a natural rug. Contemporary designs work well in modern houses. But if you have an older home with white walls, choose a bohemian or traditional rug.

That’s How To Choose a Rug

Figuring out how to choose a rug can be difficult when you have thousands to select. This guide will help you narrow down your options until you find the best rug for your room.

Not sure how to decorate and style the rest of your home? Browse our style and lifestyle articles for more top tips!