What Can a Rug do for Your Room?

I have a mild obsession with area rugs. They are so versatile and can be used to add another dimension of style to your room. They give your room another layer of texture and color. Area rugs provide comfort and bring warmth and coziness to an area.

From a design standpoint, an area rug can also be artwork for the floor. You can choose a rug that is in the same color family as your furniture or you can add a pop of color. When you decide you want to redecorate, an area rug can easily be changed for a fresh look.

The size of an area rug matters. I have found that the biggest mistake people make when getting an area rug is that they get it too small. A larger rug can actually make a room seem bigger.

Below are some guidelines for selecting the proper size for different rooms.

The most popular layout for a living room is to have the front legs of the furniture on the rug. This pulls the seating area together and defines the space. This especially helps if you have an open concept room and want to define the living room. You can also get a bigger rug and have all furniture on the rug, but at a minimum, make sure the front legs are on.

For the dining room, you want to make sure there are 2 feet behind each chair when it is pushed under the table. The rug should extend out far enough so that the chairs are sitting on it even when they are pulled out. You don't want the chair to catch on the edge of the rug as people are getting in and out of the chairs.

For the bedroom, you can use a smaller rug and place it parallel to the night stands. You will want to be able to step on the rug as you get out of bed and you want it to extend beyond the end of the bed so you area looks put together.

For all rooms, you can also use a larger rug and have all of your furniture on it. Just make sure you leave about 18 inches around the rug so the floor underneath will shows.

An area rug is a great place to have some fun with decorating. They layer in color, texture, and warmth. Experiment with rugs and see how it elevates your space!