Choosing an Area Rug: Size, Material, Then Color

An area rug can pull a room together, soften a hard floor, quiet echoes and define zones in an open-plan space. It is also one of the easiest decorating purchases to get wrong, most often by choosing one that is too small. Choosing a rug comes down to three decisions made in order: size, material and construction, then color and pattern. Getting the first two right matters far more than the third.

Decision 1: Size

A rug that is too small makes furniture look like it is floating and the room look smaller. Measure the room and the furniture layout before you shop, and mark the rug's outline on the floor with painter's tape to see how it will look.

Living rooms. Common approaches are to have all furniture legs on the rug, which suits large rooms, or to have at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs on the rug, which works in most rooms and visually connects the seating group. In many living rooms that means a rug around 8 by 10 feet, or 9 by 12 feet in larger spaces. A rug that only fits under the coffee table usually looks undersized.

Dining rooms. The rug should be large enough that chairs stay on it when pulled out. A common guideline is to extend the rug at least 24 inches beyond the table edge on every side. Round tables pair well with round rugs.

Bedrooms. Place a large rug under the lower two-thirds of the bed, so it extends on either side where your feet land in the morning. For a queen bed, that often means an 8 by 10 foot rug; for a king, 9 by 12. Alternatively, use runners on each side of the bed.

Hallways and entries. Runners should leave a few inches of floor visible on each side and at the ends. Entry rugs need to clear the swing of the door.

Leave a border. In most rooms, leaving roughly 12 to 18 inches of bare floor between the rug and the walls looks balanced.

Decision 2: Material and construction

Wool is durable, naturally resilient and resists soiling, which makes it a good choice for living rooms and other busy areas. It can shed for the first few months.

Synthetic fibers such as polypropylene, nylon and polyester are affordable, often stain-resistant and suit homes with children and pets. Polypropylene is used in many indoor-outdoor rugs.

Cotton flat-weave rugs are lightweight, often machine-washable, and suit kitchens, bathrooms and children's rooms.

Natural fibers such as jute, sisal and seagrass add texture and are hardwearing, but can feel rough underfoot and stain easily with liquids.

Silk and viscose have a beautiful sheen but are delicate. Viscose, sometimes sold as art silk, is prone to water marks and crushing, so it suits low-traffic rooms.

Construction also matters. Hand-knotted rugs take a long time to make, can last for generations and are priced accordingly. Hand-tufted rugs are quicker to make and more affordable but generally less durable. Machine-made and flat-woven rugs cover a wide range of quality and price.

Pile height. Low-pile and flat-weave rugs are easier to vacuum, suit dining rooms where chairs slide in and out, and don't catch doors. Plush, high-pile and shag rugs feel soft underfoot in bedrooms and living rooms but trap more dirt and can be a trip hazard for older people.

Decision 3: Color and pattern

Choose the rug before paint and accessories if you can, since it is far easier to match paint to a rug than the reverse. Patterned rugs hide stains, pet hair and wear better than solid colors, which is useful in busy rooms. A rug in a mid-tone tends to be more forgiving than very light or very dark shades. If the furniture and walls are plain, a bold rug can be the room's focal point. If the room already has lots of pattern, a subtler rug balances it. Layering, with a smaller patterned rug over a large neutral one, is a way to add interest without committing to a large statement piece.

Don't skip the rug pad

A good rug pad stops slipping, adds cushioning, protects floors and helps the rug last longer by reducing wear. Choose a pad slightly smaller than the rug, and one suited to your floor type. Some rubber pads can discolor certain floor finishes, so look for pads labeled safe for hardwood or vinyl if needed.

Care

Vacuum regularly, using a setting without the beater bar for delicate or high-pile rugs, and rotate the rug every six months or so to even out wear and sun fading. Blot spills immediately rather than rubbing them. Check the care label before using any cleaning product, and have valuable or delicate rugs cleaned professionally. Outdoor rugs can usually be hosed down and dried flat in the sun.

Outdoor rugs

Rugs for patios and balconies are usually made from polypropylene or other synthetics that resist moisture, fading and mildew. Even so, they last longer if rolled up and stored during wet winters, and lifted occasionally so the surface underneath can dry.

Buying tips

Order a sample or check the return policy before buying online, since colors on screens can differ from real life. Read reviews for comments on shedding, smell and color accuracy, and check the rug's actual dimensions, since stated sizes are sometimes rounded.