Want to avoid one of the most common mistakes I see when I meet with potential clients in their homes? I thought you would; today, I am breaking down everything rugs. How vital rug placement is, how to select the right size rug, and what rug material is best for you. And you know no MRI blog would be complete without me sharing my favorite rugs. By the end of this blog, you will have no doubts when you’re selecting the best rug for your space. The rug sizing guide will be one that you will want to keep handy for those future rug purchases.
The Importance of Rugs
Let’s talk about why rugs are essential and what they can bring to any space. Does your room, although decorated and styled, feel “unfinished”? That finishing touch that is missing is a rug! A rug anchors and brings added depth to a room while at the same time adding a feeling of coziness.
The thought of incorporating a rug to any space can be daunting. Where to even start – will it stand the test of kids and animals, what material, what size, and will it cost a fortune? Today, I am breaking all these myths, yes rugs can be durable, sizing and placement are easy to determine, and lastly, purchasing a rug does not have to break the bank.
Shop Rugs From My House
I have included all rugs from my home, even though some are currently out of stock.
Durability
Long gone are the days that if you have kids, animals, or husbands (sorry Nick) that you can’t have a beautiful rug. Just like when we selected a performance fabric for our white sofa, the same can be done when searching for the perfect rug. Yes, there are certain materials you should stay away from if your primary concern is durability, such as viscose and silk. Options like polyester or indoor/outdoor rugs will be easier to maintain in high traffic areas. You can take indoor/outdoor rugs outside and spray them down with a water hose if there is an accident. Another option for high traffic areas is a washable rug. They are perfect for a house with young kids, and the rug can be thrown into the washing machine and voila, a fresh and clean rug!
Shop My Favorite Washable Rugs
Determining Rug Size
Determining the size rug you need can be tricky, and not all rules apply to all spaces. Let me lay out a few common spaces and guidelines that I think will help you style your room with little room for error. Let’s start in the living room. I would say this is the most important tip to utilize when selecting the best rug for your space.
Living Room
The general rule of thumb when it comes to placing furniture in your living space is if you do it for one, you do it for all. So, what do I mean? If one piece of furniture (within the setting) is entirely off of your rug, then all “legs” of the furniture are placed off your rug.
Next, if the front legs of your sofa are on the rug than all other furniture front legs are placed on the rug. My favorite look is when all furniture legs are placed on the rug, referred to as floating furniture. This look requires an oversized room. Any of these three layouts will create a balanced and more uniformed appearance.
If you have a smaller living room to work with, you may find it better to arrange a smaller rug under your coffee table while leaving all the furniture directly on the bare floor. This still allows for a warm texture to be used in the room without making the small space feel cluttered or jamming all your walkways.
Bedroom
Going back to those general rules of thumb for rugs, I want to touch on a few for your bedroom. By adding a rug to a bedroom, you are not only doing it for aesthetics but also warmth. One of the biggest rug mistakes I see is how the rug is placed. The longer side of the rug should lay parallel to your nightstands. Don’t worry, and I have a picture guide with sizing below. Why is that? Remember, the goal is to step out of bed onto your cozy rug! If you want to see how I styled a rug in my master bedroom, just click here. This room is evolving and looks nothing like this anymore. But you can read how to freshen up your master bedroom while you’re there.
Now that we have that covered, let’s move on. No matter the size of the bed, I recommend having the rug extend approximately 24″-36” around the edges of the bed. You will notice, I positioned the rugs up to the nightstands. Using the largest rug possible for the room will give you that “Pinteresty ” look you’re hoping to achieve!
Pro Tip: If you are utilizing an extra-large rug make sure you have an oversized room. Slide the rug underneath the nightstands; this will give a very polished and professional look.
Pricing
Rug shopping can get REAL once you spy the price tag! I have been in that boat many times…you are working on selecting the best rug for your space..then sticker shock shuts down the whole mission. Let’s change that. The type of material determines the price (name brand, too, of course). If you are looking to get more bang for your buck, search for indoor/outdoor rugs, polyester, cotton, or jute. Wool is one of my favorites, but it is natural, so naturally, it is more expensive. Rugs go on sale often, but you will want to snag it before it sells out.
My office rug isn’t currently available, thanks to a recent sale, but here is a very similar, very affordable option! Click here to shop it!
Shop My Rug Wish List
The leopard one is a must-have for me; I just need to decide where it can go and then it is coming home to me.
I find myself always on the hunt for rugs, hence my rug wish list. If I was gifted them all today…hey one can dream. Rugs are such transformative pieces and act as an anchor to any space. If you have been on the fence about adding a rug, just use the tips listed above. By following these tips, I hope you find it helpful you are selecting the best rug for your space. Keep these rug sizing guides handy to ensure every space in your home has a polished look!
