When it comes to buying the perfect rug for your space, we recognize that there are so many different considerations to take into account, like the style, size, and material of the piece. Rugs are an important piece when curating decor for your home, and they can also be an investment when you’re looking for ones that are long-lasting. So, keep reading for our designer’s tips to ensure you choose the perfect rug the first time around!
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Porter Silver Rug, Samson Grey Rug, Mika Stone/Ivory Rug
SIZE
We believe in the ‘bigger is better’ philosophy when it comes to rug shopping. That being said, we always recommend having some floor showing around the edges so it doesn’t look like you’ve tried carpeting your full space with a rug. The following are our guidelines for rug sizing in different areas of the home:
PHOTO: Loren Silver Slate Rug in the Riverside Modern Dining Room, by Leclair Decor.
Kitchen/Dining Room
For a 74” (six person) table, we recommend an 8’ x 10’ rug which will give you roughly 24” from the edge of the table to the edge of the rug, all the way around the table.
For a 98” (eight person) table, if you want to maintain that 24” allowance all around you’ll have to scale up your rug size accordingly, which will mean going with a 9’ x 12’.
PHOTO: The Barkley Rug, and the Lyla Rug as a wall hanging, in the Team Bull Project, by Leclair Decor.
Living Room
When looking for a rug for your living room, you want to pick a size that will allow the front legs of all of your furniture to be on the rug. It’s okay if the side tables and floor lamps aren’t on the rug, and remember to leave at least 12” between the edge of the rug and the wall to avoid it looking like a carpet or disproportionate. So, grab your measuring tape and check out your living space before choosing the size for your perfect rug!
PHOTO: The Satellite Aloy Rug in the Baldwin Project, by Leclair Decor.
Bedroom
Sinking your toes into a soft rug when you first get out of bed in the morning is such a nice way to start your day. When selecting the size of rug to go under your bed we recommend always having a rug that is under the front legs of your bed, extending roughly the same distance on either side as your nightstands, but doesn’t quite reach them.
This means for a queen-sized bed your safe bet is 8’ x 10’, and for a king-sized bed you can go for a 9’ x 12’. These are just guidelines and you can certainly stray from these dimensions, but to create the right feel and give the space a proportionate feel, we typically stay as close to these dimensions as possible.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Samson Black Rug, Birmingham Black Rug, Solano Sage Rug
MATERIAL
POLYPROPYLENE, POLYESTER, & P.E.T
These materials are great for entryways, or any other spaces that are high-traffic and may see some stains in their lifetime. If you have kids or pets, these materials are great for washability and if you're looking for durability too. Another little tip is to look for a cut pile rug if you have pets with nails that may scratch or get caught on the rug.
Recommended Rooms: Entryways, living rooms, dining rooms, children's rooms.
WOOL
Wool rugs are great for living rooms. It is a natural material, long-lasting, so soft underfoot, and feel luxurious, and are easy to clean! If you have little ones at home, you’re safe to go with wool rugs to complete your living room, family room, or bedroom and use them as a way to really add some warmth and comfort to the space. When cleaning a wool rug, we recommend sending wool rugs out for professional cleaning to ensure you keep it as beautiful as the day you bought it.
Recommended Rooms: Bedrooms, living rooms, children's rooms (if your kids aren't spill-prone!)
VISCOSE & SILK
We love viscose and silk for their luxurious and beautiful look and feel. But, depending on how many kiddos (and pets!) you have in the house, you’ll need to consider the fact that these materials are definitely harder to clean and maintain because they absorb liquid quite quickly and show signs of wear and tear sooner than other materials. These materials can complete a space with a high-end feel and we recommend using these rugs in areas that are lower-traffic.
Recommended Rooms: Bedrooms or select low-traffic areas, like formal sitting rooms.
JUTE
This is another beautiful, natural material that is great for adding a sense of laid-back sophistication to your space. Because this is a natural material, each rug is unique and the natural colours may vary in consistently. Layering jute has become a popular practice as of late, and it can be used both inside and outside. When using jute outside, be warned that they will show signs of again from the sun and are not recommended in areas where they will become fully saturated or remain damp for long periods of time.
Recommended Rooms: Laundry rooms, underneath softer rugs in family and living rooms, dry, outdoor patios or covered porches.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Network Black Woven Wool Rug, Grand Canyon Rug, Miatie Constanza Rug
STYLE
When we’re talking about style, we’re encompassing a lot of different elements like colour, pattern, texture, and the overall style or theme of the rug itself. Maybe it’s a bold, geometric print, a subtle, muted pattern, or maybe there’s no pattern at all. Ultimately, once you know you've chosen the right material and size, the style part is where you can have some fun.
We encourage you to explore resources like magazines, Pinterest, or our project gallery to get a sense of what you're drawn to and how it may look in a space like yours. Save a few favourites and then compare them to one another so you can identify the common elements in them and then use these as a point of reference when selecting a style! We previously published a blog about styling a room around a rug, so if you're looking for some great style tips, check out this blog post!