How to Choose the Right Rug
Ah, the beloved rug. Whether you’re warming up hardwood or adding character to carpet, a great rug can change your life (or at least your room). But that doesn’t mean it needs to break the bank! I’m a firm believer in that the best rugs, don’t necessarily pack the highest price tag…especially if your home is overrun with young children.
Below I’ve hand-picked my favorite rugs for every room in your house. I’ve also shared my thoughts on sizing and how to get it right for your room’s layout. And let me kick this off with one over-arching reco: DO NOT. I repeat, DO NOT…skip the rug pad.
Bookmark this page and check back before you purchase any more floor coverings for your home!
Family Room Rugs
I typically lean towards neutral rugs for family rooms and master bedrooms. You’ll see some overlap in these first two categories.
When choosing a rug size for your family room space keep in mind these two guidelines: 1. Allow approximately 15-20 inches of bare floor space between your rug and wall’s edges. 2. All seating area furniture should rest (at least partially!) on the rug.
Master Bedroom Rugs
For a bedroom, I recommend an 8 x 10 for a queen a 9 x 12 for a king. You want to have plenty of rug show from under the bed, but there’s no need for that to spill past your nightstands.
Runners for Your Kitchen
Runners are fun because they can add a lot of personality, for a small investment. And they work wonders whether your kitchen is bright or dark. Our kitchen is all-white, everything…which I thought sounded super dreamy – and I love it, don’t get my wrong – but it absolutely needs the warmth of a colorful runner.
Under Kitchen Table Rugs
Say it with me: Indoor/Outdoor. Every retailer known to man has a section in their “Rug Category” devoted to Indoor/Outdoor rugs. These are a total must under kitchen tables where, without a doubt, food will fall. In short, you need a rug that is low-pile and made from easy-to-clean materials.
In terms of size, the table and all chairs should rest comfortably on the rug. Ideally, you should also be able to pull the chair out to sit down and still stay on the rug. About one foot of hardwood or tile allowed before the wall edges is optimal.
Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor rugs really warm up a covered patio. And while many think they may not be practical – they totally are if you buy something durable!
Clearly I have a thing for stripes when it comes to the great outdoors.
Playroom Rugs
Let’s talk about carpet before we head into playrooms and kid rooms. You can, and should, layer a rug over carpet if it’s low-pile. Basically, if you have a thick, shag carpet – leave it be. Otherwise, don’t let a carpeted room remain vanilla without a rug’s affection.
Girl Room Rugs
My love language is soft blush when it comes to a girl’s room. It’s a nice feminine touch. But I’m also strictly opposed to all-pink everything. For example, our girls’ have blush wallpaper – therefore we opted for a more bold rug (purple!) to contrast the wallpaper AND the beige/gray carpet.
Boy Room Rugs
I realized when designing our new addition’s nursery that boy rugs can be super fun. Keeping the space more neutral, but playing with pattern and color in a rug can really make for a great combo.
When shopping for rugs, take a quick five to read the product description and make special note of a rug’s material. Rugs generally fall into these categories: wool, cotton, synthetic, natural fiber, and animal skins.
Wool – practical for high-traffic areas, soft under foot. Good for living rooms, dining rooms.
Cotton – generally more affordable and easy to clean. May require replacing overtime. Good for kitchens, kid rooms.
Synthetic – made to mimic cotton and wool, but man-made to last in high-traffic areas, for a fraction of the cost. Great for hallways and high-traffic areas.
Natural fiber – organic look, with texture. Great for living rooms, spots with high traffic and sun exposure.
Animal skins – unique and contemporary flair. Best for low-traffic areas, layered as an accent rug.