Few pieces in a home have the ability to complete a room as much as a rug. Whether your rug is the inspiration for your design or the final touch, it will add layers of color, interest and texture. Finding the perfect rug can be challenging. There are a number of things to consider when choosing a rug: size, style, and material, just to name a few. To help you get started on your journey to the perfect rug, I have created a run-down of the best types of rugs for every room in your home!
Kitchen
Adding a rug to any kitchen is a great way to add warmth and character to the hearth of your home. In addition to minimizing slippery floors, kitchen rugs reduce fatigue caused by standing for long periods and provide an extra pop of color to an otherwise muted kitchen floor. While you shop for kitchen rugs, consider four primary criteria: Size, shape, color, and materials.
Square and rectangular rugs are both popular options for good reason: these versatile shapes typically fit neatly in nearly any space. Half-moon or crescent-shaped rugs are often used in front of a kitchen sink for added cushioning and comfort. Round rugs tend to soften sharp lines and work well in the center of the room. You can also use them under the table to better define the space of an eat-in kitchen or breakfast nook.
To add maximum warmth to a large kitchen, choose a larger kitchen rug in a solid color or a fun pattern to complement the rest of the room.
Pro tip: When shopping for larger rugs, make sure to leave between 6 and 24-inches from the edge of the rug to the wall and cabinets.
Bath
Choosing a rug for your bathroom may seem like a task that does not require too much thought, but the one you choose can actually play a pretty large role in shaping the entire look of your room, maintaining your and your family’s safety and even improving your regular daily routine. Generally, when shopping for a bathroom rug, it’s important to consider the color, size, material, durability, required maintenance, and any additional safety features that the mat provides.
Start by measuring your entire bathroom and measuring the floor space where you want to place the rug, which is usually the center of the room or the space in front of the bathtub so the piece can prevent slippage on the tile floor. If you end up with a rug that is too small, there’s a chance it might look out of place, and it could actually lead to safety issues if water spills onto the tile when you emerge from the shower or bathtub. If you end up with a mat that is too large, it may not lie flat around your bathroom fixtures, and it also might command all the attention in the room or detract from another decor.
Your measurements will also help you determine if you need a rectangular, square, round or abstract-shaped rug. Rugs measuring 17″ by 24″ are typically suitable in front of pedestal sinks or shower stalls, while those measuring 21″ by 34″ fit well outside most tubs.
Entry
Your entryway is one of the first impressions a guest has of your home. Because of that, it’s a space that you want to consider stylistically—but it also needs to be highly functional. This is the space where shoes and jackets come on and off, where keys and bags are dropped, and where pet supplies are stashed.
An entryway rug helps optimize both the functionality and style of your entryway. Rugs look nice and add some style, pattern, and color to your entryway. Rugs can also help define the space if you’re trying to fake an entryway. However, since all entryways are different, landing on the right size and shape of entryway rugs can prove difficult.
Let’s talk about entryway rug options. This part is actually fairly straightforward, as there are only three common types of rugs that you’d typically use in an entryway.
- Doormat: A doormat is a small rug made to fit directly in front of your front door. A standard doormat ranges from 18”x30” to 24”x36”. They’re typically very durable and less decorative, as they’re primarily used to wipe shoes and catch dirt and moisture so they don’t get tracked into the house. This is a practical way to keep your floors clean, and with a lot of design options out there, a doormat can be a cute way to personalize your entryway.
- Runner: Runners are narrow and long rugs. They’re commonly used in hallways, in longer entryways, and in front of wide doorways. In terms of size, they’re typically 2’-3’ wide and 5’-14’ long. While a runner is a great option for a standard hallway, an average runner rug might be too narrow for an extra-wide hallway.
- Area Rug: An area rug is a larger rug, meant to cover a larger “area” of the floor. (Hence the name.) Its purpose is to cover and protect your floor while adding decorative colors and patterns to your space. A rectangular area rug is most common, but you can also opt for a round or oval rug if that works better for your space! In an entryway, a rug size will range anywhere from 3’x5’ to a 9’x13’ rug, depending on the size of your entryway or foyer.
For an entryway rug, you’ll want to look for something durable and easy to clean—both hugely important in such a high-traffic area. The material you choose can impact how easy it is to clean. Indoor-outdoor rugs are good options for entryways since they’re both durable and easy to clean. These rugs can also be brought outside, hosed down to clean, and then hung to dry. Natural fiber rugs are also known for their durability, and machine-washable rugs are also a great option for an entryway. Stay away from lower-durability materials, like silk and cotton. And, consider color too! For example, you wouldn’t want a white rug in a busy entryway, as it would get dirty and damaged far too easily.
Living Room
When choosing a living room area rug, center the rug in the room and ensure that the main furniture is resting on top of it. At a minimum, the front legs of all furniture pieces should be on the rug. If your living room is large, you can divide it into separate areas with multiple rugs. When utilizing this technique, try to use similar designs or colors to maintain a cohesive look.
Whether you want to add a playful touch, bold color, or timeless elegance, the color and pattern of the area rug that you choose to set the tone for your final look. Stick with neutral tones for a cohesive, traditional aesthetic that adds comfort without overpowering the room. Complement the existing color scheme by picking up a color used in other decorative accessories.
If you’re worried about keeping your new rug in mint condition, stick to rugs – especially outdoor rugs – in a flat-weave style that can hold up to the foot traffic in the kitchen. Whether you opt for natural fibers or synthetic blends, low-pile rugs offer excellent durability and the benefit of easy spot cleaning. You only need a little soap and water and a stiff brush to remove any spills and stains.
Pro Tip: If your sofa is against a wall, ensure that at least the front legs and the front legs of the neighboring armchairs are on the rug. In a large living room with a floating seating area, the rug should contain all furniture, front and back legs, with space around.
Dining Room
Finding the right rug can make all the difference when trying to tie together your dining room. Ideally, the rug should be both functional and fashionable; the right rug will anchor your space, provide a well-balanced feel to the room, and still be practical enough to handle the occasional spill.
Because the rug anchors the room, it’s important to choose a color that complements your overall look and is still practical enough to survive life under the dining table. Lighter hues are neutral enough to work in a variety of settings, but they don’t always clean as easily and aren’t as effective at masking spills or stains. Instead, pick a color that ties together accents from the surrounding elements – like furniture upholstery or artwork – yet still has enough depth to hide any accidents that might occur during a meal.
Bold colors and patterns can not only complement your design, but they can also hide a multitude of elements within the room. If your table is centered in the room but your rug won’t be, look for a rug with an allover pattern, but stay away from anything with a border. A bold, sweeping pattern moves the eye around the room and distracts from the fact that the rug is off-centered. Likewise, if you are using the rug to cover up a floor that needs refinishing or other work, a bright color or interesting pattern helps keep the attention on the rug.
Don’t you just love sinking your toes into plush high-pile rugs like shag or Moroccan styles? We do too, but they’re not always best suited for use in the dining room. It can be a bit difficult to pull chairs in and out over these styles, and they are more difficult to keep clean because the higher piles may trap crumbs. Instead, opt for a rug that has a low pile, a flat weave, or one made from extra easy-to-clean material. Outdoor rugs are often an excellent choice for a dining room!
Pro Tip: Use the table’s size as your point of reference. Whether circular or square, the rug should extend at least 24 inches on all sides so even a pushed-back chair can still fit within its range.
Finally, when choosing a rug for any room in your home, be sure to choose something that you like. After all, style guidelines are just that: guidelines. Listen to your heart – and your wallet – and choose a rug that works for your space and brings joy to your home.
In my next post, we will discuss how to plan a kitchen with a budget in mind.
Until then,
Laura
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