Ultimate Rug Guide: Which One to Choose & Where to Place It
It’s the age old question: what size rug to get? If you’ve been asking yourself (or, more likely, Google) what rug to get for your space — and where to put it — you’re in the right place.
They’re questions we get a lot, and we’re here with allll the answers.
We get it: looking for a rug can be overwhelming. There are SO many to choose from. But fear not, this post will function as your ultimate rug placement guide so you can feel a little less (or, a lot less) overwhelmed.
We’re going to take you through each room in your home that you may want to consider a rug for and give you our expert tips on selecting the right one.
DO THIS BEFORE YOU START
Measure. We can’t stress it enough. We’ve heard so many tales of people finding the perfect rug, only to have it arrive and not fit in the space. Before you even look at rugs, measure the space you’ve got to work with. More importantly, measure where your rug will sit. There’s nothing worse than a too-small rug in a big room. Or, a rug that doesn’t even fit within the walls! Yikes.
Here are a few tips when it comes to rug sizing:
As a rule of thumb, you should buy the largest rug that will fit in your room while still keeping about 18 inches of bare floor exposed around each edge.
For entryways and bathrooms that are typically 4’ x 5', a rug that’s 2’ x 3’ is a great size.
For living rooms and bedrooms in the 7’ x 10’ range, a rug should be 5’ x 8’.
For living rooms, bedrooms, and dining rooms in the 9’ x 12’ range, rugs should be around 8’ x 10’.
For the big living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms of about 11’ x 14’, stick to rugs around 9’ x 12’.
first up, the Bedroom
Let’s begin with the bedroom, where you start and end your day. Don’t you love that feeling of slipping out of bed and placing your feet on a plush rug? Your bedroom is your oasis, so it’s worth putting in the effort to make it feel cozy.
Although most areas of your home are high-traffic, your bedroom is one of the places we think it’s okay to get a little bit fancier with your rug, as it will be walked on less. A high-pile rug is a great option for a bedroom, as they have tall fibers and are super luxurious to walk across.
Use these handy dandy guides for selecting and placing a rug in your bedroom:
Insider Tip!
The shape of the rug will ultimately depend on the space you have and what size rug you can fit in your bedroom. We have a helpful rule that will keep you in check. If you're planning to put the rug under the bed, two-thirds should fit under the bed, with one-third around the outskirts. If you're planning on putting it under the bed completely, make sure furniture like bedside tables is sitting on the rug completely, so they're even.
next, the Kitchen
We know you might be thinking, “What?! A rug in the kitchen?” We don’t mean a white wool rug (that’s just asking for trouble!). But a low-pile runner is the perfect way to add a bit of softness and warmth to the space.
Insider Tip!
When you’re on the hunt for a kitchen rug, look for the all-important ‘washable’ in the description. While we love a pretty rug, we’re all about keeping things functional. Having a rug that you can throw in the wash keeps things easy in the kitchen. No worrying about spills on our watch!
let’s chat about the living room
Whether you’re sitting down with the family for movie night or curling up for a mid-afternoon nap (or Pinterest scrolling sesh), you’ll want your living room to feel cozy. Since it’s a high-traffic area, you’ll also want to make sure your rug can withstand any foot traffic and spills that come its way.
When placing your rug in the living room, similar to how you would place it in a bedroom, be sure to leave at least 6-8 inches between the rug and the floor around the edges of the room. This way, it will look like the rug is intentional in the space. The main goal is that the rug should be able to fit most of the furniture on it and frame out the space. Use these guides for reference:
Insider Tip!
Whether you're placing your rug onto tiles or hardwood flooring, always purchase a rug pad to go underneath the rug. It keeps the rug in the place and prevents it from moving around. They also help to protect your flooring underneath. We sell them at Salt + Citrus, and our team can’t recommend them enough.
now for the Dining Room
When it comes to the shape of your rug, match it to your dining table. A circular table gets a circular rug, and a rectangular table gets a rectangular rug. Easy peasy!
It’s also essential that the table and chairs fit onto the rug with the chairs pulled out. That way, when you’re sitting at the table, your chair legs are not halfway on and off the rug. Here are a couple examples to help you visualize:
Insider Tip!
Don’t be afraid to have your rugs on rotation! If you want to match the seasons with your rug, go for it! It’s a great way to play with different styles and keep things fresh.
next: the Hallway And Entryway
Did you hear that? It’s your entryway asking for a rug. What better way to introduce someone into your home than with a cozy carpet? Many hallways and entryways aren’t wide enough to fit anything bigger than a runner. However, if you do have a grand entrance (we’re jealous!), adding a bigger rug is a great option. In many hallways and entryways, a brighter rug won’t be competing with the furniture, so have some fun with colors and patterns if you’d like.
Oh, and here’s a couple more guides for you to take a peek at:
Embrace the Cow Hide!
Over at Salt + Citrus, we’re big fans of cowhide rugs and the natural feel that they bring into a space. Not only do they come in so many neutral warm colors, they also have natural imperfections. They work perfectly in any area of the home and are great for disguising stains or spills. The irregular shape and unique coloring make them a versatile option.
so, What’s Next?
Shopping is next! Now that we’ve given you all of our best rug tips, it’s your time to shine. Take our tricks and use them when browsing for the perfect piece. We do have one last tip for you, though: start with your star item. If you’ve fallen in love with a rug or sofa, use that as your piece to design everything else around. It will keep the room from getting too busy and overwhelming, and it will allow you to create a cohesive space.
Want more help selecting your rugs? Get in touch for a design therapy sesh, and we can chat all about your home’s styling and design.
