How to choose the right rug for your new home

Rugs are a tricky business. Finding the right rug can literally transform your entire space for the better. Select the wrong one? It throws everything off-kilter. Another important factor is price. They can be expensive, and often they’re one of the bigger investments you make with your home furnishings. So, understanding how to choose the right rug is paramount – and it doesn’t have to be stressful. There are very simple rules to consider when you’re out on a buying trip. Here are my fail-proof tips!

Colour

Pretty obvious starter, but finding the right rug comes to colour first. If you already have a lot going on in your space in terms of colour (or pattern), then you may want to stick with a single-colour rug (in a neutral shade) to balance everything out. If you desire a patterned rug with many shades, then it’s much easier to choose your rug first, then add in the furniture and accessories afterwards so everything in the room coordinates.

Texture

This isn’t something that immediately comes to mind for people, but texture is important, too – especially given it will be directly under your feet. I love texture and its ability to make a room feel rich and layered, and it’s an easy way to set the intention for the tone or vibe you want your space to give off. From velvet to sisal or a much fluffier pile or shag, there is so much to choose from. Don’t forget traffic volume, either. For high-traffic areas, I recommend a stronger weave in a more durable fabric. For bedrooms, you can go for cosy materials such as a lovely viscose or shag.

Here are some popular styles:

Kilims

Kilims have become incredibly popular lately for their flat weave, bright tones and graphic patterns. Made out of woven wool and cotton, the rugs are easy to clean, durable and versatile.

Natural

Natural rugs made from sisal, jute or seagrass are also durable, making them great in high-traffic areas. These tend to come in more neutral palettes or are dyed a colour, and are usually very affordable.

Overdyed

The overdyed rugs create a wonderful unique, distressed look and suit spaces with a moderate amount of traffic.

Tufted

Tufted wool rugs are a great way to introduce warmth, luxury and subtle texture to your space. These tend to last longer in spaces where there isn’t as much traffic, limiting the wear and tear.

Size

A rug should fit the size of your seating area and not necessarily your entire room. What you want is that when you’re sitting on your couch or a chair, your feet are still on the fabric, not the floor. Leave at least six inches of rug space on each side of the furniture; make sure there is at least one inch of exposed floor between the rug and the walls (this further anchors an arrangement rather than looking like wall-to-wall carpet). For a much larger room, opt for a rug that is big enough to contain all four legs of couches, chairs, coffee tables or side tables.

Consider a rug in your dining room; if you were to pull your chairs back, the chair legs should still be sitting on the rug itself. For your bedroom, place the rug under the front two-thirds of your bed, or under the entire bed and nightstands. Allow two to three inches on each side of the bed to have a soft place for your feet to land when you get out of your bed. Alternatively, you could also place a runner on each side of the bed, or a single runner at the foot of the bed. Again, this all depends on your personal preference.

Where to buy

Shop with your eyes first. I love looking through my favourite decor magazines, as well as online, for ideas on interior spaces, colour stories and trends. Recognize that antique rugs are very expensive, so if you happen to see a popular vintage style you like, there may be a possibility it has been reproduced at a lower price point by a retailer. Although I typically have nothing against department stores, they tend to have selections that are also mass-produced. Go to the retail level instead: Pottery Barn and Elte always have great options.