Filed under: Bedroom, Your Home, Living Room, Projects
Finding a rug that matches your decor is only half the battle -- the other half is in the numbers.Have you ever seen a living room where the rug in the middle of the floor looks more like a doormat than an area rug? I just saw it the other day on a major home decorating network and I was appalled!
Sometimes, as much as you love love love a rug, you just can't make it fit. When you're browsing online, it's a lot harder to get an idea of the size of something since you can't see it in person. You might fall in love with a rug only to realize upon delivery that the scale just won't work for your space. So how do you choose the right size?
Rugs come in all shapes and sizes, so how do you choose? Photos: Plaza Rugs
1. Define the usage.
First, you need to decide how you are going to use your rug. Is it to cover a large area? Will it be used as an accent? Or is it dividing or defining spaces? If you plan to cover a large area with your rug, you'll need to have an idea of where the furniture will sit on the rug. If it is just an accent, know where it will be located and what pieces will be around it.
2. Measure, measure, measure -- and measure again!
If you've chosen to get a big area rug, be sure that it is large enough to accommodate all of the furniture and allow at least a 12-inch extension beyond the edge of each piece. For example, if you're placing a couch and two chairs on top, make sure that you can see one foot of the rug on all sides. If you are placing a smaller, accent rug in the living area make sure that the sofa legs do not rest on the rug. Instead, it should frame the coffee table. In a bedroom, the rug should extend at least 18 inches beyond the edge of the bed.
Don't forget about the size of your room! Make sure you measure wall-to-wall so you don't get a rug that is too large. The edge of your rug should be at least a foot from the edge of the wall. This rule applies mostly to living areas rather than spaces like hallways or foyers. Also, if your furniture is against a wall (like in a bedroom), this rule doesn't apply to that specific wall. In fact, these are more like guidelines than rules -- so adapt them to your space!
3. Consider shape
The shape is usually selected based on your personal taste. However, it might be something to consider based on your actual room dimensions and shape. For example, a rectangular rug may fit your space differently than an oval rug, and you may choose one over the other depending on the shape of the room. Rectangular and square rugs are ideal for four-cornered spaces, but a room with odd corners might benefit from a rug with round edges. However, I like to use round rugs in square spaces because they look nice and symmetrical. You can measure round rugs similarly to rectangular rugs (the length corresponds with the diameter).
To better visualize your room, try an online software program. Photo: Icovia
Using 3D or rendering software to arrange your room will also help you visualize scale. You can move your furniture around and determine the best location for your pieces, which will then allow you to select the appropriate rug for the space. Check out Icovia, Google Sketch Up or Better Homes & Gardens' Arrange-a-Room.