What to
consider
before
choosing a rug
A rug is the foundation of a thoughtfully designed room—framing the space, grounding the palette, and lending a sense of warmth and intention. Without the softness of a plush, luxurious rug underfoot, even the most beautifully styled room can feel incomplete. The right rug, one that suits the scale of the space and harmonizes with its materials and tones, brings the entire room into balance. Selecting such a piece takes a discerning eye and a bit of planning—but the result is nothing short of transformative.
Size
Your rug is more than just a plush surface underfoot—it’s a foundation for the room’s design, setting the tone with both presence and proportion. Here, knowing how to pick the right rug size is as much a design element as texture or color. A generously sized rug anchors the space, extending visual breadth and creating a sense of quiet luxury. While a smaller rug may serve the space, a larger one elevates it—drawing the eye outward, enhancing flow, and making the room feel more expansive. When in doubt, size up. The impact is unmistakable.
Rugs that are too small or improperly proportioned tend to look awkward; for example, a 5’x8’ rug in a grand and spacious living room may seem out of place. Whatever size you choose, it’s best to leave at least two to three feet of room around the edges of your rug in order to visually anchor the room.
Size & Style
Whether grounding a formal dining space, softening the lines of a bedroom, or framing a seating area, the shape of rug you choose plays a powerful role in the overall composition. Rectangular rugs offer structure, ideal for anchoring larger spaces or drawing focus in open layouts. Round rugs introduce a sense of softness and intimacy, perfect beneath circular tables or in cozy nooks. Runners meanwhile guide the eye and enhance flow through narrow spaces like hallways or kitchens. Each shape brings a distinct design perspective, enhancing proportion, balance, and the architectural rhythm of your space.
When it comes to style, decide whether you want a statement rug or something to blend in. For a harmonious room, look for a rug with a muted design that incorporates colors from the general palette of the space. For a more striking effect, consider modern rugs with bold patterns, prints or textures that feature your room’s accent colors. Our array of area rugs includes everything from minimalist rugs to patterned rugs, with a wide assortment of colors and textures.
Solid Rugs
A solid rug is a quiet luxury—understated yet undeniably impactful. Handcrafted with precision and care, its simplicity allows the material and texture to take center stage. A solid design lends itself effortlessly to layering and balancing bolder elements in a space, offering timeless versatility that adapts with evolving tastes. It’s the kind of piece that elevates a room not by shouting, but by grounding—subtly refining the space with its tone, hand, and lasting quality.
Textured Rugs
A textured rug brings depth and dimension to any space, elevating the room with subtle sophistication. Handwoven from rich, tactile materials like wool, viscose, or a refined blend, the interplay of high and low pile, intricate patterns, and artisanal detailing adds character while maintaining a timeless appeal. Whether anchoring a living room or softening a bedroom, a textured rug is a study in craftsmanship—designed to be both striking and enduring..
Patterned Rugs
A patterned rug is a statement of artistry and intention, bringing depth, character, and visual intrigue to any space. Whether inspired by heritage motifs or contemporary art, the intricate designs are built to endure beautifully, season after season. It’s a refined way to express personal style while honoring craftsmanship and timeless design.
Distressed/Vintage Rugs
A distressed vintage-style rug brings character and timeless elegance to any space. With softly faded patterns and artful wear, each piece evokes the warmth of a well-loved heirloom—designed to feel storied from day one. Handwoven details and muted palettes offer a sophisticated foundation that complements both modern and traditional interiors. These rugs are perfect in grounding a room with history, texture, and keep-forever appeal.
Solid Rugs
A solid rug is a quiet luxury—understated yet undeniably impactful. Handcrafted with precision and care, its simplicity allows the material and texture to take center stage. A solid design lends itself effortlessly to layering and balancing bolder elements in a space, offering timeless versatility that adapts with evolving tastes. It’s the kind of piece that elevates a room not by shouting, but by grounding—subtly refining the space with its tone, hand, and lasting quality.
Textured Rugs
A textured rug brings depth and dimension to any space, elevating the room with subtle sophistication. Handwoven from rich, tactile materials like wool, viscose, or a refined blend, the interplay of high and low pile, intricate patterns, and artisanal detailing adds character while maintaining a timeless appeal. Whether anchoring a living room or softening a bedroom, a textured rug is a study in craftsmanship—designed to be both striking and enduring..
Patterned Rugs
A patterned rug is a statement of artistry and intention, bringing depth, character, and visual intrigue to any space. Whether inspired by heritage motifs or contemporary art, the intricate designs are built to endure beautifully, season after season. It’s a refined way to express personal style while honoring craftsmanship and timeless design.
Distressed/Vintage Rugs
A distressed vintage-style rug brings character and timeless elegance to any space. With softly faded patterns and artful wear, each piece evokes the warmth of a well-loved heirloom—designed to feel storied from day one. Handwoven details and muted palettes offer a sophisticated foundation that complements both modern and traditional interiors. These rugs are perfect in grounding a room with history, texture, and keep-forever appeal.
Color
Knowing how to pick a rug color is as much about intuition as it is intention. Consider the mood you want to evoke—cool neutrals like ivory, grey, or soft taupe lend a calm, grounding presence, while deeper hues such as navy or charcoal add sophisticated contrast. If your space leans minimal, a richly textured neutral can layer in depth without distraction. For bolder interiors, a rug with subtle color variation or an understated pattern can tie the palette together with quiet elegance. Think beyond the surface—daylight, surrounding tones, and material luster all affect how a color lives in a space.
Material
Quality
Craftsmanship
A high-quality rug is an investment piece that pays off over time. Vintage-inspired rugs, for instance, are frequently loomed by hand, creating a uniquely beautiful accent that never goes out of style. With new rugs, look for luxurious fabrics such as wool and viscose—and don’t overlook subtle signs of quality, such as lying flat on the floor. Our selection of hand-knotted and hand-woven rugs combines fine quality with long-lasting durability for gorgeous statement pieces that will be admired for years to come.
Pile
Pile and pile height—closely linked yet distinct—are key to both the feel and function of a rug. Pile refers to the density of the fibers, while pile height speaks to their depth and softness underfoot. In high-traffic areas, low-pile rugs offer resilience and ease of maintenance. For quieter spaces like bedrooms, a thicker, more luxurious pile invites softness and comfort—an indulgent layer that elevates the everyday.
Care
Proper care for your rugs can help extend their life and help preserve your investment. Depending on the specific pile, materials and construction, some rugs may require additional care. The following tips can help your rugs look new for years to come:
- Consider a rug pad. Rug pads can extend the life of your rug by preventing it from folding along the edges. They also provide extra cushioning and help prevent your rug from slipping or moving.
- Rotate your rug roughly every six months to ensure even wear. If your rug features a reversible design, turn it over every six months to reduce excess wear and tear on one side.
- Vacuum regularly and schedule an annual professional cleaning.
- Blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth.
- Place furniture pads under the legs of sofas and chairs to help prevent indentations from forming on your rugs.
Tips for shopping
area
rugs by
room
Your needs will vary by room, so our rugs come in
many
styles, shapes and sizes to accommodate
your whole home — even outdoor spaces.
Living Room Rugs
When considering how to choose a rug for a living room, think about proportion and the shape of the room. For example, a rug that’s too small or one that’s floating in the middle of your room tends to make a room look awkward and small. Conversely, a rug that grounds or frames your seating area can serve as the focal point of your living room. Here, a larger size is typically best. If you can’t fit all your living room furniture on the rug, it should at least be big enough to fit the coffee table and all the front legs of your living room seating.
Dining Room Rugs
A dining room generally sees less foot traffic than the kitchen, living room and entryway, but it’s susceptible to spills and crumbs. You may want to look for a high-performance rug that resists stains, spills and odor beneath your table for easier maintenance. For how big should a dining rug be, a dining room rug should be large enough to anchor the dining table and all dining chairs, even when pulled out—typically extending 24" past the table on all sides for balanced, elegant proportion.
Bedroom Rugs
Bedrooms generally get less foot traffic than living rooms, hallways and other common areas, so you can incorporate longer piles and softer textures without worrying about wear and tear. When it comes to knowing how to choose rug size for bedrooms, opt for a rug that extends at least 18–24 inches beyond the sides of your bed. In smaller bedrooms, a rug placed just under the lower two-thirds of the bed creates visual balance.
Entryway Rugs
Entryway rugs tend to see a great deal of foot traffic combined with dirt and debris from shoes. Look for rugs with a construction and material that can withstand high traffic, and will not shed much. Indoor-outdoor rugs are a suitable choice, as are natural textiles and performance rugs.
Outdoor Rugs
Add an outdoor rug to your porch, deck or patio to create an inviting, intentionally designed space for lounging or alfresco dining. Performance rugs withstand the elements while adding texture and softness to your space. High-performance rugs may consist of stronger, weather-resistant materials such as polyester or nylon. All of out outdoor rugs can be used inside too.
FAQ'S For Picking
the
Best Rug
The amount of time a rug lasts can depend on a few factors, including foot traffic, material composition, craftsmanship and maintenance. In general, a quality area rug can last roughly 10 years or more. Proper maintenance and care can help extend the life of your area rug.
Knots per square inch (KPSI) is a measurement used to determine the quality of a rug. Higher-quality rugs generally have a large KPSI score. Additionally, the materials used to make a rug can determine its quality. Rugs made with natural fibers and high-performance synthetic fibers tend to last longer than rugs made from less durable materials.
It depends on your desired aesthetic. A lighter rug can open and brighten your room, while a darker rug can make your room feel cozier. Incorporating a darker rug than the color of your floor can make your space feel smaller but a lighter rug with dark floors can make the room feel more spacious.
Yes. Choosing a rug that’s smaller than your sofa can make the proportions of your room feel awkward. That’s why choosing the right rug size is paramount. When in doubt, a larger rug size is better
Wool, wool blends and our range of performance rugs are made for long-lasting wear. The quality and craftsmanship of these materials help to extend the life of our rugs.
