What to
consider
before
choosing a rug
A rug is like the frame of your room, setting the tone for the room’s overall design. Without a soft, luxurious rug underfoot, your feet (and your decor) can feel cold and unfinished. A well-chosen area rug — one that complements a room’s proportions — unifies the colors, textures and overall style of the space. Choosing the right rug can take some planning, but it’s time well spent. Here, you’ll discover everything you need to know about choosing the best rug for any room.
Size & Shape
Your rug isn’t just a soft, padded surface to walk on — it’s a blank canvas to make a design statement. Here, size and shape matter. The size of a rug, not just the appearance, can change the dynamic of a room. The relationship between a room and the rug within it largely depends on proportion. Typically, larger rugs lend a sense of grandeur by drawing the eye to the edges of the room. Smaller rug sizes may fit nicely inside the room you’re shopping for, but bigger rugs can make your room appear larger if placed properly. My suggestion is to always size up and go with a larger rug.
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 or frame the room. Though area rugs are traditionally rectangular, you needn’t feel boxed in by a specific rug shape. Natural hide rugs, for instance, provide an interesting juxtaposition to more linear forms, each with its own unique shape.
Style
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. Our vintage Anatolian rugs, Bauhaus-inspired contemporary designs and abstract area rugs are offered in a range of sizes to suit a variety of spaces—and interior tastes.
Modern Rugs
Modern rugs tend to break free from traditional bordered designs and incorporate patterns, shapes or graphic designs. I love distressed, hand-knotted statement rugs such as Marlowe with the pop of red in its pattern. It’s super moody but also can be toned down if paired with lighter-colored furniture, making the rug the statement and art of the room.
Vintage Rugs
Made by hand, our vintage rugs have a more traditional appeal without feeling old-fashioned. Choose from an assortment of vintage Turkish rugs and vintage Anatolian rugs that feature classic, hand-knotted patterns in beautiful colors. Each is unique and crafted using techniques passed down over generations from one artisan to the next—creating an heirloom-quality piece to treasure.
Natural Rugs
Natural rugs feature natural materials, like wool, jute, silk or real animal hide. Though specific materials vary, these types of rugs tend to be rugged and long-lasting. They may feel soft or stiff, depending on the construction and intended use.
Dhurrie Rugs
A dhurrie rug is a thick, woven rug style that typically features a blend of fibers, like wool, cotton, jute or silk. Ideal for high-traffic areas, dhurrie rugs generally have no pile and are easy to care for and clean. They’re frequently used in high-traffic areas such as hallways, but they’re also popular in contemporary living rooms and bedrooms.
Shop Area Rugs
Modern Rugs
Modern rugs tend to break free from traditional bordered designs and incorporate patterns, shapes or graphic designs. I love distressed, hand-knotted statement rugs such as Marlowe with the pop of red in its pattern. It’s super moody but also can be toned down if paired with lighter-colored furniture, making the rug the statement and art of the room.
Vintage Rugs
Made by hand, our vintage rugs have a more traditional appeal without feeling old-fashioned. Choose from an assortment of vintage Turkish rugs and vintage Anatolian rugs that feature classic, hand-knotted patterns in beautiful colors. Each is unique and crafted using techniques passed down over generations from one artisan to the next—creating an heirloom-quality piece to treasure.
Natural Rugs
Natural rugs feature natural materials, like wool, jute, silk or real animal hide. Though specific materials vary, these types of rugs tend to be rugged and long-lasting. They may feel soft or stiff, depending on the construction and intended use.
Dhurrie RUGS
A dhurrie rug is a thick, woven rug style that typically features a blend of fibers, like wool, cotton, jute or silk. Ideal for high-traffic areas, dhurrie rugs generally have no pile and are easy to care for and clean. They’re frequently used in high-traffic areas such as hallways, but they’re also popular in contemporary living rooms and bedrooms.
Shop Area RugsMaterial
Our handcrafted rugs feature rich details made with some of the finest materials and fibers available. To choose the best construction and material, you should understand the amount of foot traffic that will be in the room.
Quality
Craftsmanship
A high-quality rug is an investment piece that pays off over time. Vintage 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.
Pile
Pile and pile height are related, but they vary slightly. The pile of a rug refers to the density of the rug fibers. The pile height of a rug indicates its height or thickness. Short-pile rugs work well in high-traffic areas, while low-traffic areas (such as bedrooms) are ideal for rugs with softer textures and shaggier, thicker piles.
Layering
You can incorporate a mix of patterns and textures into your design by layering rugs. Our vintage Turkish one-of-a-kind rugs are stunning when layered atop a neutral-toned jute rug. The texture of jute is subtle, but it plays up the neutral tones of a vintage rug. The result: richer texture and more versatility in designing the space as a whole.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
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 living rooms, 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. Avoid high-pile and shag rugs, which can capture crumbs; instead, consider flat-weave rugs for their relative ease of care.
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 our outdoor rugs can be used inside too.
Bedroom Rugs
For bedrooms, I prefer a rug that feels plush and cozy. (I’m especially fond of merino wool rugs for this reason.) 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.
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.
Hallway Runner Rugs
Runner rugs have a long, rectangular shape that makes them ideal for hallways and other areas with abundant traffic. When shopping for the hallway, aim for durable materials like jute and high-performance rugs with a tight weave to keep the rug looking clean and fresh.
Foot traffic
As with any element of interior design, it’s important to consider how a space will be used. Of primary concern in choosing a rug: foot traffic. In general, living rooms, family rooms, hallways and kitchens get the most foot traffic. These areas require rugs or hallway runners that can stand up to regular use without much maintenance. Jones recommends looking for durable rugs featuring high-quality materials such as shed-free, high-performance polyester and nylon.
Room Decor
How do you want your entire room to feel? The choice of rug can set the tone for the space. For example, a colorful, printed or patterned rug can make your room feel energetic and delightfully maximalist—or it can look busy if your window coverings or throw pillows already have multiple patterns. If you prefer a more muted design, a bright rug that incorporates some of your highlight colors can help tie your room together and make it look larger. On the other hand, you can also start with a rug’s color, pattern or style to inspire the rest of your room’s design. Consider the rug’s palette—including highlight or complementary colors, its texture or pile—to help guide you toward decorating the rest of the room.
Room Usage
Kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms can benefit from stain-resistant runners and rugs that are easy to care for and maintain.
Children & Pets
For homes with children, pets or both, durability and easy maintenance become even more crucial. Our high-performance rugs resist stains, odors and spills to make maintenance simple.
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 — for instance, an animal hide rug or a performance rug — can last roughly 10 years or more. Proper maintenance and care can help extend the life of your area rug.
The highest quality rugs tend to have a tight weave and a wool or wool-blend composition. Rugs with tighter weaves and thicker piles are stronger and longer-lasting than those with looser weaves or thinner piles.
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 couch can make the proportions of your room feel awkward. That’s why a rug should be wider than a couch. When in doubt, a larger rug is better than a smaller rug.
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.
