7 Tips to choose an area rug

1. Unless you are getting one custom made rug, rugs usually come in standard sizes; 4 x 6, 5 x 8, 6 x 9, 8 x 10, 9 x 12, 12 x 14, these rug sizes are common online.

Before you go shopping, take out your measuring tape and find out which one would be the best size for your space. Now that you know the standard sizes, it makes it easier to measure for each one to find out.

2. If your furniture is arranged in a square or your living room is a square shape, unless you want to order one custom made rug, find some broadloom that you like and get it cut and bound to size. Just know that most of it comes maximum 12 ft. wide you won’t want a seam in an area rug.

3. I have spoken to clients that say they have brought carpets home to try for years and never found the right one. Obviously if you are starting without furniture it won’t be that difficult; however if you need to coordinate with your existing furniture DO NOT leave home without a cushion (or fabric) from your sofa and chairs.

4. Which size is right for your space? This isn’t standard and depends on the arrangement of the room; however you don’t want your area rug to look like an island in the middle of the room.

It is okay to have one that is on the edge of your furniture feet or even right under them but it depends on your furniture. If you have a lot of leggy furniture and a large room than it may need to be defined with the area rug itself, like in this photo below:

5. Some websites offer a service where they will deliver the rugs and even lay them out for you in the hopes of selling it! Check to see if that option is available in your area.

6. If you are installing one in your dining room, make sure it is a minimum of 2 feet larger than the table going all the way around.

7. Sometimes you can get away with a smaller rug in the bedroom if you want to step out of bed onto cozy not cold. Just position it lengthwise underneath the bed (like this one below).

Hopefully this helps! There are a lot of living rooms out there without a warm and cozy rug to define the space so get shopping