Tips For Choosing A New Rug For Your Living Room
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A new rug can make all the difference! Not only does it add a touch of style and personality to your space, but it also provides comfort and warmth underfoot.
But with so many options available, how do you choose the perfect rug for your living room?
From considering the size and shape of your room to selecting the right material and pattern, we've got you covered.
Whether you prefer a plush shaggy rug or a timeless oriental design, we'll guide you through the decision-making process.
Let's get started on your rug-hunting journey!
Importance Of Choosing The Right Rug For Your Living Room
The right rug can completely transform the look and feel of your living room. It serves as a foundation for your furniture, tying everything together and creating a sense of harmony in the space.
A well-chosen rug can also add warmth and texture, making your living room more inviting and comfortable.
When selecting a rug, it's crucial to consider both style and functionality. Think about how the rug will be used in your living room.
Do you have kids or pets who will be spending a lot of time on the rug?
If so, durability and stain resistance should be top priorities.
On the other hand, if you're looking to create a more formal or luxurious atmosphere, you may want to focus on selecting a rug with a high pile and intricate design.
Remember, a rug is an investment piece that can last for many years. So, take the time to choose one that not only looks great but also meets your practical needs.
Let's dive into the key factors you should consider when making your selection.
1. Rug Patterns & Designs
The pattern or design of a rug can have a significant impact on the overall look of your living room.
Whether you prefer a traditional floral design, a modern geometric pattern, a timeless oriental motif or a plain or neutral rug there are endless options to choose from.
Image | Tufted Wool Rug from H&M
When selecting a pattern or design, consider the existing decor of your living room.
If you have bold or busy furniture, you may want to opt for a rug with a more subtle pattern to avoid overwhelming the space.
Conversely, if your furniture is more neutral or minimalistic, a rug with a vibrant or intricate design can add a pop of personality and visual interest.
2. Colours That Complement Your Living Room Decor
The colour of your rug is another important consideration. It should complement the existing colour scheme of your living room and enhance the overall aesthetic of the space.
Matching colours or the design of a rug with other accessories or textiles together like a throw or cushion makes the decor look cohesive.
Image | Rothesay Rug from Bluebellgray
If you have a neutral or monochromatic colour scheme, a rug with bold or vibrant colours can serve as a focal point and add visual interest.
On the other hand, if your living room already has a lot of colours and patterns, a rug in a more subdued tone can help anchor the space and create a sense of balance.
Image | Wallpaper Direct
Interior design styles like Scandinavian and Nordic incorporate relaxed and neutral colours.
So plain or flat-weave rugs like jute or sisal work well with these minimalist decor styles.
When choosing a colour, also consider practicality.
Light-coloured rugs can brighten up a room and make it feel more spacious, but they may show stains more easily.
Darker rugs, on the other hand, can hide dirt and stains but may make a smaller room feel cramped.
3. Consider Layering It
Layering rugs has been a thing for some time now, it is simply overlapping one or more rugs on top of each other.
This ‘style’ of formatting your rugs might inspire you to boldly mix and match different textures, colours and designs.
It can also anchor a piece of furniture such as a coffee table or draw your eye to a centrepiece focal point like a sculpture or ornament.
Layering rugs could also be used to highlight a specific area in a room such as a cosy nook or play area for children.
Or, you could do it simply to show off your quirky and creative side!
Image | Place Of My Taste
4. Choose The Right Material
The right material for your rug is an important factor because every material has its own pros and cons - let’s have a look!
SYNTHETIC FIBRE
Polypropylene (a.k.a Olefin)
PROS:
Man-made Fibre — This means it’s highly durable and stain-resistant.
Non-porous — Meaning they don’t hold any unpleasant smells.
Cheaper Than Natural Fibres — When compared to other synthetics fibres and natural fibres, polypropylene is incredibly good value for money.
CONS:
Highly Flammable — It is treated chemically making it flammable and not self-extinguishing — not the safest option to put in a room with a fireplace.
Heat Sensitivity — Polypropylene is not resistant to high temperatures and can be affected by direct sunlight.
Longevity — Synthetic rugs just don’t last as long as natural fibre rugs like wool. Polypropylene lasts between 3-5 years, while wool for e.g can last up to 50 years or more!
Oil-absorbent — Although polypropylene rugs are stain-resistant, unfortunately, this doesn’t extend to oil-based spills, it may not be a deal-breaker unless you frequently eat food in your living room.
Polyester
PROS:
Variety In Colour — Polyester is very easy to dye, so you’re more likely to find the colour you want. This also makes this fibre fade-resistant.
Stain-resistant — Much like polypropylene, polyester is stain-resistant (as long as it’s not oil-based).
CONS:
Less Durable — The life cycle of polyester rugs can last anywhere between 5 - 15 years, which is significantly reduced in high-traffic areas where it will show signs of wear and matting much quicker.
Oil-Absorbent — Unfortunately, just like polypropylene, an oil stain would likely require professional help.
Nylon
PROS:
Non-Absorbent — Nylon absorbs less than 8% of its weight in H20 which means it dries very quickly!
Great Elasticity — Nylon can stretch up to 33% of its own length without losing its original shape.
Retains Its Colour — Nylon will hold its colour even through cleaning and sunlight.
Durable — Nylon is very strong (and abrasion-resistant), even more so than polyester.
Hypoallergenic — Nylon resists dirt, mildew and moisture, so it’s a great option for those with allergies.
CONS:
Production Isn’t Eco-friendly — The production of nylon involves many chemicals which contribute to environmental degradation and pollution.
Not The Softest — When compared to other common fibre choices like wool or polyester.
NATURAL FIBRES
Jute
PROS:
Natural Colour — Great if you’re going for natural earthy hues. Jute is derived from plants, the long and soft fibres are soaked, stripped, and spun into coarse threads. This process is what makes the fibres a natural brown hue, but they can be dyed.
Biodegradable — Jute is 100% bio-degradable and recyclable.
Versatile Style — Due to their natural tan colour, jute rugs are aesthetically versatile.
CONS:
Highly Absorbent — Being a natural material means it’s very absorbent, if a spill is left for too long it can become mouldy and grow mildew.
Cleaning & Care — Unlike many other rug types, jute cannot be steam-cleaned, the moisture would lead to mould and mildew. Rug cleaners are also a problem as they may stain or discolour the rug. Continuous exposure to sunlight can also fade out the colour so would need to be frequently rotated if in a sunny location.
Seagrass
PROS:
Durable — Seagrass is a hard-wearing material that is perfect for high-traffic areas. It also won’t tear as easily as other natural materials can.
Eco-Friendly — Seagrass is both sustainable and biodegradable.
Easy To Clean — The hard fibres of seagrass make it difficult for dirt and debris to cling to the rug, so it’s quite easy to clean, this also means it doesn’t collect allergens.
Affordable — Seagrass is relatively affordable when compared to other non-natural types of flooring.
CONS:
Limited On Colours — The leaves of the seagrass plant are resistant to dye, so the fibre is limited to its own natural colours.
Prone To Mould & Mildew — Seagrass is a water-based plant, which means it’s very susceptible to mould and mildew if it gets wet.
Cold Surface — Seagrass tends to be quite cold to the touch, which is great for keeping cool in the summer, but not so great during the winter.
Hemp
PROS:
Sustainable — Hemp is sustainable and hypoallergenic, in fact, it’s the most eco-friendly choice of all sustainable fibres. Bear in mind that non-organic hemp has a “C” rating, while organic hemp gets an “A” – which is the best possible rating.
Mildew-resistant, & Incredibly Strong — Unlike many other natural fibres, hemp is mildew and mould resistant, if the fibre gets wet, simply let it air dry. Spot cleaning is recommended for stains.
Easy To Dye — Hemp is easy to dye so it’s likely you’ll find a hemp rug that matches your decor.
Soften With Use — Hemp is a coarse material but will soften in time.
CONS:
Shedding — Hemp fibre is prone to shedding.
Cleaning & Care — Requires regular vacuum cleaning.
Wool
PROS:
Durability — The main feature of wool carpet is its excellent durability - a single fibre can be bent more than 20,000 times before breaking.
Easily Dyed — Wool can be easily dyed so you’ll have lots of options in terms of design.
Stronger When Blended — When wool is blended with synthetic fibres like nylon, its durability is increased.
Natural Insulator — Wool is very good at providing homes with natural warmth which reduces energy costs.
Sustainable — It’s renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, so it has little impact on the environment and can be enjoyed for many years.
Fire Resistant — 100% wool fibre doesn’t support combustion.
CONS:
Expensive - Wool is more expensive due to its processing and production costs, not because of the fibre itself.
Stains Easily - The same perk of being able to absorb colours for dyeing purposes is also the shortfall of the wool fibre, it can absorb stains very easily and may be costly to be cleaned.
Light Fastness - A little bit of sunlight is fine, but if a rug is kept in an area where there is constant sunlight, it may cause the colours to fade over time.
Sisal
PROS:
Incredibly Durable — Sisal is one of the most durable natural fibres, in fact, sisal is commonly used for many items including mariner rope, footwear, twine and dartboards. It is also used as a fibre reinforcement for fibre-glass and cement! Safe to say it will hold up well in high-traffic areas.
Can Be Dyed — Like most natural fibres, sisal comes in its distinctive beige, tan and cream colour which comes from the plant fibre it’s made from, however, it can be dyed as well so you’re not restricted with colour.
Low Maintenance — Simple vacuuming can get rid of dirt and dust.
Biodegradable — 100% is biodegradable, so if you got bored of it and wanted something new, it won’t sit in a landfill forever!
CONS:
Forget Comfort — Just looking at sisal you’ll see that it doesn’t exactly scream underfoot comfort, in fact, it’s the complete opposite! Sisal is a coarse fibre, much more so when compared with jute.
Highly absorbent — Sisal is absorbent and so prone to staining, and it cannot be steam-cleaned or wet-shampooed as this would lead to discolouration, shrinkage or further staining, you’d have to have it professionally cleaned which of course incurs a cost.
If potential stains are a real concern for you in your home, you can buy rugs that are completely machine washable, yes…machine washable! What a quick and convenient way to get rid of those pet paw prints and grained in food.
There are a few shops I found that offer stunning washable rugs, some of which are:
5. Pick The Perfect Pile
In terms of what feels the most comfortable, the higher the pile, the softer and more luxurious it will feel underfoot.
The pile needs to be 1 inch or higher to be considered high. A higher pile height does require more cleaning though, as longer loops attract and hold more dirt and dust.
Low pile rugs are 1/2 inch or lower. Rugs with a low pile height are more versatile. For example, if you’re planning on having a large rug that needs to go under a door, you stand a better chance with a low pile than a high pile.
Low pile height rugs are also easier to clean, they can usually be vacuumed regularly for maintenance, but this can vary according to the material.
6. Size & Shape
SHAPE
The wrong-shaped rug could create an eyesore! And potentially could be impractical.
You’re probably asking yourself, “Should I get a circular rug or a rectangular rug?” Well, there really is no right or wrong answer per se but each has its perks and drawbacks.
Opt for a circular rug if you want to show off your wood flooring underneath or to go under a circular dining table, they would also look great if you have a curved corner sofa, circular rugs may look awkward in a very rectangular room though.
Rectangular rugs help to create the illusion of more space and as most living rooms are rectangular - they naturally create an organic flow in the room, but if you have some luxurious hardwood flooring underneath, a rectangular rug would hide it more than a circle rug would!
SIZE
Choosing the right size rug boils down to the space you have and the furniture set up of the room.
It’s almost always best to position the rug according to the dimensions of a room, so if a room is rectangular, the rug should be parallel to the longest wall.
If you can’t decide between two rug sizes, it’s best to opt for the larger one, at least the larger rug will make the space feel bigger, but a size too small will have the opposite effect and may not look the best.
Quick tip: You could use some masking tape to help you visualise the dimensions of a rug before buying it!
If you are not sure how to create the perfect harmony between furniture and rug, always remember these three things:
If you have your furniture up against the walls, opt for a rug that goes under the front feet of the furniture.
If you have a small living room, you could centre the rug in the middle to define a particular area such as a coffee table.
If you have a large living room with furniture in the middle, it’s best to cover the entire floor with the rug under all four feet of all furniture.
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To ensure your rug stays in top condition for years to come, proper maintenance and care are essential.
Here are some tips to help you keep your rug looking its best:
Regularly vacuum your rug to remove dust and dirt. Be sure to use a vacuum cleaner suitable for your rug's material.
Rotate your rug every few months to prevent uneven wear and fading.
Clean up spills immediately to prevent stains from setting in. Blot the spill with a clean cloth or paper towel, and avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as this can damage the fibres.
Consider using a rug pad underneath your rug to prevent slipping and extend its lifespan.
For deep cleaning, it's best to hire a professional rug cleaner who specialises in your rug's material.
Remember to take your time and explore different options before making a decision. A well-chosen rug can create a cosy and stylish haven that reflects your unique personality and taste.
So, let your creativity and imagination guide you on your rug-hunting journey, and enjoy the transformation of your living room into a space you'll love to spend time in.
Happy rug shopping!
