Rugs don’t just look great, they also offer comfort, warmth, and noise reduction. Plus, they can anchor your furniture and serve as a focal point of the room. In today’s blog, the interior design experts at Star Furniture discuss everything you need to know about living room rugs.
How to Place an Area Rug in the Living Room?
In most living rooms, it makes sense to center an area rug under the main living room seating. If, for example, you have a sofa and two accent chairs, the living room rug will be centered under these items. That said, depending on the size of the room and the size of the rug, you may place the rug differently.
All Legs on Deck
(Pictured Above: Nikola 2-Piece Sectional Chaise)
If you’re decorating a large living room or if you have a large rug, it makes sense to arrange the rug so that all of the furniture legs are within the borders of the rug. When you go with this living room rug layout, it’s important to make sure there’s at least 8 inches between the furniture legs and the edge of the rug. Otherwise, the furniture legs may appear too close to the edge, making the space feel precarious. Because you don’t want your rug to be confused with wall-to-wall carpeting, you’ll also want to keep around 10 to 18 inches between the rug and the wall.
Front Legs Only
(Pictured Above: Elliott Sofa)
If you have a smaller room or a smaller rug, you can arrange the rug so that only the front legs of your major upholstered pieces are resting on the rug. With this layout, you’ll want the rug to go under each of the upholstered pieces about 1/3 of the piece’s width. Smaller pieces, like your coffee table and side tables, should have all legs on the rug. Because this arrangement can make your living room feel more spacious, it’s the most popular living room rug layout.
Floating Rug
(Pictured Above: Lexi Sofa)
If you have a very small living room or if you want to make use of a small rug, you can try floating it in between your upholstered furniture. In this scenario, the rug will likely be centered underneath the coffee table. If you go this route, make sure that the gap between your sofa and the rug isn’t larger than 5 inches, as anything more than that will dwarf the rug, making it seem too small for the space.
What Size Rug for My Living Room?
This is one of the questions most frequently asked of our interior designers. The size of the rug depends on a variety of factors, including the size of the room, the scale of the furniture, and how you’d like the furniture to be arranged on the rug.
Consider the Size of the Room
Your first consideration should be the size of the living room. Generally speaking, a larger room can accommodate a larger rug. In fact, because you want to keep at least 10 inches between the rug and the wall, the size of the room should be a big factor in the size of the rug you choose.
Pay Attention to Furniture Scale
Furniture scale is incredibly important when choosing a rug. While you can arrange a rug with only the front legs of the sofa underneath it, the rug should always accommodate the entire width of the sofa.
Leave Space for Furniture
When decorating a living room, it’s important that all of your furniture fits properly on the rug. While you may only put the front legs of the sofa on the rug, there should be about 12 inches of rug on either side of the sofa. You’ll also want to leave at least 7 inches of space between furniture items.
How to Choose a Living Room Rug?
Once you’ve determined how big your living room rug should be, it’s time to consider the look and feel of your rug. Here’s how to choose a living room rug that will elevate your living room.
Consider Color and Pattern
Area rugs make a big impact on the living room. That’s why it’s important to choose a rug that matches the personality, style, and function of your living room. Choosing a patterned rug is an easy way to add color and visual interest to a room that features a lot of neutrals. Plus, dark colored patterned rugs can hide dirt and spills that would be more obvious on a light rug, making them a great option for parents and pet owners. If the rest of your room features lots of other patterns, a solid-colored area rug can blend well without taking attention away from other décor. Need help getting started? Check out our guide to how to mix patterns and colors in home décor.
Pay Attention to Material and Texture
In addition to thinking about color and pattern, you’ll also know what to think about material and texture. Wool, for example, adds warmth and softness to the room. While it tends to be durable and stain resistant, wool rugs also tend to be pricey and require professional cleaning. Cotton rugs, on the other hand, have a lighter feel and texture that’s perfect for a casual, summer look. Plus, they can be machine-washed. Whatever you’re looking for, be sure to consider the look, feel, durability, and price when choosing your rug material.
Now that you know how to choose a living room rug, it’s time to start shopping. Visit a Star Furniture store near you or browse our selection of area rugs and other home décor for sale online. In the meantime, check out our interior design blog where we cover everything from how to design a living room from start to finish to how big should a dining room rug be?