How to Choose a Rug for Your Sitting Room

Step 1: Choose the right rug size 

First things first, you need to know how much floor space you’ve got to play with. It’s not a simple case of measuring the length and width of the whole room, though. When thinking about rug size, take into account: 

• Fixtures and fittings that might get in the way of a floor covering, such as fireplaces, plug sockets and floor grilles 
• Doorways and door swing direction – the door may not clear the height of a rug placed near it

An easy way to gauge the ideal size of your rug is to measure around the edge of your central furniture. This ensures all four feet of a piece of furniture come into contact with the rug, enhancing the feeling of a complete, considered interior design scheme.

Top tip: Avoid the “floating rug” phenomenon, where a rug sits in the centre of a space without coming into contact with a single piece of furniture. The result is a room where the floor covering appears disconnected from all the other elements – the opposite of what we are trying to achieve.

Finally, think about how people move around the room. Your rug should be sized to either completely cover the perimeter of the walkway around your furnished space or leave enough of the floor exposed to circle it with an even gait. We’re looking to avoid an unbalanced one-foot-on, one-foot-off situation. 

Step 2: Deciding on the best rug material 

The material a rug is made from makes a big difference to its comfort and durability, so it’s worth spending time thinking about the type of rug best suited to the room. Consider your lifestyle, and how often you’ll use the room and the part of it where your rug will be. For example, well-used rooms with people regularly walking through will need a more durable material, as will homes with children and pets, while it’s nice to have a soft, cosy rug for sitting on by the fire. Here are some of the benefits of the most popular rug materials.

• Wool rugs are an enduring favourite thanks to their versatility and the fact that they’re consistently soft underfoot. If you follow our guidelines on caring for your rug, wool rugs can last for decades. Designs range from thin, flat weaves to thick shag piles. 
• Cotton and linen rugs are made from natural fibres and may be less durable, but they’re also more affordable and far easier to clean than other materials. Some cotton rugs can even be put in the washing machine. 
• Jute rugs are famously hard-wearing, with a coarse fibre that makes them ideal for kitchens or hallways. 
• Silk rugs are some of the most expensive rugs you can buy, for good reason: silk designs are often intricately woven. However, as this luxurious material requires professional cleaning and can wear easily if overused, we’d recommend you avoid placing this style of rug in areas of the home where people regularly walk through. 
• PET rugs are a special addition to our collection, crafted from hundreds of recycled plastic bottles. Alongside lending them eco credentials, this also makes them perfect for the wear and tear of outdoor use while the clever craftsmanship ensures that they retain a softness underfoot. 

Step 3: High-pile or low-pile rug? 

A rug’s ‘pile’ refers to its fibre density and thickness, and can completely alter its look, feel and longevity, so consider which is most appropriate to the room you’ll be putting it in. Here are the key differences between high-pile and low-pile rugs.

• Low-pile rugs: With shorter fibres, these rug styles are sturdy and can be easily vacuum cleaned. If you’re looking for an easy-clean rug, choose designs such as a dhurrie or kilim rug.  

High-pile rugs: With their taller, looser fibres, these styles of rug can be trickier to take care of. However, they’re wonderfully warm and soft underfoot, giving a space a more luxurious feel that only silk designs, which are usually low-pile, can rival. These deeper styles make perfect bedroom or living room rugs. 

Step 4: Which rug shape is right for the room? 

When it comes to the shape of your rug, don’t feel restricted by rectangles. Look to the room itself for inspiration and choose a rug shape that complements your existing furniture and layout. 

• Circular rugs: you have a circular table, place a rug that matches its curved outline directly beneath it.  
• Square or rectangular rugs: if your furniture is more angular, and a circular rug feels too much of a contrast, a square or rectangle style will be your best port of call. 
• Runner rugs: these are ideal for hallways but also work well on landings and alongside kitchen units where people often stand preparing food. 
• Unusual rug shapes: rugs with more unusual silhouettes, such as triangles, hexagons or even novelty shapes, are fun and whimsical, but can be difficult to incorporate into a scheme. If you want to experiment with abstract forms, do so in smaller rooms – such as a children’s bedroom – to create an interesting accent. 

Step 5: Choosing a rug colour 

Once you’ve narrowed down the size, shape and pile of rug you want, it’s time for the fun part: choosing your style and pattern. If your home is already furnished, your choice of rug may be limited by pieces you already own. If that’s the case, look for a design with tones that complement and enhance your existing palette. If you’ve used pattern elsewhere in your home, you may want to look for single-colour or colour-block rugs that will help balance out the space and avoid an overly complex finish.

Similarly, simpler interior design schemes give you scope to really have fun with print and pattern, so don’t be afraid to go bold. Much like cushions, colourful rugs provide an opportunity to introduce vibrant pops of print and colour in an understated manner. Their position on the floor, plus the fact that they are often hidden by furniture, makes them a great way to introduce a little dash of daring design. That said, a print needn’t be loud – seek a pattern in muted hues to add interest to a minimalist interior.

If you’ve yet to start decorating, a rug is the perfect place to begin. Above all, think about how you want the rest of the room to look and feel, and try to find a design that emulates this. Once you’ve settled on your dream rug, use it as a springboard for the rest of the space, picking out similar shades to create synergy across the room.