Styling your home with rugs

Size

Size is at the top of the list when it comes to rug choice. The right sized rug can help to create the foundation for the layout of a room while also helping to define the look and overall feel.
A rug that is too small will draw the eye in, making your room look smaller, and can also make furniture look disconnected. With larger rugs be mindful of leaving enough of a border of the flooring around the rug to give the appearance that the rug is floating and avoid closing the room in.
To make the selection process easier, start your search knowing the dimensions of the room and space available to place a rug.

To help determine the correct size, lay a sheet or blanket in the space where you envisage your rug to sit.

This will allow you to fold the sheet to match the different sized rugs you are considering, while also helping you determine which size best suits your space.
 
colour & design
Interior decorating has moved well beyond wall art, so start to think of your rug as a canvas on your floor.

As a general rule, bold, bright or heavily patterned designs make perfect statement pieces and will leave a lasting impression. These are ideal for the bedroom, dining or lounge areas in your home.
If your style is more subtle, you can tie your room together by complementing your rug with décor items that match your rug’s feature colour, or are one to two shades either side of this. colour & design
Consider these three questions to assist you in making your final decision:

> What do I want my rug to achieve? (e.g. statement piece, complete my space, define my space etc.)
> How busy is the space my rug will feature in?
> Will children or pets share the space my rug will feature in?
 
living room
For larger rooms and open plan spaces rugs are a great way to create defined zones and provide a warm, welcoming feel. Opt for larger sized rugs and position sofas, single chairs and occasional furniture completely within the rug zone or with some pieces just on the edges.

If space is tight and some furniture is perhaps up against a wall, try to accommodate a rug large enough to fit under at least the front legs of sofas or chairs, but if this is not possible, having all legs of an accent chair or coffee table on the rug will also bring the look together
 
dining room
As a starting point for determining the size of rug you will need, measure the surface area of your table and add a minimum of 75cm to each side and end.
Rugs should be big enough for the dining table to sit on and for dining chairs not to fall off the end as they are moved in and out from the table.

Lifestyle factors are also important considerations when choosing a rug for dining areas.

Wherever there is food and drinks...there will be spills! Look for rugs that are easy to clean, repel stains and have forgiving patterns and piles. An area rug in a light colour and thick pile may not be a practical choice if you have pets, kids, and heavy foot traffic
 
Bedroom
Rugs are the perfect way to add a little bit of extra cosiness to a bedroom, especially in rooms without carpet. For children’s rooms and nurseries, rugs can also provide a place for playing and help soften unwanted noises. bedroom

To have a rug underfoot when you hop out of bed, as a rule of thumb, position your rug beneath the bottom two thirds of the bed.