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    Categories: Guides

Get The Look: Your Complete Guide to Rugs

There are a lot of elements that combine to make a room whole. Your wall colour provides a basic colour scheme to work off of, and your furniture helps create a certain ambience. But probably, the best part of putting a room together is finishing it off with the perfect rug.

Choosing the right rug can be difficult, especially with the myriad choices available today. You first have to decide on size; this can be tough in larger rooms which could accommodate any rug size. You also need to choose a rug shape. There are round rugs, square rugs, rectangle rugs, and even octagon rugs. It may sound a bit confusing, but we’re here to help you master the art of rug shopping. See our favourites.

Choosing the Right Size Rug for Your Room

Finding the right rug size for your room is simply a matter of playing to the room’s strengths. Larger rooms should have larger rugs, but you should also let the shape of the room influence your decision. If your living room is long and thin, opt for a large rectangle rug that highlights the dimensions of the room. But don’t just use the room shape – use the position of the furniture to create a nice layout.

Our Guide to Rug Shapes

When it comes to finding the perfect rug for a room, shape is just as important as size. Each rug shape brings a distinct feeling to the room which you should take note of when choosing a room:

  • Rectangle: This is the traditional rug shape, both versatile and timeless. These rugs are great for living rooms, bedrooms and hallways since they make great use of the usual layout of these spaces.
  • Square: Square rugs are slightly less common than their rectangular counterparts. Although they work well for living rooms, they’re best suited for square rooms, otherwise they can look a bit short and stubby.
  • Circle: Circle rugs are a great way to mix things up in a room, especially those with a modern ambiance. However, they work best in dining rooms with round furniture.

Rug Styles

Rugs can be a statement piece or ruin a room based on the style you choose. Look for a rug that complements the colours, fabrics and patterns in the room without overdoing it. You should also try to position rugs in such a way that they help to centre the seating areas in the room.

Still need help deciding? Check out some of our favourite rugs for a bit of inspiration.

Living Room

If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, go with this dove grey rug or this silver grey rug. But if your living room is mostly filled with neutral colours, or if you have a colour that you can match the rug to, you can always go with something a bit more exciting. This blue floral rug is great for a blue coast-inspired living room, while this patterned citrine rug perfectly spices up bland, neutral living rooms.

For those with a living room seating arrangement that’s a bit more round, this Pavan multi-coloured woven rug looks great and centres your seating area.

Rugs or Runners

Runners are perfect for hallways, entryways, and for some smaller rooms. Simple patterned runners like this Tuppence runner from Loaf provide plenty of colour and functionality, while this Duster runner gives you similar functionality with the added bonus of fringed edges on two sides.

Something Different

There are plenty of options if you’re feeling adventurous about your next rug purchase. Opting for a nice natural rug, like this sheepskin double rug, gives your home a unique look that fits well with upscale or rustic decor. These rugs even come in multiple colours to fit any room.

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All photos courtesy of respective brands.

Joanna Simon: Joan is an interior design project planner and freelance writer from Boston Massachusetts who lives with her husband and two bulldog terriers outside Wellfleet on Cape Cod.