Sometimes I’m not sure where to use a rug. Sounds silly, but it’s true. I’ve seen rugs layered atop one another, caddy-cornered under a side table, and used to hold wet shoes during the winter, so I’m just not sure exactly how and where rugs should be used. Insert blog post here! Call this your go-to guide to understanding how to measure and place your next rug.
Different Types of Rugs
What is a runner rug?
A runner is typically used to cover a long portion of flooring, like stairs or a hallway. They can be great for entryways as well. Any rug that is longer than it is wide can be used as a runner.
What is an accent rug?
Accent rugs, also called “scatter rugs,” give you the opportunity to bring attention to a specific part of your home or a specific piece of furniture. It is not a wall-to-wall rug and is typically 2×3 or 4.6.
What is an area rug?
An area rug is often used as an alternative to carpeting and introduces a feeling of warmth and luxury to your living space. It is not wall-to-wall, but allows at least a foot of space from the rug to the wall. Sizes vary drastically. Typical area rug sizes are 5×7, 5×8, and 8×11, but you can find an area rug to fit any size room, however large!
Rug Placement
Living Room
Let’s start with the living room. If you have a big room with furniture floating in the center of the room, your rug should be big enough so that all of the furniture fits on it without looking (or feeling) crowded. You should have about a foot between the rug and wall around all sides of the room.
My living room is not big enough to have furniture floating in the middle, so here’s another alternative. When you have furniture against the wall, try and have the front two legs of each piece of furniture on the rug. Your coffee table will obviously have all legs on the rug!
If your room is smaller and you also have a smaller rug, no worries! An area rug can be used to bring attention to your coffee table and help add balance to the room. Place your rug only under the coffee table and leave a few inches between the furniture and the rug.
Dining Room
A dining room rug should be large enough to fit both the table and chairs. This equates to having about a three foot border of rug around your table.
How have you styled your living room, bedroom, or dining room with a rug? Let us know in a comment below. We’d love to hear about and see some creative ways you’ve used area rugs in your home.