How to choose the perfect rug: enhance coziness and your decor with expert tips
A rug plays multiple roles in home decor. It adds coziness and enhances acoustics, while its size and color can alter the room’s proportions and ambiance. A high-quality rug, when properly maintained, can be a lifelong companion.
Why invest in a quality rug?
A rug is a crucial element in interior design, offering more than just a finishing touch or added warmth.
“A rug can effectively group furniture together and create pathways within the home. It enhances safety and comfort, especially for families with children or the elderly, particularly if the flooring is slippery,” explains Viivi Soirola from Catalina.
A rug not only protects the floor but also improves acoustics and dampens footstep sounds, especially in apartment buildings.
“A well-chosen rug enhances the beauty of the floor rather than merely covering it,” adds Soirola.
A high-quality rug is durable and thus an ecological choice.
“When you invest in a quality rug and maintain it well, it becomes a lifelong companion,” summarizes Outi Malinen from Koolmat.
A thick-pile rug resembles a wall rug and can be used as an acoustic element on the wall as well.
Expert tips for choosing the right rug
Consider the space and how it’s used
Select the appropriate rug for each area. In hallways and dining areas, prioritize durability and practicality. For children’s rooms, opt for easy-to-clean materials. In living and bedroom spaces, the rug should add softness and coziness to the room.
Avoid choosing a rug that’s too small
A good rule of thumb is to size the rug according to the furniture group it will accompany. The furniture should fit comfortably on the rug.
- In the living room, the rug should be wider than the sofa and extend beneath the front legs of the sofa.
- Under the dining table, the rug should be large enough to accommodate the chairs fully, even when in use.
The versatility of rectangular rugs
A rectangular rug is suitable for most spaces. A wall-to-wall rug can make a narrow area feel larger and simplifies furniture placement. An anti-slip underlay keeps the rug in place and protects the floor.
Match the rug shape to your furniture
A round rug is ideal for a foyer-like space or to soften a room’s angular shapes. It pairs well with a corner sofa. Consider choosing the rug shape based on the furniture, such as an oval rug for an oval table.
Neutral tones or a splash of color?
Light, solid-colored rugs show dirt and wear more than darker, mottled ones. It’s wise to choose neutral shades and patterns that remain appealing over time, even if your furniture or home decor changes. Alternatively, a rug can add a vibrant splash of color to your decor.
The timeless beauty of wool
Opt for natural materials like wool, cotton, and linen. They feel pleasant underfoot and age gracefully. Wool rugs naturally repel dirt, and cotton rugs can usually be hand-washed. The shorter the pile, the easier it is to maintain.
Aim for longevity
The ecological impact of a rug depends on the production of its fiber and construction. A rug made from recycled fiber isn’t eco-friendly if you can’t recycle it further. A quality, responsibly made, and well-maintained rug often has a longer, more ecological lifecycle.
Check the thickness of the rug: doors need to be able to open, and the edge of the rug shouldn’t be so high that you can trip on it.
A brief rug glossary
Tufting
Tufting is a technique where yarn is inserted through the rug’s backing fabric in loops. These loops can remain intact or be cut open, with intact loops offering greater durability.
Jute
Jute is a strong, fibrous plant used to create durable and dirt-repellent rugs. It’s one of the most environmentally friendly natural fibers, requiring minimal irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides.
Sisal
Sisal is a strong, flexible fiber from the agave plant, used in tightly woven rugs with a dense, even surface. Sisal rugs are durable, low-maintenance, and dirt-repellent.
Beni Ouarain
Beni Ouarain is known for its iconic Moroccan nomadic rugs. These shaggy white rugs feature black or brown geometric patterns, with the X pattern symbolizing women’s strength, motherhood, and care in Berber culture. Beni Ouarain rugs have remained unchanged for centuries.
Kelim
Kelim rugs are richly patterned, thin, and relatively lightweight wool rugs originally used by nomads in regions like Iran, Turkey, and Pakistan. The patterns vary by tribe and region but are often geometric and vibrant. The rug looks the same on both sides.
Maintain your rug for longevity
Proper rug maintenance ensures longevity. For natural fiber rugs, regular vacuuming, occasional airing, and damp wiping are sufficient. Remove stains while fresh. For washing, consult a professional cleaner. Avoid protective treatments, as they can strip off natural dirt-repellent properties.
What to consider when choosing a rug
Considerations for allergy sufferers
Rugs made from non-dusty materials help absorb dust from the air. Dust can then be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner, keeping indoor air clean and surfaces dust-free longer. The best rug for allergy-prone households is tightly woven with a smooth surface, like cotton or paper yarn rugs. A quality textile rug shouldn’t have a strong odor. When shopping for a new rug, check the rug’s backing and information about chemicals used during its manufacturing.
Ideal rug material for entrances
The best entrance rugs are durable and dirt-repellent, such as those made from hard natural fibers like sisal, coconut, and jute. While soft natural materials can also work, they tend to collect dirt more easily and require frequent washing. Wool’s advantage is its reversibility: it allows the rug to be flipped when dirty. Synthetic fiber and plastic rugs, on the other hand, withstand moisture well.
Best rugs for homes with pets
Consider your pet’s coloring when selecting a rug color scheme. A color similar to your pet’s fur color minimizes visible loose hairs. Opt for tightly woven, smooth-surfaced, and washable rugs that are easy to vacuum. Wool rugs are also a wise choice, as wool is durable and dirt-repellent. Avoid synthetic fiber rugs, as short hairs in particular are difficult to remove from them. Choose large, sturdy rugs to prevent them from rumpling under busy paws, and stop dirt and sand at the door with a quality doormat.
Sources: Viivi Soirola, Catalina and Outi Malinen, Koolmat
