It can make or break a room, so choosing the right rug size is key.
Going too small can make the rug look like it’s an island floating in the middle of the ocean—or in the middle of a bunch of furniture. I refer to it as “the lily pad effect” because it almost looks like you have to hop from the sofa to the rug. (You know what I’m talking about—right?)
Although the price can sometimes be a pretty big jump from a 5×7 to an 8×10 size rug, for example, I believe that buying the right size is one of the best investments you can make. The right rug should anchor the space and create a feeling of flow—not just be another element thrown into the room.
Better Homes & Gardens (Love the look of layered rugs…)
As for using rugs in rooms that are already carpeted, I’m personally all for it. Not only do they help to disguise some really abused carpeting in our house, but I think rugs are a great tool for bringing in pattern, color, or texture and also help to define areas in a more open floor plan.
I just found an awesome vintage rug that I couldn’t pass up even though it is slightly smaller than I need. Thank god for layering, it will look great over some sea grass. Great tips!
I totally agree with you on the lily pad affect, haha. That made me laugh out loud.
Great tips. I have layered a rug over wall to wall carpeting too. I think that it adds something a little extra to a room and is another place to add some color or interest.
Kristi
Love a little rug layering!! I’m planning to do a natural fiber rug and layer a hide rug over top. Great tips! :)
Great tips! I’m all for layering!
Great tips!! I actually emailed you a year ago with a question about rug size!
Great–I’m only a year late with my response :)
I love your blog, Emily. I look forward to reading it each day! I’m wondering what your thoughts are on layering a rug over wall-to-wall carpet. Do the same rules apply?
I layer rugs over carpet all the time. I think the same “rules” do apply as far as the furniture placement.
I have wall to wall carpet that is total yuck. We have rugs from our last house because we had wood floors, but our rugs don’t lay very well on top of carpet, they tend to bunch or move. Any tips?
Amen Emily. I have an 8×10 in my living room already, but come fall, I usually layer another one on top. Putting a smaller size rug (especially patterned), is a great way to update a space without breaking the bank too much!
Agreed!
Our great room has a very light “twist” wall to wall carpet. But, to add interest, we had a 12 x 14 solid black rug made. It really adds contrast. It allows most of the furniture to “rest” on it depending on the arrangement.
Totally agree! A rug that is too small can totally throw off a room. Love your tips, thanks for sharing!
Q: I have a long, narrow living room with a hearth that juts out in the center. A big rug in the center wouldn’t be anchored by the “conversational” areas of the room, but two smaller, identical rugs on both sides would probably be too weird. Thoughts? Reference: http://livelygreendoor.com/2013/07/living-room-update/
Okay, just looked at your floor plan. That is tricky. . . My first thought would be to do two completely different rugs and even shapes. What about a cowhide on one side and a smaller rug on the other? I think I would just treat the two sides as two totally separate areas.
Worth a try! I’ve got so much modern-meets-traditional, it’d be fun to try something just…weird.
I rent, so I use my area rugs to add a pop of fun into my otherwise builder’s grade tan house. We have tan walls, tan trim, tan wall to wall carpeting, tan tile, etc.
My area rugs are able to break the tan blob up with their funky prints and colors, and project my tastes. :)
What if you really want to showcase your lovely hardwood floors?????? I don’t want to cover up all that gorgeous character, but want a little bit of softness and warmth
I don’t think a rug has to cover up every square inch of floor. Maybe choose a rug that’s big enough to tie your conversation/seating area together but that doesn’t cover the space all the way up to the fireplace/TV console/or whatever else you have in the room.
Is it possible to choose a rug TOO big?? I have a 9×12 rug on back order from Pottery Barn for the past 5 weeks, and still another 2 weeks to go. The reason why we chose that size was to have all of the legs of the sofas on it, and not just the front. The more time that passes, the more I think I might have ordered too big… Do you have any words of wisdom as far as maybe a rug being too big? Should I be worried?
I don’t mind all of the furniture being on the rug necessarily. I just wouldn’t personally want there to be tons of rug space behind the upholstery, if that makes sense…
Oh lord, I’ve fallen victim to this more than once! I’m always torn between getting a big rug and showing off enough of the hardwood floors. In our next house I won’t be as stingy with the rug and will be sure to go big rather than waste $ on something too small.
These are great tips, Emily. I’m so glad that I was able to actually meet you at Haven (in the back of the elevator). I wish I could have spent more time talking with you!
What about rug(s) for a bedroom? I have a king size bed and don’t want a rug under the bed, but I keep thinking of putting a rug beside the bed or on each side of the bed, but then it seems weird to have to small rugs on each side of the bed.
Great post Emily! I agree with each tip and actually have a rug that’s way too small in my living room right now. It needs to move but I have not found a replacement yet!! I’ve been saying this for 4 years now, ever since we moved into this house…a little procrastination going on!!
Blessings,
Kayla
K.R Dixon Designs
http://adelightfulplacetodwell.com
Love this and great tips!
Great tips! Looking forward to hearing the other four : ]
Awesome tips, Emily (I, too, love the layered look)! Thanks again for such a fun, informative and witty session at Haven … loved seeing you!
Hi Emily! Thanks for the tip! You are always so helpful. I wish I had met you at Haven but there just wasn’t enough time during that wonderful experience! Maybe next year!
Thanks so much for the tips! Do you have any tips for keeping a rug from slipping on carpet?
I’ve never had that problem but I guess it depends on the weight of the rug… Have you tried a normal rug pad? I googled this and also found a few other suggestions here:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/secure-rugs-in-place-on-carpet-159952
(I wonder if the velcro would be easiest/work best??)
Emily — SO glad I got to meet you at Haven at the OnlineFabricStore.net booth. I’ve got a new (larger!) rug to roll out for my main living space and hope the fabric I pick goes with it — I’ll keep you posted!
I totally agree–a too small rug is a major buzz kill for a room :) And I also concur that layering a rug over a carpeted room can be a great choice. I recently posted pics of our living room where we did this very thing. I think it did a lot to help our lackluster rental home :) http://anneworthington.blogspot.com/2013/07/our-illinois-living-room.html
great tips! linking up to you on my blog tomorrow!
Thanks, Christa!