Rugs offer more than a cushiony place for your feet. With different rug styles and rug designs, these pieces can make a statement in any room if they are styled correctly. Unsure of how to style a rug? Here’s our expert tips for how to style a rug the right way in every space.

Tip!

Need help finding the right rug? Check out our How to Choose a Rug guide!

In Living Areas

The number one rule of thumb for styling a rug with furniture is to have a centerpiece and to position bigger furniture, like a couch, on the rug partially. This extends the rug and creates a cohesive atmosphere that ties the furniture and the rug together. For example, place a coffee table in the center of a rug like in the picture above, with the front legs of a couch or sectional on the edge of the rug for a framing look.

In Dining Rooms

If you have hardwood floors in your dining room, an area rug can complement your wall colors and aesthetic, as well as tie the space together. A dining room rug also helps keep the table or chairs from sliding out of place in the space. To style a rug in this room, the rug needs to be big enough for the whole dining set to sit in the middle with material extending evenly past the legs of your chairs on all four sides. This will keep things looking symmetrical.

In Bedrooms

There are different ways to style a rug in a bedroom. The first option is to frame your bed by placing a large area rug underneath, with material extending out of all sides equally. This sets the stage for your sleep area and makes your bed the focal point of the space. Or, you can place the rug a quarter of the way down from the headboard to have more material extend from the foot of the bed, like in the picture above. This allows the rug to cover more floor space – showing off its design and keeping your feet warm as you walk around your room!

In Bathrooms

Styling a bathroom with rugs is easier since you’re not having to frame any large furniture placement, but are styling more with colors and designs instead. There are different rug designs to place in your bathroom to complement your colors and aesthetic. The key to styling a rug in a bathroom is to match it with other colors in the room to keep the area visually balanced. When choosing a rug size for this space, try to match the size of your vanity or select one slightly below the length of your vanity. Measure your vanity with a tape measure and select a rug accordingly. With pedestal sinks, the standard rug size to choose is 2’ by 3’ or 3’ x 5’, which will extend slightly out from the pedestal.

In Hallways or Entryways

Style your home’s first impression with a hallway runner. These rug styles are skinnier and longer than standard area rugs, but can set the tone of your house aesthetic based on their color and rug design. To style a rug in this area, choose a color or pattern that blends with the surrounding area’s wall colors or furniture. Since you’re placing a runner in an area that’s heavily trafficked, make sure your runner fully spans your area. This keeps the fibers in the rug from breaking down in just certain areas, creating abnormal wear patterns.

Outdoors

Give your outdoor oasis a touch of color and elegance with a nice outdoor rug underneath your patio set. Outdoor rugs should complement your furniture and the scenery. We suggest going with greens and blues to create a natural vibe that matches your yard. Apart from highlighting nature’s colors, make sure your rug is water-resistant and able to withstand rain, snow, or ice. A durable rug will better withstand the outdoor elements and last longer.

With Colors

If you want to style any room with a colorful rug, the trick is to choose meticulously. Colorful rugs should be paired with neutral furniture or walls to keep the room balanced, or else they need to match the color palette of the space. This helps to tie your elements together without being too distracting, since vibrant, colorful rugs can make a pop in your space.

With Designs or Patterns

A patterned rug can help you create the vibe you’re looking for, but you must first decide how loud you want your vibe to be. Geometric, abstract, and striped rugs can be loud, since their sharp lines and clear shapes instantly draw attention. Oriental-style rugs are more subtle and can keep things balanced for a more toned-down look and a peaceful atmosphere.

To keep your living room visually-balanced and to avoid overwhelming the space, pair patterned rugs with a matching color palette. There is no standard rule of thumb for the amount of colors you should feature in one space, but keep the color scheme consistent. If your patterned rug contains blue hues, make sure your furniture or walls are a shade of blue that blends well with your rug.

Now that you know more about how to style a rug, it’s time to find the perfect focal point for your rooms!

Tip!

Don’t forget to hold the rug down with a sturdy pad!

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