How to select the right rug

I think that one of my favourite accessories to complete an interior scheme is the humble floor rug.  I have been in too many houses with large expanses of flooring – timber, stone or tiles – that are crying out for this simple finishing touch.  Even the simplest of rugs will bring many benefits to a space and are crucial in the age of open plan living. Let me tell you how to select the right rug.

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The benefits of using rugs

Firstly, a rug will effectively zone an area which is a great design tool.  This means that when you are in a large open plan house, you can visually separate the space between living and dining, or even in some cases, a third sitting area.  Without the incorporation of a rug, the area just becomes a series of groups of furniture, not unlike a furniture showroom.

Secondly, a rug brings warmth and comfort and therefore additional seating area, particularly for kids to lounge around on.

Finally, and this is very important in a large open plan space, a rug offers great acoustic value and helps to absorb sound which is vital in an area where plenty is happening.

The beauty of completing a space with a rug is that you can use this as an opportunity to add design and colour if you feel your decorating scheme is lacking personality.  Or you can opt for a very plain, neutral solution that will just zone the space if you have enough colour already or you want a simple scheme.

How to select a rug with colour and pattern

When an injection of colour is required then a rug is a great solution as a block of bright colour on the floor will ground a decorating scheme and balance strong colour in other areas of the room.

For example, in this image, the bright citron chair is balanced by the hot pink of the flooring.  Rather than the rug bringing in too much colour and overwhelming the scheme, it is very bright and out there but balances the look perfectly.

Don't be afraid of pattern when it comes to selecting a rug.  You don't have to introduce a very complex pattern but a simple stripe or chevron design gives you the opportunity to incorporate additional colours or simply different tones of a neutral which can be very effective.

I love this design from Armadillo & Co.  The contemporary partnership of limestone and charcoal works really well with this simple design.

The right rug can also help to pull a colour scheme together.  In this room the dark walls and off white sofa are strikingly different however the blue and white floor covering links the two and pulls the colour scheme together.  Without this the walls would look top heavy and over-whelming while a solid dark blue on the floor would have a stripy effect.

How to select a bedroom rug

Bedrooms are often not carpeted now but you really still need something nice and comfy to step out of bed onto.  Using a rug in a bedroom is very effective when placed towards the end of the bed.  Visually this will extend the length of the bed which can be very effective in a larger space but also it is a very practical solution.

I love the soft layers in this bedroom and I think you'll agree that without the rug here the room could err on being cold and sterile.

Related: 5 tips to create a calm bedroom environment

Rugs with texture

To select the right rug you should appreciate that this is a great tool to introduce texture into a scheme.

Often hard surfaces in furniture placed directly onto a hard floor can be very unappealing but the texture of a rug placed in between breaks up the look perfectly and this can offer visual relief when you have a large timber dining table and chairs placed directly on a timber floor.

Texture is also very important in all white or neutral schemes where you are not introducing colour.  To ensure the look is not too bland and one dimensional you need to consider using lots of different finishes so a rug with a beautiful texture is a great tool for a simple space with an all-white or neutral palette.

Related: 7 tips for a neutral beachside scheme

Hall runners

Don't just limit your rug placements to living and bedroom areas as a long bare hallway, particularly an entrance hall, can really benefit from an extra floor layer.  Hall runners can be an excellent way to bring in some colour and pattern into what is often just a pedestrian walkway and an area of a house that can be forgotten in the decorating stakes.

Related: 7 tips for a perfect welcoming hallway

The right size for a rug

If you want to select the right rug then remember that an entire scheme can be ruined by the wrong size of rug so I should impress that this point is very important.

I like to group furniture either fully on or part on a rug.  Placing a chair or sofa half on and half off of a rug is very effective and looks generous.

If you have flooring that you don't particularly like you can have an area rug that holds all of the furniture in the grouping.  Generally, go for a larger rather than a smaller sized rug to get the right effect.

You can simply measure the space in between your furniture and place the rug in the centre but make sure you don't have too much bare flooring showing between the edge of the rug and the start of the sofa as this can look quite mean.

You really need to think carefully about the size of a rug that you place underneath a dining table.  Consider how far out your dining chair will come when you move in and out of the chair as it is awful when the edge of the rug keeps catching on the dining chair.

Do you want to select the right rug?  Miss Amara has a huge range of rugs and also gives away a very handy guide to help you to find the right size for your space Click Here

Composition of a rug

As with carpet, in addition to colour, pattern and size, you also need to consider the composition of the rug.

Natural floorcoverings, for example those made from sisal, jute, coir or hemp look as they should – natural.  The beauty lies in their texture and these rugs are an excellent choice for a coastal scheme or a more formal look that needs a touch of informality.  A classic statement in a Hamptons style scheme, these rugs really suit many different looks.  As you can probably guess, I am a fan!

A soft wool rug, particularly one with New Zealand wool or one with touches of art silk running through them are beautiful accent pieces in a living area.  They add elegance and softness and are also great to lie on!

I must say that I am not a fan of rugs that do not contain natural fibres.  However some that are suitable for outdoor use are now very soft and can work well in a high traffic area or if you have very young children who are likely to make a mess!

How to select a rug for an outdoor room

I really like the way that people are turning their outdoor areas into another useable room with the addition of comfortable furniture, wall hangings, potted plants and rugs.  This is where the new range of outdoor rugs are very successful.

Do check the composition of the rug though, particularly if you are buying online and can't feel the product.  The rugs that are made from PET fibres are usually the softest and look and behave most like an indoor rug.

I don't believe there is any other element in an outdoor area that helps to turn the covered area into an additional room.

Of course, you absolutely must have a synthetic solution here to withstand the elements and to easily wash down.

Related How to link your outdoor room in 5 easy steps

Finally – the last word on how to select the right rug

My mantra for putting together a decorating scheme is to start with the floor and work upwards and if you fall in love with a beautiful rug this can work too as a starting point.

But often when it comes to finishing touches like this you really need to start with the flooring as a whole, for example polished concrete, tiles, timber etc. and then bring in your wall and trim colour and major decorating pieces like sofas and armchairs.

Then you can consider your choice of rug which will help to complete the look and either balance the colours, simply add texture and warmth or an injection of pattern into a room with block colours.

Remember the main benefits of introducing a rug are:

• The ability to zone a large open plan area
• They bring warmth and comfort to a room
• Rugs offer acoustic benefits, which is particularly useful for rooms with high ceilings and hard flooring
• The ability to introduce either texture, colour or pattern – or all 3 – into a decorating scheme

A rug is a big investment though and if you are worried about what will work in your home then consider buying your rug from Miss Amara.  They will deliver your rug and if it doesn't suit your room after all then you can return it free of charge. They will arrange to collect it for free and return it to their warehouse. See their gorgeous range and risk free buying here.

I hope that this post has helped you to select the right rug and inspired you to introduce one (or more) into your home as it really is a great finishing touch.  I would love to hear from you in the comments section below with any questions or comments you have about your interior decorating dilemmas and successes.  I have lots of beautiful inspiration too on my Pinterest page.

Don't forget my FREE Resource Library.  If you are decorating, building or renovating your home then I have invaluable checklists and e-books here