Rugs: Do’s and Don’ts
Anyone who has ever worked with me knows that I am obsessed with beautiful rugs and it is the first thing we select when developing a design concept. I consider hand knotted fine rugs works of art that deserve to have a starring role in the space. Determining the proper size is so important and sometimes it's not clear cut.
Nothing irks me more than seeing a photo of a room with a tiny rug in the middle of the seating area or under a dining table. I'd prefer no rug to one that is undersized.
Here are a few tips to help you figure out the proper size in any room:
Family Rooms and Living Rooms
Rugs should always be large enough to go underneath chairs and sofas. Your room size and furniture layout will dictate how far under, but a good rule of thumb is at least 8". You could go even further, but if the rug is almost at the back of the sofa legs, you might want to go a little smaller. At least two legs of any chair should be on the rug.
Dining Room
We aim for 30" of rug past the table on all sides. This will allow the chair to be fully pulled out and your guest to sit down without the legs catching the edge of the rug. It's an aesthetic ideal as well as a safety precaution. You could possibly get away with 24" but in my opinion it's better to shoot for 30" or more.
Bedroom
The ideal bedroom rug will be under your bed but not under the nightstands. Leave up to 10" in front of the nightstands, and I recommend 24" on either side of the bed for comfort and safety.
Room Size
We typically aim to leave 18" around the perimeter of the room to reveal your hardwood or other flooring. This allows the warmth of the wood to shine through and avoids the "wall to wall" look. If you wanted wall to wall-then you would have installed broadloom carpet. But also, don't do that! Rugs are so much more beautiful and unique, bringing life and inspiration to your spaces.
Traffic patterns
When considering rug sizes, you must take into account how people are walking in and out of the room. You never want to be walking half on, half off the rug, so if needed, shift your rug accordingly to ensure you have a clear pathway.
How do you feel about rugs?
If you haven't fallen in love with a rug in your lifetime-maybe you're not looking at the right ones. Or maybe your brain doesn't work the same as mine. Either way, the rules apply and will make your spaces feel balanced and harmonious!