There are many good reasons to add an area rug to your décor. They provide cushioning, comfort, and warmth on a wood, tile, or concrete floor. You can even layer them over carpeting to add some artistic flair to a room’s design. Some even consider area Rugs artwork for the floor. However, adding the right area rug to a space is often a big concern when you are trying to create a well-balanced room.

Some designers say to start with the area rug first, and match the rest of the décor to it. While this method has its benefits – you can select paint colors, throw pillows, and artwork to go with the area rug – it isn’t always practical.

Whether you choose your area rug before or after you choose the rest of your décor, just remember this general rule: your area rug should be at least 6 inches from the wall and no more than 2 feet away from it. Follow the tips below to choose the right area rug for your space.

Tip 1: Area Rugs for the Dining Room

To choose a rug for your dining room, begin by measuring the width and length of your table. Your rug should extend a approximately 2 feet from the back of the chairs when they are pushed in. This will ensure that there is enough room for your guests’ chairs to rest evenly on the rug.

Tip 2: Area Rugs for the Kitchen Putting an area rug in front of the stove or sink helps alleviate pain in the lower back, feet, and legs. Depending on the size of your kitchen, you can choose a runner or a full-fledged area rug. Whichever you choose, keep the edges 6 inches away from the base of the cabinets. If you have a kitchen/dining room, you can use an area rug to define the two spaces. Use a rug pad if the area rug doesn’t have slip-resistant backing, to help prevent slips, trips, and falls.

Tip 3: Area Rugs for the Bedroom

An area rug can help make the bed the star of your bedroom. Ideally, the area rug will extend 2 feet from the foot of the bed, and each side. This is a space where you may have to layer your areas rugs, so don’t hesitate to get creative. Another option is to place a runner on each side of the bed so that your feet have a soft, warm place to land in the morning.

Tip 4: Area Rugs for the Entryway

Make a great first impression and welcome your guests with an area rug. Select one that is wider than the doorway, as people tend to linger in this area when arriving and departing.

Tip 5: Area Rugs for Hallways and Passageways

Runners are great for hallways and passageways. Choose one that gives you 6 inches of floor space on either side, or if your hallway doesn’t have enough room for 6 inches on each side, leave the same amount of space on each side and at the ends to create balance. If you place furniture in the hallway, keep it off the runner entirely.

Tip 6: Area Rugs with Shapes

Consider using a shape other than a rectangle. Round rugs are great for defining seating areas, such as in an eat-in kitchen or entrances. Runners, squares, oblongs, and animal hide rugs can be used to add interest and texture to a space.

Tip 7: Area Rugs with Solid Colors

Follow the 60-30-10 rule to coordinate your area rug with your color palette. About 60% of the room should be your dominant color, such as the walls or the largest piece of furniture. Your secondary color should be 30% of the room, so your area rug should contain this color. And your tertiary color should be 10%, so your lamps and vases should bring this color into the space. Accent color from the rug shouldn’t be dominant or secondary, so the entire room goes together.

Tip 8: Area Rugs with Patterns

If you are looking at area rugs with patterns, first consider your space. Do you have a lot of patterns on your furniture or walls? If you do, you may want to choose a subtly patterned rug, or even a solid color. If your space is filled with solid colors, a bright, bold pattern on the area rug will liven up the space.

Tip 8: Area Rugs in High Traffic Areas

Consider the foot traffic in the area where your rug will be placed. Low pile works well in high traffic areas, since wear and tear doesn’t show as much. A detailed pattern is also good for high-traffic areas, since the pattern can help camouflage stains.

High-pile rugs are good for areas where you want a soft, luxurious surface, so use them in bedroom and sitting areas.

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