Choosing a rug is never easy, but when done correctly it can transform your whole space! I will walk you through some of the challenges that come with picking out a rug, as well as tips and tricks on how to simplify handpicking your own rug with ease.

RUG SIZES

How do we figure out what size rug to buy? My first tip is to understand standard rug sizes. When looking for a rug you will most likely see these rug sizes; 3x5, 6x9, 8x10, 9x12, & 10x14. There are many other rug sizes out there, but these standard sizes will help you narrow down the choice of which rug you need.

A good tip I have when choosing a rug is to make sure the front legs of your furniture are all placed on the rug with room to spare, doing this can make a small room seem bigger. If you have the size and the budget, another option is having all furniture placed on your rug, this works great in a living room setup!

In my Studio City Project, the living room and bedroom rug are both placed under the front legs of the furniture.

standard sizes for bedrooms

The rug you choose is dependent on the size and shape of the room as well as the size of your bed, although that can vary, there are some general sizing guides that can help you!

Queen and King Size Beds:

• If you have a small bedroom, a 5x8 foot rug could work under a queen bed. Keep in mind this is the smallest size rug that you would want to use under a queen bed, and the rug is unlikely to fit under the nightstands. 

• The next size up that will fit under a queen size bed is a 6x9 foot rug. You could use this size under a king-size bed as well, but if you have the bedroom space, I would recommend going up to an 8x10 or 9x12 foot rug for a king-size bed.  

• An 8x10 or 10x12 foot rug is most likely the largest size rug you would use under a Queen size bed. These rugs will most likely allow you to fit the nightstands and all legs of the furniture on the rug. Or you can pull the rug down under the nightstands and leave space for a bench on top of the rug. 

• The below charts are a quick guide and give you a few different options on which size rug might work best under each size bed. This is a general guide to look at when choosing a rug size. However, always remember to measure your room first, and if it ever gets overwhelming you can always use blue painter's tape to tape out the rug size, and furniture before placing any orders. This gives you a great visual of how things will fit spatially in your room. 

rug materials

There are so many different kinds of materials to choose from when looking for a rug; jute, wool, synthetic, etc. It can be overwhelming when trying to decide which one works best for your home, so we have outlined the benefits of some of the materials below.

wool

This rug material is soft and cozy in any space, I always recommend using natural fibers when possible and a wool rug is one of my favorite types of rug to source for clients. One benefit to a wool rug is that it repels water and stains, which makes it a suitable rug for a living room, or even a dining room. Wool is also extremely durable and if it is well maintained, a wool rug can last you over 20 years. Keep in mind this material is not as budget friendly as other rug alternatives, and wool rugs do tend to shed the first few years after purchasing it.

jute

Jute is a natural fiber that comes from a plant, most commonly grown in India and Bangladesh. To prevent fibers from breaking, this material needs to be cleaned carefully on low-power settings when vacuuming this type of rug. Because jute rugs absorb stains, it is recommended that stains are cleaned immediately. This material is low-cost and is aesthetically pleasing on its own or even layered under a cool vintage rug. I love to find jute rugs that are blended with wool or cotton. These jute rugs tend to clean up easier than a 100% jute rug.

synthetic

I typically try to stay away from synthetic rugs when I am sourcing interior rugs. Synthetic rugs are not always the best quality. For example, moving furniture across a synthetic rug can create an abrasive friction that could permanently damage the rug. Synthetic rugs tend to have a shorter lifespan than natural fiber rugs. However, when deciding on an outdoor rug I am more open to synthetic rugs. They are great in outdoor spaces because they don’t fade in direct sunlight. Synthetic rugs are usually pretty affordable, and you can often throw them in the washing machine if they get dirty, making them a great option for the backyard!

Vintage!

Some of my favorite types of rugs to source for clients are vintage rugs! Weather it’s a Moroccan wool rug, a turkish kilim, or a persian rug with an intricate hand woven pattern, the options are endless. What I love most about vintage rugs, is that they are often one of a kind! In many cases handwoven rugs are made by artisan weavers with techniques that have been passed down through many generations. The symbols in these rugs combine deeply rooted traditions and the personal expressions of the artisans that made them. Vintage rugs are an easy way to add soul and warmth to any room!

For even more inspiration follow us on instagram to get a look inside our interior design studio. If you would like to connect with us about a design project, we would love to hear from you! Please contact lizzie@popixdesigns.com