Last time, we looked at choosing the right rug based on the purpose it needed to serve in your interior styling. Now we’re moving on to the more practical elements of choosing and using rugs – their size and location.
If you have a large, open space, then rugs can be used to frame or define specific areas. For example, one rug to frame the living space, another for the dining area. A rug can give a space strong definition and make it easier to create a specific look or feel unique to each space.
For smaller spaces, use a rug to give the space a warm, inviting feel. An armchair by a window becomes a well-defined reading nook with the addition of a rug, for instance.
Sometimes, too, it can be fun to give the space a more relaxed, eclectic feel by using an irregularly shaped rug, such as a cow hide.
To help integrate your rug into the space, try placing part of the rug under adjacent furniture – but make sure it’s a generous amount. Opinions differ, but definitely more than a centimetre or two! The appropriate amount can change based on the pattern and style of the rug.
In bedrooms, extending 1/3 of the rug underneath the bed is a useful rule of thumb, but again, the actual distance comes down to the rug itself and what works best in the space.
How about if you have a rug you love, but it’s just too small for the available space? No problem – try layering rugs. To achieve this, put a large, neutral rug under a smaller, patterned one. It’s a great way to achieve the look you want.
One area where it’s important to be generous with your rug size is the dining area. If you’re going to put a rug under the dining table, then make sure it’s big enough for diners to push their chairs back without going off the edge of the rug.
The bottom line when it comes the size and location of rugs? Be generous, and choose a rug that is the right size and shape to define the space you envisage without creating awkward intersections or a trip hazard.