How to Choose the Best Living Room Area Rugs

A rug can transform a room the modest way in the time you unroll it. It can be the defining feature of a room that blends in and serves a function.

While furniture and wall décor items adorn your space, an area rug completes the look. No matter the reason you want an area rug, there are many things to consider before buying an area rug.

Many rug styles are available as there is a variety of furniture, lighting, or room styles. Area rugs are no longer limited to traditional Persian or classic European styles. There are also modern and contemporary area rug options available, including simple jute, sisals, strong geometrics, bold florals, patterns, and other decorative rugs.

Besides, you can find different area rugs for distinct rooms, such as decorative floor rugs for the living room, soft rugs for the bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, dining area, etc. The room rugs differ for various spaces, and deciding the right rugs involves several considerations like shape, color, rug patterns, lifestyle, and maintenance.

This article focuses on how to choose the perfect living room area rug.

If you are looking for living room rugs, read our engaging guide below to make sure you’re buying the best living room rug.

Here are a few things you have to keep in mind while buying living room rugs.

Rug Size

The size matters! One of the most frequent living room decorating mistakes is the area rug chosen too small for the space. Selecting the right size area rug is significant to make your living room beautiful and spacious.

An average-sized living room requires 10-20 inches of bare floor between the rug sides and the wall. You can go up to 24 inches high and eight inches low, depending on the size of the living room. Make sure the area rug size you choose suits your living room, keeping at least 4 to 8 inches bare floor all around the sides.

In any case, the decorative rug should be centered in the room. The distance between the wall and the rug has to stay uniform on all four sides.

You can also choose living room rugs to define spaces. For example, if you like an open-concept living space or need layer rugs, the size rule can be mended slightly. Think about the space you want to highlight and choose the appropriate rug size based on that.

However, remember that it’s better to pick a larger living room area rug than a small one.

Area Rug Color & Pattern

Next in line comes the color and pattern of the area rug when thinking of buying a decorative rug. Choosing a patterned area rug is a great way to add color and interest to the living room with neutral walls and furniture.

Similarly, a solid area rug in a neutral shade would be an excellent choice to soothe an assorted room. Besides, a patterned living room area rug will be better to hide dirt and spills, while it is likely that a solid room rug will show a stain.

If you want a colorful decorative rug for a colorful room, find room rugs that connect and pull all the colors together. This way, the colorful rugs don’t end up as visually cluttered.

The Texture of Area Rugs

Think and decide how you want the feel of the room rug before you make a purchase Area rugs made of natural materials such as jute and sisal are rough, while wool rugs provide warmth and softness. The silk rugs are soft and beautiful but also tough to clean and expensive. 

Create the balance of furniture and walls with right and beautifully patterned area rugs to bring life to your living room. Take these textures into consideration when shopping for the rugs for the living room.

Rug Styles

Many living room rug styles are available in the market, from traditional Persian styles and classic European to modern and contemporary rugs like florals, geometric patterns, simple jute, sisals, and more.

Choose a style that fits the atmosphere you want to create in your living room. Though a living room area rug doesn’t need to match everything in the space, it should go along with the tone and texture of the living room furnishing.

Rugs Fitting Your Function

Consider your living room’s function, rhythm, and foot level traffic when selecting the living room area rug.

Homes with naughty kids and pets should choose an area rug that can withstand the chaos of everyday life without falling apart at least for six months. If you want rugs for a busy household, go for machine-washable and performance fabric area rugs.

Natural rugs are a great choice for bustling areas, and they are readily available at budget-friendly costs. For homes with lower foot traffic and are less prone to mess, woven from silk viscose, and high-end area rugs will be the better choices.

Multiple Area Rugs

If you’d like to define your space a little more, try layering living room area rugs on top of each other. Layering rugs will add more color and pattern to the room, mainly works best for seasonal decorating.

Layering living room rugs will add coziness in the colder months, while you can edit layering in the summer to have a lighter look.

Maintenance

The most important of all comes the maintenance. Think about the time and energy you are going to spend in maintaining the living room rugs and purchase them appropriately.

Most decorating rugs need to be vacuumed and rotated regularly. While the high-pile room rugs would be challenging to clean, flat-weave rugs are easy to vacuum. You can take them outside and beat them to clean out traditionally.

No matter the type of living room rug you choose, make sure you use a rug pad compatible with the rug texture and the flooring. Avoid exposing an area rug to direct sunlight, and also don’t let the stains set. Regardless of what you choose, proper maintenance and cleaning will help your area rugs stay for a longer time.