DAY 16: How to Choose the Right Area Rug to Anchor Your Space
Welcome to Day 16 of 365 Days of a Happy Home!
I am sure there are many spaces in your home that could use a fashionable update. One way to do this is by adding an area rug. It is most common to arrange them on wood or tile floor. Occasionally I have seen a rug on top of another rug or carpet. First, the rug has to be the right size for the space. It should "anchor" the area in the room to give a sense of space. Reach out today to find the perfect rug for your space!
Why Area Rugs Matter in Interior Design
Area rugs do more than soften wood or tile floors. They help:
Define seating areas in open floor plans
Add warmth and comfort underfoot
Introduce color and pattern
Improve acoustics in larger rooms
Create a polished, professionally designed look
While it is most common to layer area rugs over hardwood or tile flooring, designers sometimes place a rug over wall-to-wall carpet or even layer one rug over another for added texture and depth. When done thoughtfully, this layered rug look can feel collected and elevated.
Step One: Choose the Right Rug Size
Before falling in love with a pattern, size is everything.
A properly sized area rug should anchor the furniture grouping and create a clear sense of zone within the room. Too small, and the space can feel disconnected. Too large, and it may overwhelm the layout.
General sizing guidelines:
Living Room
Front legs of sofas and chairs should sit on the rug.
Dining Room
Rug should extend at least 24 inches beyond the table on all sides.
Bedroom
Rug should extend beyond the sides and foot of the bed.
When in doubt…
Size up! A generously scaled rug almost always looks more custom and intentional.
In the above featured space, a hand-tufted wool area rug from Jaipur Living brings the room together beautifully. The scale and pattern complement the plaid swivel chairs from Rowe Furniture while echoing the movement in the patterned throw pillows. The result is a layered, cohesive look that feels both tailored and inviting.
Step Two: Select the Right Rug Material
Material affects both the look and the longevity of your rug. For high-traffic New England homes, wool area rugs remain a designer favorite.
Why we love hand-tufted wool rugs:
Naturally durable and resilient
Soft and comfortable underfoot
Excellent at hiding wear
Timeless, high-end appearance
Easy to layer into both traditional and modern interiors
Step Three: Coordinate Pattern and Texture
Once size and material are dialed in, think about how your rug will interact with existing furnishings.
This is a great reminder: your rug does not have to match everything perfectly. Instead, aim for coordination through color family, scale, and overall mood.
Other considerations:
Sun Exposure
In this sunroom we chose a polypropylene area rug also from Jaipur Living. It is super soft underfoot and won’t fade with the sun.
We don’t always add an area rug in a dining room, but when we do, I like to use an “indoor outdoor” rug for it’s stain resistance and ability to be easily cleaned. This one from Annie Selke worked well with the furniture we chose to fill the space.
Light and Bright!
In this basement renovation it was important to make it light and bright. We anchored the TV/gaming space with a cotton area rug from Annie Selke.
Keep It Durable, But Soft
Its nice to have a rug anchor a bed. You don’t think about it, but you are actually wiping your feet on it before you climb into bed! This wool cut pile rug from Annie Selke is soft underfoot!
If you are looking for a quick, high-impact home refresh, start from the ground up. An area rug is one of the easiest ways to give a room a fashionable update while adding warmth, texture, and visual structure. Whether you are styling a cozy New England living room, updating a bedroom, or defining an open-concept space, the right rug can completely transform how a room looks and feels!
The Takeaway:
A well-chosen area rug is one of the smartest home decor investments you can make. The right size anchors the room. The right material adds longevity. And the right pattern ties your entire design story together.
If your space feels like it is missing something, look down. The answer may be the perfect rug.