THE RUG BUYING GUIDE
An essential design element, finding the perfect rug is easy when you keep these considerations in mind:
Size
A large rug can make any room feel bigger. See our guides below to find the right size for your room.
Material
Consider materials that stand up to foot traffic (like natural fibers) and life’s little spills (like easy-care performance rugs).
Style
Choose a style that complements your decor—from timeless hand-knotted rugs to contemporary patterned designs.
Living Room Rugs
A well-made rug can help define a stylish living room. For a space that feels more finished, comfortable, and welcoming, choose a rug that’s proportional to the room’s size and shape.
Expert Tip: To make sure your rug defines and accents the space (and doesn’t look like wall-to-wall carpeting), aim for 12" of floorspace between the edge of the rug and wall.
SIZING + PLACEMENT GUIDE
How big is too big? To find the right size rug, consider the size and shape of your living room and the placement of your furniture.
Loveseat + Armchair
5 x 8 Rug
Place the front legs of the sofa and chair on the rug.
Sofa + Loveseat + Armchair
8 x 10 Rug
More seating? Size up to keep front legs on the rug all around.
Sofa with Chaise
9 x 12 Rug
Choose a rug big enough to extend several feet beyond the foot of the chaise.
Sectional Sofa
9 x 12 Rug
Square your sectional with the rug’s edge, so all feet are on the rug.
Grand Sofa + 2 Armchairs
9 x 12 Rug
For proper balance, place the front feet of the sofa and armchairs on the rug.
Sofa + Loveseat + 2 Armchairs
10 x 14 Rug
For a unified look, center all feet on the rug.
Odd-sized room? Ordering a custom size is easy.
CHOOSE YOUR MATERIAL
Choose yarn-dyed wool for rich color and softness, high-performance synthetics for stain-resistance, or a viscose blend for luxe sheen.
GET THE LAYERED LOOK
A designer secret for added color, texture, and personality—layering rugs helps you define a smaller corner of the room or show off a special rug too small for your space.
STEP 1
Pick a large neutral flatweave, sisal, or jute rug as your base.
STEP 2
Choose a smaller accent rug in a contrasting color, pile, or pattern to lay on top.
STEP 3
Adjust the angle of the top rug to reveal 1'-3' of the bottom rug beneath it.
WHY YOU NEED A RUG PAD:
Rug pads provide extra cushioning underfoot for a plusher feel, and help protect floors. Investing in a good quality rug pad can also extend the life of your rug by preserving the pile and helping it hold its shape.
