How to Find the Perfect Living Room Rug

Are you looking for the perfect rug to complete your living room decor? There’s nothing like an area rug to transform a space, but there are many factors to consider before you commit. A living room rug should be the right size, suit your lifestyle, and match the rest of your decor.

These tips will help you choose a high-quality rug to meet your unique needs and make your living room beautiful.

Choose a Rug to Match Your Lifestyle

Since living room rugs are in high-traffic areas, they generally need to be durable. Consider your main priorities. Would you rather have a room that looks glamorous, comfortable or something in between?

Silk rugs feel incredibly soft, but often shows footprints and don’t always clean as easily as some fabrics. On the other end of the scale, a synthetic rug is easy to clean but might not feel as luxurious.

If you plan to hold parties or have pets, you may want a rug that can hide wine spills and other stains. In these situations, avoid white and other light colors. Colorful patterns and strong textures may be your best bet.

Get the Right Size Rug for Your Space

Choosing the proper size rug is crucial to creating a beautiful, inviting room. If your rug is too small, it will make your space look poorly thought out or unfinished. But you don’t want an overly large rug, either: that will overwhelm your space and make it look smaller.

A popular rule of thumb is to choose a rug that accommodates the seating area rather than the entire room. Arrange your sofa and chairs comfortably for conversation, then select a rug that is large enough to accommodate the front legs of each piece of furniture. Make sure to leave a few inches between the rug and the wall.

Texture and Fabric

If you have pets or children, your rug will likely take a lot of foot traffic and collect dirt frequently. Choose a durable fabric like wool, sisal, or a cotton flatweave to ensure that your area rug stands the test of time.

If your living room is more for show than daily use, a high-quality antique, silk, or hand-knotted rug may be a more glamorous option. While all rugs should be regularly cleaned by a professional to keep their integrity, these rugs may require even more careful maintenance.

Color and Pattern

Light pastels and whites make a small room feel more spacious, while deep, rich colors can make a cozy space feel more intimate. You can read more about how to choose the best rug color for any room here.

For an extra pop, try layering living room rugs. A large rug in a solid color makes an excellent base for a smaller rug in a bold, contrasting pattern.

If you anticipate your living room getting a lot of traffic, you may want to take that into account when choosing a rug color. Patterned rugs with a variety of colors hide wear and tear more easily than monochromatic, less textured rugs. Darker shades might be better for hiding wine spills and other stains.

Keep Your Rug in Shape

Living room rugs tend to take a lot of wear and tear. As such, they need to be cleaned frequently by professionals.

With over 20 years of experience, you can trust Alexander’s Rug Care with keeping your rug pristine and beautiful so it can be enjoyed by future generations. We are a family-owned business dedicated to pursuing best practices and great customer service through our keen attention to detail. Our services include rug cleaning, rug repair, and protection services to help you maintain your rug’s integrity.

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