Both beautiful and functional, the right rug has the power to transform whole rooms, adding both warmth and character. Take a look at our guide for help in finding the perfect rug for every area in your home.
How do I choose the right size and shape rug for my room?
Rugs are a great way of defining an area in an open plan setting or anchoring separate elements in a living or bedroom. Rugs also work to improve the acoustics in a large open-plan kitchen diner and delineate the dining area. A dining room rug will ideally be large enough to fit the table and all the chairs on top of it to prevent the rug from rucking up by chair legs, which can be frustrating and might cause wear to the rug; pull the chairs away from the table as you would when taking your seat and use that as your footprint.
Our rugs fall into four general size categories - the diagram below shows how these sizes measure up against bedroom and living room furniture.
How to find the right size rug
Generally, keep rectangular and square rugs in proportion to room size and choose round rugs and oval or abstract-shaped rugs for a softer look - they will be more forgiving if over or under-sized. Rugs define an area in an open plan setting and anchor separate elements in a living or bedroom.
“Rugs will improve the acoustics in a large open-plan kitchen diner and delineate the dining area - when the size is right.”
SUZANNE BAKER-KING, BUYING MANAGER
THE RIGHT RUG FOR THE DINING ROOM
A dining room rug will ideally be large enough to fit the table and all the chairs on top of it to prevent the rug from rucking up by chair legs, which can be frustrating and might cause wear to the rug; pull the chairs away from the table as you would when taking your seat and use that as your footprint.
THE RIGHT RUG FOR THE LIVING ROOM
In spacious living rooms, a large area rug has at least the front legs of your sofas resting on it, gives a pleasing symmetry and unites all the separate elements of the space. If you select an abstract or traditional patterned rug, choose smaller occasional tables or a glass central coffee table to get the most pleasure from the design.
“Rugs in smaller living rooms can create space and airiness if placed a few inches in front of the sofa.”
SUZANNE BAKER-KING, BUYING MANAGER
THE RIGHT RUGS FOR BEDROOMS
If space allows in the bedroom, a large rug placed beneath the bed, positioned to start a few inches from the bedside table and extending beyond the foot of the bed, gives a cohesive look and a sense of luxury. For a similar effect, a small deep pile Berber style rug bedroom rug or soft sheepskin rug works well on either side of the bed - or to one side of a single and runners are also an option; to run along the length of the bed.
FINDING THE RIGHT RUG FOR THE HALLWAY
Carpet runners are predominantly used to lengthen a hall or landing, and horizontal stripes, even if only textural, will create a sense of width. Choose a rug that is hard-wearing, such as jute or cotton, because the hallway is a high-traffic area.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT RUG FOR THE KITCHEN
Those with hard floors or bare boards, which can be chilly in winter, will appreciate the strategic placing of small rugs where you tend to stand or sit for some time. Position an easy-to-clean rug - that won’t mind a few splashes in front of the kitchen sink and something a little plusher beneath the desk in your home office.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT STYLES OF RUGS?
Many rugs are a work of art in their own right and a statement of a homeowner’s personality.
Time-aged patterns - create a timeless heritage look that works surprisingly well in contemporary and traditional settings.
Plain, textured rugs - add warmth and contrast in a minimalist or industrial-inspired setting.
Berber style rugs - look laid back but luxurious and lend themselves to any theme but work very well to add warmth to a minimal style.
Sheepskin or natural hide rugs - are tactile favourites for any setting, to soften a contemporary look, or to layer a traditional room.
A bold abstract pattern rug - will launch the palette for your whole space. Go dark to create an intimate feel, or choose a less imposing pale shade to open things up.
Outdoor rugs - rugs suitable for outside are gaining in popularity as we increasingly see our gardens as an extension of our interior and are perfect for creating a base for outdoor "rooms".
WHAT'S THE BEST RUG TYPE?
A new rug can be quite an investment piece, but with the right choice of material for your home and lifestyle and the correct care, it will bring pleasure for years to come.
THE BENEFITS OF COTTON RUGS
Cotton rugs are soft and lovely to touch, so are great for children’s rooms and playing on the floor. Easier to clean they are also ideal for busy homes. The cotton is often mixed with other fibres for softness and durability and will hold its shape well.
Everyday care: Vacuum regularly on a low, suction-only setting to remove dirt and dust.
Cleaning: Blot up spills immediately with a white cloth (don’t rub them) and mild, clear detergent. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, please consult a specialist cleaner.
THE BENEFITS OF WOOL RUGS
Wool rugs have many benefits, they are warm, durable and soft underfoot whilst being relatively easy to spot clean. Wool rugs will also reduce heat loss and muffle noise, perfect for older houses, living rooms, bedrooms and hallways.
Everyday care: As wool rugs can be prone to light shedding in the first few months, we recommend vacuuming on a low, suction-only, setting twice a week initially. Cut back stray loops with scissors rather than pulling them out.
Cleaning: Wool is very absorbent, so spills should be blotted up immediately (never rubbed) with a white cloth and a mild clear detergent if necessary. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, please consult a specialist cleaner.
CHOOSING SHEEPSKIN RUGS
Sheepskin is a unique and natural product and few things beat them for comfort, warmth and softness. Their luxurious texture makes them perfect for living room, bedroom and nursery and their huggable nature makes them an opulent sofa throw, or great for softening a wooden bench seat.
Everyday care: Don’t attempt to vacuum your sheepskin, but do give it a good regular going over with a sheepskin brush to avoid matting. UV rays can cause the wool to yellow, so try and keep it out of direct sunlight. Some light shedding is natural with sheepskin rugs.
Shaking the skin will help to maintain a soft, full appearance, minimise shredding and maintain the beautiful finish of this natural product; please avoid heavy footfall areas.
Cleaning: We recommend specialist cleaning for this 100% natural product.
WHY CHOOSE A JUTE RUG
Jute is a vegetable fibre which is spun into coarse strong threads making for very durable rugs. It’s also 100% biodegradable which makes it both a stylish and eco-friendly option for your home. Jute is very versatile, working in both plain and busier schemes, adding rich texture and toning beautifully with other natural elements.
Everyday care: Although very hardwearing, so perfect for high traffic areas, moisture is no friend to jute, so refrain from using in damp rooms and take swift action with spills. Jute may shed small fibres so regular vacuuming in several different directions is a must and also good for cleaning dust and dirt that may cause wear.
Cleaning: To retain the colour of your rug avoid cleaning methods that avoid moisture as these will leave stains. Blot spills immediately with a dry white cloth until no more liquid is absorbed by the cloth. Try a commercial dry cleaning powder or seek specialist cleaning help.
THE BENEFIT OF CHOOSING A HIDE RUG
With a hide rug, as with sheepskin, every rug will be unique and so hide rugs are the perfect option if you're looking to make a luxuriously impactful statement in a room. Hide rugs are a warm and textural statement for your living areas and bedrooms.
Everyday care: Don’t vacuum, but do give a good shake to remove loose dirt and dust. Keep out of direct sunlight to avoid discolouration and cracking.
Cleaning: Again, with this 100% natural product, we only recommend specialist cleaning.
“ There are some care tips that can be applied to all rugs. Where possible, encourage family and visitors to remove outdoor shoes before entering your home. The less dirt that comes in, the less there is to transfer to a favourite rug.”
SUZANNE BAKER-KING, BUYING MANAGER
Rotate rugs regularly to protect them from wear and sun damage and prevent sliding and creasing with an anti-slip mat.
Don’t forget you can layer rugs – handy for those with pets, children and a love of red wine. When accidents happen, you can whip one layer away for cleaning and no one need ever know!