Choosing a rug can often be the hardest part of designing a space.

As the center of your house, the living room’s design is often the most important. The rug you choose can often determine the entire look of your house, but no worries!

I’m sure you know by now it can be tricky. No rug; and the room looks bare, but pick the wrong rug and your living room could look like you overdid it. 

If you’re looking for the best tips on how to choose a rug that’s best for your living room, keep reading. 

Texture

Whether you like a modern farmhouse look or boho-chic, the texture of your rug is going to determine the vibe in your living room. Do you want something shaggy to off-set the clean lines of your furniture? Or would something with a short pile complement your collection of throw pillows?

Sometimes opposites attract, and this is definitely the case with your rug’s texture. While you don’t want something that is a completely different style, you do want something different. 

Also, a great thing to remember when rug shopping is to take a picture of your living room before you go. You’d hate to be at the store contemplating a purchase and not know how it’s going to look. 

Color

Color is often the main determiner in choosing a rug. You’ll want to choose something that isn’t too overwhelming to the eye, but isn’t so underwhelming that you forget it’s there. So do you go bold or muted?

Colors like blues, grays, and any neutrals are great choices for rugs because they usually match well with wood tones, leather, and most fabrics. 

The rule of thumb when picking a color or pattern is to choose colors that accent your decor. Don’t pick a rug the same color as your couch, create balance in the room by choosing different hues.

Only choose a patterned rug if your furniture is simple. The more that’s going on in your rug, the less detail you should have on your furniture. Conversely, if your furniture is furniture is pretty ornate, you’ll want to go for something that compliments the touches in that furniture.

This vintage beni ourain rug is a muted color but has details like a simple pattern and tasseled edges to keep it interesting and timeless.

Material

While sometimes overlooked, the material that your rug is made out should be a huge factor in your decision. 

Most of the time, your rug will have to be hand-washed or professionally cleaned, however with proper care and consistent vacuuming, you shouldn’t need to do this often.

However, there are small living room rugs that you can also toss in your washing machine. If you feel like spills and stains may happen often, this could be your best bet. 

There’s even stain-resistant materials out there for messy toddlers or muddy dogs!

Shape

You may be asking how to choose an area rug that isn’t the same shape as the room you put it in. Well, while most people opt for the everyday rectangular rug for their living room space, don’t be afraid to switch it up.

There are living room rugs in every size and shape, including circular and oval. These can be perfect when your room has curved features or you want to feature something in the middle of the room.

If you’re not feeling too adventurous and want to start small, get a small round rug for a specific corner of the living room to try out the look. 

Circles aside, there are also square rugs and long rectangular rugs. If your furniture isn’t arranged traditionally, these could be great options.

Size

The size of your rug is just as important as color or shape. If your rug is too small, it could look out of place and underwhelming. If it’s too large, it may swallow up the room no matter how simple the pattern is. 

Choose a rug that extends underneath and off the sides of your couch. A few inches off each side give it a clean look without setting exact lines on the floor. Also, make sure that the rug extends at least a foot past the coffee table, but not so far that it’s too close to the TV.

If you want to try something more interesting than your standard rugs, go for 2 rugs and stack the corners on top of each other so it covers the space, but gives off a casual look. This is especially great for boho and modern styles.

And of course, don’t forget that if you’re rug shopping in person to always keep a note of how big your rug needs to be. 

Anchor Your Space

A rug is usually the center of the room. It ties your furniture and decor together. If you’re having trouble with how to pick a rug, this is the main thing to remember.

Even if you already have carpet, a rug can define a space by drawing borders around your furniture pieces. Choosing an online rug that has elements from other decor can tie the room together. 

Pick tones from your decor like pillows or curtains to get ideas about your rug. 

How to Choose a Rug

Choosing a rug is personal. It becomes apart of your family room and thus, a part of your life.

All of these elements offer something unique to your rug that will make it stand out from other rooms and tie your living room together. If you consider each one of these rug elements, you should have no problem finding a rug that suits your tastes and the look of your living room.

If you think you’ve got the hang of how to choose a rug now, try it out on other rooms. The possibilities are endless!