How to Choose a Living Room Rug
The living room is the most used space in the home; it's where family and friends spend time together and it's also the room guests are most likely to see first. This is an area that sees a lot of life, and it's important to choose the right rug for your space and lifestyle. Our useful tips and styling ideas will help you make the right choice first time.
Size and Scale
As a rule of thumb, a rug should be large enough to anchor your furniture whilst leaving some of the floor exposed. When in doubt, go for the biggest size possible. A rug that's too small will make your living room look unfinished and out of proportion. In the very least, ensure the front legs on your sofa and chairs are on the rug.
Read more about choosing right size living room rug here.
Style
A living room rug occupies a large amount of visual space and will influence the aesthetic of your decor. You don't want your rug to match your spaces perfectly, instead look for a rug that shares similar undertones but contrasts with the floor or furniture.
Colour is the easiest way to create a certain mood or ambience and by starting from the ground up, you're creating the perfect foundation from where everything else can form. Subtle tones will add a quiet texture, where as more vibrant hues may connect to artwork, an architectural detail or the view outside ~ whatever your preference, the right rug will pull together differing styles for a more cohesive look.
Function
In a busy household the living room is where people gather and it's important to select a rug that's right for your household. When you choose a rug that's suitable for you and your lifestyle, you'll enjoy the benefits for many years to come. Armadillo rugs are handmade from the highest quality natural fibres ~ they wear better and last longer. Our favourite fibres for busy living rooms are wool and jute.
Wool contains lanolin, a natural stain repellent that makes it one of the easiest fibres to clean. It's naturally warm in winter and help keeps your home cool in summer.
Jute is a very durable natural fibre, Armadillo only use the highest quality jute in their rugs; this is when the fibres are their longest and more golden in colour. It's important to note that dyed jute will go back to its natural colour over time. This process will happen much quicker in sunny areas and is similar to the way other natural materials develop a beautiful patina.
The texture and weave will also influence your choice. Armadillo rugs are designed to sit well on the floor, be walked on, played on and lived with for many years. A hard wearing flat weave will bring an earthy textural element, whereas a hand knotted pile will offer luxurious softness underfoot without compromising on durability.
Whether you’re sprucing up your home or giving it a complete makeover, we offer complimentary design consultations in our showroom or via email, phone or video call.
We'll help you find the perfect rug for your space, style and budget.