Your choice of living room rug is important as it will impact both the appearance and comfort of your room. Style, texture, size, and shape – every detail must be considered carefully so you can create a coherent look.
A quality rug will improve the sound insulation of your floor and visually expand the space, in addition to reducing the risk of falls. But with so many models available on the market, how can you choose the right rug for your living room? Find the answer in this article by professional rug retailers.
Factor 1: Choosing the right style
Living room rugs come in 4 main styles, each of which will contribute to creating a distinct look and feel to your space.
Contemporary rugs
Contemporary rugs are appealing for their innovative design and geometric patterns. Usually made from modern materials like polyester or polypropylene, these rugs can be used to create a chic atmosphere. This style is equally suitable for contemporary and minimalist interiors. You can count on the bright colors and clean lines of contemporary rugs to add vibrancy to a small living room. Abstract designs always create a striking focal point.
The only disadvantage is that a synthetic rug doesn’t last as long as higher-quality rugs made from cotton or wool. Synthetic rugs also emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them potentially unsuitable for people who are prone to allergic reactions.
Modern rugs
Modern rugs combine elegance and functionality via simple and sophisticated designs. They fit gracefully with any type of decor. Made of durable fabrics, they are known for being sturdy and comfortable. Their neutral color palette will infuse your living room with tranquility and help you create a relaxing atmosphere.
Regardless of whether you choose a wool or cotton rug, regular rug maintenance is always necessary. We advise you to regularly clean your rug yourself, and also to have it cleaned by a professional at least once a year.
Natural rug
Timeless, biodegradable and easy to clean, natural rugs have everything it takes to please environmentalists. Inspired by the raw beauty of nature, they are always made from organic materials, such as sheep’s wool.
Natural rugs are expensive and only recommended for large living rooms. They are sensitive to stains and humidity, and best suited to rooms that are well-lit.
Shag rug
Shag rugs are regaining popularity for being luxurious and offering a plush feeling underfoot. With long, soft fibres, they are ideal for creating a cozy living room. Their casual look makes them a popular choice for lounges, where they will contribute to creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Available in a variety of colours, shag rugs can be adapted to any decor. Shag rugs do have a tendency to retain mold and hair, which makes them a poor choice if you have pets.
Factor 2: Choosing the right size of rug
The size of your rug will play a role in balancing your living space. A small rug can make a room feel cluttered, while a rug that is too big can overpower the space. Rug specialists recommend the following dimensions:
- Small rugs measuring 60 x 110 cm or 80 x 150 cm are suitable for tight spaces. Compact sizes are ideal for optimizing comfort while clearly defining specific areas of your living room.
- For a medium-sized living room, a 120 x 170 cm or 170 x 240 cm rug is ideal. This size offers the perfect blend of functionality and visual appeal.
- For a large living room, choose a 200 x 290 cm rug. A generously sized rug will create a solid base for all your furniture and infuse your decor with feelings of comfort and refinement.
Your choice of rug size will vary depending on the proportions of your room as a whole. As with choosing the right height of furniture to accommodate the length of your legs, you should choose a living room rug that only covers about a quarter of the entire area of the room.
Factor 3: Choosing the right rug material
The material of a living room rug will greatly influence its durability. Today’s rug manufacturers today use 5 types of materials:
- Wool: Thanks to its thermoregulatory characteristics, wool is both soft and insulating. A wool rug is to give your living room a warm atmosphere.
- Cotton: More affordable than wool, cotton is the choice that offers the best value for money. Soft and natural, it does not pose any danger to the health of children or pets. Nevertheless, cotton rugs can warp if exposed to high temperatures, such as during steam cleaning.
- Synthetic fibers: Although less durable, synthetic fibres are lightweight and do not react when coming into contact with chemicals.
- Viscose: Similar to silk, this semi-synthetic fiber made of cellulose offers a pleasant and silky feel. However, it is the most expensive living room rug material.
- Jute: Jute is a biodegradable material that remains a must-have for environmentalists. Plant-based, it contributes a unique vibe to your interior decoration while preserving the environment. Living room rugs made of jute are rough and well-suited to high-traffic areas.
Choosing an appropriate material for your living room rug depends on your budget, lifestyle and how the rug will be used.
Factor 4: Finding the right rug shape
Choosing a living room rug also involves choosing the right shape. These are some of the most common models to choose from:
Rectangular rugs
A rectangular rug is versatile and can fit into all types of living rooms. Apart from clearly defining the space, it also makes small living rooms look longer.
Square rugs
If your goal is to attract attention, it is best to opt for a square rug. A square living room rug acts as a focal point and makes an excellent choice for a reading nook.
Round rugs
Interior designers choose round rugs when they want to create a truly original look. Unlike rectangular rugs, round rugs soften the corners of a large living room.
Oval rugs
Oval rugs combine the advantages of square and round rugs, smoothing the transition between 2 spaces. They are a common choice for elongated living rooms.
For a living room to be user-friendly, the shape of the rug must match the desired style. Rectangular, square, round or oval? It’s all about deciding what you need!
Factor 5: How to choose the perfect rug color for your living room
It’s impossible not to consider colour when choosing a living room rug. Neutral dyes provide versatility and can be easily adapted to any taste. White is a timeless choice that brightens dark spaces. Black is known to be austere and often synonymous with prestige. Colours like beige, grey and taupe will create a warm atmosphere in any room.
For an interior mainly composed of dull tones, a striped rug can make them stand out. For example, yellow goes well with black, red with beige and green with taupe.
In order for your living room layout to work, you’ll need to coordinate the shades of your new rug with those of the other elements of the decor. Follow the rule of 3 when it comes to color combinations to avoid overloading your room, or refer to the 60-30-10 decorating rule.
As rug retailers, we regularly advise our customers regarding their interior decoration. Based on our experience, we highly recommend that you select the color of your sofa before choosing your living room rug. There is a limited choice when it comes to couch fabric dyes, and your sofa is an important element of your decor. After choosing your sofa and rug, you can add accessories to complete your living room design.
Factor 6: Find a good rug store
Choosing a rug is one thing, but finding a store where you can actually purchase the best rug is another! Before purchasing a , it is a good idea to read online reviews of carpet and rug stores, and do a bit of research by word-of-mouth to find out which stores provide good service.
To be on the safe side, it’s always a good idea to visit multiple stores. Note which services each store offers as well as the quality of the products they sell. Normally, a dependable rug retailer should be able to direct customers to choices that will meet all their requirements. It may also be interesting to take a look in stores that offer many different types of rugs. If you are located in Quebec, feel free to come and meet us in person at our carpet and rug store at 1333 Fleury Street East Montreal (Quebec) H2C 1R4. We offer a wide selection of custom high-end rugs and will be happy to help you find the perfect selection for your living room.
Working with a rug expert can help you avoid unpleasant surprises during a decoration project. From choosing the right model to installing it in your home, they can make your new rug selection a success. Why not benefit from professional advice and exceptional customer service? Contact us today to get started!
