How to choose the right rug for your home

The rug is chosen after the sofa, the table and the bed. The furniture sets the right size, and a rug bought first forces you to choose the furniture to fit it.

To measure, mark the outline of the rug on the floor with painter's tape. You will see where the edge falls, whether the furniture legs rest on it and how much floor shows. In the dining room, pull out the chairs as if getting up: the back legs should stay inside the tape.

The most common sizes sold in Europe are 160 × 230 cm, 200 × 300 cm and 240 × 340 cm. They are a starting point:

• 160 × 230 cm: small living rooms, with the front legs of the sofa on the rug.
• 200 × 300 cm: most living rooms and Queen beds, with the rug laid across.
• 240 × 340 cm: sofas over 250 cm, corner sofas and dining tables from 180 cm.

If the right size falls between 2 sizes, choose the larger one. A rug that is too small is the most common mistake.

• Wool: the longest-lasting natural fibre. It is soft, resists stains well if they are cleaned straight away and suits the living room and bedroom. It absorbs water, so it is not for the bathroom.
• Jute and sisal: they add texture and a natural look. They resist moderate use, but stain with liquids. They work best in low-traffic areas and away from the dining table.
• Cotton: light and easy to move. It lasts less than wool and shows stains more. It suits occasional use.
• Synthetic fibres: polypropylene and polyester resist stains best and are easy to clean. They are the practical choice for the entrance, the kitchen and homes with children or pets.

A high pile is soft underfoot and suits the bedroom, where you walk barefoot. In the dining room, choose a low pile or a flat weave: the chairs slide without catching and crumbs do not hide in the fabric. Near doors, check that the door opens over the rug without rubbing.

A round rug goes with a round table. The rule is the same as for a rectangular table: add 120 to 150 cm to the diameter of the table, so the chairs stay on the rug. The IMPERIUM table, 140 cm in diameter, needs a round rug of 260 to 290 cm.

In the living room, a round rug centred under the coffee table softens a group of straight lines. It works best in small living rooms or in a reading corner, where the whole shape can be seen. The dining table measurements are in the guide Dining table sizes.

The rug is not chosen next to the sofa: it is chosen with the whole room. The floor, the walls, the curtains, the cushions and the wood of the furniture all count. The safest approach is for the rug to repeat a colour already in the room.

With a light, plain rug, the room looks larger. A rug with a strong pattern becomes the statement piece, and calls for a calmer sofa and curtains. To balance the colours, see the guides The 60-30-10 rule and How to combine colours.

In a large living room, 2 layered rugs can replace one very large rug. The base is the larger one and should be thin, a flat weave such as jute or sisal. On top goes a smaller rug, with more colour or more pile. Never layer 2 high-pile rugs: the top one will not lie flat and the edge forms a step where people trip.

Even with different patterns, the 2 rugs should share their colours. Place a non-slip pad between the rug and the floor, and a thinner one between the 2 rugs if the top one slides.