I love natural wood floors, natural stone, and tile too. But like most things, beautiful floors (and their rooms), often benefit from a little accent – in particular area rugs.

People often ask me about rules for area rugs – size, layout, patterns. There are a number of guidelines that exist. However, each space, each home owner, each project is different and these rules don’t always apply. When working with clients I DO consider general guidelines. But I also like to create unique spaces, personalized for a place and person, and sometimes this means ignoring the rules and allowing for inspiration.

A Few Basic Guidelines to Consider

Front Legs on the Rug

“Hook” living room furniture arrangements on the rug by placing the front legs of most seating pieces on the rug. This pulls together the furniture elements while leaving some lightness of the exposed floor outside of the furniture arrangement.

All Furniture on the Rug

Have the entirety of the furniture pieces on the rug. This is especially useful in open plan areas where the rug helps to define a distinct space.

Contemporary Living Room by Toronto Photographers Lisa Petrole Photography

In a dining area, have the rug extend 18-30 inches beyond the dining table. Don’t forget to consider the full size for frequently extended tables.

Traditional Patio by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Scot Meacham Wood Design

(Almost) Fill the Room

For a cozy approach, especially in bedrooms, offices and dressing rooms, a rug that fills the space and sits off of the wall – 8 to 18 inches is typical – does the trick.

Eclectic Home Office by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Tamara Mack Design

Design for Your Pathway

Another approach in the bedroom is to leave a generous overlap on three sides of the bed so there is rug coverage when getting in or out of bed, as well as walking along the end of the bed.

Beach Style Bedroom by Charleston General Contractors Structures Building Company

I like to create a “T” with the bed and rug which also allows any nightstands to sit securely on the hard surface of the finished floor.

Contemporary Bedroom by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Tamara H Design

For hallway runners, try to fully fill the space where people will walk, without crowding the hall.

Traditional Staircase by South East Carpet & Flooring Alternative Flooring

Coordinate Multiple Rugs

When there is more than one rug in a single or adjoining space, use matching rugs, or complimentary patterns or colors.

Transitional Living Room by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Von Fitz Design

A Few Ideas to Inspire and Sometimes Break the Rules

Round Rugs

With the exception of underlying a circular dining table, it’s difficult to force a round rug to follow some of the basic rules, but they sure add to a space, often as adding a unique circular element in an otherwise rectangular environment.

Midcentury Family Room by Austin Furniture & Accessories Nest Modern

Irregular Shapes

Hide rugs and other irregular shaped rugs add a sculptural element to your floor. Sometimes they fit under one of the above rules, but more often they add a new shape and accent a space that needs – “just a little something more”.

Contemporary Living Room by North West Architects & Building Designers Llama Property Developments

Loose and Colorful

I’ve become a big fan of colorful rag rugs, boucherouites, and quilted pieces – especially in small quantities – to pop a space, but not overwhelm it.

Midcentury Living Room by Amsterdam Media & Bloggers Ninainvorm

Contrast Multiple Rugs

This one can be tricky but worthwhile. Instead of matching two rugs in a large space, consciously pick two very different colors, patterns or textures to establish two distinct spaces. The best examples will still “connect” the two rugs in a less obvious way. An ultra-plush alpaca rug and a woven sisal – booth “soothing.” A traditional woven rug and a modern rug with a traditional medallion.