Room for Style: Decorating Rules are Meant to be Broken

Rules are meant to be broken…

Area rugs come in all shapes, sizes, colors and a wide variety of materials. Select one that fits your space, enhances the decor and can withstand the type of traffic and use to which it will be subjected. The right rug layered on hardwood flooring adds warmth, interest and definition to a room.

Room size rugs should leave a border of 18-24″ (8-10″ for smaller rooms) on all sides. You should see the dark hardwood floor so you knows its a purposeful area rug, not wall-to-wall carpeting that doesn’t fit! 

Arrange your furniture before determining the size of a new area rug. It generally makes a room look more pulled together when all of the legs of the furniture are resting on a room sized area rug, if this isn’t possible have at least the front legs on the rug.

Rugs under a dining room table should be at least 24″ wider and longer than the table, allowing the back legs of the chairs to stay on the rug even when the chairs are pushed out.

Area rugs under a bed should extend at least 18-24″ beyond each side of the bed. Hallway rugs should be at least 2-4″ narrower and 18-24″ shorter than the hallway.

So to sum it up – there are no real rules about the size of a rug vs. the size of a room, but hopefully this has given you some guidelines to follow when selecting your area rug.

(Personally we think this rug is a little too small for this room, but it adds a pop of color)

Remember, an area rug can do many things for a room, it helps define a room and its also adds color, pattern and texture. Most of all it is the finishing touch to your decor.

& as always if you need any professional advice or help feel free to email me at Whughes04@optonline.net