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How to Choose a Rug

Say Goodbye to Design St(rug)gles

The addition of a rug can add color and texture to your home, but how do you know what rug is the right choice? Here are a few factors to consider:

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Stylish Shapes for Every Space

People often make the mistake of choosing a rug that is too small for their space and miss out on maximizing the style impact. Choose a rug shape that mimics the overall shape of your space or furniture – for instance, a round rug works best under a round dining set. Don’t be afraid to get creative, though – irregular shaped pieces, like a cowhide rug, can add a lot of style.

3D rendering of a living room
Living Room

Frame your living room area by ensuring that at least the front third of the furniture sits on the rug.

3D rendering of a dining room
Dining Room

Leave at least two feet of rug to stretch past your chairs, so they can be easily slid in and out from under the table.

3D rendering of a bedroom
Bedroom

Create a chic and cozy bedroom space by adding a rug that will fit under the front two-thirds of your bed.

3D rendering of an outdoor space
Outdoor

Add subtle softness to your outdoor seating with a rug that sits under the front third of all your patio furniture. 

Design Tip: 

When trying to figure out what size rug to use, the standard practice is to choose a rug that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room. Additionally, hall rugs should have at least six inches of floor space showing on each side.

Destinations 3-Seat Sofa and Swivel Chairs in Convert Ivory in an overhead view of a room scene.

Rugs that Lay Down Style

Use your rug to complement your home’s color scheme. Choose a rug with similar hues to beautifully blend with your design or introduce a pop of color to accent the rest of your space. 

Design Tip: 

If your children often play in the room, making spills and stains inevitable, darker hues and stronger patterns will serve you better in hiding those mishaps.

Making a Tuft Decision

Selecting the right material will depend on how durable, stain-resistant or soft you would like your rug to be. Add visual interest by picking a rug with noticeable texture. High piles of woven, tufted or braided styles can bring warmth and softness to a room without disrupting your current color palette.

detailed shot of a synthetic fiber rug
Synthetic Fibers

Polyester and other synthetic fibers like it are often the most affordable choice when purchasing a rug. They're also more resilient than other materials and easier to clean.  

Detailed shot of a natural fiber wool rug
Wool

Made of natural fibers, wool rugs are more resistant to crushing and indentation. While they are more difficult to clean, these rugs look cleaner for longer.

Detailed shot of a viscose rug
Viscose

Perfect for low-traffic areas, viscose rugs promise a luxurious look but are more difficult to keep pristine.

Detailed shot of a smartstrand/everstrand rug
SmartStrand & EverStrand

Chic and sustainable, these eco-conscious materials are durable and stand up to daily use and tread. These materials are also stain resistant.

Design Tip:

After you’ve found the perfect choice, don’t forget the rug pad! Placed underneath the rug, these pads prevent slipping, prolong the use of your rug and even help protect your floor.

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How To Choose A Rug

Add texture and color to your home with the simple addition of a rug. Explore our wide selection of rectangle area rugs, round area rugs, hallway runners and outdoor rugs to find the perfect sized rug that suits your style. No matter what area of your house is, our Design Experts can help you find the perfect finishing piece for your home. From synthetic fibers and wool to viscose and eco-conscious materials like SmartStrand and EverStrand, we have the right rug for you. If you want extra help finding the best rug for your design, visit us at your nearest Havertys location so we can help furnish your happiness.