Choosing a rug can be one of the most daunting tasks of designing a space. There are dozens of distinctive styles, materials, shapes and sizes, and colors to choose from. Even the most decisive interior designer can easily become overwhelmed when figuring out what rug will look best with their décor, style, and color scheme. Here at Decorsify we want to make the decision-making process for choosing a rug as simple and seamless as possible, so we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you choose the perfect rug for your home. When looking at your different options, ask yourself this series of simple questions so you can feel equipped with the information you need to pick out the ideal rug for you.

Where is the rug being placed?

The first question to ask yourself is about location. Where will your rug live? Will it be placed in a large room? A long and narrow hallway? Under the dining room table? These questions will help you determine the size and shape of rug that you need.

Rectangular rooms call for 5x7’s, 8x10’s, or 9x12’s and beyond – standard rectangular sizes of rugs. And if you plan to use the rug to fill most of your space, the bigger the better! Rugs are meant to be grounding anchors for the design of a room, and they have the power to make it feel either bigger or smaller depending on placement and size. Try to keep at least one or two feet of border between the rug and the walls, to give your space a full but not cluttered feel.

In dining rooms, make sure that the rug you choose is large enough to accommodate the chairs, even when they are pushed away from the table. An effective way to test this is to lay tape around your current dining room table and measure approximately how far the chairs will sit when they are pushed out or in use. Give yourself a margin of around five inches between the back legs of the chairs and the border of the rug, and that measurement will give you the minimum size rug required for your dining room! For round dining room sets, it is best to go with a round rug underneath, so the space feels planned and cohesive.

Long or narrow hallways call for runner rugs of proportional length. The runner does not need to match the exact dimensions of the space, but it should cover the majority – don't buy a rug that is only half the length of your hallway, or it will make the space feel even more confined. And as always, leave a small bit of space between the border of the rug and the walls!

What activities are performed in the space?

One of the easier factors to overlook when choosing a rug is the activities that will go on in the room where the rug will lay. A room with a lot of foot traffic, for example, will require a durable or even washable rug, while a smaller room with less activity would allow for a thinner or lighter-colored rug due to the lesser amount of traffic. The easiest way to choose a rug based on activities is to make a quick list of how often the area is used and what it is used for. For the dining room, jot down how often the table and chairs are used for meals with your family, how often you might have guests also sit at the table, and factor in the possibility of dropped/spilled food and drinks.

If this sounds like you – a high-traffic buyer looking for a rug that will last – stay away from plushy, high-low pile designs, or rugs that would be more difficult to clean. Instead, opt for a no-pile, stain-resistant, washable, or even outdoor-style rug. On the other hand, if you are buying a rug for a child’s bedroom, buying a thicker, soft shag area rug for the child to sit or lay on would be ideal. Lifestyle, activities, and use should all be factored into your rug purchase.

Who will be using the space?

This consideration matters not only from the perspective of personal taste, but it also connects to the previous question because the activities performed in a room are determined by who it is that is performing them. Two adults in a dining area won’t create as much mess or impact in a space as a larger family with multiple kids. In addition, if there are pets, elders, or family members with allergies in the home then that should factor into your decision as well – for example, the color of your pet even matters! If you buy a darker rug but own a lighter-haired pet, the pet hair and dander will stand out against the fabric of the rug, but if you buy a rug that is shaded or patterned in hues closer to the color of your animals’ hair, then any shedding won’t be so obvious to you or your guests. But don’t worry, Decorsify carries plenty of pet-friendly area rugs that are versatile and can be put to the test in your home!

What style and color best suits your space?

This is perhaps the most obvious consideration when buying a rug, but making sure to pair your home’s current style with your new rug can make or break the flow of your space. And if you’re unsure of what style you hope to create in your space, a fantastic way to brainstorm unique styles or aesthetics is to create a Pinterest board! Start pinning all images of specific rugs or room styles that resonate with you and figure out which ones you gravitate towards. Then once you’ve gotten a grasp of what style you hope to implement in your home, go back to searching for the perfect rug for you.

To help you choose between colors, ask yourself what kind of feeling you hope to evoke in the room you are creating. If you are leaning towards a calming environment, you should drift towards rugs in shades of blue or neutrals. On the other hand, if you want your area to make you feel creative and vibrant, then skim through rug options that include bold colors or prints.

Choosing a rug for your home is a major decision as well as a big investment! Hopefully by implementing this series of questions, you will be able to turn your search for the perfect rug into something fun and manageable, rather than stressful. Don’t forget to check out Decorsify.com for all your rug needs, and if you liked the looks of any of the rugs in this article, they are linked to our website for easy access!

Happy rug hunting!