A step by step guide to choose rug for each room

Feeling rug-ged out? Picking the perfect rug for your space might seem overwhelming, but with a few key factors in mind, you'll find your match. This guide is your compass through the world of rug styles, sizes, and materials. Whether you dream of a classic charm or a contemporary flair, we'll help you find the ideal floor covering to elevate your home. By the end of this guide, you'll have the confidence to choose a rug that’s as unique and beautiful as your space.

1. Choose the right material

Natural vs. Synthetic: Natural fibres (wool, silk, cotton) offer superior quality and durability but come at a premium. Synthetic fibres are budget-friendly and easier to clean, perfect for high-mess areas or pet households.

Natural Materials

Wool

When to go for wool rugs - Wool is a very strong fibre, so wool rugs can last for many years. Finest rugs are usually made of wool, sometimes blended with other materials such as silk. It is a good insulator, making it suitable for both summers and winters. Wool is a hypoallergenic material, so it is a good choice for people with allergies.

When wool is not the best choice – Wool rugs are costly, however they are worth it due to their longevity. Wool rugs are not appropriate for damp places as they tend to absorb moisture, which will reduce a rug’s life. Wool rugs require regular vacuuming and cleaning.

Wool rugs are best for living rooms, dining rooms and bedrooms when you are looking for an heirloom worthy piece.

Silk

When to go for silk rugs - Silk is a very soft and smooth material so silk rugs feel amazing under your feet. Its natural lustre creates a sense of ultimate luxury and elegance in any room. It is a strong and fine material, so you will see amazingly intricate patterns in the rugs made of silk.

When silk is not the best choice – Silk is one of the costliest materials used in rugs and hence these rugs can be quite expensive. They are prone to staining, so they need special care such as regular cleaning and vacuuming.

Silk Rugs are best for bedrooms and other low traffic areas in your house. Formal areas of your home will be elevated with silk rugs.

Cotton

When to go for cotton rugs – cotton is a durable material and is usually used to make flat weave rugs (Indian Dhurries, Kilims etc.) intended for high traffic area. Because of the relatively low cost of cotton and less labour-intensive techniques used to make these rugs, cotton rugs are more affordable.

When cotton is not the best choice – less durable than wool rugs. If you are looking for an heirloom quality rug with intricate patterns, then cotton might not be the best material choice.

Cotton rugs are best for high traffic areas and causal spaces of your home.

Sisal and Jute

When to go for Jute or Sisal rugs – both the materials are natural and quite strong. They are usually among the cheaper natural material used for rugs, so if you are looking for affordable rugs then rugs made from these materials will suit you best.

When Jute or Sisal may not be the best choice – rugs made of these materials can be coarse vs wool/silk/cotton rugs. Jute rugs are not suitable for high traffic areas as they tend to lose fibres with traffic.

Jute and Sisal rugs are best when you are looking for affordable rugs made of natural materials

Synthetic Materials

Synthetic materials such as propylene, viscose or nylon are stain resistant, easy to clean and can handle high level of moisture. These materials also best suited for outdoor rugs and indoor areas such as kitchen with high chance of moisture. With time, rugs made of synthetic material can mimic design of traditional high-quality natural fibres such as wool and silk, but they cannot match in durability. So, if you are looking for good looking rug and are on a budget, synthetic fibre rugs can be a good choice.

We recommend handmade rugs crafted with natural materials, if you are not on a budget, for truly elevating your space with heirloom quality rugs that last years and are kinder to the nature. Check out our range of handmade area rugs made of wool, silk and other natural materials.

Also, see our blog that provides all information you would need about Hand-knotted, Hand-tufted & Flatweave rugs to select the best option for you.

2. Choose your Style

Let your existing décor guide you! Here are some pairings to inspire you:

Luxe and Modern: Plush hand-knotted rugs with contemporary designs elevate the space.
Bohemian Chic: Flatweave rugs (dhurrie, kilim, or shag) in bold patterns or neutral hues add a touch of modern flair.
Modern Harmony: Geometric or mid-century style rugs complement your modern décor.
Eclectic Mix: Traditional Persian, Moroccan, or oriental rugs bring a touch of worldly charm

Checkout our range of handmade modern, traditional rugs and subtle design rugs.

3. Select the size of the rug as per your room

How much rug real estate do you need? We'll explore different sizes and help you find the perfect fit for your any space in your home. No more rug-related dilemmas!

How to choose rug size for living room?

size of your living room and furniture placement dictates the size of rug you need. There are four things you need to consider while measuring ideal rug area -

1. Rule of 6 inches - ensure the rug extends at least 6 inches (8 inches ideally) on both sides of your sofa. This is must to provide a cohesive look to your living room.

2. The rug should run along the full length of your sofa.

3. Ensure front legs of the sofa are placed on the rug. Ideally the rug should extend at least 3-6 inches behind front legs.

4. Margins for walkways – ensure enough walkway margins (18 inches to 36 inches) between your large furniture pieces (if your space allows it) to avoid a cramped look.

Once you have measured required size of the rug, you can select either from the stock sizes that are closest matched to the size you just measured or go for a custom size rug. Usually, the stock area rugs for living room ranges from 6’ x 9’ (for a small size living room) to 12’ x 15’ (for a very large living room). 8’x10’ and 9’x12’ size rugs are most popular rugs and usually works for most medium size living rooms. If you are going for a custom size rug to perfectly fit into your area, please be mindful of the fact that it may take months before that rug is crafted as per your requirements.

Explore our finest handmade rugs in 8’x10’, 9’x12’ and 10’x14’ sizes.

How to choose rug size for bedroom?

Your bed size and bedroom space will dictate the ideal rug size.

Rug size for a King size bed – Rug should ideally extend at least 2 feet beyond the foot of the bed. If your bed is backed up against a wall, then you can place rug leaving headboard behind. A minimum of 2-3 feet on each side of the bed will allow you to feel the softness under your feet while getting on/off the bed. This will create a sense of luxury and spaciousness in the bedroom. Once you have measured the ideal rug size, measure the room space – the rug should elevate the space without overwhelming it. In most cases, an 8’x10’ rug works well for king sized beds.

Rug size for a Queen size bed - The rug should extend about 18 inches beyond the feet of a queen bed, and at least 24 inches on either side would be perfect. This will create a cozy and inviting space. If your bed is backed up against a wall, then you can place rug leaving headboard behind. An 6’x9’ rug should be ideal in most cases but finally it depends on how large a cozy space you want around your bed to make you feel great every time you put you feet down in the morning.

Rug size for a twin bed – The rug should extend about 12-18 inches beyond the feet of a queen bed, and at least 12 inches on either side of the bed would be sufficient. You cannot go wrong with either a 5’x8’ or 6’x9’ area rug.

How to choose rug size for dining room?

The size and shape of the dining table, along with that of your dining room will define the ideal size of rug that elevates your space. The most important thumb rule is that you should be able to slide your chairs in and out without entangling yourself or the chair legs in the edges of the rug. This means the rug should extend well beyond the dining table. How much? That depends on the size of your chair but having a rug that extends around 4 feet beyond the dining table should suit in most of the cases. That goes for rectangular, square or round dining tables.

How to choose rug size for hallways?

2-4 feet wide runner rugs should be ideal for the hallways and entry of your home. They create an inviting space while personifying your personal style. The length of the rug would depend on the length of your hallway or available space at the entry. However, usually 6-10 feet long runner rugs should suffice in most cases.