By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine
Spice up a space with a rug, whether a large rug that gives definition to a living room area or a carpet runner that enhances an otherwise dull hallway. Rugs can be a great, low-cost lifesaver when staging properties.
You can use a rug over any type of flooring–tile, hardwood, laminate, slate, and, yes, even carpeting. A rug can add pops of color or pattern to make a room more visually interesting (even if it’s otherwise vacant) and provide definition to a large room.
But figuring out the right size rug for a space can be tricky. After all, too small or too large of a rug can throw off proportions in a room.
The most common sizes for area rugs are 2’x3’, 4’x6’, 5’x8’, 6’x9’, and 8’x10’, according to the Wood Floor Covering Association.
Here are some size considerations for your rug shopping:
Living room: The general rule of thumb is to choose a rug that can accommodate all the main furniture on it, such as all feet of the sofa, side chairs, and the coffee table, designers note. But don’t cover every square inch of the room with an area rug–you still want to be able to see the floor. Leave at least a 12 to 15 inch border of the flooring exposed, which will provide a frame for your rug, according to the WFCA. Covering most of a living space can get costly. For a less expensive option that won’t hamper your look, choose a smaller area rug that just runs along at least the perimeter of the furniture.
Bedroom: For a balanced look, designers recommend choosing area rugs that extend beyond the bed about 18 inches. If the bedroom has twin or double beds, opt for an area rug that will extend beyond the bed about 12 inches, according to design tips at HomeDesignFind.com.
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