Mahmud Jafri: Tips for Choosing a Rug

Spring is the perfect time of year to renew your living space, and using a new rug is an easy way to give any room a facelift. A rug pulls a room together, further defining the style of your decor. It often becomes the focal point, so choosing the right rug is very important. Here are some tips to consider when selecting a rug for your home.

For your living room, choose a rug that, when centered on the floor, leaves a symmetrical border on all four sides. Designers recommend allowing sufficient space between the edges of the rug and the baseboards. The rug should be large enough to slide under the front legs of sofas and chairs in a seating arrangement, unifying the furniture.

Photos courtesy of Dover Rug & Home

When it comes to your dining room, be sure to choose a rug large enough to provide space for diners to move their chairs back without sliding off the edge. It is much easier to maneuver dining chairs if there are at least twenty-four inches of rug extending from the edge of the table on all sides.

In high-traffic spaces like a hallway or entry, the rug should cover the majority of the walking area. For both safety and comfort, it is preferable to have both feet stepping on the surface of the rug.

For an area rug to look balanced under a bed, it should be large enough to extend beyond the sides of the bed—at least eighteen inches for a king or queen bed and at least twelve inches for a full or twin bed. Depending on the size of the room, there can be more rug extension around the bed, but not less, which would make the rug look insignificant, being mostly covered by the bed.

Choosing the right rug is an important, sometimes daunting, decision. A rug purchase is an investment, and you should be certain you are getting what you want and that it looks right in your home. If possible, take advantage of the free home trial programs some quality rug dealers offer.

—Mahmud Jafri

Mahmud Jafri is CEO of Dover Rug & Home in Natick, Massachusetts.