Area Rug Rules

Defining a Space

• A rug can and should be used to define spaces in a room. For example, a living room can feature a small reading nook that is grounded through the use of a small rug. Meanwhile, the rest of the room might feature a larger area rug. This gives the two separate spaces definition within the same room. This is especially useful in rooms that are dual purpose, such as an office, a living-dining room combination or an eat-in kitchen.

Use a Rug Pad

• Though they can be pricey, rug pads are a good investment. When someone walks across a rug, it results in friction. This friction can wear away the rug's foundation over time, eventually resulting in the need for a rug replacement. When a rug pad is used beneath the rug, it absorbs the friction, thus saving the rug from unnecessary wear and tear. Rug pads can protect and extend the life of the rug significantly. Furthermore, replacing a rug pad is typically cheaper than replacing the entire area rug.

Rugs and Room Sizes

• When using a rug to accommodate the size of a room, leave space around all sides. The exact amount varies from as little as 8 inches to as much as 18 inches around the edges. This is generally based on various factors, such as the room size itself. Whatever amount of space is chosen, it will still create the same visually pleasing appearance --- especially if the underlying floor is tile or hardwood. However, this rule can be ignored if the owner or decorator is trying to cover up severely damaged or otherwise unattractive flooring.

Rug Location

• Location is everything, even with rugs. A rug corner should never end in the middle of a room. This is not necessarily because it is not visually pleasing (though it really isn't), but rather for safety reasons. A rug that ends in the middle of a room, particularly a corner, creates a tripping hazard for adults, children and pets within the home.

Furniture Legs

• Certain pieces of furniture should have all their legs on an area rug, no matter what. This includes dining tables and coffee tables. However, this rule does not always apply to furniture items such as a living room sofa or a chair. In these instances, it is appropriate to place only the front two legs of the furniture on the rug. Of course, if the rug is large enough to accommodate all the legs, it is also appropriate to do so, if desired.

Furniture Coasters

• Furniture coasters are placed beneath the legs of a piece of furniture. They can be beneficial both on a rug or another type of flooring, such as hardwood. Furniture coasters protect the carpet from getting worn in a single spot, as well as protecting the legs of the furniture from unnecessary damage. Plus, furniture coasters are often extremely inexpensive.

Rugs in Dining Rooms

• For a dining table, the general rule of thumb is that the rug should extend at least 24 inches outward from the edges of the table. This allows for plenty of space for seated guests to maneuver around the rug with their chairs. It is also a visually pleasing effect, but also a way to ground a table in the space. This is especially true for situations where the dining room is not its own separate room but is part of a combination room, such as a living-dining room.