How to Choose the Right Rug for Your Space

Size Guide:

The most important part of choosing a rug is making sure you purchase one that fits the space correctly. A general rule of thumb is to look for a rug that is two feet shorter than the smallest wall in the room.

For a Small Living Room

Choose a rug size that fits under the two front legs of your furniture. This will help define your seating area while still leaving enough room to walk around.
 

  • Good Rug Size Range: 4’ x 6’ to 8’ x 10’

For a Large Living Room

Look for a rug that’s large enough that all of your seating area furniture sits entirely on top of it with plenty of space in between. This will help you strike that happy balance where a rug becomes a focal point but doesn’t overwhelm the room.
 

  • Good Rug Size Range: 9’ x 12’ or larger

For a Small Bedroom

Look for an area rug that extends about a foot beyond the sides of your bed. Arrange it under your bed so that most of the rug is exposed past the foot of your bed, which helps to visually lengthen the space.

  • Good Rug Size Range: 4’ x 6’ to 8’ x 10’

For a Large Bedroom

Consider a rug that extends approximately 3 feet on all sides of your bed to create even visual distribution. Pull the rug all the way under the bed up to the nightstands, leaving them to stand on the floors. This allows you to step in and out of bed on to the rug, which will provide you with padding, and also add to the definition of the space.

  • Good Rug Size Range: 8’ x 10’ to 9’ x 12’

For a Small Dining Space

Start by looking for a rug that fits under your dining table with extra space all around. The rug should be big enough so that your dining chairs fit completely on the rug when they’re pulled into the table.

  • Good Rug Size Range: 4’ x 6’ to 8’ x 10’

For a Large Dining Space

Aim to have it so your dining table and chairs are all on the rug—even when the chairs are pulled out. That means looking for a rug that extends far enough out around the table, generally at least 24” or more.  

  • Good Rug Size Range: 8’ x 10’ or larger

For the Kitchen

There are two ways to approach kitchen rugs. Either choose a runner that fits and runs the length of your kitchen cabinets and an island, if you have one, or a simple smaller-sized rug or runner in front of the sink to give yourself a soft spot to stand.

  • Good Rug Size Range: 2’ x 8’ or larger

For a Home Office

Treat an office like a small dining area and make sure your desk and chair are fully on top of the rug you choose. Center your desk on the rug and make sure there’s enough room around so that your chair remains on the rug when it’s pulled out.

  • Good Rug Size Range: 4’ x 6’ to 8’ x 10’

Material Guide:

Make sure you choose a rug made out of the best material for the space it will be placed. You need to keep in mind how much traffic the rug will get, since some fibers hold up better to wear than others, and how soft to the touch you want your rug to be.

Silk

  • Soft and lustrous

  • Loved for their sheen

  • Best for low traffic areas

Viscose

  • Silk-like material made from plant fibers

  • Can crush easily under heavily furniture

  • Will absorb stains and spills

  • Best for low traffic areas

Wool

  • Durable

  • Naturally stain resistant

  • Softness depends on pile height

  • Good for high traffic areas

Cotton

  • Generally more affordable than wool

  • Easy to clean

  • Natural fiber

Wool

  • Durable

  • Naturally stain resistant

  • Softness depends on pile height

  • Good for high traffic areas

Viscose

  • Silk-like material made from plant fibers

  • Can crush easily under heavily furniture

  • Will absorb stains and spills

  • Best for low traffic areas

Silk

  • Soft and lustrous

  • Loved for their sheen

  • Best for low traffic areas

Cotton

  • Generally more affordable than wool

  • Easy to clean

  • Natural fiber

Synthetic

  • Materials such as polyester, PET, and polypropylene

  • Often more affordable than natural fibers

  • Durable and easy to clean

  • Soft underfoot

  • Good for high traffic areas

Grass Fiber

  • Often jute, sisal, and coir

  • Strong and durable

  • Softness will vary based on pile height and constructions

  • Environmentally friendly production

  • Not recommended for moist/damp spaces

 

Grass Fiber

  • Often jute, sisal, and coir

  • Strong and durable

  • Softness will vary based on pile height and constructions

  • Environmentally friendly production

  • Not recommended for moist/damp spaces

 

Synthetic

  • Materials such as polyester, PET, and polypropylene

  • Often more affordable than natural fibers

  • Durable and easy to clean

  • Soft underfoot

  • Good for high traffic areas

Construction Guide:

How a rug is made impacts it’s texture and durability. Here’s how the most common rug making techniques stack up.

Woven

  • No pile due to the way they are loomed

  • Durable construction

  • Can be reversible

Tufted

  • Made with loops instead of knots

  • High quality and durable construction

  • May shed more than woven or knotted rugs

Hand knotted

  • Highest quality & durable construction

  • Knots made by hand using traditional techniques

  • Will last a lifetime

  • No two rugs are exactly alike

Machine made

  • More affordable than other constructions

  • Consistent design and pile

Contact Information

Number: 631 270 4561

Email: cs@franceandson.com

Location: 122 W 18th St, New York, NY 10011