The right rug can breathe life into a room and unify your decor, especially in an open area. But before you start shopping, you need to know two things: how to choose the right rug size and how to place your rug.
Your area rug should be about the size of your living room’s seating area to ground the conversation space. To avoid looking awkward, your rug should be at least a foot wider than your sofa on either side. If you’re working with larger furniture, such as a sectional, or with furniture that is not placed against a wall, orient the rug with the shape of the room. This will help create visual flow and make the room appear larger.
Rather than placing your area rug at the room's center, use the setup of your seating to determine the best placement.
All Legs On: - Create a unified look in your living room with an area rug large enough to accommodate all of your furniture. The key to styling your seating area on top of a large rug is to maintain at least a few inches of space beyond where your sofa and chairs sit. The rug size helps organize the seating area and create distinction in the room.
Front Legs On: - You can still create a cohesive look without the cost of a room-size rug. If your seating configuration doesn’t allow for all your living room furniture to be placed on the rug, tuck it just under the front legs of your sofa and chairs to keep your seating area unified.
Rounded Arrangement: - For an unconventional option, choose a large round rug to distinguish your sitting area. Opt for a standard-size rug that is large enough to accommodate all of your furniture with a few inches to spare, or at least large enough to accommodate the front legs of each piece.
