October 25, 2021

How to Select The Right Rug for Your Room

The Art of Selecting A Rug

Consider it a mix of an art and a science. 

Selecting a rug can sometimes feel overwhelming, not only because of a rug’s large size (it’s often one of the biggest items in a room) but also because of the intimidating price tags that can come along with them. But the truth of the matter is that when it comes to picking out the right rug for a space, “the number one rule is: there are no rules!” says our very own Christina Tullock, Head of Design here at Revival. With that said, there are some aesthetic and practical considerations that can help guide your choices, from fiber density (or pile) to dimensions and proportions — not to mention color and pattern. Not sure where to start? If you’re in the market for a new rug (or, for that matter, a fantastic vintage one), we’ve spoken with experts both here at Revival and some of our favorite designers for their take on how to select a rug.  

1. Know how to identify quality, whether it's a vintage rug or brand new.
   “Look for the words 'hand knotted', 'hand woven' or even 'hand made'. Those are the first clues that you are buying a rug that has been made to last,” suggests Christina. This is very much the case for vintage rugs, typically 50 years or older, and antique rugs, which are 100 years or older. Not seeing a tag that confirms this info, or want to double check for yourself? Take a look at the back of a rug: if the knots are uneven, it’s handwoven; if the knots are symmetrical or consistent, it’s likely machine-made or even hand-loomed, Christina says. 
   
   
   
2. Do your homework on the makers and materials.
   One of the best things about vintage rugs is that they’re inherently sustainable, since you’re reusing an existing item, explains Cara Fox, owner and lead designer at interior design firm The Fox Group. But, she points out, you’ll want to make sure the rug dealer is transparent about where they’re buying from and other pertinent information. If you’re buying new, plan on educating yourself about the factory’s practices. You'll also want to think about the materials that are being used: “choose natural materials such as grass, sisal, jute, organic cotton, and wool over polyester,” she says, because they’re high-quality, organic materials that are durable but will still biodegrade over time, unlike their synthetic counterparts.
   
   
3. Lay out (or measure) your furniture first.
   There are few things as awkward as a rug that’s so large that it crawls up a wall, or so small that it’s almost entirely hidden under furniture. It’s helpful to lay out your furniture in your planned arrangement as a starting point, and then determine your desired rug size from there. Generally, you want at least a foot of space between the rug and the perimeter walls; additionally, “your furniture needs to either be fully on or halfway on the rug,” says Houston-based interior designer Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design. 
   
   
   
4. Think practicality when it comes to pile.
   In the world of rug designing and making, the term pile refers to the density and height of the fibers on the visible side of a rug, which can be cut or left in loops, giving them specific characteristics like thick or thin, soft or coarse, shaggy or flat. For a space like a dining room, Christina recommends going with a rug that has a shorter pile so that furniture (and, inevitably, those ever-mischievous crumbs) don’t get stuck in the fibers, while a rug with a plusher, higher pile might be more appropriate for a bedroom.
   
   
   
5. Texture is a top priority.
   Related (but not synonymous) to pile is the texture of a rug and its fibers, which play an important role in a space’s ambiance. “If you want to feel cozy in your bedroom, a thick, soft wool rug under your feet evokes a feeling of physical and visual warmth,” says Christina. On the other hand, if you’re going for a light and airy feel, a Tuareg reed mat is ideal because it gives a room a feeling of sophistication while keeping your feet cool as you walk on it, she continues. And if you’re looking to add even more texture and depth to a space, consider layering a small statement rug over a large sisal rug, suggests Mary.
   
   
   
6. Consider color — but keep it strategic.
   Love color but not sure how (or even if!) to incorporate it into a space with a rug? “If you are looking to implement a colorful rug into a space, I would recommend keeping the design of the room fairly neutral so that the rug can be the main statement in the room,” Mary recommends. And the proportions of a room can also play a factor in whether bold colors might work: “I’ve noticed that larger rooms with higher ceilings tend to suck color up, so I always love to play with brighter colors when designing for such spaces,” comments Christina. On the other hand, though, she points out that there are some colors that are “surprisingly neutral” like oxblood, denim blue, teal, and olive that go well with a number of styles of furnishings, so don’t be afraid to try out a few different colors to see what feels best to you.