When it comes to interior design, a well-chosen rug is an instant decorating solution that can completely transform a room’s look and feel. Rugs combine style, texture, and warmth, elevating your space from the floor up. The right rug can anchor your furniture, define distinct areas in an open-plan layout, add a splash of color, and even improve acoustics by softening noise. In this masterclass, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know – from sizing and placement rules to color selection and common pitfalls – so you can confidently choose the perfect rug for every room in your home. We’ll also highlight some of Choices Flooring’s popular rug ranges and tools like RoomView to help you envision your dream rug in your space. Let’s get started on your rug-selection journey!
Why Rug Size Matters
Size is the most important (and often most overlooked) factor in rug selection. A rug that’s too small will visually shrink the space – picture a tiny rug floating in front of a large sofa, looking lost and disconnected. In contrast, an appropriately large rug will make the room feel more unified and spacious. Smaller rugs can make a room appear cluttered or chopped up, whereas a generously sized rug extends the eye’s view and creates an illusion of a larger room. This is why designers often say when it comes to living area rugs, less is NOT more – bigger is better for a cohesive look.
Scale and proportion should guide your choice. A general rule is to choose the largest rug that comfortably fits your room (while allowing some floor to frame it at the edges). Ideally, your rug should be large enough to anchor major furniture pieces – for example, in a seating area, key furniture should sit at least partially on the rug. This creates a focal point that ties the decor together. We recommend making your rug the central statement of the space, and then building your other decorating decisions (furniture, cushions, artwork) around it. This approach ensures the rug isn’t an afterthought but rather an integral part of your design scheme.
Pro Tip – Map it out: Not sure what rug dimensions you need? Try the sheet or blanket trick. Before buying, lay a bed sheet or old blanket on the floor where you plan to place the rug. Fold or spread the sheet until it approximates the rug sizes you’re considering (mark out common rug dimensions like 160×230 cm, 200×290 cm, etc.). This visual cheat gives you a real sense of how different sizes will look in your room and how much floor area they’ll cover. Adjust the “rug” by folding until you find the ideal coverage – it’s far better to realise a size is too small on a sheet than after you’ve bought the rug!
Finally, remember that rug size also influences room perception. A correctly sized rug will make your space feel balanced and inviting, whereas an undersized rug can make furnishings seem disconnected. When in doubt, go slightly larger – you can always have furniture overlap a larger rug, but a rug that’s too small can’t be stretched. Next, let’s dive into specific rooms to answer the big questions about which rug sizes work best in living rooms, dining areas, and bedrooms.
Rug Size Guidelines by Room
Every room has its considerations for rug size and placement. Below, we break down the guidelines for key spaces in your home. By following these tips, you’ll ensure your rug not only fits the room but also enhances its function and style.
Living Room Rugs – Finding the Right Fit
Common living room rug sizes and placements. Larger rugs (e.g., 280×190cm or 320×230cm) allow furniture front legs to sit on the rug, creating a unified conversation area, whereas a too-small rug (top-left) can make the space feel unbalanced.
In living rooms, homeowners' most common mistake is choosing a rug that’s too small for the seating area. Remember the mantra from decorators: in a living room, bigger is often better. Ideally, all the front legs of your sofas and armchairs should rest on the rug (if not all four legs). This anchors the furniture and creates a cohesive zone. A rug that only floats under the coffee table, with no contact with seating, will look disconnected and can make the space appear smaller.
For a classic layout, center the rug in the seating area and extend it beyond the sides of the sofa. Standard rug sizes used in living areas are often around 230×160 cm up to 320×230 cm (or roughly 8×10 to 10×12 feet), depending on room size. As shown in the diagram above, a 280×190 cm or 320×230 cm rug typically allows a three-seater sofa and two chairs to comfortably sit with front legs on the rug, defining the conversation area. If you have a smaller accent rug (e.g, a round 200 cm rug or a 170×120 cm rug), consider placing it so it highlights a specific feature (like a reading nook with an armchair) rather than undersizing the main seating arrangement.
Also, pay attention to balance: you should leave a border of bare floor around the rug (for example, 20–30 cm of floor visible between the rug edge and the walls or larger furniture pieces). This frame of floor acts like a matting for artwork – it makes the rug area look intentional.
Dining Room Rugs – Room for Everyone
Dining room rug size guide based on table size. The rug should be large enough that even when chairs are pulled out (as shown for 4, 6, 8, and 10-seater tables), all chair legs remain on the rug.
In dining areas, the rug’s job is to host your dining table and chairs, even when those chairs are pulled out. There’s a clear rule of thumb here: extend the rug 60–70 cm (about 2 feet) beyond each side of the table. This ensures that when someone slides their chair out to sit, the chair’s back legs remain on the rug, rather than teetering off onto the hard floor. For example, for a standard 6-seater rectangular table, a rug around 280×190 cm is often the minimum, while an 8-seater might require roughly 320×230 cm, and a large 10-seater dining table is best paired with a 400×300 cm rug. Round dining tables pair well with round rugs; a 240 cm round rug can suit a 4-seater round table nicely【25†image】.
Besides size, consider pile height and material for dining room rugs. This is a high-traffic area prone to spills, so a low-pile, easy-clean rug is ideal. Choices Flooring experts often recommend durable polypropylene rugs in dining spaces because they’re stain-resistant and simple to maintain. Flatweave rugs are another great option, as chairs can slide over them easily. Steer away from super thick or shaggy rugs under dining tables – chair legs might snag, and cleaning food debris from high pile isn’t fun. In terms of placement, center the rug under the table, and try to align it with the lighting fixture (if you have a pendant above the table) for a symmetrical, balanced look.
Bedroom Rugs – Comfort Underfoot
Bedroom rug placement options. A large rug can go under the bed (extending out on both sides), or smaller rugs like runners can be placed alongside for a soft landing when you get up.
In the bedroom, a rug serves two main purposes: to add cosy softness underfoot when you get out of bed, and to enhance the bedroom’s style. There are a couple of approaches to bedroom rugs:
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Large Rug Under the Bed: Choose a rug that is big enough to frame the lower portion of your bed. The common practice is to lay a large rectangular rug under the bed so that it extends out on both sides and at the foot. For a queen or king bed, this often means a rug around 280×190 cm or 320×230 cm, oriented perpendicular to the bed. Ideally, the rug should start just a bit in front of the nightstands and extend beyond the foot of the bed, so when you step down, your feet land on the rug. A good guideline is to have at least 50 cm of rug visible on each side of the bed (more if you have a large room). This ensures the rug looks generous and intentional. You can slide the rug further under the bed or further out at the foot, depending on how much floor you want showing at the foot versus the sides. The image above illustrates how different standard sizes (from smaller 170×120 cm up to 320×230 cm) can work; note how the larger rugs envelop the bed area, giving a luxurious, cohesive look.
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Runners or Smaller Rugs by the Bed: If a wall-to-wall large rug isn’t your preference (or your budget), runners or accent rugs are a great alternative. Place a runner on each side of the bed, or a small area rug where your feet naturally hit the floor when you get up. For instance, a 150 cm round rug or sheepskin on one or both sides can be a soft landing pad in the morning. The key is to cover the areas where you step, so you feel warmth and comfort instead of a cold floor. This approach is also handy in smaller bedrooms where a huge rug might be mostly under the bed (and hence feel wasted).
No matter which approach you choose, the goal is to bring warmth and comfort to your bedroom. There’s nothing quite like that feeling of sinking your toes into a plush rug first thing in the morning! Also, consider texture and material here: bedrooms are perfect for softer, plusher rugs (like wool or blends) since they’re low-traffic compared to living areas. A high-pile wool rug on either side of the bed can add a touch of luxury (and wool naturally regulates temperature, keeping your feet warm in winter and cool in summer).
(For other spaces like hallways or kitchens: hallways typically call for long runner rugs, just a few inches narrower than your hallway width, while kitchens can use runner rugs or small mats in front of the sink. Always use a non-slip underlay in these high-traffic areas for safety. In open-plan layouts, read on – we’ll cover how to use rugs to define those spaces next.)
Choosing the Right Rug Colour and Pattern
Once you have the size sorted, it’s time to talk about colour and pattern – essentially, the style statement of your rug. A rug is like artwork for your floor, so you’ll want to choose a design that complements your room’s decor while also reflecting your style.
Decide on the Rug’s Role: First, consider what you want your rug to achieve visually. Do you want it to be a bold statement piece that draws the eye, or a more subtle backdrop that ties the room together? This will influence your colour/pattern choice. As a general guide, bright, bold colours or strong patterns work wonderfully if you want the rug to be a focal point – these rugs can define the character of a room and leave a lasting impression. For example, a vibrant abstract pattern or an intricately patterned Persian-style rug will immediately catch attention and can be the star of a living room or dining room.
On the other hand, if your space already has a lot of pattern (say, patterned wallpaper or very vivid upholstery), you might opt for a solid or more muted rug to provide balance. Neutral doesn’t have to mean boring – think rich textures like a chunky woven wool in soft grey, or a sisal/jute rug with natural golden tones. These add interest through texture while keeping the palette calm.
Coordinate or Contrast: A tried-and-true decorator tip is to pull accent colours from your existing decor. Look at your cushions, artwork, or drapery – is there a colour you’d like to highlight? You can choose a rug that echoes that hue to create harmony. For instance, if your sofa has subtle blue piping or you have a piece of art with sage green in it, a rug that incorporates blue or green can tie everything together beautifully. Aim to either match your rug’s dominant colour with something in the room, or go one to two shades away from it for a coordinated look. Choices Flooring’s design consultants often suggest complementing the rug with décor items that pick up the rug’s feature colour (or are one or two shades apart on the colour wheel) – this creates a cohesive, designer-approved palette.
Conversely, you might choose to contrast for effect. In a room with monochromatic or all-neutral decor, a pop of color from the rug can introduce a wow factor. For example, a mostly white living room can be electrified by a jewel-toned rug (imagine a deep turquoise or ruby patterned rug as a striking contrast). Just be sure the contrast looks intentional: you might echo that rug colour in a couple of smaller accents around the room so it all ties together.
Pattern Scale: If you go for a patterned rug, consider the scale of the pattern relative to your room size and furniture. Large rooms can handle large, sweeping patterns; in fact, a rug with an oversized floral or geometric pattern can make a grand statement in a big space. In smaller rooms, intricate patterns or very busy designs might overwhelm; sometimes, a simpler design or a solid color works better to avoid visual clutter. Striped rugs can elongate a space, while round motifs can soften a boxy room – use pattern strategically to achieve the feel you want.
Lifestyle Considerations: Think about practicality with colours and patterns. If you have young children or pets, a light-colored solid cream rug might not be the best fit (unless you’re prepared for frequent cleaning). Multicoloured or patterned rugs are excellent at camouflaging the odd spill or pet hair compared to a flat solid light color. Dark rugs (navy, charcoal, deep reds) can ground a space and hide wear, but too dark a rug in a small room might make it feel smaller, so balance dark colours with light walls or furniture. There’s also the mood to consider: warm colours (reds, oranges, yellows) tend to create a cosy, energised vibe, while cool colours (blues, greens) often calm a space. Neutral earthy tones (beiges, greys, taupes) are versatile and timeless, letting your furniture or art take center stage. Ultimately, choose a colour and pattern you love and won’t tire of easily – a quality rug can last many years, and it becomes a significant element of your room’s design.
Defining Spaces in Open-Plan Homes with Rugs
Open-plan living – where your kitchen, dining, and living areas flow into one – is hugely popular in modern homes. Rugs are a secret weapon in these layouts for adding definition and cosiness to each zone without erecting any walls. If you have an open-plan or multi-use space, here’s how to use rugs to your advantage:
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Create Clear Zones: Use rugs to delineate different functional areas. For example, place a substantial rug under your living room seating group and a different rug under the dining table. This immediately creates two distinct “rooms” visually, even though they are in one open space. The edges of each rug act like boundaries of each area. In a large open loft, you might also have a rug under a desk to define a home office corner, or a rug in a reading nook. Make sure each rug is appropriately sized for its zone (refer back to our room sizing guidelines) – the living area rug should be large enough for that seating cluster, the dining rug large enough for the table/chairs, etc., so each zone looks well proportioned.
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Mix but Match: In choosing rugs for adjacent areas, you can mix styles yet maintain some element of cohesion. One approach is to vary the patterns but stick to a coordinated colour scheme. For instance, in an open living/dining space, you might use a rug with a bold pattern and multiple colours in the living area, and choose a rug that picks up one of those colours in a simpler, maybe solid design under the dining table. This way, the rugs are different enough to define separate areas, but related enough that they don’t clash. Alternatively, use different textures to contrast zones – a plush pile rug in the lounge vs. a flatweave under the dining table, while maybe keeping a similar color family.
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Scale Rugs to Room Portions: Pay attention to the proportions. In open layouts, it’s common that one area (like the living space) is larger than the other (dining). Reflect this in your rug choices – the larger area might get a bigger rug (and perhaps a more dominant pattern), while the secondary area gets a slightly smaller or subtler rug. This ensures one area doesn’t visually overpower the other. However, avoid a tiny rug next to an enormous rug; they should both be sizable enough to look intentional. If one rug is very large and the other very small, the small one can feel like an afterthought. Sometimes homeowners make the mistake of putting a big rug in one part of an open plan and leaving other areas bare, which can make the bare areas look under-furnished by comparison. Instead, use rugs in all the key sub-spaces so the whole open plan feels decorated and tied together.
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Consider Shape: In open plans, most rugs will likely be rectangular (since most rooms and furniture groupings are oriented that way). But don’t overlook the potential of a round rug or an oval rug to define a special area. A round rug can delineate a small conversation cluster or highlight a round dining table beautifully, creating a visual “island” within a larger room.
By thoughtfully placing rugs in an open-plan home, you’ll add warmth and definition without sacrificing the airy openness. Walk through your space and think of each rug as creating a “room within a room.” The result will be an open layout that still feels structured and purposeful, with the bonus of plush comfort underfoot in each zone.
(RoomView Tip: Not sure if two different rug styles will look good together in your open plan? Use Choices Flooring’s RoomView visualiser to upload a photo of your space and test out how various rug combinations look! This tool lets you virtually place any rug in our catalogue into an image of your room, so you can experiment with mixing patterns or colors before you buy. It’s a lifesaver for indecisive decorators and ensures you’ll be happy with the rugs you’ve chosen for each area.)
Pro Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with all this knowledge, there are a few classic mistakes that people often make when choosing rugs. Here are the top things to watch out for, along with pro tips on how to avoid them:
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Mistake 1: Choosing a Rug That’s Too Small. We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating – a too-small rug is the number one faux pas in rug selection. It can make your beautiful furniture look like it’s awkwardly hovering in the room. How to avoid it: Go as large as your space (and budget) allows, and use the layout guidelines we discussed. Ensure key furniture touches the rug. If standard sizes don’t work, consider custom-sizing. Remember, a larger rug will almost always make your room look more pulled together and expansive. Don’t be afraid to have a rug that goes generously under furniture; you can even have most of a sofa on the rug, just leaving a bit of the back legs off if needed.
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Mistake 2: Ignoring Room Function and Rug Material. A rug might look perfect, but if it can’t stand up to your room’s demands, you’ll regret it. For example, placing a delicate silk or high-pile shag rug in a dining room is asking for trouble with spills, and putting a pure white rug in a high-traffic entryway will have you chasing dirt constantly. How to avoid it: Match the rug material and pile to the use of the room. In busy family areas or dining spaces, opt for durable, stain-resistant materials like polypropylene or wool blends. These handle wear and tear and cleanup better. Reserve those super plush or shaggy rugs for low-traffic zones like bedrooms or formal living rooms. And always use a rug pad/underlay to keep rugs in place and add longevity (plus a bit of extra cushioning).
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Mistake 3: Clashing Colours or Patterns. Sometimes people fall in love with a rug on its own, without considering the room’s existing colours and patterns, leading to a disjointed look once it’s in place. How to avoid it: Think of your room holistically. Use the tips from the colour section – either pick a rug that complements your current palette or use it as an intentional accent (with at least one or two coordinating elements in the room). If your furniture has a busy pattern, lean toward a simpler rug, and vice versa. When mixing patterns (say, you have patterned throw pillows and want a patterned rug), try to vary the scale of patterns and unify through color so they don’t compete. Before buying, you can even gather a mood board of your room’s elements (photos of your sofa, curtains, etc., alongside the rug sample) to visualise the mix. Or better yet, use RoomView to virtually test the rug in your room’s photo, ensuring the colours and pattern scale work well together before committing.
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Mistake 4: Not Considering Rug Placement Rules. How you position a rug can make or break the look. A common error is floating a rug arbitrarily in a space or pushing it against a wall. How to avoid it: Follow placement best practices: center the rug within its zone, keep a consistent border of floor around it if possible, and anchor furniture on it appropriately. In a living room, for example, don’t place a rug just in front of a sofa without any part of the sofa on it – this small gap can look odd (either have the rug under the front legs of the sofa, or at least directly touching the leg bases). In a dining room, ensure it’s centered under the table. In a bedroom, decide if it’s under the bed or beside it – and place it accordingly, rather than a tiny rug in a random spot. Essentially, be intentional: measure and position the rug so it complements the room’s layout.
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Mistake 5: Playing It Too Safe. While neutral rugs are versatile, sometimes homeowners default to a plain rug in every room and miss the opportunity to make a style statement. How to avoid it: Don’t shy away from a bit of personality underfoot! If the rest of your decor is neutral, a bold rug can be the star that defines the space. Conversely, if you have color elsewhere, a textured neutral rug (like a chunky knit or a natural jute) can still be a statement through its texture and shape. The key is to ensure the rug enhances your design vision for the room. It should feel like it belongs and also brings you joy to look at every day. Before finalising, envision living with that rug: does it excite you and suit your style? If yes, go for it. If something feels off, keep looking – there are countless options out there.
By sidestepping these common pitfalls, you’ll save time, money, and the hassle of returns – and end up with a rug that is truly the perfect fit for your space in both form and function.
Inspiration: Popular Choices Flooring Rug Ranges
To spark your imagination, let’s look at a few bestselling rug collections from Choices Flooring. Each of these ranges offers a unique design vibe, illustrating the diversity in style, material, and purpose you can find. Perhaps one of these will be just what you’re looking for in your own home!
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Opal Collection – Striking Contemporary Patterns: If you love a modern look with a bit of glamour, the Opal range is worth your attention. Our Opal rugs feature striking designs with a layered feel, created by unique drop-stitch techniques that give a textured, carved effect. Glistening accent colours woven into these rugs catch the light, making the patterns eye-catching without overwhelming. For example, Opal Citrine combines neutral bases with radiant golden accents for a sophisticated pop of colour. An Opal rug can serve as a statement piece in a living area – picture one of these under a glass coffee table, highlighting its subtle sheen and modern pattern.
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Noosa Collection – Natural Jute Charm: Earthy, coastal, and utterly fresh – the Noosa range is a new take on natural jute rugs. With a glowing natural and white colour palette, the Noosa collection brings a light, organic feel to any room. These rugs feature simple yet captivating stripe and chevron patterns, hand-braided in India from eco-friendly jute fibre. The blend of white with natural jute gives a contemporary twist to the traditional jute rug, making it versatile for Scandi-style interiors, beach-inspired looks, or any space that needs a touch of natural texture. A Noosa rug is durable and low-profile, perfect for high-traffic areas like family rooms or hallways, and it instantly adds warmth and character. (Design tip: layer a smaller Noosa jute rug over a large sisal carpet or even on top of wall-to-wall carpeting to define a cosy seating nook – the mix of textures looks designer-level chic.)
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Arabella Collection – Scandinavian Elegance: For those craving a mix of luxury and simplicity, the Arabella wool/jute rugs are a delight. These rugs have eye-catching texture and simple, neutral colourways, with a strong Scandinavian feel. What makes Arabella special is the unexpected blend of materials – 70% wool and 30% jute – which elevates a simple woven design into something utterly delightful and unique. The wool brings softness and warmth, while the jute adds strength and an organic touch. The result is a modern rug that’s both cosy and stylish. Arabella designs are hand-loomed with care, featuring a generous 20mm pile height that adds an element of luxury underfoot. These rugs usually come in neutral tones like soft greys, creams, and naturals – ideal for a calming living room or a chic bedroom. If your style leans minimalist or Nordic, an Arabella rug could be the perfect anchor for your space, providing subtle pattern and lots of texture.
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Museum Collection – Bohemian Colour and Pattern: Embracing the vibrant Boho trend? Look no further than the Museum collection. This range is essentially a showcase of brilliant colour combinations and transitional designs, marrying traditional and contemporary motifs. With 16 stand-out designs in the collection, Museum rugs burst with vivid colours – think deep blues, spicy reds, golden yellows – yet are composed in a way that’s artistic and tasteful, not chaotic. They often feature distressed, vintage-inspired patterns (a nod to antique Persian rugs) combined with modern hues for a fresh, eclectic look. Despite their bold appearance, these rugs are power-loomed from polypropylene, meaning they’re non-shedding, easy-care, and durable for busy homes. A Museum rug can be breathtakingly beautiful, becoming the focal point of a room and sparking endless compliments. If you have a neutral room in need of a wow factor, or you love globally inspired, bohemian decor, a rug from the Museum range can tie together your design scheme with its kaleidoscope of colours while still offering the practicality needed for everyday life.
These examples are just a glimpse of the variety available at Choices Flooring – from flatweave to plush, modern to traditional, indoor to outdoor rugs. We curate our collection to provide options for every style and budget. You can filter our extensive rug range by style, texture, size, shape, and price on our website. Whether you’re drawn to the versatile elegance of a monochromatic tribal design (check out the Chrome range for on-trend tribal patterns in easy-care fibers) or the timeless comfort of a chunky wool loop, you’ll find something that speaks to your vision. And if you ever feel overwhelmed by choices, remember, our in-store experts are ready to help, and you have tools like RoomView at your fingertips to virtually test any rug in your home.
See It in Your Space with RoomView
One of the challenges in rug shopping is visualising how that rug will look and fit in your room. This is where Choices Flooring’s RoomView tool is a game-changer. Instead of guessing, you can take out the uncertainty by seeing the rug virtually in your own space before you buy. Here’s how it works:
Simply go to our website and upload a photo of your room into the RoomView visualiser. Choose any rug from our online catalogue, and RoomView will overlay the rug onto your room photo, scaled correctly to your room’s dimensions. You can swap different rug designs, sizes, and colours in and out of the scene with a click. It’s like test-driving rugs from the comfort of your couch! This tool lets you experiment with bold patterns or colours you might be hesitant about – you may discover that the vibrant rug you loved online looks amazing in your living room, or you might find that a certain shade doesn’t match your curtains like you thought. It provides peace of mind, so when you do make a purchase, you know it’s going to look just right.
Many homeowners find that using RoomView not only confirms their rug choice but also inspires them to try layouts or styles they hadn’t considered initially. It’s all about making the decision-making process easier and even fun. We highly encourage you to give it a try once you have a few favorite rugs in mind – it’s free to use on the Choices Flooring website (just look for the “View this in my room” option on any rug’s product page, or visit the RoomView section). With this virtual visualisation, you’ll step into the buying process with confidence.
Final Thoughts: Bringing It All Together
Selecting the perfect rug is a blend of practical consideration and creative expression. You’ve learned how critical size and scale are – from ensuring your living room rug is large enough to unite your seating, to picking the right dimensions for under your dining table or bed. You know how colour and pattern can either make a rug the star of the show or the supporting cast that harmonises with your decor. You’ve seen how rugs can define spaces in an open-plan home and picked up tips to avoid common missteps that could detract from your beautiful space. Most importantly, you’re now equipped to approach rug shopping with an expert eye and a designer’s confidence.
A well-chosen rug does more than just cover your floor – it elevates your entire room. It can make a large room feel cosy or a small room feel spacious. It can add pops of personality or quietly enhance the serenity of a space. It cushions your feet, introduces color and texture, and can be a faithful style companion for years to come. In short, the right rug truly ties the room together (as the saying goes), both literally and figuratively.
As you embark on selecting rugs for your home, remember that Choices Flooring offers not just a product, but support for your whole journey. Browse our curated collections for inspiration, use the RoomView visualiser to see your vision come to life, and don’t hesitate to visit one of our over 140 store locations nationwide for in-person advice and to feel the textures in person. Our flooring and design experts are always ready to help you find the one that perfect rug that checks all the boxes for size, style, and comfort.
Here’s to creating beautiful spaces from the ground up! With the knowledge from this masterclass and the quality range available at Choices Flooring, you’re well on your way to choosing the perfect rug (or two) for every space in your home. Happy decorating, and enjoy the newfound warmth and style that your chosen rugs will bring to your rooms!
