How to Design a Room Around a Rug

Not everyone is a designer by nature, but with a few tips and tricks, the process doesn’t have to be quite so daunting. If you follow a formula, you can create a cohesive space that speaks to your personal style by using a few simple rules. I advise my clients to begin with the largest elements first and work your way down.

Large decorative pieces, whether furnishings or floor coverings, are absolutely essential to any beautiful room because they are the first things to draw the eye. When choosing the right rug, you’ll want to pay close attention to four, specific criterion that include: style, color, scale and shape. Let’s take a closer look.

Choosing a Rug

STYLE: Think about the overall feel of the room. Is it contemporary, traditional, modern or tribal? This will vastly narrow your search by deciding what your personal style is, and shopping accordingly.

COLOR: If you’re having trouble deciding on a precise color scheme, finding a rug or pattern that visually inspires you will greatly simplify this process and dictate a palette for a beautiful and balanced interior.

SCALE: Proportion is critically important to choosing the right rug for your space. Study the room you’re dressing. Where are the paths of movement? You’ll want to avoid placing any floor coverings that could infringe upon potential “trip zones”. Map out a space plan and decide functionally where your largest furnishings will go. The front legs of your sofas should be entirely on the rug to avoid making the room feel small and disjointed.

SHAPE: Circle? Square? Rectangle? Allow the shape of the room and the predominant patterns to speak to the shape of your rug. A round rug looks spectacular framing a round dining table. A rectangular rug is classically proportioned to frame a conversation area with a sectional or a love seat and sofa.

After you’ve decided on a rug, allow the color and pattern play to inspire the rest of your room. A paint chart can be helpful for pulling matching color chips for a portable reference as you finish your shopping for drapes and accessories.

As always, we’re here to support you in the design process and would love to help you find just the right piece to coordinate seamlessly with your home.

How have you designed your favorite rooms?

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