How to: Use rugs like a professional.

When it comes to the concept of home staging, it is all about defining usable spaces to show potential buyers the true value that lies within a home. 

Now, more often than not, when people are trying to define a space and create zones, they look to furniture pieces or shelving units to section off different areas of the home. Yet, we can’t help but turn to rugs time-after-time as an effective tool in defining different areas of the home. 

Why should I use a rug?

Rugs are a fantastic tool! Not only do they serve a practical purpose but they can also be extremely visual and a true feature of any space. 

Whilst comforting to the feet, rugs are key in presenting one room from another. They can be effectively used to separate a living area from a dining area in a modern open-plan living space, or can be used well in bedrooms, foyers and hallways alike. 

They are especially important in smaller rooms that are unable to support additional furniture, like bulky shelving units or screens, which would otherwise make the room feel even smaller. A streamlined rug along the floor is sleek and has minimal impact on the overall appearance of the room. 

What should I consider when buying the right rug?

Size

The size of your rug is arguably the most important factor of consideration when choosing a rug to define your space. And, unfortunately, it’s not always the easiest decision to make! 

We suggest starting the process by thinking about where you want your space to end and the next one to start. Be sure that your chosen rug won’t extend past this point and intrude into the next “defined zone”. 

The size of the rug also needs to suit the furniture you’re going to position on the rug. For example, if you’re using a rug to define a dining space, the rug should be big enough for your chairs to remain on the rug when they’re pulled out.

Another factor to consider is the room’s edge. It’s critical that your rug doesn’t run the entire length of the room right up to the walls. Instead, be sure to leave around ½ metre between the end of the rug and the closest wall. 

PSCO. Pro Tip: Get your masking tape out and measure the ideal size before you go rug shopping. It will help you visualise the rug which can often be more helpful than working off measurements.

Colour

No matter whether you want your rug to blend in or stand out, colour and pattern are important factors to consider when choosing the perfect rugs for the different zones of your property. 

When it comes to floor coverings, we like to play things a little safe, often opting for a neutral colour wherever possible. Whilst it can be a little unadventurous it is one of the simplest ways to create cohesion in an open plan room, especially if you choose matching rugs for each area. 

If that isn’t convincing enough, perhaps a bold neutral print might be for you? A statement print throughout an area will create a sense of repetition without being too bland or boring. Or, you could choose a few rugs with similar tones but made of a different material to ensure harmony. 

Working with two or more different patterns can be tricky in one space. However, combining a solid rug with a patterned carpet can be a much easier task. Choose colours that work well with each other, whether that’s two from the same colour family or a neutral colour that works with anything. They’re less likely to clash and fight with each other if they share a common colour base.

Shape

For the Perth Style Co. team, rectangular rugs are our usual go-to but they’re definitely not the only shape available! 

When pondering the right shaped rug for your room, consider what’s better suited to the architecture of your space. Could a round rug be a better way to designate a play area in your kid’s bedroom? Is a square rug the best option for your entry foyer?

It’s important to determine what furniture will sit on the rug and the composition you’re wanting to create. A formal sitting room setting may look better configured on an oval-shaped rug over a large rectangular. A round rug may work better under a round dining table or a runner in a foyer.

Try to be playful and brave with your rug shape rather than sticking to the most common shape available - it will really help your room design come to life. 

PSCO. Pro Tip: If you are unable to find the perfect rug that ticks all of your boxes, consider purchasing a carpet roll which can be cut to your preferred size and shape.

Layering

Layering rugs on top of each other has become a HUGE interior trend over the last couple of years as it’s a great way to add more texture and create a real homely feeling. 

The key to this technique is opting for patterns and colours that complement each other, but are still different. For example, a selection of jute rugs can work perfectly together as they’re usually of a similar colour palette, just varying in finish. 

Layering rugs can be a great way to use your favourite smaller rug in a large space. If the dimension of your favourite rug doesn’t suit your intended room perfectly, simply put it on top of a larger carpet to extend its reach. 

If you have carpet throughout, layering a rug on top is an effective way rugs can be used to define the space. The look can easily be kept harmonious by picking up a colour in the carpet weave. It’s also just as easy to be bold as most carpet is a neutral colour that works with almost anything!