The stylist’s guide to choosing the right rug

Super stylist Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors shares her best wisdom on a topic so many of us get horribly wrong…

I’m calling it — the most commonly repeated interior decorating mistakes I see in my line of work are almost always with rugs. Getting the size right seems to bamboozle the best of them, and it breaks my heart to see an otherwise finished and beautiful space let down by an unfortunate rug selection. Here are some foolproof tips to help you get it right and save on the heartache and the hip pocket.

Tip 1

Almost every single time bigger is better. A generous-sized rug will give the perception that your space is actually larger than what it is. Your eyes are always drawn out to the edge of rugs so if you want to work with the optical illusion of creating a more generous room, GO BIG. Small rugs can often look lost in space if too small and lose their impact.

Tip 2

Ensure the couch or the bed connects with the rug if possible so the room feels cohesive and unified.

Tip 3

The dimensions of your rug can define a space, as well as separate one space from another. Use it to create the geography of your home. Mark it out in tape if you need visual confirmation.

Tip 4

Colour and pattern are important when it comes to selecting your rug. You need to ask if yourself if the room is screaming out for texture, colour or both? Good rugs can be like art for the floor. And remember, rugs can either quieten the volume of a room, or turn it up!

Tip 5

Layer them up if you like a boho look. This can be a fab way to recycle rugs that are too small to hold their own. Look for a common thread with your patch working though, in either colour or texture.

Tip 6

Think carefully about the traffic on the rug and make the right selection accordingly. For instance, a light coloured rug under a dining table with kids is asking for trouble. Choose durable materials for high traffic zones.

Tip 7

Find a good rug dry cleaner. They can make your rug look brand new again for a small fee. It’s worth it if you have an investment piece.

Tip 8

Try before you buy every time with rugs. Most stores are very understanding of this, and will loan out for short periods of time. Oh, and don’t forget to use an underlay to avoid any tripping hazards!

Tip 9

Always mask up the ideal size of rug you require on the floor first to clock it visually — then go shopping and don’t budge (much) from these dimensions. Or have one custom made to suit your measurements.

–Follow Julia’s styling adventures on Instagram.