Rugs are not just there to add a pop of color or offer a warm place to rest your feet on. They are there to define spaces in your rooms, frame the furniture, and even harmonize the entire interior space. From the redesigning of the living room to the decoration of the open-plan spaces, rugs help you create a sense for the entire area. Your furniture will get a proper accent with the right rug placement to improve the overall décor. So, how to arrange furniture around an area rug? This is a question on the mind of every homeowner, especially if they are shopping for Rugs Dubai.
Any good rug store will offer a wide range of options for these floor coverings. You can choose either modern geometric patterns or vintage Persian rugs. However, know that simply choosing the right rug is half the job – how you arrange furniture around it matters a lot. Today, we will be answering this very question in a detailed manner. We will help you decorate by doing proper furniture arrangement around an area rug.
Why Rug Placement Matters?
It comes as a surprise to most homeowners that a simple element like an area rug makes a great difference in interior décor. With a well-positioned floor rug, you can anchor your furniture, define areas for the open floor plans, improve symmetry & flow, and add to acoustic & foot comfort. Contrary to this, if the rug is placed poorly, it will make your room feel awkward & cluttered. This is why it’s best to learn fundamentals before arranging the furniture.
General Rules of Thumb
The actual furniture arrangement comes later but there are a few golden rules that you must follow. Here are some general tips prior to arrangement of furniture.
- The rug should be large enough to allow every key furniture piece onto it.
- Do not let the rug float freely – it’s best to at least have one key piece of furniture on it.
- It is best to keep the rug either in the center of the room or under a key furniture piece. The best option would be the placement of the bed or coffee table on it.
- It is best practice to leave about 12 to 18 inches of the flooring space between your walls & rug in almost any room.
Furniture Arrangement Around Area Rug In Different Spaces
Here’s how you should do furniture arrangement around Area Rugs for varying room types.
1. Living Room Layouts: All Legs, Front Legs, or No Legs?
For a living room, the rug allows you to tie together your seating area. There are generally the following three ways to arrange furniture in living rooms.
For this layout, furniture pieces like chairs, sofas, and tables need to be on the rug. This is perfect for larger rugs to create that cohesive look – it would be best in a large-size living room. This style demands that only the front of the furniture lies on the rug. Doing so creates a visual unity while showing some flooring, a popular arrangement for modern interiors. It’s perfect for the medium-sized living room where an all-leg-on rule is not right. This method is best in case you use the rug to frame a key furniture piece, such as a coffee table. The rug will be in the middle and the furniture will be around it; not on it. It’s a perfect stylizing option for small rooms where you can place artistic rugs to highlight the interior décor.
2. Bedroom Rugs: Under the Bed or Just Around?
Arrangement of rugs in bedrooms relies on the bed size and the overall bed layout. The general idea is to ensure that feet land on the soft floor surface when you get out of the bed.
For this, you must choose a large rug as it will cover the entire bed underside horizontally. Keep in mind the rug must extend 18 to 24 inches on either side where you put feet. The rugs usually will stop at the front of the nightstands. For a smaller bedroom with twin beds, place runner rugs on either side of the bed to make it look beautiful. You can place a single large rug horizontally underneath side of the twin beds. A tip here is to never push the rugs all the way under your nightstands or dressers. Only push them enough to anchor the bed for a cohesive style.
3. Dining Room Rugs: Size is Key
For your dining room area rugs, the biggest consideration is size. The rug must be large enough so that chairs can remain on it even when you pull them out for sitting. This means you can add about 24 inches to every side of the dining table. A helpful tip here is to match the rug shape with the table. For instance, use a rectangular area rug for the rectangular table and a round rug for the round dining table. This will prevent that awkward feel of mismatched proportions or overhanging.
4. Round Rugs: When and How to Use Them
Round area rugs add a certain unique charm for certain spaces. They add a playful touch to break that simplicity in interior décor, unlike the rectangular and square rugs. This how you can place these Round Rugs and place furniture around them.
(i). Entryways or Foyers: Round rugs offer a welcoming focal point for the entryways, especially when placed atop a centered table. They make a small space look larger and more dynamic.
(ii). Bedrooms or Reading Nooks: You can tuck a round rug under your corner chair & side table to create that cozy reading zone.
(iii). Dining Rooms: You can pair your round area rug with the round table for a balanced décor look. A tip here is to get a big enough rug so all the chairs can be on the rug when chairs are pulled out for seating.
5. Open Concept Living: Define Your Zones
For the open floor plans, area rugs play a crucial role to break the large spaces and defining clear zones. You can use different rugs to separate the areas, such as the dining space, the reading corner, and the living room. You must use matching or coordinating rugs for a consistent flow. Just make sure that each rug fits in the area properly – it must not overlap the existing carpet or rug. Also, ensure that all furniture pieces are grouped tightly around each other tightly – this will eliminate that scattered feel. This works usually best for multi-spaces or lofts where you wish for a sense of structure without adding walls.
6. Rug Layering: Extra Texture and Style
Layering area rugs is an effective way to create depth for your room. It can give more flexibility with the right furniture arrangement. For instance, you can lay a large neutral jute rug for the base and then a patterned rug on top of it for a coffee table. This will work well when the top rug is smaller and adds a focal decor point. The ideal way is to mix textures & patterns, but at the same time stick to a consistent color palette.
Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best interior décor styles with area rugs and furniture placement around them can go awry. These are the few common mistakes you should avoid or fix.
- People often make the mistake of choosing smaller rugs that make the furniture look as if it’s floating. Always do accurate measurements before buying a rug.
- You push the rug a bit too close to the wall. It’s best practice to leave a bit of space around the rug to frame it nicely within the room.
- Keep an eye out to not clash patterns or colors, instead match the rug with the room’s theme and not the furniture.
Final Thoughts
This is our complete guide on how to arrange furniture around an area rug. A well-chosen and well-placed floor rug will change the outlook of your entire room. You must always experiment with different arrangements until your space feels welcoming and balanced. Once you get the hang of properly arranging the furniture around the area rug, your home will become visually appealing and cozy.
