Choosing a living room rug
The living room rug does the most work in the house. It anchors the seating, softens a hard floor and sets the colour for the room. This collection covers almost everything we stock, from easy-care Rug Culture designs to hand-tufted wool from Scion, Harlequin, Wedgwood, Orla Kiely, Morris & Co and Sanderson.
Get the size right first
The most common mistake is a rug that's too small. Choose one big enough for at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs to sit on it. That ties the furniture together and makes the room feel bigger.
- Small lounge: around 230x160cm
- Most lounges: 280x200 to 300x200cm
- Open-plan living: 330x240cm and up
Mark the size out with painter's tape before you order. The size guide has more detail.
Which material?
- Wool: the warmest, softest choice, and it holds its shape for years. New wool rugs shed for the first few weeks, which is normal
- Polypropylene and polyester: lower cost and easy to spot clean. A good fit for kids, pets and busy family rooms
- Viscose: a silky sheen for quieter formal lounges, but blot dry only
- Jute: natural texture, but coarse underfoot and blot dry only
See care by material before you decide.
Pattern or plain?
A patterned rug hides everyday marks and can carry the colour scheme on its own. Pick one or two colours from it for cushions and throws. A plain or textured rug suits a room that already has a bold sofa, artwork or curtains.
Price
Everyday rugs start under $100 in small sizes. Hand-tufted designer wool usually starts above $1,000 and rises with size.
Finish it with a rug pad
A rug pad stops the rug creeping, adds cushioning and protects your floor. It's sized to match automatically when you add it on the product page.
Still not sure?
Send us your room measurements, or a photo of the space, and we'll suggest sizes or style the rug into your room for free. Get in touch.
