Choosing a rug can be difficult, and with thousands of colours, styles, patterns and materials available, it can be hard to know which rug is best suited to your home. While rugs are a personal choice (and there is no right or wrong) there are some considerations to keep in mind. Liza Garrison, Director of Product at Ruggable has highlighted five tips that shoppers should consider when purchasing a rug.

DO consider where your rug is going to be placed

“Depending on where in your home you plan on positioning your rug, you will need to purchase accordingly. For example, if you plan on buying rugs for high-traffic areas like entryways or hallways, you will want to consider rugs in darker colours or patterns that can better camouflage dirt and stains, and even more durable materials such as jute that can withstand the higher traffic.”

“If you are placing a rug in your kitchen or under the dining table, it’s imperative to opt for machine-washable rugs — as they’ll make any mess clean-up much easier.”

DO measure your furniture

“Buying rugs that are too small is a common mistake buyers make, particularly when purchasing rugs to place beneath furniture such as sofas, beds, or dining tables. As a rule of thumb, you want a rug that is at least two times the length of the furniture, with an equal amount of the rug showing on either side. This will bring extra interest to floor space that might otherwise be left bare. When it comes to dining tables, you’ll know a rug is too small if the chair or table legs do not fit comfortably on the rug.”

DO consider your interior decor

“With so many options when it comes to colour, style and pattern, it can be easy to get carried away and choose a rug you love without considering the decor of the room you plan to place it in.”

“You should choose rug colours that complement or positively contrast with your current furniture, wall colours, and accessories. If you have a maximalist decor style, you might want to consider a more subtle rug in a block colour that matches your decor to complement the space without adding too much distraction from the already eye-catching decor. On the other hand, if you have a more neutral interior, then you can use rugs to add pops of colour to your space. For example, Persian-style rugs are a great way to add pattern and colour to an otherwise plain space, but adding one to a room that is adorned with a patterned wallpaper might feel too busy.”

DO purchase a rug pad

“Whilst a rug pad does come at an additional cost, I cannot recommend them enough. A rug pad acts as a buffer between the rug and your flooring, making it feel nicer underfoot, protecting your floor and stopping your rug from slipping.  A rug pad is particularly useful if you have children, as it will prevent the rug from slipping beneath them as they run around your home.”

“A rug pad can expand the lifespan of your rug too, as it decreases the amount of friction between the rug and the floor beneath, so the extra spend is worth it to get a lot more life from your rug.”

DO weigh the pros and cons of new vs. old rugs

“A mistake I see a lot of people make is purchasing vintage rugs simply because of their charm. Whilst the appeal is obvious due to the uniqueness and one-of-a-kind feel of a second-hand, vintage rug, it pays to make a more considered decision before purchasing.”

“Vintage rugs are often much harder to clean due to the natural materials they are made with. With modern homes experiencing a lot of footfall, spills, and stains, a vintage rug will not fare well. Since vintage rugs often carry a hefty price, properly considering how it will last and wear in your home is advised.”

“If you like the more vintage look and feel, but you don’t want to pay the price or risk it being ruined, there are hundreds of options available that beautifully replicate more traditional styles such as Persian or Moroccan, giving you the look you’re after for less money and less stress.”

Want more? Click here for Tour this architecturally designed London home