The Dos And Don'ts Of Styling Rugs (And When It's Okay To Break The Rules)

Designers know that the right area rug can make or break a room. When you get it right, the rug can pull the room together, but when you get it wrong, the room can feel all disjointed. The good news is that keeping a few rules in mind can help you choose the right area rug and style it perfectly. From size to color to placement, there is a lot to think about when picking and placing a rug, but it's also fine to break the rules from time to time. Luckily, Design Historian Sarah Bilotta, who spoke exclusively to House Digest, has some advice on how to get this big decision just right.  

Let's start with a quick overview. The wrong rug size can make your room feel unsettled, so make sure you get the size right. Placement is also paramount, but it can be fun to play with (more on that later). Finally, don't be afraid to go bold with color. Bilotta believes a rug is a statement piece and that if it blends in, you may not need the rug at all. To start off on the right foot, Bilotta says, "Make sure you get it right by choosing the rug last, after the furniture is in place." This will make it easy to know what size and color you need. Now, let's get into the details!

Size matters, but so does context. Are you shopping for a living room, a bedroom, or a dining room? In a dining room, you generally want a rug big enough that your chairs fit on it even when they are pulled out. In a living room, you'll probably want the front legs of a sofa to sit comfortably on the rug. However, in a bedroom, things are more up for grabs. Typically, you will want to place a rug horizontally beneath your bed. "This is a nice rule to follow if you're designing a bedroom for the first time, but I think with bedrooms, there is a lot of wiggle room with rug design — perhaps more than there is with other rooms," says Sarah Bilotta. She suggests trying two smaller rugs on each side of the bed if you want to play with size and placement.

Living rooms also offer a chance to be playful by layering multiple smaller rugs. Bilotta warns that this can make a small space look cluttered, so proceed with caution. It's also helpful to think about placement in a different way. "Choose the right rug for the amount of traffic you're going to get in that area," says Bilotta, speaking exclusively to House Digest. "A high pile or shag rug will not survive in a room that gets a lot of traffic." It could, however, add extra warmth and texture to your bedroom.

Looking for a way to make this decision easier? Opt for a classic choice like a Persian or Turkish rug (or at least a pattern inspired by them). Sarah Bilotta says, "They are timeless and come in so many colors that you can find one to fit any room." Bilotta also shares a pro-tip exclusively with House Digest: spend a little more to get a washable rug. Nothing is worse than spending time and money on the right rug and then staining it.

Classic patterns are safe, but be willing to think outside the box, too. Bilotta likes to use durable and inexpensive outdoor rugs in high-traffic areas. She recommends the Adelaide Harlequin by RugsUSA. "I have one on my deck as well as opposite the door to the deck, to create the feeling of a cohesive indoor-outdoor space," she adds.

Lastly, have a little fun with complementary patterns, especially in rooms with sofas or bedding. "A great way to determine this is to buy swatches and place them next to each other, then mix and match until you find a combination that feels right," says Bilotta. Now that you know the basics, check out our tips for perfect rug placement to learn more about how and when to break the rug rules. And remember, your opinion is the only one that really matters!