How to choose a rug: a 7-step guide

A rug is the largest piece of textile covering a room's floor, so a wrong choice affects the whole room. If you follow the seven steps below in order, choosing becomes easier and you are less likely to regret it.

1. Decide on the size first

The first decision is the size, not the color or pattern. Measure the free floor space in your room and think about how the furniture will sit in relation to the rug. For living rooms, our living room rug size guide walks you through it step by step.

2. Take foot traffic into account

How many people cross that floor each day? In busy areas such as the entrance, hallway and kitchen, densely woven, short-pile and easy-to-clean rugs last longer. In the bedroom, softness underfoot may matter more.

3. Decide on texture and pile height

• Short pile: easy to vacuum, fine for pulling chairs across, ideal for busy areas.
• Long pile (shaggy): soft and warm; lovely under a seating area, but takes more effort to clean.
• Flat weave (kilim): its thin profile causes no trouble under doors, and it can be used on both sides.

4. Choose color and pattern to suit the room

If your furniture is plain, the rug can be patterned; if your sofa is patterned, calm tones on the rug are more balanced. For details, see our rug colors guide.

5. Match it to your cleaning habits

With children or pets at home, washable rugs make daily life easier. Otherwise, one professional wash a year is enough for most homes.

6. Do not forget the floor and slipping

Rugs can slide on parquet and tiles. Designs with a non-slip backing or a rug pad improve both safety and the life of the rug. We cover this in our pad and non-slip backing article.

7. Think about the budget per square meter

It is fairer to compare rug prices per square meter rather than by total price. Moving up to a larger size in the same series often makes less difference than you expect.

If you get stuck at any point, send us a photo and the measurements of your room, and we will pick suitable options with you from our store. You can browse all designs on the products page.