80% Carpeting Rule: How to Choose An Area Rug
Choosing an area rug for a space is a task that can quickly veer into troubled waters; pick the wrong one, and it will throw off the entire feel of the room. Choose the right textile, however, and it can brighten and lift the aesthetic. This is just because of an area rug, as the term indicates, is a significant design item; covering most of the floor surface of a room and more or less setting the visual mood. There is no need for trepidation when shopping for one though; evaluating your options using the following categories will simplify the process and give you confidence in your decision.
Color
Color, and we’ll include a pattern in this category, should be the first point of reference. If the other design elements (furniture, lighting, paint, etc.) are already in place, then use the tones and aesthetic of those pieces as a guide. If the room is dominated by a lot of light pastels, choose a rug with a similar color and shade. If leaning toward something with a bold pattern and multiple colors, it’s best to place that piece first, then add the rest of the decor using the rug as a reference.
Generally speaking, if the furnishings and wall coverings have been installed it is easier to go with a neutral tone; a natural fiber rug like sisal or something with a simple pattern that nods to the wall color. Don’t be shy though, if a boldly patterned textile speaks to you, and its tones are on par with the aesthetic of the space, go for it. It may be just the thing that lifts the design level of the room from safe to compelling.
Texture
This is an often overlooked aspect in the choice of an area rug. Most people naturally don’t look past the color and pattern-especially when shopping online-but they should. Well curated textures will add depth and layers to the design of a space. Look for pieces that contrast with the existing textiles. If you have a couch with a soft, heavily textured upholstery, choose a rug with a low pile made from a material like jute. Should your room include smoother surfaces such as a leather sectional or chairs, aim for something full and fluffy like a hand-woven Moroccan kilim. Apply the same principle with smaller decor items like pillows and throws for a luxurious, layered feel.
Size
Sizing a rug is a relatively straightforward part of the process, but don’t be tempted to go against the rules because an attractive piece isn’t available in a suitable size. Undersizing an area rug will make a room feel small and awkward. As a rule, covering the seating area is the standard, but making sure at least the front legs of chairs are on the textile is a satisfactory compromise. Most importantly, you and your guest’s feet should be touching the rug when seated.
When it comes to a dining room, the chairs should all have room to be pulled out from under the table while still on the textile. If it’s a bedroom rug your sizing, it should extend at least a couple of feet beyond the bed, so that upon waking your feet find a soft landing. Also to be considered is orientation; rectangular pieces fit rectangular spaces while square rooms look natural with square or round rugs. This may sound obvious, but again, it’s easy to be tempted away from a proper size when falling for an attractive textile not available in the right dimensions.
80% Carpeting Rule
If you live in a dense city such as New York, then an area rug may be more than merely an item of decor. While not an actual law on the books, many lease agreements-especially in NYC-require at least 80% coverage of floor space with carpeting. The primary aim of the rule is, of course, noise reduction; though how effective it is is up for debate. In any event, if you happen to live in such a building and wish to comply with the lease, then curating a selection of elegant area rugs to adorn your apartment is paramount (not to mention a much better option than carpeting). Consider this while sizing your textiles, and if the rug you want isn’t available in the proper dimensions, try layering it over a more substantial piece in a neutral material such as hemp or seagrass.
Keep these four principles in mind while shopping and the experience will be simple, stress-free, and the results exceptional. Setting boundaries while designing is a good rule of thumb in general; limiting the choices frees you up and prevents the paralysis of infinite options. It’s a concept that can be applied not just to the choosing of a rug, but the space as a whole.
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