At the first glance, interior designer’s job seems easy: put an armchair here, a sofa there, a coffee table in front, and voila! But the big stuff are maybe much easier to fit in than the details. What about the curtains, tablecloths and of course, the rug? The right rug can make the space look amazing, warm and welcoming, while the wrong rug can make the room appear unfinished and awkward. There are so many things to consider in such a small item: the size, the texture, the color and the design. All of them together can make or break the look of the entire room. We’ll let you in on a few designers’ secrets about choosing a perfect rug for every space.

Start with the Color

Choosing the right color is the best starting point when purchasing a rug. Since rugs are usually the last thing you are buying for the room, you will already have a pre-established color palette to guide you. This doesn’t mean that your rug can’t be a show-stopper, but only that it has to be in coherence with the remaining colors. However, if you have many shades and patterns in a single room, consider getting a neutral rug or a single color rug that complements your furniture or walls.

Move onto the Patterns

There’s nothing more appealing in a room than a patterned rug, but be cautious when choosing the patterns for each space, because you don’t want it to be overwhelmed with too many accents. You can use a rug with an all-over repeat pattern in a simple space with almost every piece of furniture, but if you are going to use a rug with an asymmetrical pattern, it’s better to combine it with furniture that has a more open and delicate frame. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns of different proportions. That is a much better choice than combining a chair, sofa, curtain and rug with the same pattern, where there would be no clear distinctions between these pieces.

Mind the Size

The second big (or small) thing you have to keep in mind when choosing a rug is its size. Size of the rug will depend on the size and the function of a room. Take living room for example. There are two widely accepted approaches: all the furniture sitting within the outer perimeter of the area rug and the front legs of the seating furniture on the top of the rug. In the second case, the rug being beneath the furniture gives the illusion of spaciousness, while in the first, it defines the sitting area. In the bedroom, the area rug should allow you to land on a soft spot when getting up, so it is best to occupy two thirds of the bed, say the professionals from DecoRug. The kitchen and the bathroom usually have small area rugs, simply for aesthetic reasons.

Texture Makes a Huge Difference

It’s the last thing we remember when buying a rug, and one of the first things we notice when spotting it. Every interior designer knows that a room rich with different textures will feel layered and warm, so paying attention to the texture of the rug is essential. Here, you can aim for contrast between the furniture and the rug. A sleek leather sofa, for instance, should be contrasted with a fluffy shaggy area rug, while a soft velvet couch will go perfectly with a smooth and hard material like sisal. The function of the room will also dictate the texture. That is the reason why you should never put a shaggy rug in your dining room – the frequent traffic, spills and stains would make cleaning and walking much more difficult. A rug like that, however, would be perfect for the bedroom, because you want your feet to land on soft and fluffy spot upon waking up.

Rugs define the space and enhance the décor, so making this choice shouldn’t be taken lightly. Following some basic rules and designers’ tips is the safe way to go, but if you have an idea of your own, sometimes you should simply go with your gut.

Guest Post By:

Chloe is an art historian, recreational ballet dancer and a contributor at smoothdecorator.com. She is passionate about photography, dance and music. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world with her husband and take stunning photographs of beautiful places. She also enjoys learning and writing about home design, since she is crazy about aesthetics. You can find Chloe on FB, Twitter, and G+.