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Choosing a rug is a big decision so we've put some practical tips together so you can confidently choose the right rug for you and your home. We'll help you think about what will work for the way you live, giving you a rug that will not only look good - and keep looking that way - but add the right level of comfort and functionality.
For another quick guide, check out our Placement Guide here.
Once you know where the rug is going - living room, bedroom, dining area - the important decisions of placement, colour, fibre and size will follow.
A rug in your living room is the easiest way to add character, warmth and textural depth to your living space. All Armadillo rugs are hand woven or knotted entirely by hand from natural and sustainable fibres, making them hard wearing and perfect for everyday family living. Here's our top tips:
Foot traffic - think about how you use the space; is it a busy family area or a formal entertaining space? Is there a lot of foot traffic or is this a more formal area where a certain look, or softness underfoot is the goal?
Look and feel - do you want your rug to make a statement by adding colour or design? Or perhaps something more neutral to add texture, softness and pull together existing furnishings? This is where the right rug can make the space so inviting.
And getting the size right is key.
As a general rule, a larger rug will trick the eye to make the space appear larger and more cohesive. It's important to still leave space between the rug and the walls to allow 'breathing space' - this will make the room feel spacious, inviting and well-designed.
Measure the seating area - from the back of the sofa/chair on all sides of the room, not the space in between seats. Ideally have all furniture seated on the rug with approx. 20cm of rug going past the sides and backs of seats. If you want to go smaller, try and be consistent to achieve a cohesive look i.e. if the sofa front legs only sit on the rug, ensure all other seats do the same.
L shaped sofas look good fully on the rug but that's not always possible in the space. If not, try and run the main sofa with front legs just on the rug with the L return/chaise component fully on the rug from that point. This helps add balance visually and makes the seating area look inviting.
Usually, orientate the rug to match the shape of the room.
Dining room rugs add style, colour and warmth to an interior living space. Place our handwoven floor rugs within your open plan living space to define the boundaries of your dining room or alternatively place the rug to artistically frame your dining table.
The best size under a dining table is about 60-70cm wider all around and in proportion to the table, accommodating chairs when people are seated. Try to ensure the chairs stay on the rug even when pushed back for seating.
Place a round rug under a round table to accentuate the table shape and enhance the room’s overall design. Consider spills - if they happen a lot, choose a flat weave rug that's easy to clean up. Our Indoor Outdoor rugs are great as they clean up beautifully and can even be taken outside and hosed down.
Bedroom rugs offer a soft, warm surface to land on when you get out of bed in the morning. Our hand knotted floor rugs can be placed at the foot of the bed or under your bed and bedside tables. Bedroom rugs are the perfect way to add personality, texture and colour to your bedroom.
Our favourite look and feel underfoot is a rug that runs in front of bedside tables and approx. 60cm beyond the bed sides and foot of bed. This allows you to step onto the pile and keeping the bedside tables off the rug allows a sense of breathing space and proportion in the room.
1.7 x 2.4m small/medium rug suitable for kids' bedrooms. Smaller living spaces. Under a single bed.
2 x 3m / 2.4 x 3m medium sized rug. Under a double bed. Living room in an enclosed room. L-shaped sofa configuration where the chaise return sits on the rug but the main sofa sits off. Under a smaller dining table.
2.5 x 3.5m / 2.7 x 3.6 defines the living space in an open plan living area. Our most popular size rug, this size is generous under a Queen+ bed and holds all chairs under a family dining table. Where possible, this will make the space feel bigger than a 2 x 3m rug.
3 x 4m / 3 x 4.2m our largest standard size rug, holding all furniture on the rug to define an area; the right size to delineate eating and living areas in generous open plan spaces. Becoming more popular as we see people wanting to create a defined and inviting living area, particularly in new builds and living room extensions to older homes.
Most Armadillo rugs can be custom sized and The Ivy House works with clients in Auckland and across NZ to confirm the correct size for your space.
Get the feel and functionality right and you can really enjoy living on your rug. That's what they're for. A pretty rug that isn't practical won't be something you enjoy. Our natural and sustainable fibres are soft and naturally easy to clean so we're confident you will love what you choose.
Have fun choosing and please ask us for any advice - we love being able to help.
Lastly, please, choose what you love. You're going to have this rug for a long time and if you love it, it will work in other rooms and other homes. Because that's how we now live - things change.