Area rugs are one of the most decorative elements. They have the potential to change a rooms entire appearance and instantly change the way a space feels. Floor rugs add warmth, colour and texture as well as tie your décor elements together.

However finding the perfect area rug can be a challenge because there are so many colours, styles, designs, shapes and sizes to consider. You have to think about how it works in your space and more importantly, you have to love it because for most of us, rugs aren't something you change every season like throw pillows.

Do you want your rug to blend in with your furniture and décor? Or do you want it to make a dramatic statement as your hero piece? While colour and design seem like the main factors, sizing is also vital. Read on for some helpful tips and inspirations.

Living Room

Larger rugs typically unify a space whereas smaller ones like those placed under the coffee table is enough for a minimalist, contemporary home. A common debate is whether the legs of couches and furniture should be on or off the rug, but a simple solution is to do both with only the front legs of furniture on the rug. Generally, the bigger the rug, the larger it makes the room appear and should have at least 50cm of floor exposed around all of the rugs edges and the wall.

Dining Room

While not the obvious choice to place a rug for those purchasing a rug for the first time, there are many good reasons to consider it. Besides deadening the sound of scraping chairs and protecting the floor from scratching, area rugs in dining rooms also frames the table, which is especially important in open floor plans.

Dining room rugs should be big enough for the chair legs to sit comfortably on – even when they are pulled out. The area rug should define the dining area without confining it. As a general rule of thumb, the rug should be at least 60cm around the table. It's also a good idea to avoid elaborate patterns since the table and chairs will obscure it anyway.

Bedrooms

Placing an area rug in the bedroom is a great idea for those with tiled floors. Your feet will be treated to the soft plushness of the rug rather than the coldness of the floor. When it comes to rugs in the bedroom, there are two popular choices. The first option is to place it at the foot of the bed, or the second is under the bed with an equal part of the rug exposed on both sides.

If your bedding and linen is mostly solid colours, you might want to try something decorative or fancy. If it's already patterned, go for a more neutral rug to balance the whole design.

Here are some further questions to ask yourself before choosing an area rug:

• What type of lifestyle do you lead?
• Do you have young children or pets?
• Where will you place your rug and what purpose will it serve?
• What is your overall décor style? Does your style change frequently?
• Are you going to be moving?

Once you have the answer to these questions speak to our qualified team at any of The Rug Establishments locations about choosing your designer rug.