Tips for picking out the right sized rug
January 21, 2010
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I found our new rug at TJMaxx/HomeGoods – it’s a five by almost seven foot rug and it’s awesome. But my hope was to get a rug that was much bigger than our last, because the last wasn’t big enough for our family room, at least according to the “rules.”
There are many rules I’ve heard you should follow when purchasing a rug for a space. One mistake I know most of us make (I say “us” because I’ve done it many times!) is to buy a rug that is too small. I do it for one reason -- pure and simple – the cost. Big rugs are expensive, no matter where you buy them.
For example, a rug under the dining room table or kitchen table should be big enough so that when someone sits down to eat and pulls in their chair, the whole chair is still on the rug.
I found a fun, round rug at Target for our kitchen a few months ago, and I was so pleased to get it home and find it worked great:
I didn’t want one much bigger because we don’t have a ton of space in our kitchen, and anything bigger would have given the illusion of a cramped space. Smaller would just look weird. That’s the thing – you’ll know it when it’s not right. It just doesn’t sit right to the eye.
Our family room has had a rug from JCPenneys for the past few years that I loved:
It had all of the colors I’ve used to decorate our family room, kitchen and den – rust, green and brown tones. The only thing that bothered me was it was just a bit too small. It didn’t bother me too much, obviously. I mean, we had it for at least three years. :) A few months ago, I looked at JCP online for a larger one and this rug was discontinued, so no luck there.
Then, a couple weeks ago while at TJMaxx, I spotted a beautiful, bright, fun rug that had all of the perfect colors but was a bit more contemporary than I typically go for. It was one of those when I knew I loved it but didn’t know if it was right for me. You know that feeling?
I touched it, admired it, walked away from it. Turned around, looked at it again, touched it, put it on the floor, admired it. Put it back, touched it. Walked away, freaked out because someone might buy it while I looked around more (that happens there all the time!), ran back, smiled when I saw it was still there, touched it again and said what the heck Sarah just buy the dang thing!!! Whew.
It really was like that. Serious.
So I bought it. It always could go back, right? Well, it took a few minutes and some tweeting to my tweeters but I fell. in. love:
Only thing -- it was even smaller than the one I had! (By inches.) The “rules” are a bit shady when it comes to rugs for spaces like this. I’ve heard the furniture should sit completely on the rug (meaning all four legs of each piece) or at least have the front legs on the rug to anchor it.
A rug that is large enough for all of our furniture to sit on it would be 9 by 12 feet, and I just don’t want to spend that kind of cash right now.
So…I thunk and I thunk and I thunked. And then while in World Market the other day – it hit me. I found a 6 by 9 jute rug for $99 and figured it would work GREAT as a “base” of sorts for the other new rug. They had a creamy color, which I went for initially, but I realized it would just melt into the other one. Instead, I picked up the green rug so it would make the smaller one pop:
And I luuuuurved it! (The kitty does too!) It looks like it’s a band around the smaller rug – if you just glance at it, it looks like it’s just one rug. Super cool. The green color is just a tad bit darker than I wanted, but it still gives nice contrast and the smaller rug keeps the room bright. I’m still playing around with the placement of it but I really love how it turned out!
So it wasn’t cheap -- $200 total for the two rugs. But I got what I love, which is the hardest part!
Of course this has started a snowball effect – the way too big coffee table had to go (I loved it but it’s always seemed too big to me), the lamps got a facelift (see below!), the accessories are getting lighter and now I am getting the itch to replace the drapes. ;) The new coffee table is almost complete, so I’ll show you that next week.
Oh, and just to show you how I kick the “rules” to the curb most of the time – the rug in the kitchen and this rug don’t really go – I mean, they are both floral prints, mostly the same colors – but I would normally do a solid and a print in spaces so close to each other. But I love them both, they look great in their separate spaces, and the rules can kiss my booty.
I love the idea of layering rugs! It turned out super cute. Coincidentally, I bought a new rug from Target last night that I know is too small for my furniture placement, but I just centered it and "anchored" it with my coffee table and one of the sofas and called it good.
ReplyDeleteI love it!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you've ever tried this or if it would be cost effective at all:
My father (he's a pro) cuts & binds & sews rugs/borders together. He uses things like giant glue guns & sewing machines.
If you can do that, you could get a smaller rug & not have so much wasted rug hidden underneath.
I'm really liking your super cute & fun rug! Also, your booty comment cracked me up...thanks!:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you followed your instincts and got that rug b/c it is PERFECT!!! LOVE the idea of layering rugs to stretch em a bit. Also, kuddos on the green choice instead of cream :)
ReplyDeleteLove the floral print!
ReplyDeleteI love the warmer colours, but the lighter rug really brightens up your space!
ReplyDeleteSad you dont get Kath and Kim anymore, the Australian version was much funnier, maybe they might come over to you....
Sue
LOVE how it all came together. It looks awesome. I can't wait until I have a home of my own so I can try out your decorating tips.
ReplyDeleteRIP Kath and Kim. It cracked me up!
ReplyDeleteThese colors are FANTASTIC!!!! I love idea if layering rugs!!! Just a great idea!
ReplyDeleteLove the layered look !! The rugs are perfect ... can't wait to see your "new" coffee table, too. Gotta love the decorating snowball effect !! Take care, Becca
ReplyDeleteI'm with you! Some rules are just made to be broken and I go with smaller rugs, too. Also, because the one I fall in love with is usually not available in a larger size {I've looked, believe me}. Who made up these stupid rules anyway?
ReplyDeleteSo I don't really know too much and I won't pretend to but I do remember seeing on HGTV one time that the rule of rugs is that the furniture has to be completely on the rug or completely off, not in between. But seeing as none of us are hard-core rule followers it probably doesn't matter. Just thought I'd share what I learned.
ReplyDeletelove this!!!!.....
ReplyDeletefiling this look in my memory....thanks.
dj
Great idea with the rug - it turned out beautifully! And, as an added bonus, it's probably extra squishy under the feet! =]
ReplyDeleteRugs ARE expensive! I love your new rug. We acutally found a pretty decent rug for our living room at Home Depot of all places. And luckily we got a hand me down rug for our dining room that was the perfect color.
ReplyDeleteRules are meant to be broken! I love the rug you choose and the dark green under rug makes it pop.
ReplyDeleteLove the new rugs! And, I am just SORRY...some rules are meant to be broken. If you "lurve" it, then by all means...buy it, put it in your home, display it proudly...afterall, YOU are the one living there!! I've been known to break a rule or two when it comes to decorating. Who made them up anyhow????????!!! I am also a good friend to the "snowball" effect...dealing with that issue now! If only I'd win the lottery...now, that would be easy!
ReplyDeleteHoly cow I adore your rug! The green border is a fabulous idea. We have this heinous carpet in our apartment that I cannot get rid of due to the rules, and I've been yearning for a rug for ages. Thanks for the advice!
ReplyDeleteBE CARFEUL!!! I got that same rug and my DYson ate it....not kidding! It fell apart the second time I vacuumed it!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE that new rug. HomeGoods is Fab. I can spend hours in there! Our rug in the living room is from HomeGoods and is a total knock off of the felt rug West Elm sells for $450 (discontinued now!) but mine was clearanced at $100. :) Love it!
ReplyDeleteLove all your ideas and how you "break the rules" to make things work! I'm always into making it work somehow! Became a fan of yours on FB and have passed on your site to all my neighbors and friends!
ReplyDeleteOne thing does lead to another...hate that...and love it, too.
ReplyDeleteI love it.
ReplyDeleteI just read someplace about layering rugs and here you go layering rugs.(It wasnt your blog right?)
Anyways I love how it looks and cant wait to see the new coffee table
Okay this keeps not letting me comment. So one more shot. LOVE LOVE LOVE that rug! LOVE LOVE LOVE that rug! SO IN LOVE with that rug. That is all I have to say. LOL Oh wait, Tiffany said her Dyson ate hers. Bummer.
ReplyDeleteWhoever is making the "rules" has way too much time on their hands and probably should be busy vacuuming or redecorating something in their house instead of sitting around making up silly rules.....who has that kind of time anyway?????
ReplyDeletebtw: "Luuuurve" what you've done with your place!
sacksaw@aol.com
I lurve your new rug and the layering is genius! Cannot wait to see the new table...
ReplyDeleteThe new rug looks great!
ReplyDeleteKathy
so did you get it at TJmaxx or HomeGoods? You said both names.
ReplyDeleteI love your rugs! I just saw David on Color Splash the other day layering rugs. He said it is something he loves to do for more visual interest.
ReplyDeleteBy the way - Your blog (specifically the "Spray Paint Finger" post is what got me hooked on home blogs. I really enjoy all of your projects. Keep them coming!
I just love the new rug. My thought is that if you fill your home with things you love, they will all go together...because it will all have a piece of yourself in common. Okay...maybe I am rationalizing the fact that I like so many things....hmmm...
ReplyDeleteLove your blog.
Sorry Melissa, they are owned by the same company. So you should be able to find it at either if they still have it, but I got this one at a TJMaxx specifically. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I have a rug in the livingroom that we got from pottery barn a couple years ago, but I couldn't afford the 8x10 I needed so the rug I have and love just kinda "floats"... layering rugs... brilliant!
ReplyDeleteLurve it like for serious.
ReplyDeleteIf I could morph into a fly and live in your house for a day I so would. So, just in case, don't kill any flies that are trying to get into your house in the next few months mmmkay? Thanks!
We had the same problem in numerous rooms. We hired a home stager when we sold our house, and she put the furniture at an angle in two rooms but left the rug "square" and she angled the rug in another and left the furniture "square". It looked better to be honest and I thought, "Why didn't I think of that"?
ReplyDeleteLove the layered look. I can't believe how great that green rug look under the floral one. It's fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of large rugs. They ARE expensive but I think they're worth the splurge.
And if you have a Pottery Barn outlet nearby, you can get some really nice deals.
Perfect. Simply perfect! LOVES!
ReplyDeleteOoooo-- I likes it!! :) I've never thought about layering rugs--great idea.
ReplyDeleteOh I love it too! So cute!!!
ReplyDeleteI love both the rugs. We need a new one so bad for our living room but I hate to spend that much money on one rug. Now I've got ideas thanks to you.
ReplyDeleteThe layered rugs look awesome! Rules, shmules. Do what you like and it will always be right.
ReplyDeleteI`m looking for a rug since a loong time and can`t find any.(Oh, not that there wouldn`t be some nice ones out there, but as you said the costs...:0..) So this idea with the two rugs is great and could lead my search to an end. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteRules, schmules. It's your house. If you love, nothing else matters! Love reading your blog! My blog is so out of date.... I need to get back at it! Blessings! Linda
ReplyDeleteI don't like the rules either. I think that you have to decorate the way you love things and it should reflect you and your family. I was on Twitter when you were tweeting about the rug. I love the rug. It is fun and 'happy' as I say. I think the idea of a rug underneath is fabulous. I might have to steal this idea from you. I have been feeling like our rug need to be a bit bigger and that would be a great solution to the problem.
ReplyDeletethat is a great idea. I havent' wanted to pay the cost for a large rug. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny. "The rules can kiss my booty." Oh, Sarah. You make me laugh.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm not laughing at your rugs. They look smashing! And I'd say $200 was pretty darn thrifty for that new look!
Loooove the idea of layering rugs! They're beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE to decorate, too, and I just found your blog. Have you ever tried Overstock for rugs? They have beautiful WOOL rugs for super good prices. Several months ago I bought a 100% 2 1/2' x 14' wool rug and it is gorgeous. And just like everything else there, it shipped for $2.95! Anyway...Your new layered rugs look great, and I'll be checking in again soon!
ReplyDeleteOverstock.com has AMAZING deals on BIG rugs. Plus you can read all the reviews to get a better idea if it's what you're looking for. AND everything ships for like, $2! Even a ginormous rug!
ReplyDeleteLove your stuff, I check it EVERY day. And I'm just glad that somebody else is mourning Kath & Kim! I miss those girls so much!
ReplyDeleteI love it! What a great idea! I have been trying to decide what I wanted to do for a rug in my living room and have been unable to find what I want in the right size. The printed rug I really want is too small so I think I will use your idea and pull in a solid color from the color scheme in my room and try to match it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
~ Tracy
The new rug is fabbo!!! And you can never go wrong shopping at Home Goods. It is by far my absolute favorite store EVER!!!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE LOVE the rug! That is just the rug style that I like - simple pattern, kind of contemporary but no too modern-over-the-top. I think it's perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove the new rug .... and the more contemporary pattern. It really pops in your room.
ReplyDeleteThat pattern on the rug really brightens up the space! And I love the idea of layering the two.
ReplyDeleteI need a new rug for my family room so badly! I am so picky, but I would love any of those you have! Why can't I fall in love with something in real life?
ReplyDeleteOH, I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI never thought of layering rugs (duh!) I like the two different prints, too. Great job, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing the rules, I sometimes wonder what are the rules for rugs on top of carpeting. How I wish I had hardwood floors instead.
ReplyDeleteOh! I love the layered rug idea. I am still in search of the perfect rug for our family room and I think I now need TWO rugs! ;D
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the rug in the kitchen. It makes your kitchen table stand out so beautifully and coordinates with the wall so well. The heck with rules, if you really like something, just make it work!!!
ReplyDeleteI love both rugs! You've got such an eye for this stuff. Good finds!
ReplyDeleteI really like the look you created with two rugs! I must admit I'm envious you found a round rug in Target. I have never been able to find a round rug there...wonder why? You wouldn't think it would vary from state to state, would you?
ReplyDeleteI love the layered rug idea! My rugs are all too small, I know it. They're just so darn pricey. Right now I have $30 carpet remnants down on the hard floor until I find the right rugs at the right price.
ReplyDeleteIf I won a consult I think I'd use it on my master bedroom. Its the room I'm really not happy with, but haven't had the time to deal with.
How very clever of you to come up with the laying rugs thing. Love the blog. Watch it always. =)
ReplyDeleteLove it!! It looks great! I remember the day on Twitter when you were debating it! :)
ReplyDeletethe layered rug look looks great -- I'm going to try it!
ReplyDeleteI love the rugs. The layered look is great.
ReplyDeleteTell me please, do you have trouble with a rug getting really dirty underneath of your kitchen table? I have often thought of adding a rug because I feel like my kitchen is "cold" without one. I have been leary of getting one while my childeren are in grade school because it seems I have to sweep after every meal. Got any tips for me? I like your kitchen rug by the way! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteNOOOO!!! Kath and Kim was our show! Their clothes were GORG and I loved wine time celeb gossip!! Like the rug though. I need to come over and see it soon. Love you!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea to layer rugs. At $200 it is still a VERY cost friendly solution to get a look you love. Well done!
ReplyDeleteLove the new rug and table! You are so creative! I just found your blog yesterday and I'm really enjoying looking through all your projects. You are so talented and creative. It's nice to know someone who owned the same JCPenney rug :) I have it in my foyer and just love it!
ReplyDelete