#LiveWell: How to Choose the Perfect Rug for Your Home or Office Space
Spring is a season of growth and transformation so if you’ve been feeling the nagging urge to transform your home or office, chances are you’re not alone. For individuals looking to breathe new life into an existing work or living space, or create a gorgeous and harmonious space from scratch, it’s often a good idea to start from the ground up (excuse the pun) by considering the many types of rugs that exist, in order to find the perfect pick for you. Keep reading to find out how to choose the best carpets and rugs for any interior.
Laying down the basics
While the flooring of a room is often not the most important element which we consider when designing a work or living space, it certainly deserves careful consideration. Carpets and rugs are useful in that they can be used to transform a room in many different ways – without breaking the bank. If you’re refurbishing an existing space, there is a strong likelihood that you’re looking to transform the room without delving into the expensive realm that is construction. If you are no longer ‘in love’ with the look or feel of your floor, adding the right rug or carpet runner can help to add texture, colour and warmth thereby altering and enhancing the space without having to redo the entire floor.
How to choose the right carpets and rugs for you and your space
General rules of thumb
When determining the size and orientation of your future office or home rug, remember that it should be proportional to the space it will appear in. In other words, larger rooms generally require larger rugs while longer rooms demand rugs or carpets that offer length. Before you start decorating, take the time to visualise the ultimate look you are trying to achieve as this will inform which size and type of rug you eventually settle on. Carpets and rugs act as ‘artwork’ for your floor, creating a focal area or frame which is why size and shape are two of the most important factors to consider – followed by colour and texture. In this post, we will explore the key considerations to keep in mind when choosing a new rug to furnish a work or living space.
Choosing rugs by room
In order to choose the right rug, you’ll need to consider what room it will be used in as well as the size of the room in question. Start by measuring the room and the furniture. Different rooms generally lend themselves to different rugs – follow this simple guideline below to make your task a little easier. 
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- Living rooms: What shape is your living room? Rugs that appear in these living spaces are often intended to make the space look and feel larger and more connected.
- Bedrooms: Introducing a rug or carpet to your bedroom can give your feet a soft place to land in the morning, which is why many bedroom rugs are placed either on the sides of a bed or underneath the bed so that the rug’s plush surface extends past the perimeter of the bed.
- Kitchens and hallways: A carpet runner can visually extend a space, making this shape of carpet a popular choice for kitchens that have large galleys or islands as well as hallways which need some added warmth.
HELPFUL HINTS:
- Arrange your furniture before measuring for a rug as this will reduce the risk of choosing a rug or carpet that is too large or too small.
- Use masking tape to plot out the dimensions of a rug in its prospective home to ensure you have a great fit from every vantage point.
Choosing rugs by size
Traditional sized rugs If you are decorating a room of average dimensions and wish to unify the room (as may be the case when decorating a lounge or living room), opt for a rug that’s slightly larger than the ‘furniture footprint’ area – in other words, the space that is occupied by seating, tables and furniture etc. Then add 15–30 centimetres to determine which rug size to order. Slightly larger rugs will visually unite the seating area in a simplistic and uncluttered way. Smaller rugs If you would like to create a more defined space, such as a cosy seating area within a larger room, you can use a smaller rug to anchor the space. For instance, you can centre a smaller rug in your seating area and position the furniture or seating so that each piece has at least one of its legs on the rug to create a charming ‘pulled-in’ look – perfect for creating conversation nooks.
Choosing rugs by shape – round rugs vs square
Generally speaking, if you are furnishing a rectangular room, you would opt for a rectangular rug while round rugs are often reserved for entry halls, under circular dinner tables or in kids’ rooms and play areas. As you may already know, shapes influence the mood and aesthetic of a room. Below are some common characteristics associated with different rug shapes as well as their benefits and tips for making them work in your home or office.
- Whimsical, playful, cosy, soft
- Can be used in small areas to create the illusion of spaciousness
- Best paired with furniture of similar shapes or used in circular rooms
- Can be used to offset rectangles
- Not recommended for use in larger spaces unless creating a ‘pulled-in’ look
Square rugs
- Best used in square rooms and when paired with square-shaped tables
- Can be used in outdoor spaces
- Use two or more square rugs alongside one another for a sense of symmetry
- A traditional and popular choice of rug shape
- Ideal for larger spaces such as living rooms, seating areas and offices
- Perfect for when you require a long, thin floor covering such as a carpet runner for a hallway or kitchen
Choosing rugs by colour
Once you have a clear idea of the colour palette and general decorative style of the room you are furnishing, you will have a better idea of which carpets and rugs to go for. Deep and dark Rugs in shades like dark blue, deep red or maroon are well-suited to light spaces i.e. rooms with white-walls or neutral, light colour palettes as they will add depth and warmth. Light and lovely If you are decorating a smaller sized room, lighter coloured walls and décor can help the room appear larger so opting for a light rug in this instance may be worthwhile. Similarly, if your space has very dark walls then introducing a light rug can help to add contrast, making the rug standout beautifully. Creative contrasts Speaking of contrasts, consider blending contrasting colours to create a balanced, bold statement. For instance, if your room has a generally warm aesthetic, you can bring in cooler tones to create an elegantly contrasted look. If you get this right, it can add style and sophistication to a room however the key here is selectivity in order to create a refined look that is not too ‘loud’. Keep it cool Introducing cooler shades to an interior can help create a sense of calmness. If your interior feels a little too busy, you can help tone things down with a cool coloured rug to enhance relaxation and harmony. Warm it up It’s a delicate balance – if a room is too cool, it can feel clinical, cold and sterile. Add some warmth with a dark coloured or patterned rug to brighten up a dull area. HELPFUL HINT: Want to extend floor coverage? Layer smaller rugs over a larger, flat rug. And if you feel like getting creative, you can even mix and match textures to add depth and complexity.
Hertex HAUS Crochet Rug
Ready to find the perfect rug?
With 32 years of experience in fabric, Hertex has established itself as the leading distributor of international fabric trends to the South African interior market. Hertex houses a multitude of quality collections including upholstery, curtaining and multi-purpose fabric. The Hertex Haus collection offers simple, sophisticated homeware such as tableware, bedding, glassware and rugs in South Africa – and more. Now that you know the secrets to choosing the best rug for your interior, be sure to browse Hertex online selection of rugs in stunning Hertex fabric to add a distinctive, sophisticated touch to any space from offices to living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, hallways and more.