How to Pick a Rug for Your Living Room

Rugs are simple accents for a room, but they are also deceptively complex, and the wrong rug can have a disastrous effect on the overall cohesion of the room. The right rug can help tie an entire room together in one enthralling and complex story. While living room rug selection may seem like a simple chore to many, plenty of others wonder how to pick a rug for their living room.


We’re going to take a good look at the finer points of how to choose a rug for your living room, and what you should consider before making a selection. We’ll also let you in on a secret for those that just can’t decide on one option over another. In the end, we’ll point you toward a trusted resource for rugs.

How To Pick A Rug For Your Living Room

Choosing A Rug Size

The big pitfalls of sizing your rug wrong are you either end up with a massive rug that reaches all walls and rolls up a bit, or a rug that is almost comically small that your coffee table and armchair struggle to share in peace. There are some standard sizes, such as 6x9, 8x10, 9x12, and 10x14, but there are countless other non-standard sizes as well as custom options that are available from many sources.


No matter what you choose, there are some sizing guidelines to remember. First, always make sure there are 4-8 inches of bare floor between the edge of the rug and the nearest wall or neighboring rug. Popular looks include putting all legs of furniture items on the rug and putting the front legs on and the rear legs off. 

Choosing Color & Pattern

While many people will try to coordinate their rug to their walls or other decor, one of the most significant factors in how your rug will look is the flooring that it’s placed on. Darker rugs tend to hide spills and soiling easier, and patterned rugs can help boost interest in neutral rooms with equally neutral walls and furniture. For colorful rooms, pick one or two colors from the decor for your rug, so there is less clashing and visual noise.

Consider The Texture Of The Material

There are so many options for materials that it can be intimidating. Each material will have a unique feel, but will also have unique benefits and drawbacks. 


Wool is a great natural fiber that can add significant warmth and softness to an area, and the fibers are strong and stain-resistant. Sisal rugs are even more durable and can be cool and smooth in hotter or more humid areas. Cotton is another popular option, and it has a light feel and texture along with machine-washable durability.

The Multi-Rug Option

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try and how much you deliberate, you just can’t decide on a single rug. In this case, it’s not uncommon to use a series of several rugs that have been layered. This can be used to create directionality, or it can be used to create a transitional space area between two other spaces. If used for your living room rug selection, this can be used to fill large spaces with smaller rugs or to easily fill smaller spaces without buying large and costly rugs. 

Kalili Rugs Has An Incredible Selection Of Rug Options

No matter what your needs are for your living room rug, Kalili rugs has an incredibly wide selection of living room rugs and rugs that can be used in a variety of other spaces. Reach out today to learn more about our rug selection and availability.