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Skimp on size, and your room will look smaller. "You need your rug to set boundaries, and ground your furniture," says interior designer Danielle Oakey. "In a living room, your rug defines the conversation area, and it should be large enough so at least the front legs of the furniture are on it."
"In the bedroom, you want to feel the rug on your feet when you get out of bed," says interior designer Amber Lewis. "I like two feet to extend beyond the bed on each side."
2. Not trying layering.
Why do people often choose a too-small rug? Tinier rug = tinier price. "We're the layering queens," says Lewis, about her design team. "Buy a neutral jute rug — which cleans up really well, even if you have stain-prone kids or pets — and place your patterned rug over it."
Good Housekeeping's Home Design Director Sarah Richardson has another clever trick for filling a large space for way less money than a huge custom rug might run you. "Ideally, the rug's edges should be 12 to 14 inches from the room's perimeter," she says. "If your room is long and narrow, and you're looking for an affordable opton, consider laying two rugs side by side, and connecting them with a strong carpet tape from a hardware store."
3. Leaving your wall-to-wall carpeting bare.
"Don't be afraid to layer an area rug over carpet," says Oakey. "It adds playfulness, and pulls together your room with the boundaries it needs."
4. Choosing your rug last.
If you're decorating your room from scratch, choose the rug first. It's the big, impactful piece that ties a room together, and if you wait until you've placed the final throw pillow, you could search for months before the perfect rug come around. (Though, you could go with something neutral until the rug gods grant you a better choice).
"When we're designing a room, we'll choose the rug and then throw pillows, textiles for curtains, and more on the floor with it, and pick whatever goes with the rug best," says Lewis.
5. Being afraid of pattern.
Some contrast (read: a cute print) is necessary to create a happy space. "Brown walls, a brown couch, and a brown rug will make a room look flat and bland," says Oakey.
6. Skipping the rug pad.
A rug pad dispels slipping and sliding, and adds a layer of comfort underfoot — especially to a flat weave rug. "Rug tape is useless," says Lewis. "It doesn't work, and will ruin your hardwood floors with its stickiness."
7. Missing out on a discount.
"If you're looking for a great price on unique, vintage rug, like a Persian one or Turkish kilim, try eBay," says Oakey. "Same is true with Etsy — thrift stores often post there. I also like RugsUSA. They have a huge selection and always run sales."
