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How large should my area rug be?

11 years ago

The last piece for my LR redo is the area rug.

I'm ordering an ivory low-pile shag. It will be a custom size from a broadloom which I'm having bound.

My initial thought is to have it made so all sides are 10 inches from the walls. This is for a couple of reasons:

#1 - I don't like the look of an area rug that is floating on the floor (as my current one is)

#2 - I'm not a fan of the color of our wood floor

The only thing I'm having an issue with is how will the large hutch look will look with 1/2 of it on and 1/2 of it off of the rug. The look doesn't bother me with sofas and chairs.... there are all kinds of "rules" for seating and rugs. (all legs off, all legs on - back legs off, front legs on, etc.) But I'm not sure how it applies to case goods.

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Comments (7)

Janice742
Original Author
11 years ago
Here is another view:
Janice742
Original Author
11 years ago
and another:
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yayagal
11 years ago
What size is your rug in the photo? From that I can get an idea of the size you're considering.
Janice742
Original Author
11 years ago
It's an 8' x 10"

After measuring, I'm thinking about a 10 x 14
elphaba_gw
11 years ago
Fyi - Nate Berkus (who no longer has his Home Decorating TV show) had a lot of fans including me. His advice about rugs was that the larger they were, the more expansive they made the room feel. So if you are wanting the room to be more expansive than cozy, according to his rule, 10 inches from the sides of the room in all directions would be a good thing.
Even with the traditional style of the room now, I think a large rug as you describe will make it feel a lot more contemporary. If that is not what you want, then keep the rug small. Otherwise, the sky is the limit.
Though I am a newbie at this stuff, I will offer my opinion that I think the room will be stunning with the larger rug. As far as the hutch, I don't see a visual problem with it being half on and half off but if I were you, I would seek professional advice on how to make sure the addition of the new rug doesn't add instability to the hutch.
Good luck and thanks very much for showing us pictures of your living room.
pps7
11 years ago
How big is the room? Is the carper centered?

I think the 8' is good, but. would make it a little longer- 11 or 12 feet so there is more rug under the chairs and the one piano leg that is half on the rug can be competely on the rug.
Janice742
Original Author
11 years ago
Elphaba...
Thanks so much for your advice.

While I consider my home as traditional in style, I am stepping outside of my comfort zone with this room. I am leaning toward a more contemporary look (ie. the light fixture) but it still has elements of tradition. (the hutch & upholstered chairs) We shall see how it all comes together. Sometimes it's just really hard to visualize.

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