Are you looking for a rug for your living room and don’t know what style, shape & material to choose?

Let’s take a look together at some features of rugs, so we can help you more easily decide on what suits your space and your taste!

1. Size & Use

Initially, you should consider the dimensions of your living room, as well as whether you prefer the rug to cover the entire room to "tie" the space together, or to serve as a decorative element in a specific spot (such as under the coffee table, in a corner under the armchair, etc.). Once you make this decision, you can add the dimensions you are interested in to the corresponding filter of the category.

The important thing, however, is to choose the appropriate rug for your space and place it in a way that will "flatter" the size of the room and give it harmony.

Indicatively, we will show you the ideal size and the correct way to place your rug in the living room, so that the space appears more spacious and harmonious, while also creating a nice composition among the furniture:

• For small living rooms, it is ideal for the rug to be placed in the middle, with the front legs of the furniture on the rug. This way, the room appears less cluttered and larger.
• For slightly larger living rooms, it is recommended that 1/3 to 1/2 of the sofa and armchair be placed on the rug. This creates a composition between the furniture and makes the space appear more harmonious and spacious.
• For large living rooms, it is recommended to have space for all the furniture on the rug. This creates a harmonious composition in the living room and offers a comfortable and "warm" atmosphere.

2. Shape

Next, shape also matters. The difference between a square and a round rug affects the overall feeling they give to the space and the way they are used in decoration. 

• Rectangular rug: It has corners and clean lines, which gives the space a more structured and geometric feel. It works well in rooms with straight lines or rectangular layouts. It creates a fuller feel and can cover a larger part of the room, giving a sense of order and symmetry. It suits more classic or modern decoration styles. It is suitable for larger spaces, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. It is often used in traditional, minimalist, or geometric decoration styles and fits under square or rectangular tables, as it aligns more easily with the furniture and creates symmetry.

• Round rug: It has curves and creates a softer flow in the space. It usually gives a sense of harmony and offers a more welcoming and "fluid" appearance. It is suitable for round or small rooms and can break the monotony in spaces with a lot of geometry. It gives the impression that the space is more open and friendly. It is ideal for more refined or modern spaces with a more relaxed atmosphere, as it gives a more organic feel and suits styles such as boho, Scandinavian, or retro. It is ideal for placement under round tables, or in spaces that want to highlight a focal point, such as a corner with an armchair.

3. Seasonality

You can choose from many different styles & materials, depending on what matches your space’s decor and your preferences. You can even combine some of the following styles & materials with each other!

The important thing, however, is to know whether you prefer it as a winter rug, to add warmth to your space, if you need it for the summer months, or even for year-round use.

Let’s take a look at some styles & materials that are suitable for each season.

Winter Rugs

• Shaggy: Fluffy rugs with a rich & thick pile, for a “warmer” atmosphere. They are delicate and require careful maintenance.
• Sheepskin: Sheepskin rugs are luxurious, soft, and give a natural, warm feeling to the space. They are delicate and require careful maintenance and cleaning. They are not ideal for very humid or dirty areas, as moisture can damage their natural texture.
• Fur: Soft and warm rugs, ideal for the winter months. They are perfect for creating a cozy atmosphere, but require special care and maintenance. They are not always suitable for high-traffic areas due to their delicate material.
• Leather: Leather rugs are high-quality and soft to the touch. They are ideal for winter, durable and easy to clean, and offer a modern, elegant feel. They can be cold and hard to the touch, and require regular maintenance to preserve their quality.
• Wool: Wool rugs are known for their warmth, durability, and natural resilience. They can absorb moisture and maintain the room’s temperature, making them ideal for cold areas with high traffic.

Summer Rugs

• Summer: Made from cool materials such as cotton, straw, or bamboo. Ideal for the summer months, with light colors and more airy designs.

More specifically, you can see the following materials:

• Straw: Lightweight and durable, they offer a natural feel and are ideal for summer use.
• Jute: Durable and natural, suitable for all year round, but especially popular for summer use.
• Silk: Silk rugs have a soft texture, offer a sense of luxury and shine, and are ideal for spaces that want to impress with a luxurious look.  However, they absorb moisture very easily, which makes them quite sensitive. They require special care, and are less durable in high-traffic areas.

For all year round

• Modern: As the name suggests! All time classic, for modern spaces, or even if your decor is not modern style and you want to add a touch of contrast to your space.
• Classic: Classic rugs, like modern ones, fit most spaces and you can find them in countless designs or colors.
• Kourelou: Kourelou rugs give a traditional aesthetic to the space and a rustic touch to the decor. They are suitable for high-traffic areas, as they are durable.
• Kilimi: These are flat-woven rugs, without pile, often used to add color and patterns to spaces, making them ideal for more minimalist decoration. They are durable and usually woven from wool or cotton.
• 100% Cotton: Cotton rugs are usually more affordable than wool ones and are suitable for both winter and summer months, as they are cooler. They may be less durable than other materials but offer comfort and easy cleaning.
• Boukhara: Traditional handmade rugs with a rich history, renowned for their luxury and timeless designs. They are mainly made from wool and often feature geometric patterns with characteristic "gul" motifs, which are their trademark. Ideal for those who wish to add traditional elegance and cultural heritage to their space.
• Outdoor: These are rugs designed to withstand harsh weather conditions and offer both functionality and style to patios, balconies, gardens, and other outdoor spaces. They are specially made to be durable and to maintain their quality, even with continuous exposure to the environment.

4. Construction

Finally, the construction of rugs is also something that plays an important role in their quality, durability, and aesthetics. Let’s look at the main differences between machine-made and handmade rugs:

•  Machine-made: They are usually made from synthetic materials or blends of natural materials, and most of the time they are more affordable due to mass production. They do not offer the same sense of luxury and uniqueness as handmade rugs.

•  Handmade: They are created by hand, usually with traditional weaving techniques such as petrokklino and other traditional methods. They are usually made from natural materials such as wool, silk, cotton, or fur and are of superior quality. They are more expensive due to the time and labor required to make them, and they require more careful care and maintenance to preserve their quality.

In conclusion, if you have a home with a lot of traffic and need a more durable rug that will require less maintenance, choose a machine-made one. Whereas if you are in the opposite situation and have a lower-traffic space, you can choose a handmade rug.

We hope this guide helped you understand what to look for in a rug, depending on your needs, and don't forget that you can combine all the above features to end up with the ideal purchase for you!