Rug guide – How to choose the right rug

1. LOCATION

How a rug should be placed depends entirely on which room you are planning to place the rug and what type of feeling you would like to achieve. The layout and size of the room will also have a big impact on where you should place the carpet to create the perfect balance. Below you will find some illustrations that will give you an idea about what placement and size you should consider in order to tie together all the furniture in your living room, bedroom and dining area:

• Living room: place the front legs of the sofa or even the entire sofa on the rug to create the right balance in the room.

• Bedroom: place the rug under the whole bed and let a good amount of the rug protrude around the edge and at the lower end of the bed.

• Dining area: Place your dining table in the centre of the rug and ensure that the chairs stay inside the edges of the rug even when they are fully extended.

2. SIZE

What size rug should I buy? This is a common question and the answer varies depending on where you want to place your rug. If you have plenty of space, make sure you decorate with a larger rug or centre the interior around a smaller rug in a smaller room to create a feeling of space. It may sound obvious but one of the most common mistakes is choosing a rug that is too small for the room, then there is a risk that the room feels smaller than it really is!

• Dining area: Make sure the rug is big enough that the dining chairs can stay within the edges of the rug even when they are fully extended to avoid them getting caught in the edge of the rug when the chairs are pulled in and out from under the table. The rug should extend between 60-90 cm outside the edges of the table for the chairs to fit. One top tip is to keep the shape of the rug in mind - the shape of the rug should match the shape of the table!

• Living room: your furniture should be placed within the edges of the rug to create a good balance in the room and the rug should not be shorter than the sofa is long. Your seating furniture should be at least 20 cm in from the edge so that the rug frames the furniture.
• Bedroom: the rug should be placed at least 2/3 under the bed and extend at least 50 cm in all directions to create a uniform appearance. One top tip is to choose a larger rug so that you can step out of bed onto a cosy rug every morning.

3. MATERIALS & CARE ADVICE

In order to get the most from your rug your need to ensure you are taking care of it in the best way and regularly in order to maintain the quality. Here is a list of general care tips to increase the life of your rug, as well as advice and tips for different types of materials.

GENERAL CARE INSTRUCTIONS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR RUG

• Rotate your carpet regularly to get more even wear
• Use a floor protector to reduce wear and tear on your carpet and to protect the floor
• Never pull furniture back and forth across the carpet - use furniture pads on the legs of your furniture
• Vacuum in the direction of the fringe and regularly both on top and under the carpet
• Remove light stains immediately
• Avoid exposing the rug to direct sunlight <br>

Deep pile & Rya rugs

Deep pile and rya rugs are perfect for the living room or in the bedroom as they are cosy and comfortable and give the home an inviting feeling. If you have cold floors, these types of rugs are great as they keep in warmth and are perfect to sink your feet into.

Care instructions:

• Vacuum regularly in the direction of the fringe to reduce wear
• Rotate the carpet so that the fringe wears evenly
• Remove stains immediately and do not leave the carpet damp for a long time
• Vacuum regularly under your carpet to prevent dirt from getting under the carpet which can cause wear and tear on both carpet and floor <br>

Viscose rugs

Viscose rugs give the home a luxurious feeling with the material's beautiful lustre and work well in your living room or bedroom. However, these rugs are extremely fragile and need to be taken care of properly to give it a long life and are not optimal for the dining area, kitchen or hallway.

Care instructions:

• Viscose rugs do not withstand liquid spills well - use textile impregnation to protect the rugs from all types of stains and liquids.
• Professional washing is recommended - dry cleaning is not recommended
• Vacuum your rug as needed and "comb" without a brush to get rid of excess lint
• Never fold your rug to store it as viscose rugs get permanent folds.
• Remember that heavy furniture can leave traces on the carpet! <br>

Wool rugs

Wool rugs are easy to care for thanks to the wool's natural dirt-repellent properties and are an investment that will last for many years without it wearing out. Wool rugs are therefore perfect for any are but specifically the dining area due to the need to focus on choosing a more durable rug in case food is spilled.

Care instructions:

• Wool rugs usually do not need to be washed but should be vacuumed regularly at least once a week to maintain quality.
• Vacuum both on top and under your carpet to prevent dirt from causing wear and tear on the floor and the underside of the rug.
• Remove easy stains with a damp cloth with lukewarm water and a little bile or mild soap, otherwise professional washing is recommended.
• Tip: use a carpet underlay to protect the rug and your floor against wear <br>Avoid dry cleaning that will dry out the fibres in the carpet. <br>

Plastic mats

Plastic rugs are durable and practical rugs that are extremely spill-resistant and very easy to keep clean. They are therefore perfect in front of the sink or under the kitchen table.

Care instructions:

• Vacuum your plastic rug regularly on both sides to reduce wear on the floor and rug.
• Plastic mats are machine washable.
• Remove stains with a damp cloth and a mild detergent - do not rub!
• Do not tumble dry or spin your rug. <br>

Cotton & cloth Rugs

Cotton and cloth rag rugs, like plastic rugs, are durable, spill-resistant and machine washable - perfect for use in the dining area, in the kitchen or other high traffic areas.

Care instructions:

• NOTE: cotton and rag rugs shrink easily after washing - therefore choose a slightly larger size.
• Remove easy stains with a damp cloth with lukewarm water and a little bile or mild soap.
• Avoid dry cleaning as this dries out the fibres in the carpet - use a professional wash service or hand wash your rug if it cannot withstand machine washing. <br>

Jute rugs

Jute rugs are made from plant fibres and are perfect in your hallway or under your dining table as they are incredibly durable and hardwearing. They also keep in heat, are sound-absorbing and, perhaps best of all, they require virtually no maintenance!

Care instructions:

• Vacuum at regular intervals on both sides to avoid wear and tear on the floor if dirt or gravel has ended up under the rug.
• Jute rugs are sensitive to water - vacuum, shake and air the rug regularly to keep it clean.
• Rotate the rug for even wear.
• Did you know that jute mats are biodegradable and can be recycled! <br> <br>

MINIGUIDE - 5 TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT RUG

• The shape of the rug should match the shape of the table.
• If in doubt go for a larger size – a rug that is too small size makes the room look smaller.
• Your furniture should be placed within the edges of the rug to create a good balance in the room.
• Rotate your rug regularly for more even wear.
• Vacuum your rug regularly and remove easy stains immediately to increase the longevity. <br>

Do you need tips on stylish rugs for your living room? Get more inspiration here!

Text: Linnéa Axelson Photography: Angeliqa Daldorph, Dixie, @greykimmm, @hemmahosfalk, Layered, Rug Solid, Tell Me More Illustrations: Anna Magnusson