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Rugs are one of the most simple, practical and impactful things you can add to your interiors! We are big believers in the power of a rug here in OB and very much believe that every room can benefit from a rug. Here are some of our top tips for deciding what rug should go where:

Living Rooms: Having a rug in your living room is essential if you have wooden floors! WIthout it a living room can feel somewhat empty and, even worse, echoey! Rugs are a wonderful living room addition to help dampen sound and make the space more pleasant on all of the senses. Fluffy or high pile rugs are an excellent living room choice for this reason. As a space to unwind, having something soft and comfortable underfoot will only serve to elevate the space!  When it comes to sizing, use a rug to tie the room together rather than cover the space entirely. Having the rug sit slightly under the sofa is a great way to size up a rug for a living room, as a guide put the rug 10-20cm back from the front two legs and have a least 30cm between the other side of the rug and the wall/fireplace/other furniture. From there you can go larger but make sure to keep symmetry in mind. For a visual aide see our Rug Styling Blog.

Dining Rooms: We will forever be advocates for a rug under a dining table! Not only will a rug under the dining table provide floor protection from stains and scratches but it will also transform the look and feel of the room. By creating a focal point of your dining table you can break up the space and make your table area more impactful. This especially works well in an open plan kitchen/diner as it serves to separate the two areas more. A rule of thumb when choosing a rug for your dining room is to choose a large rug that is about 50cm bigger than your dining table. This ensures that your dining chairs when pulled back still remain on the rug. If your table is expandable choose a rug that will be large enough for the full size version. When it comes to materials look for a flat weave rug that is not going to ruck and will be easy to clean in materials like polypropylene and jute.

Hallways and Landings: The rug that is specifically designed for hallways is often referred to as a ‘runner’. They are perfect for hallways and landings as they are long and narrow, often reflecting a typical hallway shape! Hallway rugs can help protect flooring from scratches and dirt upon entering the house from the outside whilst adding personality to your hallway display. When looking for a hallway rug keep durability in mind and look for pieces that are easy to clean. Pieces made from polypropylene, cotton and acrylic make excellent hallway rugs for this reason! It is also a good idea to get a patterned rug for high traffic areas like hallways as a pattern will hide a multitude of sins!

Gardens and Patios: In recent years, new materials and manufacturing has introduced rugs to the great outdoors! Outdoor rugs are as functional as they are fashionable and they can really enhance your garden space. Outdoor rugs create an instant room, roll them out under a picnic bench or dining table, or around an outdoor sofa and give your space an instant wow factor. Many outdoor rugs can be used indoors as well so why not take your outdoor rug indoors when the cooler months arrive! Check out our Outdoor Rug Styling blog for more.

When choosing your rug you should always ensure that you’ve measured your floor space correctly and then measure again! You should measure the room as a whole and then measure the area around your furniture to calculate the best size for you. For example, if you’re looking for a living room rug then you should measure from 20cm behind the front legs of your sofa to halfway through your coffee table, double that measurement and that is your minimum size for a rug. If your room is any larger than double that measurement then your rug will need to be bigger. Avoid ‘the floating rug’ look meaning you have a small rug in the middle of the room without touching any furniture or is too far from your walls. Making sure your rug touches the majority of the furniture pieces surrounding your space to ensure cohesiveness to the room. 

If you are unsure what size will look best in your room, try piecing together paper/newspaper and cover your floor space and try to imagine your rug situated in your living space. This will give you an idea of what size to choose for a rug.

For a living room rug, we recommend choosing a rug that provides warmth and comfort. Materials like wool or cotton are super soft and cosy in texture and add a touch of luxury to spaces made for relaxing. These natural fibre materials also have amazing insulating properties which is perfect for those colder seasons!  

For a dining room rug, materials like jute and polypropylene are some of the most stain resistant and resilient choices for rugs and make excellent dining room additions! They are able to hold their shape well in spaces where furniture is constantly shifting like dining chairs in a busy family home. Outdoor rugs are also a great option as they are light, water resistant and easy to clean and move around (which work especially well during occasions and group gatherings). 

Bedroom rugs can be chosen on personal preference. However, choosing natural fibres like wool, faux fur or cotton, or a high pile synthetic alternative are great as they are warm and cosy especially when you are getting out of your bed on a winter morning! 

Lastly, for hallways, pick a strong and durable material for a rug. Hallways are the entry way for your home where a lot of heavy traffic occurs so you may want to choose materials like polypropylene or jute.

Square/Rectangular: Square and rectangular rugs are the most common shaped rugs as they are so versatile and work very well in any room. Having a rectangular rug can align with your furniture arrangements perfectly, especially for angular shapes like L-shaped sofas. 

Round/Oval: Round or oval rugs are fantastic when you want to add an unusual design element to your floor. They are instant eye catchers due to their uniqueness! They work especially well in large open plan areas.

Rugs are shipped directly to your home or are available for pick up in our Dublin 3 Studio. We order rugs fresh from our suppliers overseas and they can take up to 10 days to arrive, however on occasion they are out of stock and may have a longer lead time. If you’re looking for a specific rug by a specified date do not hesitate to contact us at hello@orianab.com in advance of ordering!