Rugs are more than just floor coverings—they’re the underappreciated heroes of home decor, adding warmth, color, and personality to a space without much effort or skill required.

Even still, there are several nuances to keep in mind to ensure that you maximize their effectiveness in your interior design. Use this guide to discover how to choose and style these pieces in your home and transform your rooms in a flash.

Types of rugs

Deciding on the appropriate rug for the space you’re adorning marks the beginning of your search. Generally speaking, there are three main options: area rugs, runners, and accent rugs such as throws. The first can be used, naturally, to define a particular area in a room or serve as the center point for a seated space, while a runner could provide a corridor, doorway, or stairway with a bit of elegance and style. Similarly, accent rugs, which tend to be on the smaller side, can brighten a room with a burst of color or flash, whether set in a reading nook or at the foot of the bed. And don’t forget to consider style—from modern (clean lines and geometric patterns) to traditional (intricate patterns and rich colors) to casual (relaxed and minimalist looks), you have a variety of options to choose from.

Rug materials

Speaking of style, the material you choose can play a huge role. Make sure to factor in the purpose of the room, the vibe you envision for it, and your own flair when making your selections. As a bonus, many may even be machine washable to make cleaning a breeze; you could peruse brands like Ruggable for options (generally synthetic) designed especially for this purpose.

Natural
Natural fibers including cotton, wool, and jute are revered for being long-lasting and classically attractive. Cotton, the most popular material, is hypoallergenic, airy, and lightweight, making it perfect for children’s rooms and bedrooms. If you’re aiming to add a bit of coziness, wool offers immense warmth, durability, and softness. And jute, considered strong and environmentally safe, lends a distinctive boho or rustic look; try this rug type in an entryway for immediate impact the second you walk through the door.

Synthetic
For more affordable options that are also durable, search no further than synthetic materials like nylon and polyester. Easy to maintain, both come in a wide array of colors and patterns, and nylon in particular can offer pleasing softness underfoot. Plus, they possess excellent stain-resistant qualities and will often have an added nonslip mat to the back, ideal features for rooms that are more likely to have water or other droppings on the floor, such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Specialty
Do you want a more high-end piece for your space? Specialty materials like silk, bamboo, and mixes thereof can offer a hint of luxury and distinctive texture. Silk rugs are typically more delicate and demand special care, but they can be worth it for their exquisite sheen and opulent style. Consider trying out a smaller accent one in a room where you are looking to wow your guests before investing in a larger size.

Bamboo rugs, meanwhile, are incredibly long-lasting as well as environmentally friendly, all while lending a natural tone to a room. A dark tan one would work great in spots where there is a high amount of foot traffic, such as right by your home’s entrances. Or opt for a bamboo-silk combo rug to get the elegance of silk with slightly more durability and at a lower cost.

Size and placement

Other important factors to consider are size and placement, which will generally depend on the room the rug is going in. For instance, in the bedroom, you could opt for accent rugs along the sides of the bed or a large area one underneath, making sure it extends at least two feet beyond the edges of the bed frame. Likewise, in your living room and dining room, center a bigger rug in the seating area, such as in the middle of arranged couches and chairs or under a dining table. This will offer the furniture a visual basis and foster cohesiveness. For better harmony and balance, have the rug just touch the edges of seated furniture in the living room and extend a few inches beyond where chairs pull out on all sides in the dining room.

In bigger spaces, a multitiered approach, or the division of several zones with various rugs, may work nicely. This could involve using different-sized accent pieces to delineate a reading corner or play area, or make a larger one the focal point of a room, acting as a visual barrier in open floor layouts.

Layering rugs

An easy way to add unique style to any room is by layering multiple rugs, combining several designs, colors, and materials. Lay a bigger, neutral-colored rug as a base, then cover it with a noticeably smaller, more patterned one to ensure that it’s not dominated by the other. Consider the entire color palette of the room when you are making your choices. While opposite colors provide a striking statement, similar tones can add texture and dimension.

You can also vary the type of material. For example, layering a fluffy polyester piece on top of a jute base will make it seem more opulent and inviting. Additionally, take thickness into account; if you have a heavier rug, you may want to use a thinner one or a rug pad underneath to ensure that the layers sit neatly and the floor doesn’t feel uneven as you walk across it.

Rugs offer a great range of choices, and with these guidelines, they can help you easily make over your spaces. So get to shopping to start creating a cozy haven or make a fashionable statement in your home!