Know How: 5 Living Room Rug Ideas

How best to arrange your living room with a rug? No matter your budget, you can refresh your home with these clever rug ideas.

Both striking and practical, rugs have the ability to transform your living room. Whether it's an intricate Persian or minimalist Scandi throw, our favourite rug can both anchor and elevate an abode. For those looking to update their home with minimal effort and maximum ease, a simple rug refresh is one accessible solution. Even a vintage-inspired sofa such as our Agatha (featured above) can be reframed with a bold, graphic rug.

Tip 1. How best to zone your living room with a rug?

No matter the size of your living room, zoning with a rug can make a positive difference. "Zoning with a rug is super important because it adds depth, texture and warmth," says Laura Barnard, Buying and Merchandising Manager for Arlo & Jacob.
The owner of a one-bedroom flat, Laura believes any living space, no matter its scale, will benefit from adding more rugs. "I have a tiny flat, but we still zone off the kitchen and the dining room with rugs."

Further, in terms of placement, Laura advises to position rugs underneath furniture, rather than simply treating them like an island. "You do need something on a rug; otherwise they are floating, and it's not grounded, and it's not really a set story," she adds.

Laura's favourite tip is to position your rug partly under a sofa and chairs, so at least their front feet are resting on it. “If you have an unusual shaped living room, or are aiming for a quick makeover, I prefer a bigger rug," she adds. "Larger rugs pull a room together, and it has so much more impact for space."

Above is our Ferdinand mic-century style armchair, which is transformed by a Hygge style rug. Shop similar styles at Jord Home.

Tip 2. Can you layer rugs together in a room?

"There's a lot of nostalgia with rugs, and they give that extra layer of warmth, and it's almost like an emotional insulation, as much as for practical comfort," shares Laura.

For those on a budget layering rugs together can be an eclectic and stimulating way to add character without the cost. "I love to mix and match and have a really colourful one right next to a natural sisal."

Different rug textures and colours when married together can have more impact than a large and expensive rug on its own. "It's about a complete mish and mash, rugs tell a story, and you mix eras and textures."

An eclectic spirit has taken over contemporary homes, and this extends to a more creative way of styling rugs. "It's like with the act of buying antiques and also buying from the high street and mixing them."

In her own home, Laura mixes layers a rug from Zara home with her beloved 1940s she found at an antique market. "If you are shopping on a budget, then everything doesn’t need to be brand new. Rather it's about how you put them together."

Tip 3. What size rug is best in a room?

"The size of a rug is important too and will stop your room looking sparse," she adds. Although smaller rugs are less expensive, a larger rug will always have more benefits. "Larger rugs are a wise investment, otherwise with a smaller rug it can look like it's floating or won't feel coherent, and you want your room to feel pulled together."

In terms of contemporary renovations, no makeover is seemingly complete without hardwood flooring. The focus on showcasing natural floors has also led to the search for the perfect rug. Laura advises that wooden floors always look best when they covered with one or more rugs. "It's nice to have that feeling of a soft texture under your feet and rugs also make wooden floors come alive."

Tip 4. How do you style a rug with other home accessories?

Think of rugs as a huge textural experience advises Laura. "Its really nice to style together textured rugs with scatter cushions and curtains and all of that adds those textural layers."

Returning to the question of how to soften hardwood floors or vinyl, Laura adds, "If you haven’t got a carpeted floor and need extra interest there are so many different rugs styles." From Beni Ourain Berber Rugs to sheepskin, sisal, wool and felt, many rugs are also family-friendly and durable.

 "There's a lot of soft nostalgia with rugs, and you can build on that comfort by adding giant cushions on the floor and using your footstool as a soft-surface coffee table for extra warmth," Laura recommends. Mixing eras such as our midcentury-style Ferdinand sofa with a minimal rug will make a room feel more contemporary.

Tip 5. What do you advise when renting and rugs?

Although renting can have its limitations in terms of personalising a space, it doesn't mean you have to compromise your style completely. "When renting put down rugs and cushions, they do really change a space," says Laura.

With all homes, including rentals, its time to move past the idea that rugs are exclusively for the living room. "You can style rugs throughout a home from the hall to the kitchen. It’s an effortless way to update a space."

Rugs are also budget-friendly, and just like painting a room, they make a big difference fast. "Focus on your walls and floors as an affordable way of updating your home. It's all up to budget and finding a happy medium, but fresh paint and rugs are a winning combination."