Moving into a new apartment or house is exciting—congratulations! As you furnish your new space, a rug or two will likely be on your shopping list. Given the wide range of styles, colors, materials, and sizes, finding the ideal rug can be a challenge. To assist you in making the right choice, we’ve put together this helpful guide to answer all your questions about buying rugs for your new abode.

 Parents with a crawling baby should prioritize getting rugs for nursery and playrooms. Take a look at our Kids Rugs' collection. 

Which room should you start with?

 Which rooms you’ll prioritize initially after moving in will depend on how you plan to use your new home. If entertaining is on the horizon, you’ll want to focus on setting up the living and dining rooms first, and simply keep the doors closed to any rooms that aren’t yet ready. On the other hand, if you have a baby who’s just started walking, placing rugs in their bedroom and main living areas would be a wise choice to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.

 Don’t hesitate to use rugs you already have, even if they aren’t the perfect size or style, while you hunt for the ones you truly adore. It's also perfectly fine to leave some floors bare until you find the ideal rugs. Decorating a new home can be costly, and it’s completely normal if your space isn’t fully furnished immediately after moving in.

 When asking the question: ‘’Which one should I buy first, new furniture or new rugs?’’, There’s no strict order for making purchases. If you’re starting to decorate a room from the ground up, we suggest beginning with a standout item, such as a rug, sofa, or dining table, and then building the rest of the room’s decor around that piece.

Which size rug should I go for?

 The right choice depends on several considerations, including the room’s dimensions, its purpose, and the type of furniture present. We’ll cover more detailed advice for each room later, but for now, here are a few general guidelines.

 Generally, opting for a larger rug is preferable. A rug that is too small can make the room feel cramped, particularly if it “floats” in the space with little or no furniture on it (or only a single piece, like a coffee table). We suggest choosing a rug that’s big enough for most of the surrounding furniture to have all or at least some of its legs resting on it.

 If you have a rug that might be too small but suits your decor, layer it over a larger rug to extend the coverage. If you're stuck between sizes or unsure which one to choose, try using painter’s tape to mark the rug’s dimensions on the floor. This will help you see how the size will work in your space.

Now, let’s go room by room.

Entryway

 The entryway is a key area for setting the tone of your home, so make it warm and inviting. Opt for a rug that is wider than the door and fills as much space as possible, giving the area a larger and more welcoming feel. Durable materials such as wool, polypropylene, other synthetics, or natural fibers like jute are best for withstanding heavy foot traffic.

Dining Room

 For the dining room, select a rug that extends at least two feet beyond each side of your table. This ensures that diners can move their chairs in and out without catching on the floor. Opt for materials that are easy to clean in case of spills, such as cotton, synthetics, or even outdoor rugs.

Kitchen

 Kitchen runners are fantastic! Our runners typically fit a standard galley kitchen, but for the best placement, aim to have them sit about 6 inches away from the walls or cabinets on each side. Choose easy-to-clean materials like Cotton, synthetics, or outdoor rugs, just as you would for dining room rugs.

Living Rooms

 Living areas vary in size and layout, making it challenging to determine the ideal material and size of the rug. In general, larger rugs tend to work better, so aim for the largest rug that fits your space and budget. For room-sized rugs, leave about one to two feet of space between the rug's edge and the walls.

 In addition, we often use furniture arrangements to decide on rug size and placement. Since sofas are typically the focal point in living rooms, consider selecting a rug that spans the length of the sofa and extends about six inches beyond each side, if the space permits.

 Considering your living space will likely see plenty of activity, opt for durable materials such as jute, other natural fibers, synthetics, wool, or cotton.

Bedroom

 To cultivate a comfortable and cozy atmosphere in your bedroom, aim for a large rug, similar to what we recommend for the living room. Whether the rug covers the entire floor or matches the size of your bed, ensure it extends beyond the bed's edges instead of being tucked underneath. This way, you can fully appreciate and enjoy your lovely new rug.

 When it comes to materials, opt for plush and delicate rugs for your bedroom, as there will be less foot traffic and you'll often be barefoot. All materials are suitable, but cotton, silk, and shag rugs will provide the softest feel under your feet.

Hallways

 Like kitchen rugs, hallway rugs and runners should be positioned approximately six inches away from walls on each side. Take into account any features that might be obscured by your runner, such as floor vents or doorways that could be hindered by a thick rug. Opt for durable materials like cotton, synthetics, and jute to withstand high foot traffic in hallways.

How about an open-concept home?

 Achieving the open concept aesthetic hinges on defining spaces within a larger room to give each area a distinct feel. When it comes to rugs, you have a couple of options. You can use two rugs to delineate separate areas, or you can opt for an extra-large rug that covers the entire space and layer smaller rugs on top to demarcate individual zones.

Can a rug be put over the carpet?

 Many homes already have carpet installed, and it's a common practice we see all the time. We consider it a budget-friendly solution to conceal existing carpet that you're not fond of or as a temporary fix for carpet you plan to replace eventually. We suggest using carpet tape to secure the rug in place. Keep in mind that rugs tend to lay smoother on carpet with a lower pile, although it works reasonably well on medium-pile carpet too.

Do we need rug pads?

 Whether it's the grandest of sizes or the most petite of styles, whether it's a rug adorned with furniture or one standing alone, every rug should have a rug pad. Rug pads play a crucial role for two main reasons: they safeguard both your rug and your floors against heavy furniture and foot traffic, and they ensure rugs stay firmly in position.