Decorating
Come Around to the Idea of a Round Rug
If you face one of these six situations in your home, a round rug could be the best solution
At some point in your decorating endeavours, there will come a time when you tread into unfamiliar territory. Perhaps it will be when selecting wallpaper for the first time or installing a large chandelier. For some of you, it may be when you consider the often-overlooked round rug. When are the unexpected curves of a circular rug appropriate? And how do you make sure you’re placing it correctly?
Furniture typically has right angles, and so do the walls of most rooms, for that matter. So it makes sense that for most people, the classic rectangle or square area rug feels like a safe, uncomplicated choice. But there are some specific situations where a room could really sing with the addition of a round rug. Here are six guidelines to help you know when a round rug might be a great fit for your room.
Furniture typically has right angles, and so do the walls of most rooms, for that matter. So it makes sense that for most people, the classic rectangle or square area rug feels like a safe, uncomplicated choice. But there are some specific situations where a room could really sing with the addition of a round rug. Here are six guidelines to help you know when a round rug might be a great fit for your room.
2. You want to showcase another circular object
If you have a statement piece of furniture such as a round chandelier or a notable accessory such as a round mirror, placing a round rug in the room can underscore the shape of your featured piece.
If you have a statement piece of furniture such as a round chandelier or a notable accessory such as a round mirror, placing a round rug in the room can underscore the shape of your featured piece.
In this photo, the large round light fixture is a standout feature of the room. The round dining table highlights the curved lines of the fixture. And a round rug appropriately ties the room together and serves to further anchor the light fixture as the feature of the room.
Tip: If showcasing a round light fixture or dining table, make sure your round rug is centred under that piece.
The allure of curves in the home
Tip: If showcasing a round light fixture or dining table, make sure your round rug is centred under that piece.
The allure of curves in the home
3. You want to create a vignette or distinct zone
Whether your living space is an open-concept plan such as a loft or your room is simply large enough to include a separate functional space such as a reading nook, a round rug can help define that space.
Create zones in open-plan spaces
Whether your living space is an open-concept plan such as a loft or your room is simply large enough to include a separate functional space such as a reading nook, a round rug can help define that space.
Create zones in open-plan spaces
Make sure at least some part of all pieces of furniture touches the rug, as shown here. This will give the area its own cohesive appearance and help to define it as separate from the rest of the room.
4. You want to layer your carpet or area rug with a bold accent rug
Placing a round rug over wall-to-wall carpeting or a large area rug is a terrific option if you want to introduce a bold colour or pattern to your space. The unexpected shape of a round rug will underscore the new bold or bright pattern and give it a more designed, artistic look in the room.
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Placing a round rug over wall-to-wall carpeting or a large area rug is a terrific option if you want to introduce a bold colour or pattern to your space. The unexpected shape of a round rug will underscore the new bold or bright pattern and give it a more designed, artistic look in the room.
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In this youthful bedroom, the layered round accent rug coordinates with the furniture and wall decor, but it’s a stark contrast to the brown carpet. This creates a design feature and defines the play space of the table and chairs.
Tip: For an added design highlight, place your layered rug under a piece of furniture you want to feature.
Tip: For an added design highlight, place your layered rug under a piece of furniture you want to feature.
5. You want to make a small room feel larger
Using a round rug in a small space is a trick designers use all the time to make a room feel larger. The curve of a round rug encourages the eye to scan across the arc of the room. The rug also makes the furniture appear fanned out, creating an appearance of fluid movement in a smaller room that otherwise might feel cluttered with furniture. A circular rug also creates visual interest, helping to distract from the limited space of a small room.
Using a round rug in a small space is a trick designers use all the time to make a room feel larger. The curve of a round rug encourages the eye to scan across the arc of the room. The rug also makes the furniture appear fanned out, creating an appearance of fluid movement in a smaller room that otherwise might feel cluttered with furniture. A circular rug also creates visual interest, helping to distract from the limited space of a small room.
6. A standard rectangle shape doesn’t work
Rugs typically come in standard sizes such as 1.6 metres by 2.3 metres or 1.7 metres by 2.4 metres. Sometimes, because of the size and placement of your furniture, structural impediments like columns or even the space needed for door clearance, a standard rug size just doesn’t work. This is where a round rug might save the day. Compared with a rectilinear rug, its curved shape might take up less space and allow several of these room challenges to go unnoticed.
Rugs typically come in standard sizes such as 1.6 metres by 2.3 metres or 1.7 metres by 2.4 metres. Sometimes, because of the size and placement of your furniture, structural impediments like columns or even the space needed for door clearance, a standard rug size just doesn’t work. This is where a round rug might save the day. Compared with a rectilinear rug, its curved shape might take up less space and allow several of these room challenges to go unnoticed.
Tip: When placing a round rug in the centre of a room, make sure the rug is big enough so that all of the large pieces of furniture touch it. This physical connection of key pieces in the room helps make the space feel cohesive and defined.
Tell us
Do you use a round rug or see a spot in your home that could do with one? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
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Browse living rooms where rugs make all the difference
Tell us
Do you use a round rug or see a spot in your home that could do with one? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments section.
More
Browse living rooms where rugs make all the difference
Curved architectural details in a room are often unique and striking, so embrace this unexpected structural element by pairing it with a round rug. This will pull the overall feeling of the room together and underscore the room’s curves, turning them into an even more notable design feature.