What to consider when

buying a Floor Rug

Your guide to choosing the perfect floor rug.

Find your perfect floor rug

Choosing a rug can feel daunting with so many styles, textures, and sizes to explore. This guide simplifies the process, highlighting the key factors to consider, from room suitability and material selection to colour, scale, and how you live in the space - so you can find a rug that fits both your home and your lifestyle.

Explore your needs with the below considerations.

Try a sample first

Choosing the perfect rug is easier when you see it in your own space. Our sample service allows you to borrow up to 5 samples to experience colour, look, and feel. Our 15x15cm samples are ideal for viewing in natural light and matching with your flooring, furniture and decor.

Find out more

Size

Size is important when choosing a rug and can be the difference between pulling the space together, or not. Bigger is generally better in the world of rugs. A rug that's too small can throw a room off balance, while a larger one helps anchor a space and tie everything together.

Aim for a size that comfortably fits and complements the size of the furniture. 

We recommend measuring the area with a tape measure or masking tape to get a clear visual of how the rug will sit.

Rug size and placement guide

Style

Choose the rug first… or last - depending on where you are in your styling journey. Does the space need colour, texture or a design element added? You can either choose a statement rug and build your scheme around this or choose one that works with the furniture and colour palette you already have in place.

Remember, shape matters too - round styles can soften lines or define a smaller zone.

Use samples to see how the rug interacts with other elements in the room, such as furniture, wall colour, artwork, and existing textiles.

Image Credit: Kathrine Macdonald Design.

Statement rugs

Suitability

Make sure the rug is suited to the room’s purpose. Different rugs are better suited to certain environments, depending on factors like room type, foot traffic, and whether children or pets are present.

It’s important to note that not all handmade rugs are ideal for every setting. For example, a plush loop pile may attract playful tugging from little ones or pets, while viscose rugs are less suitable for dining spaces due to their sensitivity to staining.

Before choosing, ask yourself:

  • - Is it primarily decorative?
  • - Does it need to be easy to clean and care for?
  • - Is comfort a priority?
Choosing a dining room rug

Colour & Pattern

The colour of a rug has a powerful impact on the overall ambience and design of a space.

  • Neutrals & Light Tones
  • Neutrals offer timeless versatility and pair effortlessly with a wide range of interiors. Lighter tones can make a space feel more open and airy, but are more prone to showing dirt and marks.

  • Dark or Patterned
    With their ability to ground a space and add richness, dark and patterned rugs offer the practical benefit of hiding marks and stains.

Understanding Pile & Weave

The pile and weave of a rug significantly influence how it feels, performs, and wears over time. Choosing the right style depends on where the rug will be placed and how you live in the space.

PILE-HEIGHT & TEXTURE

  • Low pile, flatweave rugs
  • Ideal for high-traffic areas like hallways or beneath dining furniture. These rugs are easier to clean and less likely to catch or wear unevenly.

  • High pile, plush rugs
  • Soft, warm, and luxurious
    underfoot - perfect for relaxed spaces like bedrooms or lounges. However, they can trap dirt and are more difficult to maintain.

  • DENSITY & QUALITY
  • A dense pile (whether low or high) usually indicates a higher-quality rug that will retain its shape and appearance longer.
  • Tightly woven flatweaves are often more durable and practical for everyday use.
Explore textured rugs

Comfort

Consider where you'll walk barefoot most often - bedrooms or living rooms may benefit from a plusher pile. Always touch and walk on the sample if you can. Consider whether it feels soft, coarse, plush, or flat.

Soft, plush rugs

How lighting affects colour & appearance

The colour and finish of a rug can shift noticeably depending on your home’s lighting. Natural vs artificial light, time of day, and even bulb temperature can all affect colour perception. Rug colours can appear lighter, darker, warmer or cooler depending on the light sources of where the floor rug is located. For the most accurate sense of tone and finish, we recommend viewing samples at home to understand how true-to-life the colour is prior to decision making.
  

  • Natural vs Artificial Light
  • Natural and artificial light can influence how tones are perceived - daylight often brings out the natural undertones of fibres like wool or jute, while warm indoor lighting can deepen hues such as beige, gold, or brown. In contrast, cooler lights, such as LEDs, can make rug colours appear sharper or slightly bluer, often muting warmer undertones and altering the overall feel of the rug.

  • Pile Direction
  • The direction of a rug’s pile (especially in cut-pile or silk-like fibres such as bamboo silk) can reflect and interact with light in varying ways, creating natural shading and tonal shifts. These variations are an intentional part of the rug’s texture and character and add a sense of dimension to the piece.

  • Direction of Light
  • Shadows from furniture or window treatments can also create contrast, subtly altering the way a pattern or pile is perceived.

Flooring Type & Colour

Your flooring type and colour will influence how a rug looks - what works on light oak may appear entirely different on dark concrete. The flooring’s design and texture will also contribute to the overall look and feel.

When assessing samples, always view them against your actual flooring - the colour, texture, and undertones of the surface beneath can significantly affect how the rug looks and feels in your space.

  • Contrast & Tone
  • - High contrast (e.g. dark rug on light floor) makes the rug a strong feature.
  • - Low contrast (similar tones) creates a softer, more blended look.
  • - TIP: Beware of flooring colour undertones. Wood or stone can have warm (yellow, pink) or cool (grey, blue) undertones. Try to complement rug tones accordingly.

  • Surface Texture
  • - Smooth surfaces (timber, polished concrete) often show off rug textures better and allow rugs to lie flatter.
  • - Tiled, textured or carpeted floors may cause thinner rugs to sit unevenly unless they're dense or have a backing.

 

Material Matters

Fibre selection plays a key role in the rug’s look, feel, and performance over time. From cosy wool to earthy jute or luminous bamboo silk, each material brings its own aesthetic and practical qualities.

  • WOOL
  • A beautiful natural fibre, wool is durable, soft, and naturally stain resistant. Expect some shedding from pile rugs when new. Regular vacuuming will reduce this as the fibres naturally settle.

  • BAMBOO SILK OR VISCOSE
  • Luxuriously soft with a subtle sheen – these fibres are best kept in low traffic or decorative spaces. Can be prone to staining.

  • JUTE
  • Natural texture – good for earthy interiors, but can be rough underfoot.

  • COTTON
  • Lightweight and easy to clean, cotton rugs are well-suited to relaxed, casual spaces - but may show wear more quickly than other fibres.

  • PET or POLYPROPYLENE (synthetics) Stain-resistant – ideal for outdoor use, under dining tables and families.

Durability & Maintenance

Some fibres or weaves require specialised cleaning, while others are more low-maintenance. Ask about vacuuming, stain resistance, and shedding before you decide. If the rug is for a high-traffic area, opt for something dense and tightly woven to resist wear and dirt buildup.

  • Key questions to ask yourself:
    - Will it be placed in a high-traffic zone?
  • - Is it vacuum-safe and easy to clean?
  • - Will it stand up to kids, pets, or the sun?

Protect your rug

Protecting your floor rug is key to preserving its beauty and longevity. Consider the following add-ons and considerations.

Keep your floor rug looking great
Rug Underlay

Rug underlay helps prevent slipping, bunching, and creeping on most surfaces while adding cushioning, protecting delicate floors from abrasion, and extending the life of your rug.

MicroSeal

A trusted, non-toxic treatment that helps guard against spills, stains, sun fading, premature wear, and everyday grime, keeping your rug looking better for longer.

UV Exposure

Australasian sunlight is particularly strong and can degrade fibres and cause discolouration. Be aware that coloured rugs and natural fibres are susceptible to fading and bleaching in high UV areas.

TIP: If placed in sunlight, ensure you rotate your rug for even wear and fade.

Neutral-Toned

Collection

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