Rug Sizing & Layering 101: An Updated Guide!

Molly here! Years before I started working for Erin, I would bookmark her posts and revisit them over and over again when decorating on my own. There are two posts in particular that I returned to often (and still do!) – her Rug Sizing & Layering 101 post from July 2016, and her What, When and Why of Window Treatments post from March 2016.

Even before I sat next to her in our office, I would ask “what would Erin Gates do?” and check the blog for guidance. I have a hunch a lot of you feel the same way, so today I wanted to share an updated rug guide featuring new sources and inspiration images — don’t worry, I’ll leave the expert commentary and advice up to Erin (since all of the tips from her first post about this are still totally relevant)!

If you are interested in seeing an updated window treatment guide (or any other guide, for that matter), let me know in the comments!

LIVING ROOM

According to Erin and other experts, you either need to have ALL the furniture legs on the rug, or one pair of legs on the rug.

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DINING ROOM

In the dining room, all of the chairs need to be on the rug, even when pulled away from the table.

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BEDROOM

The rug needs to run at least halfway under the bed (ideally right to the nightstands) and extend several feet past the end of the bed. Pottery Barn sells custom sized rugs, so you can make the perfect rug for your space if you have an odd-shaped room.

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LAYERING

And as Erin has said before, when in doubt, you can layer it! Use a basic jute or wool rug and a smaller rug on top.

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STAIRS & ENTRIES

Don’t forget about the places in your home that tend to lack pattern/texture and might need a little something extra – stairs, entryways, kitchens – the perfect spots to add something fun (like an animal print runner or a little cutie vintage rug).

animal prints: 1 // 2

stripes + plaids: 1 // 2 // 3

vintage (or vintage-esque) runners and little cuties: 1 //  2 // 3

woven/patterned jutes: 1 // 2 //  3