A rug defines a zone and softens a hard floor. Size and pile matter more than pattern. Browse all rugs or read on for how to choose.
Size for the living room
Choose a rug large enough that at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs sit on it. A rug that floats in the middle of the room makes the furniture look scattered. A 2 x 3 metre rug suits a standard seating group, and 3 x 4 metres suits an open-plan room.
Loop, rib or cut pile
Loop pile holds its surface under furniture and foot traffic. The Cassio Floor Rug is 100% New Zealand wool loop pile on a cotton backing and suits living rooms, bedrooms and halls. A low rib suits dining rooms, where a deeper pile would catch chair legs. The Vermont Floor Rug is 100% wool, finely ribbed with a low profile.
Deep pile is softest underfoot, but it shows footprints and is better away from door swings. The Norfolk Rug has a 27mm pile in pure New Zealand wool.
Texture
The Mt Somers Floor Rug uses a tight popcorn-style weave in New Zealand wool. The dense looped texture wears well in living areas and hides tracking better than smooth cut pile.
Rugs compared
| Rug | Construction | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Cassio | 100% NZ wool loop pile, cotton backing | Living rooms, bedrooms, halls |
| Vermont | 100% wool, fine rib, low profile | Dining rooms |
| Norfolk | Pure NZ wool, 27 mm pile | Quiet rooms, away from door swings |
| Mt Somers | NZ wool, tight popcorn weave | Busy living areas |
Dining and bedroom
Under a dining table, measure the table footprint and add 60 cm on each side so the chairs stay on the rug when pulled out. In a bedroom, run the rug under the lower two-thirds of the bed, 45 to 60 cm past the mattress on three sides.
Care
New wool sheds for the first few months. Vacuum without a beater bar and rotate the rug occasionally so wear and light fall evenly. Viscose blends mark with water, so keep them to bedrooms and quieter rooms.
Questions
What size rug for a living room?
2 x 3 metres for a standard seating group, 3 x 4 metres for open plan. The front legs of the sofa should sit on it.
Which pile suits a dining room?
A low rib, so chair legs do not catch.
Do wool rugs shed?
New wool sheds for the first few months, then settles.
Next step
Check a rug against your sofa in daylight. The team at the Parnell and Grey Lynn showrooms can help you choose a size for your room. Our throws guide covers the soft layer on top.
