Choosing and placing a rug (the mistake everyone makes)

A rug can unify a whole living room or make it look thrown together. The difference isn't the pattern, it's the size and the placement. It's the most common decor mistake, and the easiest to fix.

Mistake number one: too small

The instinct is to buy a rug that's too small, sitting like a postage stamp in the middle of the room. The result: everything looks shrunken and disconnected. A too-big rug is almost always better than a too-small one.

The legs rule

The right rug gathers the furniture. Ideally, the front legs of the sofa and armchairs rest on it: this creates a unified, comfortable zone. Even better, all legs on it if the room allows.

The right dimensions

Aim for a rug that extends at least 20 cm beyond the sofa on each side. Under a dining table, it should be big enough that chairs stay on it even when pulled out (allow +60 cm around the table).

Leave a margin with the walls

The rug shouldn't touch the walls: keep a visible strip of floor (20-40 cm) all around. That margin breathes and makes the room look bigger, like a frame around a picture.

Layer for style

On a large bare floor or a neutral rug, layering a small kilim or a hide adds texture and character. It's the trick to warm things up without buying everything new.

Remember one thing: go bigger than you think, and rest the seating legs on it. That single rule transforms a living room.