Selecting the perfect rug for any space is hard! Let's also not skim over the fact that rugs are an investment, they're expensive, and if you get it wrong it ruins the entire feel of a space. No buyers remorse here at norsu please!

That's why we are sharing our key factors to consider when selecting the perfect rug… MUST READ (said in a very stern bossy Nat voice!) If you remember only one thing today, when selecting a rug there are THREE things you need to consider… SIZE, MATERIAL and COLOUR.

Let's talk size

Size matters!

There's nothing worse than a small rug… these can actually make a room feel so much smaller than it actually is.

One of my personal pet hates is having a rug float in the middle of a room… what's the purpose of that, can you even put your feet on it when you're sitting on the couch (Nat, be honest your feet don't even touch the ground). All jokes aside, when in doubt always select the size up.

Some little tips for living spaces - (1) always ensure the rug is longer than your sofa and (2) make sure all main pieces of furniture (excluding your entertainment unit) have it least one leg sitting on the rug. This make the rooms feel homely and it also helps to zone a space. (3) Make sure the material is durable as this is a high traffic area (more on this below!)

When it comes to selecting a rug for your bedroom, make sure you run it lengthways under your bed (this sounds confusing, please see below diagrams as words clearly aren’t my forte)…You want to make sure there is enough rug either side of your bed and at the end, so your feet are warm and comfy!

When selecting a rug for your dining area, I personally prefer to choose (1) a rug large enough so that when you pull your chairs in and out, they don’t get caught on the actual rug…this can become a tripping hazard for a clumsy person like me! Allow a minimum of 60-70 cm of rug to show on all sides of the dining table. (2) You also want to get something with a tight weave, again so the dining chairs don't cath easily. (3) Pick a forgiving colour and something textured (with multiple thread colours) that will hide the crumbs. 

Here are some diagrams to help you out!

The material

There are SO many aspects to consider when selecting rug material, it's no wonder people feel overwhelmed!

Start the process by thinking about durability and longevity.  Do this by answering questions such as …Do you have a pet? Do you have kids? Do you have a space that gets lots of foot traffic? Or are you selecting a rug for a bedroom where you could look for a softer and more cosy material?

Once you've considered how you will be using the rug, start thinking about the construction (ie. the weave or pile).  For example, I have a Cavoodle, and two active little people Harvey and Annabel, so I chose a durable tight weave, as it doesn't catch on little claws!  I also went with lots of texture, as it hides a lot of unwanted crumbs and dirt (I promise I do vacuum).

Speaking of texture, this leads us to the next consideration - what the rug is actually made of? 
We are far from fabric snobs (OK, well perhaps a little), but we have no burning hatred for synthetics and polyesters…in fact they’re easy to clean! However, the reason that we are passionate about the rug range from Armadillo and Baya is they are made of sustainable natural fibres.  The material comes from renewable sources, so not only do you feel warm and cozy in the cooler months, but you’re also doing that little bit more for our treasured environment.

When it comes to cleaning, don't be too afraid when it comes to natural fibres like wool. Yes they are more delicate, but spot cleaning should do the trick. Check out our rug care page with lots of cleaning and maintenance tips.  So if you ever have a spillage just act fast and refer to these!

When it comes to selecting the right material for under the dining table make sure you go for a tight weave. Jute can be a great alternative to wool as it won’t absorb spilt liquids as much, you can wipe them down!

To help, here are our TOP 3 suggestions for high and low traffic ...

Our Top 3 suggestions for high and low traffic

Colour 

Lastly, let's talk about colour. This is my fool proof tip that you will have heard me say 1000 times on social media. If you are struggling to select the right colour, choose a rug that has multiple thread colours in it. For example, the Sherpa that I chose has a cool grey, an off-white, and even a tiny little thin tread of charcoal. Meaning, my Sherpa was perfect with my old sofa which is a lighter grey, and I didn’t have to replace it when I bought my warmer toned couch #winning. When selecting a rug that has a flat colour you will find it is harder to update other pieces of furniture.

Do I need an underlay?

To underlay or not underlay?

This is the big question we get asked all the time...The simple answer is yes, an underlay is a highly recommended 'must have' for floor rugs.

An underlay is laid beneath your rug to prevent slipping particularly on smooth or hard floors. It can also be used on carpet to prevent rugs from creeping. Another great bonus with underlays is they provide extra cushioning underfoot as well as help prolong floor rug life!

An underlay also safeguards your floor from needless scratches or the indentation from heavy furniture. Plus it reduces noise and is an extra layer of insulation from a cold sub floor. What's not to love?!