The right rug gives shape to a living room.

A rug that is too small can look stranded in front of a sofa. Start with the furniture group, the way you live and the material you can maintain.

Define the conversation area

Use tape to mark the proposed rug on the floor. Check how the sofa, chairs and coffee table meet it and leave a comfortable route around the group.

Match the material to your life

Children, pets and frequent use affect the choice of fibre and cleaning routine. A beautiful texture should also be practical to care for.

Use texture to connect

A rug can repeat an existing shade or bring contrast to a quiet room. When surrounding finishes are smooth, a more tactile weave adds depth.

Check the scale in photographs

Photograph the taped rectangle from several angles. If it still feels like a little island, try a larger size before changing the pattern.