Mystery Summer Sale up to 30% off

Mystery Summer Sale up to 30% off

Up to 40% Off

Up to 40% Off

Free Shipping

Free Shipping

Use code SUMMERBREAK20 for 20% off our curated collection. For a limited time, get up to 30% off select rugs with code CASESOLVED30. Hurry, sale ends 6/21!

×
  • Refer & Get $50
  • Quiz
  • Design Trade
  • Design Support
  • Reviews
  • Wishlist
  • Cart
Revival™
  • Featured Rugs
    • Best Sellers

      Fan favorites, home runs, tried and true. Here’s a smattering of the pieces you can’t get enough of, and we can barely keep in stock.

      Shop Now
    • Featured Rugs
      • New Arrivals
      • Best Sellers
      • One-of-a-kind Rugs
      • Washable Rugs
      • Custom Rugs
      • Outdoor / Indoor Rugs
      • Jute Rugs
      • Shag Rugs
      • Rug Pads
      • Pet Mats
      • Shop All
  • Rug Types
    • Category
      • Washable Rugs

        Washable Rugs

      • Vintage Rugs

        Vintage Rugs

      • Wool Rugs

        Wool Rugs

      • Outdoor Rugs

        Outdoor Rugs

      • Jute Rugs

        Jute Rugs

      • Moroccan Rugs

        Moroccan Rugs

      • Turkish Rugs

        Turkish Rugs

      • Shag Rugs

        Shag Rugs

      • Flatwoven and Kilim Rugs

        Flatwoven and Kilim Rugs

      • One-of-a-kind Rugs

        One-of-a-kind Rugs

      • Kitchen & Entryway Rugs

        Kitchen & Entryway Rugs

      • Rug Pads

        Rug Pads

      • Rug Swatches

        Rug Swatches

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Style
      • Mid-Century Modern Rugs

        Mid-Century Modern Rugs

      • Solid & Striped Rugs

        Solid & Striped Rugs

      • Oriental-Style Rugs

        Oriental-Style Rugs

      • Geometric Rugs

        Geometric Rugs

      • Floral Rugs

        Floral Rugs

      • Modern & Abstract Rugs

        Modern & Abstract Rugs

      • Neutral Rugs

        Neutral Rugs

      • Kids & Nursery Rugs

        Kids & Nursery Rugs

      • Tribal Rugs

        Tribal Rugs

      • Checkered Rugs

        Checkered Rugs

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Color
      • Red Rugs

        Red Rugs

      • Pink Rugs

        Pink Rugs

      • Yellow Rugs

        Yellow Rugs

      • Green Rugs

        Green Rugs

      • Blue Rugs

        Blue Rugs

      • Turquoise Rugs

        Turquoise Rugs

      • Brown Rugs

        Brown Rugs

      • Gray Rugs

        Gray Rugs

      • Beige Rugs

        Beige Rugs

      • Cream & Off-White Rugs

        Cream & Off-White Rugs

      • Orange Rugs

        Orange Rugs

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Shape
      • Area Rugs

        Area Rugs

      • Round Rugs

        Round Rugs

      • Runner Rugs

        Runner Rugs

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Material
      • Wool

        Wool

      • Cotton

        Cotton

      • Jute

        Jute

      • Hemp

        Hemp

      • Recycled PET

        Recycled PET

      • Silk

        Silk

      • Polypropylene

        Polypropylene

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Technique
      • Hand-knotted Rugs

        Hand-knotted Rugs

      • Flatweave Rugs

        Flatweave Rugs

      • Hand-loomed Rugs

        Hand-loomed Rugs

      • Hand-tufted Rugs

        Hand-tufted Rugs

      • Machine Made Rugs

        Machine Made Rugs

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Studio Revival
      • Bestsellers

        Bestsellers

      • Sandwave

        Sandwave

      • Hart

        Hart

      • Lino

        Lino

      • Washable & Easy-Care

        Washable & Easy-Care

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Rug Swatches
      • Swatches

        Swatches

  • Rug Sizes
    • Extra Large

      Extra Large

      9’x12’ and up

    • Large

      Large

      6’x10’ to 8’x10’

    • Medium

      Medium

      5’x7’ to 6’x9’

    • Small

      Small

      4’x7’ and under

    • Runners

      Runners

    • Round Rugs

      Round Rugs

    • Custom Rugs

      Custom Rugs

    • Rug Swatches

      Rug Swatches

  • Washable & Easy-Care Rugs
  • One-of-a-kind Rugs
    • Oushak and Persian-style Rugs

      Oushak and Persian-style Rugs

    • Moroccan-style Rugs

      Moroccan-style Rugs

    • Traditional-style Rugs

      Traditional-style Rugs

    • Modern Rugs

      Modern Rugs

    • Arrow Icon

      Shop All

  • Swatches
  • Accessories
    • Rug Pads
      • Low-Profile Rug Pad

        Low-Profile Rug Pad

      • Plush Rug Pad

        Plush Rug Pad

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Rug Cleaners
      • Revive-All Probiotic Rug Cleaner

        Revive-All Probiotic Rug Cleaner

    • Bath
      • Towels

        Towels

      • The Peshtemal

        The Peshtemal

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Pillows
      • Elemental Cushions

        Elemental Cushions

      • Assam Cushions

        Assam Cushions

      • k-apostrophe Cushions

        k-apostrophe Cushions

      • Stack Cushions

        Stack Cushions

      • Chindi Cushions

        Chindi Cushions

      • Cushion Inserts

        Cushion Inserts

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Doormats
      • Doormats

        Doormats

      • Arrow Icon

        Shop All

    • Gift Cards
      • Digital Gift Card

        Digital Gift Card

  • Sale
    • MYSTERY SUMMER SALE

      Get up to 30% off, discounts automatically applied at checkout

      Shop Now
    • Sale Rugs
      • One-of-a-kind Deals
      • 20% OFF: Limited-time offers
      • 40% OFF: Clearance rugs
      • Shop All Rugs on Sale
  • Reviews
  • About
    • Reviving The Art of the Handmade

      In addition to curating one-of-a-kind, restored vintage rugs, we offer original, design-centric rugs fresh off the loom. Like their vintage predecessors, many of these pieces are made by hand to withstand the test of time.

      Shop Studio Revival
    • About Us
      • Our Story
      • About Our Rugs
      • Rug Size Guide
      • Blog
      • Press
      • Help Center
      • Design Trade Program
      • Design Services
      • Revival Rewards
      • Wholesale Program
    • Wishlist
    • Account
  • Search Revival
  • Cart
  • Search Revival
    • Free Shipping on All Rugs in US

      Shopping Cart (0)

    • Your Cart is Empty
    • $0

      Subtotal
    • View Cart
      Available in Checkout
      ShoppayApplepayGooglepayMetapayPaypalVenmopay

    Free Shipping  in the contiguous U.S.

    Suggested
    Best-Sellers
    Washable & Easy Care Rugs
    Jute Rugs
    Rug Quiz
    Trending
    Washable & Easy-Care Rugs Jute Rugs One-of-a-kind rugs Rug Pads Rug Cleaner Neutral Rugs Doormat Moroccan Rugs Turkish Rugs
    • Rug Size
      Length:
      Width:
    • Price
    • Color
    • Shape
    • Material
    • Pile
    • Age
    • Origin
    • Collection
    • Sort & More Filters
    Filter & Sort
    Sort & More Filters
    Sort By
    Price
    Rug Size
    Width:
    Length:
    Age
    Collection
    Color
    Pattern
    Country of Origin
    Region of Origin
    Material
    Shape
    Technique
    Furniture Type
    Accessories
    Cushions
    Home   /   Blog   /   How to Select The Right Rug for Your Room
    Share:

    October 25, 2021

    How to Select The Right Rug for Your Room

    How to Select The Right Rug for Your Room

    The Art of Selecting A Rug

    Consider it a mix of an art and a science. 

    Selecting a rug can sometimes feel overwhelming, not only because of a rug’s large size (it’s often one of the biggest items in a room) but also because of the intimidating price tags that can come along with them. But the truth of the matter is that when it comes to picking out the right rug for a space, “the number one rule is: there are no rules!” says our very own Christina Tullock, Head of Design here at Revival. With that said, there are some aesthetic and practical considerations that can help guide your choices, from fiber density (or pile) to dimensions and proportions — not to mention color and pattern. Not sure where to start? If you’re in the market for a new rug (or, for that matter, a fantastic vintage one), we’ve spoken with experts both here at Revival and some of our favorite designers for their take on how to select a rug.  

    1. Know how to identify quality, whether it's a vintage rug or brand new.
      “Look for the words 'hand knotted', 'hand woven' or even 'hand made'. Those are the first clues that you are buying a rug that has been made to last,” suggests Christina. This is very much the case for vintage rugs, typically 50 years or older, and antique rugs, which are 100 years or older. Not seeing a tag that confirms this info, or want to double check for yourself? Take a look at the back of a rug: if the knots are uneven, it’s handwoven; if the knots are symmetrical or consistent, it’s likely machine-made or even hand-loomed, Christina says. 

    2. Do your homework on the makers and materials.
      One of the best things about vintage rugs is that they’re inherently sustainable, since you’re reusing an existing item, explains Cara Fox, owner and lead designer at interior design firm The Fox Group. But, she points out, you’ll want to make sure the rug dealer is transparent about where they’re buying from and other pertinent information. If you’re buying new, plan on educating yourself about the factory’s practices. You'll also want to think about the materials that are being used: “choose natural materials such as grass, sisal, jute, organic cotton, and wool over polyester,” she says, because they’re high-quality, organic materials that are durable but will still biodegrade over time, unlike their synthetic counterparts.

    3. Lay out (or measure) your furniture first.
      There are few things as awkward as a rug that’s so large that it crawls up a wall, or so small that it’s almost entirely hidden under furniture. It’s helpful to lay out your furniture in your planned arrangement as a starting point, and then determine your desired rug size from there. Generally, you want at least a foot of space between the rug and the perimeter walls; additionally, “your furniture needs to either be fully on or halfway on the rug,” says Houston-based interior designer Mary Patton of Mary Patton Design. 


    4. Think practicality when it comes to pile.
      In the world of rug designing and making, the term pile refers to the density and height of the fibers on the visible side of a rug, which can be cut or left in loops, giving them specific characteristics like thick or thin, soft or coarse, shaggy or flat. For a space like a dining room, Christina recommends going with a rug that has a shorter pile so that furniture (and, inevitably, those ever-mischievous crumbs) don’t get stuck in the fibers, while a rug with a plusher, higher pile might be more appropriate for a bedroom.


    5. Texture is a top priority.
      Related (but not synonymous) to pile is the texture of a rug and its fibers, which play an important role in a space’s ambiance. “If you want to feel cozy in your bedroom, a thick, soft wool rug under your feet evokes a feeling of physical and visual warmth,” says Christina. On the other hand, if you’re going for a light and airy feel, a Tuareg reed mat is ideal because it gives a room a feeling of sophistication while keeping your feet cool as you walk on it, she continues. And if you’re looking to add even more texture and depth to a space, consider layering a small statement rug over a large sisal rug, suggests Mary.


    6. Consider color — but keep it strategic.
      Love color but not sure how (or even if!) to incorporate it into a space with a rug? “If you are looking to implement a colorful rug into a space, I would recommend keeping the design of the room fairly neutral so that the rug can be the main statement in the room,” Mary recommends. And the proportions of a room can also play a factor in whether bold colors might work: “I’ve noticed that larger rooms with higher ceilings tend to suck color up, so I always love to play with brighter colors when designing for such spaces,” comments Christina. On the other hand, though, she points out that there are some colors that are “surprisingly neutral” like oxblood, denim blue, teal, and olive that go well with a number of styles of furnishings, so don’t be afraid to try out a few different colors to see what feels best to you.


    Previous Post
    Share:
    Next Post

    Search the Blog

    Find Us Elsewhere

    Shop New Arrivals

    Subscribe

    Sign up for our newsletter for first dibs on every collection, and $25 off your first order of $250 or more.

    Be the first.

    Sign up for early access to our newest collections and receive $40 off your first order over $250.

    Ways to Shop
    • All Rugs
    • Wishlist
    • Design Trade Program
    • Wholesale
    • Affiliates
    • Refer a Friend
    • Revival Rewards
    About
    • Our Story
    • Our Rugs
    • Revival Blog
    • Reviews
    • Press
    • Kids Rug Design Contest
    Help
    • Help Center
    • Start a Return
    • Rug Size Guide
    • Design Services
    • Wholesale

    © 2025 Revival™

    Privacy Policy Terms Accessibility Don't Sell or Share My Information

    In order to provide you a personalized shopping experience, our site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our cookie policy.

    I accept