Design lesson: Choose an area rug

Choosing the best size
Antique rugs come in various sizes, while reproduction area rugs are available in a wide variety of standard sizes, from a two- by three-foot mat to a 10- by 14-foot carpet. Modern designs can be custom made in almost any size. To determine the maximum-size rug that will fit in a room, subtract three feet from the room's width and length, which will create a frame of flooring between the rug and the walls. For a dining room, choose an area rug that is four feet wider and longer than your table so that the chairs will remain on the carpet even when pulled out. For example, a 10- by 14-foot rug will fit under a table that seats 12 people; an eight- by 10-foot rug will generally fit under a table that seats six to eight.

Using several small area rugs is especially effective in a large room or an open-concept space, such as a living/dining room. Small rugs can help define areas, introduce structure, direct traffic flow and pull together an intimate seating arrangement, such as a reading nook or conversation corner

Kimberley Seldon is STYLE AT HOME's decorating editor. For more great decor and design ideas, visit kimberleyseldon.com.

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