A well chosen rug can work wonders in your space. Adding texture, character and warmth, as well as the option to introduce colour and pattern, a rug can pull your entire scheme together, or become a statement piece to add that all important wow factor.

The trick to creating the most impact is to choose the perfect rug to match your decor. With this in mind, here are a few top tips to help you find your ideal match…

Consider What you Want to Achieve

The first step to finding your perfect rug is to pin down exactly what it is you want to achieve in the space. Are you looking at a Gothic decor style? Want more minimalist design philosophies included in your space? First consider how you might want to feel in your room - in your living room or bedroom, you might want to feel calm and relaxed, whereas in your study or open-plan kitchen-diner, you may want to be energised.

Once you’ve established the vibe you want to create, next think about the role of a rug in your space. Do you want something to tie in tightly with the rest of your decor, or do you want something that stands out and becomes the statement in the room? Something that matches in works well for a calming space, whereas something bold is better for energising decor.

Think About your Scheme

Is there an overall theme to your decor? If so, consider how you can enhance this using a rug. For example, if you’ve chosen a bohemian-inspired scheme for your space, you might look at heavily textured rugs including tassels, tribal patterns, colours or a monochrome design. For a Scandi-style interior, you may look at sheepskin rugs, or shaggy textures, and for a contemporary space, geometric patterns in naturals or pastels and bright colours.

Don't Forget About Placement

Deciding on where you are going to place your rug beforehand and the size you will need may play a big role in the design that you choose. It’s important to consider placement, as if you choose a rug too small or too big for the space it might not quite look how you expected.

This is especially important when it comes to choosing a rug that you intend on placing under a key piece of furniture. Your rug should be slightly bigger than the item that you are placing it under. For example, if you are choosing a rug to go under your dining table, the rug should be at least several inches bigger than the table top itself. If you end up with a rug smaller than the table, this can look proportionally strange, and in some cases as if you scrimped rather than investing in a larger size.

Carefully measure the space in which you want to place your rug, and keep these measurements to hand when looking for your perfect match.

Consider Colour, Texture and Details

You may not have a clear idea of what you want until you start looking, but it’s worth considering the smaller details ahead of your search. Along with the style (Scandi, for example) and size you require, note down any details you like and may want to find featured on your perfect rug. This could include elements such as the colour, the texture, patterns, whether you want the rug to be flatwoven, or include tassels, for example.

You may have strong feelings towards certain colours, or know exactly what colour or what kind of pattern you are looking for, or you may have some vague ideas. In the instance where you feel unsure, come back to the first point of the kind of feeling you want to create in the space, this will help guide you when it comes to shortlisting or dismissing your options.

Think About Practicalities

While rugs are often primarily used for decorative purposes, they can actually be really practical pieces in the home. Ideal for adding extra warmth, protecting hardwood floors and creating anti-slip surfaces, a rug can be a really useful piece, particularly in busy family homes.

When choosing your rug, consider materials if you want to add extra insulation to your home. If you plan on using with underfloor heating, find a rug that’s safe for this purpose. It’s also important to look at the depth of a rug, and think about whether you need something low profile, in a high traffic area for example, or whether something thick would be better.

When you consider the above, it’s easy to find the perfect rug to match your decor. If you’re looking for inspiration, Land of Rugs have a fantastic selection of rugs on offer. You can even search by style, as well as colour, and all of the information you need is readily available, including the materials the rugs are made from, to help you find your perfect piece for your home.