A large empty room might seem daunting to design at first. An opportunity for creativity awaits at every corner. Every inch begs for color, lines, shapes, light, and contrast. In these rooms, oversized rugs—or other large-size rugs—can do the heavy lifting when it comes to pleasing the eye and tying the room together. If your big living room’s design was a party, area rugs would provide the catering.
Oversized rugs help keep the design of your large space consistent. They stop echoes from bouncing off the walls, provide a frame for any art or elegant furniture you may wish to display, and gather warmth from the fireplace to keep the rest of the room from feeling cold. You can use a large or oversized area rug to create a space of its own in the center of the room, and use the borders for shelves, side tables, or art. But you can also take an area rug to the side to help merge any odd extensions with the rest of the room. Area rugs can act as an inclusive bridge to leave no corner behind.
If you’re considering an area rug for your large space, here are the answers to some questions you might have asked yourself along the way.
Do I have to use a big rug for a big space?
You don’t always have to use giant area rugs in big spaces, but large rugs often work best in such rooms. However, small rugs scattered throughout work just as well. An oversized rug in the center of the room doesn’t necessarily cover all the corners either. You’ll still have some space left over. Here are a few ideas for how to carve up an enormous space with a variety of rugs.
Go Big and Go Homey
Take in the size of your room by literally measuring its dimensions. Then take just a step down from its overall footprint in the size of rug that you shop for. For example, a 9×12 rug works very well as the style foundation for rooms that are anywhere from 1 foot to a few feet larger in each direction of the rectangle. And don’t worry, there are large and oversized square rugs and round rugs for rooms that aren’t rectangular. The result is a warmer, homey vibe.
Frame Your Art with Smaller Rugs
If you have a beautiful, hand-carved piece of furniture or special heirloom that’s been passed down through generations, these pieces deserve a small rug just for them. House plants can rest on an indoor-outdoor rug by the windows or the French doors. Pick an oriental-styled rug to go in front of your shelf displaying the mementos from your world travels. If your large room is big enough to be an art gallery, then make the most of it!
Get Pet-Sized Rugs for Furry Friends
You can roll out a little rug by a window for a pet cat who simply wants to soak in the sun throughout the day. If your little pug has a tendency to come in through the pet door with mud on his paws, then set up a small mat for him with a bowl of water just inside the entryway. Find soft, comfy large rugs for your Great Dane’s great naps. Whatever size pet, you’ll find a rug for every room, and even for under pet beds.
Designating Spaces with Distinct Rugs
If your large room serves multiple purposes, using smaller rugs can help designate different areas for those specific uses. A loft apartment tends to be all one space, but your lifestyle demands that you separate your bedroom from your home office. Rolling out runners, or long, thinner rugs, can help establish borders in the physical space so that you can establish mental borders for yourself. That way, your work life won’t bleed into your relaxation time. Get creative and get decorating your large room with just-right rugs.
Can I layer an oversized rug on a carpet?
Absolutely! Some rooms, like master bedrooms and living rooms, might already have carpet on the ground to soften up the edges of the room. However, just like you would layer tops during the winter and the early spring, rugs and carpets can have layers that even add depth to a room. Just find the large, extra-large, or oversized rug that fits within the walls of your carpeted room.
Furthermore, if you have a monochromatic carpet color, a large Oriental- or Persian-style area rug or a medallion rug can give your floor an intricate design and multiple colors to make that stretch of space seem less exhausting.
This Tasseled Medallion Area Rug, found at Rugs USA, can play with neutral tones that your existing carpet might already have, but then add splashes of color and a resting spot for the eyes on the ground.
In addition, a large, already carpeted room comes with an open invitation to play with textures. If your carpet is flat, why not add a fluffy area rug to introduce a softer, voluptuous texture to your seating area or by your bed? This Natural Greek Flokati Area Rug can look like a giant fluffy cloud in a sea of carpet.
Where do I put a large area rug in my big room?
Area rugs don’t have to go in the center of your big room. Consider where you want the action to take place. Is there a seating area with couches? What do you consider to be the centerpiece of the room?
Large and oversized area rugs fit well under a light fixture, with a bright spotlight on their colorful design. They can be a resting spot for your king-sized bed, host a baby grand piano by the bay window, or offer a warm, comfortable place to flop by the fireplace. Pretend your big area rug is a frame, and search for the perfect picture to place inside it. Whether that’s playing children, a set of rocking chairs in front of the TV, or a frame for a sculpture, an area rug can be the perfect plate for the dish you’re serving.
Big Rugs Don’t Have to Have Big Price Tags
You don’t have to break the budget for an oversized rug, especially if you’re shopping at Rugs USA. Our selection of large area rugs comes in a wide variety that is sure to meet your needs. If you want to peruse area rugs that come at an affordable price, check out our oversized area rugs here:
