Welcome to our first Q&A with Rugs USA column, where we answer your burning questions about rugs and all things interiors! First up: we’re talking rugs for entryways, uncovered outdoor spaces, messy kids, how to pick out the perfect rugs for adjacent rooms, and so much more.
Have a question you want answered? Follow Rugs USA on Instagram and drop us a comment or DM any time—then watch this space for the next round of Q&As!
Q: What rugs are best for the entryway, especially when it comes to winter weather?
A: The ideal entryway rug will do double duty. It should set a warm, welcoming tone for the rest of your home. And it should be durable and protect your floors from all the foot traffic coming into your space. With icy and muddy winter weather in the mix, it’s even more important to choose a rug that will last and be easy to clean.
First, let’s talk materials. Durability is the name of the game here, but luckily you have a lot of options to choose from. Synthetic rugs, along with flatwoven cotton rugs, are always a safe bet, since they’re easy to clean and hold up well to foot traffic. The same thing goes for wool rugs, although they tend to be pricier. Our new washable rugs would also be a great option—just throw yours in the washer and dryer any time muddy feet come through! Don’t discount outdoor rugs either, which are made to withstand fading and moisture, are are gorgeous enough to fit in perfectly indoors.
Aside from material, there are a few other things to consider. Shorter piles (below about 1/2“) will be easier to clean, and you’ll want to make sure the rug (including the rug pad beneath!) is low enough for your door to clear when it opens and closes. Brighter and darker colors are more forgiving when it comes to hiding pesky stains, but you can get away with a lighter hue if you go with a busier pattern, which will also help conceal spots.
For extra protection, we recommend placing a doormat outside your front door to encourage guests to wipe their feet off before they enter and prevent tracking any dirt onto your rug or around your house.
No matter what material, color, or pattern you choose for your entryway rug, you’ll want to clean any spots immediately to prevent permanent damage. You can read more about that in our Rug Guides here.
Q: How do I find complementary rugs for adjacent rooms?
A: Since these rooms are within your house, which is filled with designs that are your taste, we suspect this will be easier than you think! To create cohesion from room to room, you’ll want to identify a common thread you can weave throughout each space—whether it’s with color, pattern, or a theme. Maybe both rugs have a boho vibe. Maybe they’re both geometric. Maybe they both have red as a common hue (even the tiniest touch color can make rugs feel cohesive!).
They certainly don’t need to be perfectly coordinated, though we do recommend ensuring there’s not a major shock to the senses when going from one space to the other. And when in doubt, remember: neutral rugs, like jute styles or those in cream or ivory hues, really do go with everything!
Q: What rugs hold up best with messy kids?
A: This was one of our most-asked questions, and for good reason. Kids (though we love them!) are pros when it comes to making messes. So we recommend choosing durable, easy-to-clean rugs made from synthetic materials (like polypropylene and nylon), an outdoor rug (yes, they work indoors too!), or a style from our new washable collection. Keep in mind that busier patterns and brighter colors will help hide stains. And plush shag rugs—as soft as they are under little feet—tend to trap dirt and messes and can be tricker to keep clean.
Q: My main bedroom is huge! Do I get a rug sized to the queen bed and side tables, or for the entire room?
A: How amazing to have such a large bedroom! We’ve seen plenty of bedrooms that pull off both of these options. But to help you come to a decision, here are a few things you should think about. How much of your floor do you want to show? If you have beautiful wood floors, you may not want to cover them up entirely with a rug. Is your house chilly, or are your floors tiled? A rug that spans most of the space would warm up the room (and cold bare feet!). Is it important to spend under a certain amount? Depending on which rug style you land on, a smaller size will help you stay on budget.
Generally, we usually suggest to go bigger on rug size rather than smaller. This is because rugs that are too small can in turn make a room feel cramped and imbalanced. But if you do want to go with a rug that frames the bed, rather than covering the majority of the room, we would go with at least a 6’ x 9’ size for a queen bed (and would place it in front of the side tables instead of under them).
Q: What rugs would go well with a room that has deep green walls?
A: We love deep green in the home, not only because it’s a gorgeous color, but because it pairs well with a wide variety of elements. Since it’s a hue pulled from nature, it lends itself beautifully to an array of colors, patterns, and styles.
So for the most part, you really can’t go wrong! Though we do have a few ideas. We love deep green with fellow jewel-toned hues, like orange, teal blue, or mustard yellow. On the safer (but no less stunning!) side, you can go with neutral rug colors, like creams or tans, which together with green will create a lovely earthiness in your space. And in terms of style—again, so many different kinds will work!—but our personal favorite pairings with deep green are Moroccan and vintage-inspired rugs.
Q: I have an uncovered porch but would still love a rug there. What would you recommend?
A: We say go for it! Outdoor rugs are the perfect way to highlight and frame your alfresco spaces and make these areas feel just as comfortable and stylish as those indoors. Definitely choose a rug that’s made specifically for outdoor use, as they’re crafted to be moisture- and fade-resistant. On extra-rainy days, you may want to roll them up and store them somewhere covered, though if they do get wet you can always hang them up to dry out. Check out our newest outdoor rugs collection here, and shop them all here.
