Should a rug be lighter or darker than couch

Q: Can rug be same color as couch?

Simply identify a common color on your rug thats also on your couch, and voilà—youve done it! We recommend using this method if you want to roll out a patterned rug in your living room, but dont want it to overwhelm or clash with the rest of the space.

Q: Does a rug need to match couch?

Your rug needs to suit the space its in and even more importantly, it needs to match your furniture. A badly matched rug can ruin the whole look of your space, but its not difficult to find out how to pull this off.

Whether you follow the Ballard tried-and-true decorating concept of “start with a rug” or just select one to add color and definition to an established décor, area rugs are the quintessential decorative accessory. From the elegance of a classic Oriental to the casual look of a natural jute, an area rug adds personality and warmth to a room. But with so many styles, colors and materials to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? It’s actually easier than you think. Here are a few ground rules to help you choose the right rug for your room.

Índice Show

1. Choose Your Rug Style
2. Choose Your Rug Size
3. Choose Your Color & Pattern
1. It’s All In the Timing
2. Sing A Rainbow
3. What Lies Beneath
4. Love Thy Neighbour
5. Size Matters
6. It’s Not Always Black and White
Can rug be same color as couch?
Does a rug need to match couch?
Does a dark or light rug make a room look bigger?
How do you match a rug to a couch?

1. Choose Your Rug Style

Two of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a rug that you’ll love to live with are your lifestyle and your own personal style.

For a rug that’s going to last, you’ll want to make sure it can hold up to your lifestyle. Are you placing your rug in a high-traffic area, such as a hallway or family room? Do you have young children or pets? If so, you’ll want to go with a rug that’s durable and easy to clean, like wool, a synthetic blend or seagrass. And keep in mind, a dark-colored patterned rug will hide stains or dirt in high-activity areas.

Make sure any rug you’re considering ultimately complements your sense of style. You may not think so, but you really do know your style better than anyone else. So trust your instincts. Don’t talk yourself into a popular pattern or color if it’s really not you. You might love it today, but will you like it tomorrow?

2. Choose Your Rug Size

Before you go shopping you’ll need to do a little homework, starting with measuring the area where you’ll be placing your rug. You might want to select a minimum and maximum optimal size to give you a wider selection of rugs to choose from.

Below are a few general guidelines:

In the family room, select a size that covers at least the length and width of your furniture. A 5′ x 8′ or 6′ x 9′ rug is a good size to cluster furniture around for an intimate area. To expand the space, select a larger size that outlines the perimeter of the area.
In the dining room, a rug should be large enough to allow space for chairs, even when pulled away from the table. Measure your table and add approximately two feet, or sit in one of your chairs yourself and measure the distance from the table.
If you have a wood floor, try to have at least 18 to 24 inches of flooring around the perimeter of the room.

Still not sure about the size? Here’s a trick we use from time to time: use painter’s tape to tape the area to the size of the rug you’re considering. This little trick can help you visualize how the size works with your furniture.

3. Choose Your Color & Pattern

You’re almost ready to start rug shopping. First, take a quick inventory of your color scheme. To tie the look of the room together, you’ll want to select a rug that complements the two or three main colors in the room.

If you go to a store, we suggest you take a throw pillow and a color swatch of your drapes, furniture or wall colors with you. It’s incredibly hard to visualize how the colors will work together without any reference. And if you’re considering a Ballard Designs rug, we strongly suggest you order a swatch first.

A rug can make or break a room. A good choice brings everything together and says ‘this room is finished’. In a living space, a good rug helps to define zones. It brings warmth to any areas that can look and feel cold underfoot - we’re looking at you, tiles and hardwood. Choosing the right rug for your space can be challenging. We have some advice that can help you choose the best rug for any space every time and give your room a bit of va va voom.

1. It’s All In the Timing

Do choose your rug first - or last. If you want to make a real statement with a rug to steal the show, start with your rug and then build the room around it. However, if you have already furniture that you love, your rug can be a supporting element in the larger space and it can be chosen so it works with the palette you already have in place.

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2. Sing A Rainbow

Do embrace colour and trends. After all, replacing a rug is a great opportunity to freshen up your living space and give it a completely new feel, so don’t be afraid to try some of the new hot colours for 2022 such as earthy red and pink shades, which play well with mustard, tan, navy and teal. Warm, earthy tones from the brown family will also be big. Think cognac, almond and beige here. If would like to introduce a real pop of colour, consider soft mauve, faded indigo or peachy terracotta.

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3. What Lies Beneath

DO consider your flooring. It is the base your rug will be placed on and some colours just work well together. Warmer toned timbers work much better with warmer rug shades, whereas modern, light timbers look great with grey, navy and white rugs.

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4. Love Thy Neighbour

Do consider your neighbours. If you live in an apartment complex, rugs can be a great sound insulator, particularly for busy areas like a living room. A strategically placed rug will absorb sound and stop your neighbours hearing every move you make and will soak up some of their noise too.

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5. Size Matters

Don't choose a rug that is too small for the space. In all areas, a bigger rug can be the difference between pulling your space together - or not. Go bigger every time; it will be worth any extra expense. Let the room orientation be your guide when deciding which way to have the rug running. In a long room, it is best to place a rug lengthways. Using painters tape to mark where your rug will help to visualise the final look and is a pro tip that ensures the rug is in the right spot from every angle.

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6. It’s Not Always Black and White

Don't choose black or too white rugs for living room spaces. Of course, choosing a rug colour is completely a personal preference. However, consider avoiding a purely black or white rug for high traffic areas, particularly if you have a young family or a pet. Include upkeep as part of your selection criteria so you can spend more time enjoying your rug, and less time vacuuming it. These rugs can look super glam in other, quieter areas though.

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All images are sourced from Pinterest – click here to see originals and more styled images to inspire

Can rug be same color as couch?

Simply identify a common color on your rug that's also on your couch, and voilà—you've done it! We recommend using this method if you want to roll out a patterned rug in your living room, but don't want it to overwhelm or clash with the rest of the space.

Does a rug need to match couch?

Your rug needs to suit the space it's in and even more importantly, it needs to match your furniture. A badly matched rug can ruin the whole look of your space, but it's not difficult to find out how to pull this off.

Does a dark or light rug make a room look bigger?

Choose Light Colors and Almost No Pattern. Light-colored rugs make a room look brighter and feel spacious.

How do you match a rug to a couch?

Use these basics to get you started on your hunt: If your primary furniture, such as a sofa, is a solid color, consider selecting a patterned rug. Match the secondary color in a patterned rug to your sofa. Match the third rug color to your pillows, drapes, wall color or other accents in the room.