Trust the Rug Experts
Choosing a living room rug doesn’t have to be challenging or daunting. Here are a few tips from the Amethyst design team. And of course, we’re always a call or click away for styling dilemmas!
Dominic Clay / Rust Hand-Knotted Rug
Size
First, prepare for your rug shopping endeavors by measuring your living room for the size of rug (or rugs) needed. Too large of a rug can create an awkward eye line. Too small of a rug can make the size of the space feel smaller. Measure the space for the optimal rug size. The rug should go at least halfway underneath all seating and furniture and ideally extend 12” - 18” inches past the edge of the furniture.
Amethyst pro design tip: Don’t be afraid to mix and match the rugs in an open concept space for a cohesive look. For instance, if you have an entryway, a dining room, and a living room all visible at once, we recommend selecting one patterned rug, one jute rug, and one solid-colored texture rug.
Material
Second, decide on the rug material that fits your lifestyle. Our first love is wool, because it is antimicrobial, sustainable, and brings a timeless warmth to your space. Wool rugs are easy to clean with soap and water and can handle the messiest of spills. Select a hand-woven or hand-knotted wool rug to minimize shedding.
Amethyst pro design tip: The best thing to have on hand with a wool rug is a bottle of hydrogen peroxide. As soon as a spill happens, soak it and let it lift the stain.
Becki Owens x Surya Davey Checkered Hand-Knotted Rug
Softness / Plushness
Don’t worry about the softness of the rug. The softer the rug, the likelihood it won’t hold up to everyday living. There is a trade-off between softness and durability, and that’s the honest truth. You can’t have soft and durable, it’s a trade-off.
Amethyst pro design tip: Don’t get hung up on the pile height. Customize the comfort of your rug with a luscious rug pad.
Color and Patterns
Let the vibes speak to you, and don’t get hung up on the color. Pick a color palette you like rather than a color. Don’t forget you’ll only see the parts of the pattern that are exposed. Consider how the pattern will look once you put furniture on it. With natural hand-made rugs, color variations may occur. It’s a part of the natural artisan process.
Amethyst pro design tip: At Amethyst, we see rugs as original art. They’re hand-made by a rug artist so you don’t have to be confined by matching your decor to the rugs. Be inspired. Pick a rug that makes you happy, rugs are meant to be collected and enjoyed.
Helena Silver / Ivory Hand-Knotted Rug
Budget
If you really want something that is going to last and gives you that personal style, it’s important to allocate enough money toward your rug budget. You’re going to get more style in a rug as it’s the design foundation of the space. Rugs are functional pieces that you walk on and use every day, unlike decor items, they’re a necessity. Rugs are great for trapping dirt and preventing your furniture from sliding across the room when you sit down. A decorative budget shouldn’t apply to a functional item like a rug.
Amethyst pro design tip: Spend a little more on your rug, and a little less on your coffee table or other decorative pieces.
Bennett Ivory / Forest Hand-Knotted Rug
Looking for a recommendation? Send us a photo of your living room and up to 3 of your favorite Amethyst rugs to design@amethysthome.com and we’ll be in touch with a complimentary mock-up.