Does A Rug Make A Room Look Bigger Or Smaller?
When you’re tight on space, the last thing anyone wants to do is add items or accessories that will make the room feel smaller.
Most of the time, everyone is looking for smart and easy fixes to make their tight space look bigger.
If you’re concerned about whether a rug will make a room look bigger or smaller, there is a simple way to gauge it:
A large area rug will make a small room look bigger. If you have a small living room and want to make it feel larger, the best thing you can do is add an area rug that provides a continuous flow of floor, unlike when using small rugs that make the room feel disjointed and cluttered and thus, making the room feel smaller.
Another popular trick to add the illusion of space is placing your furniture atop the rug and in a similar size grouping which tends to work well.
If this isn’t possible, at least ensure that the front footings of your sectionals are on the area rug.
So, whether you’re decorating a bedroom or a living room, here are a couple of useful placement tips and design tips to help you make sure a rug contributes to a bigger and open space:
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Rug Placement Tips To Make Your Room Look Bigger
Here are some ways to make your room feel bigger than its actual size.
1. Size of the Rug
One mistake people make when buying an area rug is to skimp on size.
When getting an area rug for your room, know that its size is directly proportional to the size of your room.
In other words, if you want to make your room look bigger, you have to get a bigger-sized area rug.
That way, even if you can’t change the room’s physical dimensions, at least the area rug will elicit continuous flooring compared to skimpy rugs that break the flooring flow.
To ensure that you get the right rug size, it is ideal to have your room’s measurement on hand before heading for the store.
That way, you won’t be lured into overspending your budget on a rug that only looks good on paper.
For example, if you have a ten by twelve feet room, get an area rug that is at least eleven by thirteen feet.
2. The Importance and Role of Color
Another mistake that people make when they buy area rugs is to overlook the color of their room and the area rug itself.
The color of the room and the rug are two very important factors in determining whether the area rug will make your room feel bigger or smaller.
The color of the room – that is to say, the walls, flooring, furniture, etc. – will always dictate how big your living space can be. In general, neutrals exude a more open feel.
Therefore, if you are buying an area rug for a room with such color, it is your best bet to choose an area rug in either neutral or earth tones.
Moreover, a louder pattern makes a small room feel smaller, while a smaller, subtler pattern will make your room look bigger than it is. If you can’t decide on one color for your rug, then pick the color that will complement your room’s interior design.
While color is important, I think patterns also play a huge role in determining how big or small a room feels. Busy patterns with too many patterns can also make a space feel smaller than it is.
3. The Materials Used
The flooring, walls, ceiling, and furniture in your room are the materials that determine the final look of your living space.
The best way to make a room feel more spacious is with more flooring on top of an area rug and vice versa.
For example, if you already have good-sized hardwood floors in your room and want to add carpeting to the space, it is ideal to use a low pile carpet that will complement the look of your hardwood floors.
On the other hand, if the hardwood floors in your room are not the best choice since they are damaged or old, and you want to help create a more open area with carpeting, then it is ideal to use a high-pile carpet.
See also: What Color Rug Goes With Wood Floors? (Your #1 Guide)
4. Rug and Furniture Placement
When placing your new room rug, try to place it in a position where the rug and furniture meet.
That way, you’re not left with an awkward open space in one corner.
If you can’t get your furniture to reach the rug, keep some sort of furniture piece – like a coffee table in between to accentuate your room’s flow.
See also: Where Should A Rug Be Placed In A Room? (Best Locations)
Essential Tips to Make your Space Look Bigger
In addition to a big rug, there are other furniture and interior design ideas that you can use to make your living space look bigger.
1. Color and Simplicity
Neutrals and earthy tones tend to get along well with most home styles.
Therefore, if you want your room to appear larger than it is, use these colors in your furniture or any other decoration of the space.
Furniture with strong and bold lines can overpower the visual feel of a room.
Moreover, when decorating the room, keep it simple – whether it is using neutral-colored accessories or removing unnecessary items that clutter the space.
Some of the best neutral colors are:
- Beige
- Cream
- White
- Off-white
- Eggshell white
- Gray
- Gray Owl
- Light French Gray
- Pewter Neutral
- Silver Marlin
2. Modern Accessories
Another way to give a feeling of space is by switching out some home decor items that have lost their appeal or are at least “outdated.”
For example, use minimal overhead lighting instead of standing lamps.
This should complement your overall design tone for the area while creating more space.
Final Thoughts
The best way to determine if a rug will make a room look bigger or smaller is to look at the size, color, pattern, and room size.
Bigger rugs tend to work best in making a room look bigger compared to smaller rugs that can look disjointed.
Larger rugs add a continuous look and flow to the space that gives the illusion of open space.
A simple, neutral rug with a light pattern can also work wonders in making a room appear bigger whereas smaller, vibrant, and dark-colored rugs can suck the light, making the room look smaller than it is.
You can also consider the positioning and placement of the rug to determine how it will affect the size of the space.
Use these three essential factors before purchasing a rug and this should definitely save you a lot of time and energy.
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