Home Living Room 18 Living Room Rug Ideas That Will Floor You Pun intended. By Quincy Bulin Quincy Bulin Quincy Bulin is a writer focused on lifestyle, among other topics and has contributed to Better Homes & Gardens, Reader's Digest, and more. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Published on February 15, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Finding the right rug is often the easiest or most difficult decision you’ll make about a space. Given the scale, not getting it right might just throw the whole room off. Whether you’re working with square footage more akin to a tiny home or a ballroom, these living room rug ideas are guaranteed to inspire and help guide you toward your perfect fit. 01 of 18 In the Zone Laurey W. Glenn A 30-by-20-foot living room like this needs a little bit of separation. In addition to dividing the space with back-to-back armchairs, Mark D. Sikes layered rugs on either side to create two defined rooms in one. 02 of 18 All Natural Brie Williams Styling: Jennifer Berno Decleene Jute rugs are always in style, and in fact seem to be becoming more popular most of the time. As seen in this Lake Wylie living room, they have a comfortable texture that lends itself to any space and style. 03 of 18 Something Old Laura Negri One of the best ways to add character to a room is to add a vintage rug. Depending on the size of the space, you may layer it over a jute one or style it solo. Either way, it gives it a one-of-a-kind foundation. 04 of 18 Compare & Contrast Laurey W. Glenn In a room full of traditional armchairs and tufted upholstery, the cowhide rug adds a very different vibe that makes the room as a whole feel more casual and comfortable. 05 of 18 Show Your Stripes Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Elly Poston Cooper In a room full of solids, even a single pattern can add a lot of personality. In addition to making the space look wider, this rug manages to make the space feel incredibly dynamic. 06 of 18 Set the Tone Photo by: Tria Giovan, Styling by: Matthew Gleason Most of the time, the beauty of rugs is how they create a focal point in a room. With this one being a similar color to the floor, it makes the space more fluid while still adding depth and texture. 07 of 18 On Neutral Ground Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Jenny O'Connor This Dallas home by Amy Berry is subtly eclectic, and you could probably get away with more thanks to the light beige rug underfoot. However your style may change later, a light colored neutral like this should always match. 08 of 18 Drop the Anchor Photo: Helen Norman In the library of our 2021 Idea House in Louisville, Kentucky, your eye is immediately drawn to the woven Phillip Jeffries wall covering, Manila Hemp in Truffle Brown. Combined with the complementary border, the patterned rug is where your eye goes next—and stays, grounding the space. 09 of 18 Pattern Play Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Sometimes, more is more. Beneath all the intricate patterns, the more simple striped rug in our 2018 Austin, Texas Idea House brings everything together in a fun way that celebrates the maximalism. 10 of 18 Got the Blues Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Tonal design doesn’t end just before the floor. This striped rug both adds another pattern to the mix and turns the living room into a jewel box from top to bottom. (Or is it bottom to top?) 11 of 18 Get Busy Laurey W. Glenn We’ve talked about layering rugs before, but this approach is all about patterns. The mid-tone wavy sisal is an unexpected pairing for the Moroccan shag, making this already-eclectic room feel even more so in the best way. 12 of 18 All Together Now Photography: Laurey W. Glenn Typically rugs are one of the largest pieces in a living room, if not the largest. Often they’re used as the jumping off point for a space because of how they can tie together a color scheme, which exactly what was accomplished here. 13 of 18 Check it Out Photo: Laurey W. Glenn In a place with more natural elements or fluid lines, a grid-like check balances it out with some structure. Though more defined, this pattern is actually decently versatile and can read as farmhouse, cabin, industrial, and more depending on how it’s styled. 14 of 18 Lean In Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Who doesn’t love a theme? While we’re all for subtle nods, there’s something really fun about going all-in on a vibe, starting with a playful rug. 15 of 18 Make it a Double Photo: Annie Schlechter; Styling: Matthew Gleason Just like layering on the throw pillows makes a room feel more cozy, so does layering on the rugs. This duo has many of the same colors, adding a touch of cohesion to the collected character. 16 of 18 Graphic Design Laurey W. Glenn When a space is feeling just a little too simple, whether because of the color palette or furniture, a bold rug can make a major statement. 17 of 18 Cut to Size Photo: Laurey Glenn In a room with a lot of square footage or tricky corners, a custom rug, as seen in our former editor-in-chief’s Birmingham home, can really pull together and elevate a space. This is often a higher upfront cost, but in a permanent residence can be an investment worth making. 18 of 18 Opposites Attract Photo: Laurey W. Glenn In this 1830s Charleston living room, the delicate, green floral wall covering is the star of the show—sharing the spotlight with the modern purple rug. Everything about them exist on the opposite ends of the spectrum, which is exactly what makes them the perfect pair. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit