Decorating
Flooring Guide:
Rug Rules
When it comes to selecting, placing, and using rugs, designer Alexa Hampton gives us her room-by-room guide to getting it right.
Room Layout
Rugs are wonderful tools for creating orderly furniture groupings, dividing rooms, or defining different spaces within a single room. Depending how you’d like the room to flow, rugs can create subtle and not-so-subtle area demarcations.
Rugs…Room by Room
Dining Room: Large sisal or oriental rugs are durable enough to handle the constant movement of dining chairs without much wear and tear.
Bedroom: High-pile wall-to-wall is great on bare feet and creates the feeling of being enveloped in the space.
Stairway: A runner that starts about 4” from the wall will be the safest thing for climbers and the best look for the stairwell.
Living Room: Anything goes! But if you have fabulous floors, try showing them off with a couple of smaller carpets rather than one large rug.
Sizing Secrets
I like my rugs to be around 6”–12” from the wall and knowing that helps me determine the best rug size for the space. Just measure in from the room’s perimeter and you’ll get the approximate size rug you need.
Daughter of the late great decorator Mark Hampton, author of the new book The Language of Interior Design, and designer of her own furniture and rug collections, Alexa Hampton knows a thing or two about creating a beautiful room.
The Wonders of Rugs
Rugs do so many great things to a room. Not only do they look beautiful, they feel good underfoot, soften noise, and add warmth to a space—in all senses of the word.
"Be adventurous with your carpet design. Any bold patterns and bright colors are largely covered by furniture, so just buy what you love!"
—Alexa Hampton
Furniture Meet-up
When it comes to placing chairs and sofas on the rug, I like to keep two legs on and two legs off. For sofas, you just don't want such a big piece parked on the bulk of your pretty carpet. For chairs in smaller seating areas, having two legs run off the rug is a great way to connect the area with the rest of the room.