The right throw rug can perfectly anchor a room and pull together all the other stylish elements you’ve curated. But choosing the ideal rug can be challenging when there are so many colors, patterns, and materials to choose from. You need the right throw rugs, thrown in the right direction. Let Olympus show you how it’s done with this handy guide to doing throw rugs the right way.

Size & Fit

A common mistake is choosing a rug that’s too small and leaving it floating like a deserted island in the middle of the room. When it comes to throw rugs in your living or dining room, you want to go big or go home (from the store, without a new rug). The style experts agree, your new rug should be large enough that all your furniture fits on top of it. In the dining room, this means chairs and all, while in the living room, the front legs of large pieces should be on the rug, but all the legs of small pieces should fit on top.

Look & Color

When choosing to add a rug to your layout, be sure it coordinates with the colors, patterns, and overall style already in play. If your furniture, throw pillows, or artwork already consist of bold colors or active patterns, you might want to choose a rug that features more neutral colors or one solid, low-contrast color. If your main furniture pieces skew solid and neutral, don’t be afraid to go a little wild with your rug design.

Material

In addition to tying the room together, rugs are a great way to protect the flooring and carpets in your high-traffic areas. Just make sure you choose a material that will hold up. Wool, nylon, polypropylene, cotton, and natural fibers like jute or sisal are all good choices.

For more tips and tricks on successful adulting in style, visit the Olympus at Daybreak blog.