Rugs

Choose a rug large enough for the front legs of the sofa and chairs to rest on it. In many living rooms that means 160 x 230cm, and 200 x 290cm in larger or open-plan spaces. Leave a border of bare floor of about 20–40cm between the rug and the walls so the room does not look carpeted.

For a double bed, a 160 x 230cm rug laid across the bed works well, sitting under the lower two-thirds and showing on both sides. For a king-size bed, 200 x 290cm gives a wider border where you step out. If bedside tables limit space, two small rugs either side of the bed are an alternative.

Choose flat weave for hallways, dining areas and anywhere doors or chairs move over the rug, medium pile of 10–14mm for everyday living rooms, and 5cm shaggy pile where softness matters most, such as bedrooms. Deeper pile holds more dust, so shaggy rugs need more regular vacuuming than flat or low-pile rugs.

Yes, most rugs will creep on smooth wood, laminate or tiles unless something holds them in place. An anti-slip rug grip cut slightly smaller than the rug solves this, and keeps the edges from curling. The anti-slip hallway runner has a grip backing built in, so it can go straight onto a hard floor.

Yes. A rug on carpet adds colour, pattern or a softer area in a larger room. Flat weave and low-pile rugs sit flattest on carpet, while a deep shaggy rug on deep carpet can feel unstable. In walkways, use a grip made for rug-on-carpet use, as standard hard-floor grips do not hold on carpet.

The County and Geneva flat weave rugs and the Malmo 3D rug are described as suitable for outdoor use on patios, as they are woven from weather-resistant polypropylene. Lift them or let them dry after heavy rain, and bring them in over winter to keep them looking good for longer. Pile and shaggy rugs are for indoor use.

Vacuum regularly and blot spills straight away with a clean cloth and mild carpet shampoo, working from the edge of the stain inwards. Do not rub, as that pushes the stain deeper. For shaggy rugs, use the vacuum without the beater bar and shake the rug outside now and then. Check the care label before washing any rug in a machine.

Polypropylene is the easier choice for busy family rooms, kitchens and patios, as it resists stains and moisture. Jute gives a natural, textured look and a firm feel underfoot, but it marks if it gets wet, so it suits living rooms and bedrooms better than kitchens or bathrooms. The jute rug here is 100% natural fibre.

Choose a runner that leaves about 10–15cm of floor showing on each side. Most hallway runners here are 57–67cm wide, in lengths from 150cm to 230cm, which suits a typical UK hallway. Measure the narrowest point and check doors can open over the runner. The same sizes work as a kitchen runner in a galley kitchen.

Choose a rectangular rug for a sofa, dining table or bed, as its straight edges follow the furniture. A round rug suits a reading corner, a small seating area or a room with curved furniture, and softens a space full of straight lines. For angular rooms, geometric rugs carry the same lines into the pattern.