Choosing the best shape of rug for your space is a tricky part. Maybe you want a round rug, but your space might be the sort where Round Rugs might not look good there. So to make things simpler, we have come up with a few ways on how you could choose the best rug shape for your space. Finalizing a rug shape for our space is a serious business! Choosing the wrong shape and size for space can make it look awkward or cause impractical annoyances. We've found that many people asking for advice about rugs are concerned about two main things: rug shape and size.

Since we have already briefed you about the best places to buy rugs, you are good to go on and make a reasonable choice! Can a circular rug work in a living room? You may wonder, how do you pick a shape for a sectional, a foyer, a bathroom?  There are no set "rules" when it comes to choosing the best rug shape and size for your space. Exercise your creative freedom, but check out our tips to reduce the work! Here are many exercise mats that will offer comfort and support for your body during intense workouts, as well as restorative yoga.

We've compiled case-by-case examples of rugs working in different spaces for you to reference, from the foyer to bathrooms to dining rooms, but of course, you should design your rooms to fit your taste! 

Here Are The 10 Best Tips For Choosing The Best Rug Shape For Your Space

Tip 1: Always Measure The Area First

Measure out where you want to put the rug and figure out what size is appropriate for that room or area before selecting a specific shape to reduce decision fatigue! If it's too big, return it; if it's too small, return it. A rug that's too big can overwhelm a room, whereas one that's too small will look dwarfed and not do its job well.

Tip 2: Always Measure The Furniture

Measure your sofa and chairs so that you can make sure there's enough room for them to be moved around on the rug. If not, purchase a bigger or smaller rug accordingly, depending on how much space is required.

Tip 3: Choose The Shape Based On How The Room Is Used

You may be surprised to learn that there are different rug shapes for different types of spaces. For example, a square or rectangular shape might work best in an office space where people step around it all day long. Conversely, you would want something more circular for a family room, where it's often used as additional seating space.

Tip 4: Choose Round Rugs To Show Off The Floors

Round rugs are often favored in spaces where you want to be able to see the floor, like entryways. If this is what you're looking for then round would work best. However, if you have a carpet that needs protection and doesn't naturally stay put on its own (i.e., shag), then you'll want to go with an oval rug.

Tip 5: Choose A Square Or Rectangular Rug If You Have A Tight Space

Square or rectangular rugs tend to be easier for people with limited mobility and can help create more of an illusion that the room is larger. But, they might not work in some spaces where there's a lot of foot traffic (i.e., living room). So, Always consider the space before choosing a rug shape.

Tip 6: If You Need A Runner, Choose A Round Or Rectangular One Instead Of An Oval

A common misconception is that runners are always long and thin (i.e., like doormats). This isn't true! Choose from any size to accommodate your specific needs, including round and rectangle shapes for your hallway, entryway, or office. If you have an oval rug in your living room and want to add a runner for your hallway, then choose the same shape!

Tip 7: Choose One That Suits The Traffic Patterns Of Your Space

If there is high foot traffic at certain locations around the house (i.e., kitchen), then you need to choose a shape that can withstand the wear and tear of this traffic. This might mean choosing a higher pile rug for high-traffic areas. And, if you have a space that is just for storage, then choose an area rug with no pile. For high traffic areas choose square or rectangle shapes, for low traffic areas choose semi circle or round.

Tip 8: Be Careful Of Color And Pattern Limitations

If you want to have a lot of variety in your shapes, there are various rules about how many solid colors or patterns can be on an area rug at a time. For example, if you choose a rectangular shape for the kitchen but also want to use that shape in the dining room, then you might need to limit your rug to just one pattern or color.

Tip 9: Incorporate Design Elements

If you want an area rug that stands out and reflects a certain style of décor, consider incorporating some design elements into the choice of shapes. This could be something like opting for a geometric patterned rug in a square or rectangular shape or, or using a round shape with an ornate pattern.

Tip 10: Pick What Works Best In Your Room's Overall Design Theme

This one seems obvious but it can sometimes be forgotten! If the rest of your home decor has patterns and colors, match those features to the shape of your runner so they work in harmony. For example, if you have an elegant and traditional room with a floral rug that is rectangular or square-shaped, go for something like a round runner to add some variation!

Tip 11: Choose One That Suits Your Style Preferences

Consider what you want to show off in each space before purchasing a shape! If there is already something beautiful on the wall or floor, then choose a simple, round rug to highlight that. Also, you can choose a shape that suits your personality. If you're more of a traditional person with some modern touches, consider something like an oval or rectangular runner to act as the unifying element in that space! If you're looking for a rug that will keep the space feeling modern then go with something like an orb. If you want it to feel rustic, try out a braided oval or round shape

Tip 12: Go For Quality Over Quantity

Although there are plenty of great rug shapes out there, you should always go with the best quality possible. It's more expensive but can last longer than cheaper versions because they have been designed in a way that makes them easier to clean and are durable. So, choose a shape that can last a lifetime!

Tip 13: Find A Balance Between The Rug's Size And Your Room

The last thing you want is for your new carpet to be too big or small in relation to the space! When choosing the best rug shape, measure out how much floor space there is in your room. If you have a bigger space get a rug with more of a rectangular shape and if you have less space, get something smaller like an oval or round rug.

Tip 14: Consider Your Floor Type

You want to choose the best material for your needs! If you have wood floors in need of updating then go with a wool carpet that will be durable while giving them some bounce back. You can choose a shag rectangular rug for your space! Or, you can choose an oval or round rug that will complement the shape of your space.

Tip 15: Rugs As Focal Points

If you have an empty wall in your home, consider using a round or rectangular shape with contrasting colors that can act as the focal point on either side of it. If you're unsure about what to use, go for a neutral color like beige or cream. The shape of the rug will be the center of attention.

Tip 14: Mix It Up!

If you have a large area, like the entryway or living room floor, then feel free to mix different shapes together for a more eclectic look. You could go with an oval in your dining space and complement that with a rectangle down the hall from there - this would also create a nice transition for your guests to walk through.

Tip 15: Choose A Rug To Complement Other Colors Or Textures You Already Have

The best way to be successful at choosing your rug's shape is by using it as an opportunity to really bring together everything else that you're working with. For example, if there are beautiful wood floors underneath then you should go for a shape that will compliment that. Keep in mind what colors you want to bring into the room and then choose a rug's shape accordingly. You can show off the beautiful wood floors by choosing a circular or oval shape or you can find a way to highlight the colors with your choice of shape.

Tip 16: Choose Rugs With Different Shapes And Textures For Each Room

If you have multiple rooms of varying design, keep your eye out for rugs that will work well in all those spaces by choosing an assortment of shapes and textures. This will help to tie the rooms together while keeping them looking unique. You can use a square shape for one room and a circular or oval shape for another. Just keep in mind that the shapes must make sense for the space and that you should always choose the right size of rug to fit well.

Tip 17: Consider Your Lifestyle When Choosing A Rug's Shape

If you have pets that shed, then an oval or circular-shaped area will be easier to clean up hairballs and keep them from shedding over time. You can also opt for a square-shaped rug with an area of the floor left uncovered. This will allow you to sweep hairballs into the open space and also provide more surface area in which your pet can play, as opposed to having them confined on a smaller oval or circular-shaped rug that would not offer much room for movement. Also, if you have kids and are looking for a rug that won't show footprints, then consider an oval rug or round rug.

Tip 18: Consider The Room's Décor When Choosing A Size And Shape

If you have lots of furniture in your living space with rounded corners like sofas or ottomans, then avoid rectangle area rugs which may seem too bulky and take up space. You can go for other shapes like a circular rug or an oval-shaped one which will fit in more naturally. If you have walls that are bright, then choose a white or light-colored rectangular carpet for maximum contrast with this color scheme. or, If your style is more modern, then rectangular rugs may be best to fill the large square or oblong living spaces where furniture needs plenty of room. Keep in mind to check the size rug has before choosing it for a living space.

Tip 19: Keep It Simple

Keep it clean with crisp lines when deciding on the shapes of the rug. A rug with a single shape makes for an elegant and simple design. You can choose a simple shape like a rectangle and then use the room's other features to create a more interesting design.

Tip 20: Plan Ahead By Thinking About The Future

When it comes to choosing shapes of rugs for your home, don't just think short as you want it to be for now. Consider how your space might change in the future and plan accordingly - like a baby's nursery which you may want to make more of an oasis by adding soft, circular area rugs as opposed to sharp-edged rectangles or squares. If you plan to change the setting of your room, then choose shapes that will work for both now and in the future.

General Rug Shapes

Your area rug's shape affects the overall aesthetics of the room! Yes! You heard that right. A round rug can make your area look more spacious, whereas a runner rug will make it look more expanded. Below are the general rug shapes with their best use and characteristics.

Round

• Whimsical, playful, cozy, and soft
• Use in a small space to make it feel larger
• Pair with similar shapes (furniture, chandelier)
• Offset rectangles
• Use round area rugs in a circular room
• Generally, don't use in larger spaces

At RugKnots we have the best round rugs, if you don't believe us have a look below at this stunning black Ziegler area rug. It is one of our best buys of 2021, and it is going strong in 2023 too. If you don't want to miss your chance on buying this beauty then hit us up.

Square

• Use square area rugs in a square room
• Pair with square-shaped tables
• Pair two or more square rugs
• Use square outdoor rugs in the best outdoor spaces

With over 2000 Square Rugs, at RugKnots we have made sure that our customers get the best quality rugs in the whole United States. Check out this regal red Ziegler area rug.

Rectangle

• Traditional
• Good for large spaces (living rooms, seating areas, office)
• Great for when you need something long and thin, like a hallway runner or a kitchen rug

We know, we know. You might be shocked by how many options you can choose from. Well, we know how difficult it is to find a good shape rug for a space. For instance, this rectangle rug looks stunning, have a look at it before we run out of stock.

Asymmetrical

• Modern and inventive
• Good for adding style and a unique look to your space
• A flower-shaped rug can be a great addition to kids’ playroom/nursery

We love the geometrical collection of rugs at RugKnots, they have some really eye-catching pieces. Like this one below. Arrange your seating area before you measure for your rug. By doing this, you can figure out the exact size you need, and size up from there!

11 Case-By-Case Examples

Not every space can be the best fit for different shapes of rugs. To make it easier for you, we have made a list of some examples of which rug shape will best fit which area of your space.

1. Bay Window/Breakfast Nook

Bay windows are so beautiful but are you wondering how to design your home around them? Many people choose to use their beautiful bay window as a breakfast nook. Bay windows let in a wonderful amount of light, and eating your toast and sipping your coffee in the sun is the perfect way to wake you up and start your day! But, how do you choose a rug for a bay window? The bay window's geometric shape creates the perfect amount of space for a little round table.

Even though a bay window has geometric angles, the trapezoidal shape is "circular" in nature. Since a circular table works best with a bay window, we suggest pairing it with a circular rug! Be careful, though! Circular rugs for dining areas are tricky because it's easy to choose one that's too small. Measure the diameter of your circular table and add at least 30 inches to determine the diameter your rug should be. The trick is to make sure that when you back up your chair to stand up, your chair doesn't fall off your rug. Without the window seat, a table like this could be paired with a few chairs and a round rug!

2. Sectional Sofa Seating Area

It's generally accepted that the best way to accent a sectional sofa or a large living room seating area is with a large, rectangular area rug. The trick with these seating areas is to make sure that at least the front legs of each piece of furniture are able to sit on the rug. Choose a large rectangular rug because a rug that is too small can make the room feel awkward and disjointed. We really love the style of the room above, but the two smaller rectangular rugs make it feel like there are several weird seating areas. The chair, side tables, sofa, and coffee table should feel like one unified space, but the rugs make the room feel separate and cold. If you're going to get a rug that's too small for your space, it might be better not to get one at all.

Even if a rectangular rug is a traditional choice, you can always shake things up with a circular rug. There are a few different ways to go about this. If you have a large seating area in a nice open space, go big or go home! It works so well because all the furniture is arranged on top of it and it plays on the shape of the side table and ottoman. A smaller round rug works with a sectional if your space is smaller. Somehow, the soft curves of the round rugs make a small space feel bigger. Another idea for a small space is sticking a small round rug in the corner of a sectional to add a pop of color and interest.

3. The Foyer

An open entryway or foyer has endless rug options. Large rectangular rugs and circular rugs both look gorgeous, depending on the size of the foyer and any accessories. Rectangular rugs create a classic look and make your foyer feel larger and longer! They can open up a thin entryway and add some brightness. The thin, long area rugs above and below add texture to the floor and depth to the entryway. We love how these rugs' geometric patterns match the chandelier hanging above it - tribal designs always pair nicely with geometric patterns! We prefer placing rectangular rugs in foyers so they "lead" you and your guests into your home. If your foyer is long, it's best not to place your rug horizontally to avoid making your foyer feel short and enclosed instead of welcoming.

At RugKnots, we personally love a round rug in foyers to help define a vignette in an entryway or in an open foyer space. When paired with a circular table, the rug in the space below makes the foyer feel even bigger. Paired with the winding staircase, the rounded chandelier above, and the curved doorway, the round rug is a great way to accent the neutral floor. Rectangle or circle, make sure to take your whole entryway into account. The rug you choose for your foyer can go either way! If you're working with a more open space, we suggest a large round rug. If your space is more narrow and skinny, a thin rectangle rug or runner rug will look wonderful! Just make sure to pair your rug choice with accents that match!

4. Two Seating Areas

Circle rugs are the best for such spaces, in my opinion! If you have a large living room, sometimes it makes sense to create two separate seating areas in order to break up space and make it feel more open and completely used. The biggest question that comes with having multiple seating areas is what kind of rug can I use? Can I mix and match shapes? Or, should I just stick with the same shape? Or, should I just use one ginormous rug? Choosing two area rugs of the same shape or two of the same area rugs entirely can indeed help you create a cohesive space.

If you have two seating areas of different sizes, why not put a large rectangular rug under the large one and a round rug under the smaller one? If you want your seating areas to feel like separate entities, going eclectic is a fun way to do so! On the other end, if you want the two seating areas to still feel somewhat unified, you could go with two different rectangular rugs!

5. Dining Room

The dining room is one of the areas rug buyers have the most trouble with. Many people wonder what shape and size to pair with certain tables, and we are here to help! First, the best kind of rugs for the dining room are flat weave or very low piles, like this Kilim Dhurrie rug. Flat weave area rugs are the best for dining rooms because they're the easiest to move chairs on. If a rug has a higher pile, your chairs will snag the rug and eventually ruin it. The most basic rule for pairing a rug with a dining room table is to pair it with a rug of the same shape:

The biggest thing to remember is the size of a dining room rug is the most important factor! If your rug is too small, use the 8x8 square area rugs. Your chairs will slide off the edge of the rug when you move your chair back. See how in the photo above there is plenty of space to sit back and relax? Trust us, tripping up on a rug will get very old, very fast. But what if you want to switch it up? If you want to pair opposite shapes together, you definitely can. Pair a circular rug with a rectangular table or pair a rectangular rug with a circular table. It all depends on sizing the rug correctly to create a cohesive flow with accessories and the lines of your furniture.

6. Bathroom

The typical bath mat is a small rectangle, but let's liven things up a bit with some color! If you've got a huge bathroom, you can add some awesome detail with a larger rug, like this oriental. Here is a similar Rug Knots favorite that would go perfectly in a bathroom because of its soft blues. If you're really loving circular rugs, a unique place to add one to your home is to a bathroom! Add a little whimsical or a bohemian flair by choosing the round Bathroom area rugs for your bathroom! We love how soft and fun these shag rugs make bathrooms.

7. Kitchen

Rectangular rugs can be a good choice for a kitchen interior. We have usually seen kitchens of this varying shape. Choosing the same profile will give a well-balancing and harmonized façade. Here is one tip that can help if you have a pretty small kitchen. Selecting a small - probably a round rug - with bold patterns and abstract designs can make your space look larger. If your kitchen isn’t very big, you can choose the L-shaped kitchen rug too. It will only go along any of the two walls you want to cover. It lets you enjoy the benefit of floor covering without overemphasizing it. However, if you have ample space between as an island, nothing can work better than a runner rug. It will give you comfort underfoot to perform hectic routine chores. You can even place a runner beneath the kitchen table.

8. Kid's Room/Nursery

Circular rugs are a favorite for kid's rooms and nurseries! Their playful, whimsical nature makes children's rooms a perfect place to put circular rugs. There is a quirky, fun vibe that only circular rugs can bring and quirkiness is so great in a space dedicated to your little ones. That's not to say that rectangular rugs don't look great in kid's rooms too, though.

9. Bedroom

You can never run short of styling ideas when it comes to your bedroom. It’s your territory - you can design it as per your taste. As we have already mentioned, here are a few ideas to make things simpler. If you want to cover your bed and end tables, or just the bed area, Rectangular or square-shaped rugs are a good choice. However, the round or oval-shaped rug can also give an appealing effect if placed under the furniture. The runner rugs can do well here if positioned at both sides of the bed. It will give the charm of having a rug without covering the underside of the bed. As there are no hard and fast rules, you can also put odd-shaped rugs in your room. How about layering an irregularly shaped rug over the regular one? Art lovers understand how geometrically shaped rugs can influence the room appearance while balancing the whole emergence. Some people have a home office too somewhere at the corner of their bedroom. For this corner, you should choose some regular shapes like square or rectangular. However, the size should be large enough to cover the entire chair and desk. So, you can create a warm and cozy space to work at ease.

If you want a red rug for your bedroom, trust us we have hundreds of red rugs, in different shades, styles, and shapes. Feel free to have a look.

10. Little Corner Nook

We also love the look of rugs in little corner nooks. These small seating areas are a fun way to add some practical design to your home. Our personal favorite rug for a nook is a circular rug. This bright blue rug goes so well with the otherwise white room. The color plays off the chair and the table legs perfectly. Nooks are already fun, but adding a circular rug just adds to the excitement! We were thinking of all the possible troubles one could have when choosing a rug and the issue of extending tables came to mind. If you have a dining room table that extends to nearly twice its size on family occasions. What kind of rug should you put under it? Do you choose a rug that will fit most of the time?

If you are looking for a brown area rug, we have the best options with intricate designs. For instance this brown Ziegler area rug.

11. Living Room

If you have a spacy living room, you may think that the more rug space there is, the better. But this will make your living room look cluttered and chaotic. Rugs in rectangular shapes are a good idea because they allow for an even distribution of patterns throughout the area without pulling attention to one particular spot or corner. If you have a small apartment with limited space and your living room is smaller, you should opt for a round rug to create the illusion of more space.

We think the bigger the better! If you're still struggling with deciding on what size, shape, or color area rug to purchase for your home, reach out to the design experts at RugKnots for some help! Furthermore, we always get questions from our loyal customers asking about rugs and how a shape could determine if it is ideal for a specific space or not.

Here Are Some Questions Answered For Our Customers.

1. What Are The Best Rug Trends To Follow In 2023?

Everyone wants to redesign their home/office, specifically after the covid-19 phenomenon. We don't judge them, we did the same. If you want to know the best rug trends in 2023 you are in the right place. Runner rugs, large area rugs, and patio rugs are trending nowadays. People want to give their space a new look, make it look lavish and regal.

2. What Color Area Rug Should I Get?

Rugs fulfill the purpose of adding a decorative element to your room or any other living space. The color of an area rug highly depends upon the color and the ambiance of your room. But the best part about buying rugs is that you can always mix and match oriental and modern rugs and they will enhance the whole vibe of the area.

3. Should You Put A Rug Under Your Bed?

A rug under the bed can help you define your room. It will make the room look bigger and also give more depth to the area.

4. What Should I Look For When Buying A Rug?

This is an extremely easy question to answer. If you are new to the family and are looking for a rug to buy we suggest you look at the space a little more closely. Decide on what you like, what color, style, and shape you want. You will have to look at your lifestyle, for what purpose you want a rug, and what material you want it in.

If you want further information on any rugs or if you are confused then we suggest you have a look at Everything you need to know about Area Rugs for your Home. This blog will help you give an insight into some of our best rugs, and how you should style them.

If our beautiful customers have any further queries and questions for us here is our email address info@rugknots.com and our contact number (240) 252-5452. Feel free to ring us a bell or drop an email, and we will make sure that our team gets in touch with you. Until next time. Ciao.