The right area rug can tie a room together, but the wrong one can throw off the entire design and even make your space feel smaller. “It’s not just about the rug’s size—its color and texture also play a key role in how a room is perceived,” says Cassandra Leisz, senior creative director at Ruggable. To help you create an open and inviting space, she’s breaking down five common rug mistakes people make in smaller rooms—plus easy fixes to get it right.
A rug serves both a visual and practical purpose. It brings color and style to a room while also adding comfort and warmth. Because it covers a significant portion of the floor, it can influence how large or small a space appears. Choosing the right size, color, texture, and placement of a rug can enhance your design, while getting it wrong can make a room feel awkward—and even smaller than it actually is. If you’re unsure where to start, keep reading for expert tips on selecting the perfect rug to create a more spacious and balanced look.
1. Choosing the Wrong Rug Size
One of the biggest mistakes people make is selecting a rug that’s too small for the room. “If a rug is undersized, it can actually make your space look even smaller,” Leisz explains. While a rug adds color, pattern, and comfort, it also serves as the foundation of the room—when properly sized. If you’re unsure about the right dimensions, Leisz offers a simple guideline:
- Living room: “I always recommend ensuring at least the front legs of all furniture pieces sit on the rug,” she advises.
- Dining room: “A good rule of thumb is to measure your dining table and add 4 feet on each side to determine the right rug size.”
2. Using Dark Colors or Busy Patterns
“In smaller spaces, dark or heavily patterned rugs can absorb light and make the room feel visually heavy, which shrinks the perceived space,” Leisz explains. Lighter-colored rugs reflect more light, creating a sense of openness and airiness. Bold patterns and dark hues, on the other hand, can make the walls feel like they’re closing in. “Save those darker, intricate designs for larger rooms where they can be fully appreciated,” she suggests.
3. Incorrect Rug Placement
Even if you choose the right size and color, improper placement can throw off the room’s balance. “A rug that’s too far from the furniture or too close to the edges of the room can make the space feel chaotic rather than cohesive and open,” Leisz warns. Consider the room’s shape, furniture arrangement, and focal points when positioning your rug to ensure it enhances, rather than disrupts, visual harmony.
4. Opting for a High-Pile or Shag Rug
While rugs add style and warmth to a room, their texture also impacts how spacious the area feels. “Smooth, low-pile rugs create a more open and airy feel, while high-pile or shag rugs can make a space feel cozier but potentially smaller,” Leisz explains. If your goal is to maximize the sense of space, opt for a low-pile rug that won’t visually weigh down the room.
5. Selecting a Rug That’s Too Small to Anchor Seating
“If you want to make a room appear larger, choose a rug that’s big enough to frame your furniture, ideally covering most of the floor beneath your seating arrangement,” Leisz advises. A rug that’s too small—just floating between the sofa and chairs rather than extending beneath them—can visually shrink the space and make the furniture look disconnected. Ensuring that the rug ties all the key elements together will create a more cohesive and expansive feel.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can select a rug that not only enhances your decor but also helps your space feel larger, more balanced, and inviting.
