Rug Sizing & Layering 101: An Updated Guide!
Molly here! Years before I started working for Erin, I would bookmark her posts and revisit them over and over again when decorating on my own. There are two posts in particular that I returned to often (and still do!) – her Rug Sizing & Layering 101 post from July 2016, and her What, When and Why of Window Treatments post from March 2016.
Even before I sat next to her in our office, I would ask “what would Erin Gates do?” and check the blog for guidance. I have a hunch a lot of you feel the same way, so today I wanted to share an updated rug guide featuring new sources and inspiration images — don’t worry, I’ll leave the expert commentary and advice up to Erin (since all of the tips from her first post about this are still totally relevant)!
If you are interested in seeing an updated window treatment guide (or any other guide, for that matter), let me know in the comments!
LIVING ROOM
According to Erin and other experts, you either need to have ALL the furniture legs on the rug, or one pair of legs on the rug.
DINING ROOM
In the dining room, all of the chairs need to be on the rug, even when pulled away from the table.
BEDROOM
The rug needs to run at least halfway under the bed (ideally right to the nightstands) and extend several feet past the end of the bed. Pottery Barn sells custom sized rugs, so you can make the perfect rug for your space if you have an odd-shaped room.
LAYERING
And as Erin has said before, when in doubt, you can layer it! Use a basic jute or wool rug and a smaller rug on top.
STAIRS & ENTRIES
Don’t forget about the places in your home that tend to lack pattern/texture and might need a little something extra – stairs, entryways, kitchens – the perfect spots to add something fun (like an animal print runner or a little cutie vintage rug).
vintage (or vintage-esque) runners and little cuties: 1 // 2 // 3
Browse:
Yes! An updated window treatment guide would be most helpful too! I am currently shopping for rugs so this was an incredibly helpful update.
I’d love an updated window treatment guide. Several of my bedrooms have “transom” windows high on the wall that go above the bed. Because it’s a ranch, the neighbors can, potentially, see into the rooms. I’ve considered plantation shutters or shades. Any suggestions for these? I also have a wall of windows 156″ wide in both the kitchen/dining area and the living area of the great room. I’ve considered gauzy pull drapes to keep the area light but still have privacy.
Hi. This is so helpful. For installing a runner up a set of stairs, how do you recommend installing it? Basically hoping for a similar look as the gorgeous animal print that one Erin installed. Thanks kindly!
Thank you! Great post and I’d love to see an updated window post too- especially if you can cover how to handle tricky spots like french doors and alcoves.
I would love an updated guide to window treatments!
This is a great post, very informative. Getting ready to order new Windows for my home and would really like to see an updated window treatment guide even though I am sure the older guide is still relevant. I would take any advice. Thanks
Missing Erin and her wonderful postings, although your own style, especially soliciting individual issues is definitely in the true spirit of what. Erin would offer. Discussing rug colors or textures would be helpful. In what applications would you go lighter or darker. When would you do a pattern vs. solid? ( I tend to get very confused here and spend too much time on it because trial and error can be expensive.) Also, how do you achieve that very professional and tight pleated look in the window panels? What kind of hardware do you use?
Thank you.
Fantastic update! Thanks for sharing all the lovely example rooms. I’d love to see a sofa sizing guide. With so many lengths out there I’ve found it hard to choose for my narrow rectangular living room.
Ok, switching gears here a little bit! I loved hearing about your WWEGD moments, before you were hired, Molly! I think it would be cool to do a little profile on each staff member in the Erin Gates office. What your background is, where you went to school and how you came to work for Erin. Or is that too personal? I love that kind of stuff, but I also know that it can be tricky to open your private lives up for public consumption!
Any advice on what to do for runners in weird shaped hallways? I have an L-shaped hall where the widths are different. One side is long and narrow and the other is short and wide. It seems like a custom runner that is continuous would look odd but then I’m also at loss for what to do if I did two separate rugs. Better to do the same rug at the appropriate sizes? Two different rugs that coordinate?
How close to the walls do you take the rug?
According to Erin, it depends on the room size and style. In a bedroom we do 4-6” for fuller coverage, but in a living room we might do 10-12” so more floor shows.
Can you show how you would do window treatments in bay windows? And windows where the frame goes to the ceiling?? I’ve lived in my house for 10 years and am finally attempting window treatments!
I have a townhome in Florida with a long, narrow room for both living and dining. It has two large dining room windows and sliding doors out to the patio in the living area.. Our style is fairly minimalistic with off white Roche Bobois sofa and large bench and neutral carpet with a large Vietnamese lacquer screen above the sofa. I’ll use lacquer red accents in the cushions on the sofa and dining chairs (print and solid). I am thinking that I’d like to do plantation shutters in the dining room area but a much simpler window treatment for the patio doors like, perhaps, natural woven shades so the view is not obstructed. I am not sure I love drapes in this room so more curious as to what you think about how to provide privacy over those sliding patio doors. I could send you photos. Love this post. The rooms are lovely.