It’s hard to figure out the rules to styling an area rug. Do I find a rug big enough for my furniture to touch the edges? Do I find one bigger? Should I stay neutral or go bold? Am I looking for something traditional or transitional? With so much information and recommendations on the “proper” way to add an area rug to your room, it can be hard to feel comfortable breaking the mold. However, we’ve compiled a few ways that you can break the area rug rules and make a space uniquely yours.

So What, Size Guides?

When it comes to area rug sizes, there’s a lot of tips and tricks to follow. Yes, you should make sure that your rug is big enough for the space, which often means making sure that the feet of all of your furniture in a space touch the rug (if you’re a bit confused, check out our area rug buying guide for more details). However, this doesn’t mean that you have to follow the rules down to a tee. Play around with size and shape depending on your space. Use a large, circular living room rug in place of a more common, rectangular area rug. Small rugs under individual pieces, like a comfy armchair, can look lovely and bring attention to a smaller section of a room. Instead of one big rug under your bed, use two runners along each side! Each space is different, so why would the rules be the same? Understand what kinds of shapes and sizes can benefit your room’s design the best, and work from there.

A Natural Match

Sometimes, large decorative rugs can be expensive, and their busy color schemes and designs may seem overwhelming in a small space. However, we have loved seeing a recent trend of layering small and beautiful decorative rugs over neutral rugs made of natural-looking materials. Heavy vintage wool designs look amazing over larger jute area rugs. In fact, most styles of rug, whether they are traditional or modern, can really benefit from the design. This idea can also serve to make a more delicate rug functional, as it protects it from extra wear and tear and can prolong it’s life.

Odd Couple Cool

If you love, love, love pattern, we’ve got an idea to throw your way. Stop fearing the clash and mix your stripes and your florals. So many beautiful homes are embracing the variation in the design by pairing striped furniture, walls, or other decor solutions with floral rugs, and vice versa. The contrast is beautiful and the structure of the stripes often works wonders with the more free-flowing florals. Have a bit of fun and pair this trend with the last by layering a smaller floral area rug over a large striped area rug. Thick black and white stripes paired with a bold flower pattern can be the showstopper of your room, or work well alongside the rest of your maximalist design.

Something Old, Something New

Similarly, don’t be afraid to mix styles of rugs with contrasting room styles. One trend that we can’t get enough of is mixing modern rooms and traditional rugs. It combines the simple lines and bold choices of a contemporary design with the classic timelessness of a great traditional piece. Truly the best of both worlds. For minimalists, a traditional area rug can introduce an unobtrusive pattern to a space that needs just a bit of interest. For those who love the dark colors of some modern looks, a lighter or faded vintage-style area rug can add that gentle pop of warmth that your space needs (our blog on decorating with darker designs can give you even more tips to mastering the look). The opposite is true for those who love white and bright, like all white kitchens or bathrooms. A dark, rich, traditional area rug can work wonders in a modern white room to ground the space and add luxury.

Rug trends that break the rules are a reminder that style guidelines are just that; there to guide you, but not to require you to follow certain one-size-fits-all rules. The design of a space is up to you, to play with and live with as you please. So go ahead, break the area rug rules and find the perfect, unique style for your home!