Rug Sets to Elevate Your Living Room Style

A living room rug set brings together color, texture, and style to create a fabulous foundation for your space. The right rug can pull together your furniture, balance your color scheme, and even define separate zones like a sitting area or dining nook. Rug sets take all the guesswork out of choosing that perfect living room rug. We'll walk through the benefits of rug sets, what to look for when shopping, decorating tips, and how to care for your new rug set so it lasts for years. Let's explore how the right rug set can elevate your living room style!

The Benefits of Using Rug Sets

Rug sets are two or more rugs designed to coordinate together stylistically. Typically rug sets include one larger rug paired with one or a few smaller accent rugs. Using rug sets in your living room offers many attractive benefits:

• A cohesive look. Rug sets are made with complementary colors, patterns, textures and materials so they effortlessly work together.
• Convenience. Takes the guesswork out of trying to match separate rug styles.
• Defined spaces. Layering sizes creates designated areas in open floor plans.
• Affordability. Often cheaper than one oversized rug.
• Flexibility. Mix, match and move rugs to refresh your space.
• Added comfort. Layer rugs over hardwoods and tiles.

Factors to Consider When Shopping

With so many rugs and sets to choose from, it helps to know what to look for. Keep the following factors in mind while shopping for the perfect living room rug set:

Size and Dimensions

Scale your rugs properly so they fit the room and furnishings. The front legs of sofas, chairs and tables should sit atop the larger foundational rug. Then layer smaller rugs in sitting areas or under additional furniture pieces.

• Main rug: Try a 5x8, 6x9, 8x10 or larger sized rug depending on room dimensions.
• Accent rugs: 3x5, 4x6 sizes complement without overpowering space.
• Runner: 2x8 works well in entryways or behind sofas.

Material and Texture

Material impacts look, feel and durability. Synthetic polypropylene rugs hold up well in high-traffic areas. For plush softness choose wool or viscose blends. Consider weave too--cut pile feels smooth, while loop pile brings visual and textural interest. Set textures provide depth and dimension.

Color Scheme and Patterns

The hues and patterns you choose set the room's mood and style. Stay within your color palette for a pulled together aesthetic. Neutral solids offer flexibility to swap out accent decor. Distressed Persian-inspired designs embody traditional charm. Moroccan trellis and global motifs infuse bohemian sensibilities. Contemporary abstract prints make dynamic style statements.

Quality and Durability

Inspect fiber density and construction quality. Machine-woven polypropylene or wool blends better withstand foot traffic and daily use. Check undersides for non-slip backings that prevent sliding and add cushioning. With quality sets priced under $500, you don't have to sacrifice durability for style.

Popular Styles of Rug Sets

Rug sets run the gamut from vintage to modern with colors, prints and textures to complement any decor style.

Vintage Rug Sets

Vintage inspired rug sets feature distressed medallion patterns, ornate filigree motifs and art deco designs fortimeless appeal. Pair an antique inspired print with a trembling accent rug. The funky texture plays up themain rug's old world vibe.

Modern and Contemporary Sets

Clean lines, graphic prints and vibrant hues embody contemporary cool. Abstract shag rugs provide fluffytexture next to low pile foundations in tonal solids or subtle linear prints. For eclectic flair try overlapping a honeycomb loop pile circle rug atop a larger trellis patterned foundation.

Transitional Rug Sets

Walk the line between classic and current with transitional rug sets. Scroll and floral designs strike anupdated traditional tone when surrounded by distressed wood grain accents. Or make a textural statement by mixing hand knotted rugs with overlapping layers of cut pile shags atop high-low patterns.

Shag Rug Sets

Nothing says style and comfort like a shag rug set! Pair a textured tweed-inspired print made of polyester and polypropylene blend with frames of longpile shags. Choose a neutral foundation to let brightly hued green, blue or purple shags take centerstage.

Southwestern Style Sets

Add free spirited flair with Native American-style rug sets. Intricate geometrics echoed in complement huesmake Navajo-inspired prints pop. For more color try supplementing terra cotta foundations with multiple jewel toned diamond emblazoned scatter rugs made of wool and artificial silk blends.

Tips for Decorating with Rug Sets

Use the following decorating strategies when incorporating your new living room rug set:

Anchor Your Furniture

Place your main rug in the center of the room, ensuring it's large enough for front furniture legs to sit atop the rug. This visually grounds the pieces, defining the main living area.

Layer Textures and Patterns

Get dimensional by overlapping rugs with varying textures and prints. Contrast shags with flat weaves, place solid patterns under shouldered medallions, or position thickly woven accents atop thinly tufted foundations.

Balance Bright and Neutral Colors

Prevent bright accents from overwhelming the space by coupling them with quieter neutral toned foundations. Or vice versa - vivid foundational rug colors can handle boldly patterned accents.

Define Spaces and Zones

Use rug sizes to delineate separate activity areas within larger open concept rooms. A large foundation rug fills the central living area. Bar stools get their own 2'x7' runner. While round rugs under chairs create intimate reading nooks in the corner.

Complement Your Style

Let your rug set reflect your signature aesthetic. Traditionalists opt for antique inspired medallions and florals while contemporary fans gravitate toward graphic prints or solid shags. The options suit any style preference.

Caring for Your Rug Set

With the proper care your quality rug set will stay looking fabulous for years. Here's how to maintain their beauty and extend their lifespan:

Regular Vacuuming

Frequently vacuum rugs to prevent dirt particles from embedding into fibers. Use an upright vacuum with brush attachment to lift debris and redistribute crushed pile.

Professional Cleaning

Every year or two hire professional rug cleaners to deep clean your sets. They'll pre-treat stains, steam clean fibers and ensure rugs dry evenly to prevent mildew and shrinkage.

Rotate and Flip

Rotating your rug's orientation and occasionally flipping them over evenly distributes wear preventing premature aging in heavy traffic areas.

Spot Clean Spills Quickly

Immediately blot wet spills with a clean towel. Avoid rubbing as this spreads liquids deeper into fibers. Then spot treat with small amounts of mild detergent and blot dry.

Use Rug Pads

Non-slip pads prevent rugs from sliding while providing extra cushioning for comfort underfoot. Select natural felt pads for hardwoods and woven fiber grippers on tile or low pile carpeting.