If I had to name one design piece that can instantly transform a room, it would be the rug! Rugs are instrumental in making or breaking a room, but finding the right one can be a challenge. In my experience, rugs bring a lot of confusion and come up often when people ask for my advice. I can understand why; it’s hard to tell what size of a rug you need, and where to put it. Today, I’m sharing my basic rug guide, whether you're on the search for a rug for your living room or bedroom. I’ll answer some of the questions I get asked most often.

Why have a rug?

Not only do rugs add character to your home, but they make it cosier too. You can transform your whole room by simply adding a rug. It brings pattern, colour and texture. If your room is flat and empty then, by introducing a rug, you can inject an accent colour or add interest by using a patterned rug, for example. Patterned rugs also work really well under dining tables as they hide spills and stains. Rugs bring texture and texture creates warmth and makes your room more inviting. Rooms without texture can feel sterile. Having an empty space in the middle of your room makes it feel like a waiting room. So, placing a rug in the middle of it changes the space instantly.

Use a rug to ground the space in your room. For example, a rug can define a seating area in your living room. Don't back your furniture against the wall. Instead, create a conversational zone by pulling everything together around the rug. It looks more inviting and everyone can reach the coffee table from their seat. This also allows you to place bookcases, shelves and additional storage against the walls. When you have to zigzag around furniture and navigate your way around a room, your brain automatically gets stimulated. If you have a small room that doesn't allow for enough space to walk behind your sofa, leave it against the wall and concentrate on creating that relaxed social zone by moving your other items of furniture closer and using a rug to pull it all together.

Use a rug to zone a space, for example, a dining area in your kitchen or a reading nook in your bedroom. To save these areas from looking unsystematic, use a rug and place the furniture on top of it. This will define the space and prevent it from looking out of place. This is especially effective in large rooms where you can segregate lots of areas for different uses.

Is my rug the right size?

Make sure your rug fills the space but does not cover all the flooring underneath. Traditionally, you would put all four furniture legs on the rug but more recently, it has become an interior trend to place only the front two legs on the rug. By putting the front legs of all your seating pieces on the rug, you are bringing the arrangement together visually by giving a feeling of openness. If you have a rug large enough then place all of your furniture legs on top of it. This creates a luxurious feel. Either way, don’t arrange your furniture so that none of the legs are on top of the rug, it will give the room a sense of disconnect.

Which rugs are on trend at the moment?

Persian rugs are very on trend. They can be expensive but it’s worth the investment for the quality you get. The antique versions have been around for hundreds of years so you know they’re made to last. Even if you live in a contemporary home, a Persian rug won’t look out of place. The rich colours and pattern will compliment modern surroundings as well as a more traditional home. When it comes to buying Persian rugs, a little fading doesn’t hurt! In fact, I prefer the faded ones, they have a lot more character! I bought my collection of Persian rugs from eBay. There are some great dealers on there but also some questionable ones. If you’re looking for antique then make sure that’s what you’re buying. Antique rugs are handmade with wool, newer versions are usually just printed.

If Persian rugs don’t do it for you then Moroccan rugs and hessian rugs are also very trendy and are welcome additions to any décor.

Can you put a rug on top of carpet?

Of course you can! Personally, I wouldn’t place it on top of a high-pile carpet because it’ll either look like it’s floating on top of it or sunk into it because it’s so soft and bouncy. However, rugs can work well on top of a low-pile carpet because the textures are likely to be different. This also applies to layering rugs on top of one another. Mix up the textures and alternate between plain and patterned. Layering rugs is particularly effective when you have a large living room. Even when your furniture is moved into the middle of the room, if it still feels like there’s a lot of room around the coffee table, you could use one large neutral rug to zone the seating area and layer it with a smaller patterned one that frames the coffee table. This is also a great way to draw the eye to a specific feature in the room. Maybe you have a particularly beautiful coffee table that you want to highlight. A rug allows you to know where you’re supposed to be looking when you enter the room.

Can you put rugs in the bathroom?

Of course. Why should your bathroom look clinical? Make it feel like it’s part of the home, a place that’s just as cosy and welcoming as your living room. A rug adds texture to the bathroom and stops it from feeling cold. I have an over-sized bath mat that looks like a rug, but with the added bonus of being washable. Bath mats come in all shapes and sizes, you could get one with tassels or a fringe to add even more character.

Rugs aren’t just for hardwood floors. You can put them on carpet, tile and even on top of other rugs. Try putting a rug by the kitchen sink, or a runner down your hallway or even the stairs. Rugs are so versatile, just go with something that makes you smile. I hope my guidelines give you a good starting point but also feel free to ignore all rules in favour of creativity!

Let me know if you have any other questions in the comments.