1. Extend Rugs Under Furniture : When selecting an area rug, make sure that it extends under all the key pieces of furniture in the room. In a living room, for instance, all of the furniture should be on top of the rug. If this isn't possible, it's okay to have the front legs of major upholstered pieces on the rug and the back legs off.
2. Don't Skimp on Size : The number one mistake people make when decorating with area rugs is getting ones that are too small in size. This is understandable, especially when you see the price tags for some of the larger rugs. However, going big now will save you from replacing one that doesn't work later.
3. Leave equal space : Ideally, you should leave the same amount of floor space on all sides of your rug. Give yourself anywhere from about eight to 24 inches on all sides. Eighteen inches is the most common space, but in a smaller space, you can get away with as little as eight inches. The main goal is to have the rug centered in the room.