When should you use a round rug? Rules, and a success story

Annie Elliott | September 9, 2010

Rugs are rectangular. It’s a law of nature.

That said, we recognize that in recent years there has been a mini-explosion of round rugs – and adorable ones, at that. Anthropologie, of course; Urban Outfitters, Garnet Hill…we would hate to see these rugs go unloved.

BOSSY COLOR APPROVES OF ROUND RUGS IN:

Children’s rooms. But of course. Round = whimsy. A friend and client put a round rug in her daughter’s bedroom, and it looks precious. (It was her idea, although she sought bossy color’s approval before purchasing.) It’s Garnet Hill’s Fair Isle hooked rug, which has a healthy 7′ diameter – and an extremely reasonable price tag.

Garnet Hill Fair Isle round rug in child's room

Pottery Barn Madison sheer curtain panels

(Please don’t worry about those window treatments, by the way The blackout shades are no longer necessary, so we’re planning to put up PB Teen’s Madison sheers instead – 4 panels per window so they can stand on their own.)

Bathrooms. A round rug adds delight to an otherwise predictable space.

Entrance foyers, if they are more square than rectangular.

Mudrooms, an often untidy area that could use a little perking up.

Any other informal, oddly-shaped space. Such as the entrance to a stage, of course. (What? Anthropologie, please fire your photographer’s assistant at once. And what, pray tell, is the thinking behind the faux cloth sheep?)

Anthropologie round bird rug outside stage door

BOSSY COLOR ADVISES AGAINST ROUND RUGS IN:

Living rooms. Please do flood bossy color’s inbox with pictures to the contrary. We would love to see them. But we can’t help it: we have a bias against using a round rug in what is often the most formal space in the house. It makes us itch.

Hallways, or any other space that’s noticeably more rectangular than square.

round rug under mid-century round side table

Kitchens. All of those rectangular cabinet doors…we’re sure some of you could make it work, but as a general rule, we suggest skipping the round rug here.

Agree? Disagree? Please let us know. We are nothing if not open-minded.