14x15 Area Rugs: How to Choose the Right Large Rug for Your Home

Sometimes, standard home rug dimensions don't suit big rooms, resulting in a room with too much bare floor. The size of 14x15 area rugs is also unusually spacious, making them ideal for large living areas, open-concept spaces, large bedrooms, or any other large space that doesn't really need a smaller-sized rug.

An area around 14 x 15 feet contains nearly 210 square feet and is not a small decorative size for a rug. There are lots of things to consider when deciding on one, up to room size, furniture placement, rug rotation, and design.

When you're thinking about purchasing this size rug, the following ideas will help you decide if it's an appropriate size and how it could fit in your home.

Is a 14x15 Rug the Right Size?

Of course, it is not about whether you should use a rug like this or not—not which pattern, but whether this rug can fit in your room.

A 14x15 rug may be an ideal choice when:

• There is enough room to leave an edge around the rug.
  
  
• There are various pieces of furniture to be visually linked.
  
  
• On smaller rugs, a large seating arrangement appears separate from the rug.
  
  
• You're looking to clearly create a large open space in an open-style floor plan.
  
  
• There is adequate space around doors and walkways.

Don't say that you wish to have a 14x15 rug because you would love to cover as much area as possible. The size of the rug should not detract from the features of the room.

Measure the Room Before Buying

If you have a large rug, then a couple of inches will definitely make a difference.

First, measure the whole room and then measure the length and width of the space in which you wish to have the rug placed.

Use painter's tape to put a 14x15 foot outline on the floor where you can, if necessary. This would allow you to walk around the proposed rug area to check the fit of the furniture and the overall design.

Pay attention to:

• Distance between the rug and walls
  
  
• Door-opening clearance
  
  
• Walkways
  
  
• Clearances for fireplace or built-in stove
  
  
• Furniture placement
  
  
• A floor that's hardwood, tile, or another material that's visible

When dimensions are actually marked out, this is often more helpful than merely visualizing the dimensions from specifications.

Decide What the Rug Needs to Accomplish

A large rug can be used in multiple ways; if you can define your main purpose for using the rug, it will be easier to select.

Anchor furniture

This large living room rug can make a perfect match for sofas, chairs, and a coffee table.

Define a zone

The 14x15 rug will create an area (e.g., Living Room/Conservation Area) in an open-plan house without the need for walls.

Add warmth

In some instances, exposed hard floors can appear chilly or unfinished. For softness and texture, consider a large rug.

Design a center of interest

If the floor is designed in detail or is colorful, it can be a prominent decoration.

When you do know what the rug is for, it's one of the factors that will tell you how much of the furniture components should be on the rug.

Plan Furniture Placement Around the Rug

Smaller rugs tend to have furniture placed most often first, and then add the rug. A 14 x 15 rug can be used to fit in this relation.

The rug is as large as the furniture you are going to place on it, so consider the rug to be the floor on which you are laying furniture.

If the seating area is quite large, then it may be possible to arrange:

• The overall picture of the sofa on the rug
  
  
• Accent chairs are on top of the rug
  
  
• A good space in the center for the coffee table
  
  
• Side tables partially or fully on the rug

This forms one single (seating) area, instead of furniture items floating in the room.

If you have a very large area, you can make sure that the furniture is spaced evenly on the rug, giving the space something of a purpose.

Consider Orientation Carefully

A 14x15 rug is nearly square, but will make a difference in the dimensions of the room.

Consider how to make the architecture the focus.

For instance, the longer length can fit with the longer line of sitting furniture, while the shorter length could match the length of the room.

Test both orientations prior to buying using tape or a temporary layout before making a purchase.

This does not necessarily mean that all the edges have to fit precisely against the walls. Rather, the rug's lines and layout should complement the furniture layout and main lines of the room.

Match the Rug Color to the Room's Scale

Obviously, a large rug will bring more of a color into the room than a small accent rug.

This is more so for color selection.

To make a large room feel brighter or lighter, you'd want to opt for lighter shades, and for a smaller room, you'd want to do it with deeper shades.

Popular options include:

• Ivory and cream: Bright and versatile
  
  
• Beige and taupe: Warm and understated
  
  
• Gray: Contemporary and neutral
  
  
• Blue: Adds depth but not necessarily a 'heavy' depth
  
  
• Green: Complements original and earthy colors
  
  
• Use of rust and terracotta: Add warmth
  
  
• Multicolor patterns: Link furniture with different colors to decor

A neutral rug can work in conjunction with an array of colorful furniture. If the entire room is rather neutral, the big rug will definitely bring out some color and style.

Don't Forget the Rug Pad

Even large bed mattress rugs need a suitable rug pad.

A good pad can make a difference:

• Minimize slip and fall occurrences
  
  
• Add cushioning
  
  
• Protect the floor
  
  
• Improve the rug's feel
  
  
• Serve as a counter
  
  
• Reduce everyday shifting

One Large Rug vs. Multiple Smaller Rugs

It is not necessarily the case that a valid solution for a large room is a 14×15 rug.

When you desire to consider one large rug:

• A furniture layout that provides a unified organization of the furnishings
  
  
• Strong visual continuity
  
  
• A single focal point
  
  
• A well-structured open-plan area

When multiple rugs might make more sense:

• Separate functions are clearly defined in the room
  
  
• Multi-styles per zone desired
  
  
• It would not be possible to move a very large rug
  
  
• The layouts of the furniture are autonomous
  
  
• If you're using more than one rug, apply a coordinating color palette or visual style, but not a sort of 'mat group'.

Common Mistakes With Oversized Rugs

There is more involved in the planning of large-size rugs than smaller versions of the rug. When choosing, steer clear of these issues:

• Not measuring: A 14x15 rug may not fit around your furniture.
  
  
• Not taking into consideration clearance in front of doors: Thick rugs may block doors.
  
  
• An undersized furniture layout: The rug can give an impression of even more isolation of furniture.
  
  
• An overpowering pattern: A subtle picture on the screen may overwhelm when printed large.
  
  
• Forget about keeping up: Large-sized rugs are more difficult to vacuum and clean.
  
  
• Not using a rug pad: If the rug is a large purchase, it should be protected and set up on a proper pad.

When a Custom Rug May Be Better

Not all bedrooms are the standard dimensions. If you are thinking about a rug that is 14x15, yet the space isn't quite fitting, you may want to consider getting a custom rug.

Custom sizing might be particularly helpful for:

• Oversized living rooms
  
  
• Unusually shaped spaces
  
  
• Open-concept layouts
  
  
• Large dining areas
  
  
• Luxury interiors
  
  
• Developing rooms that have specific architectural needs.

When you call for a custom rug, take time to verify the size and furniture fit, as a slight error in measurement will make a big difference at this size.

Final Summary

The 14x15 area rug is created to fit rooms where a smaller size rug isn't wide enough or long enough. This roughly 210 sq ft can provide a stable base for furnishings, provide boundaries for open space layouts, provide warmth, and add to the visual stability of a large room.

The optimum answer begins with accurate measurements. Measure the space you intend to furnish and compare with painter's tape before buying to avoid purchasing more or too little floor space. Then consider the orientation, material, pattern size, color, and maintenance.

A 14×15 rug is a rather large decision factor for decor and needs to be placed to work as one with the other furnishings and architecture of the room. An oversized rug can be just the right thing for a large space to make it feel more cohesive, comfortable, and finished.