How to Place a Rug in an Office: Style and Function Considerations

Your workspace can greatly benefit from an office rug. It can bring up to 3 key additions: warmth, style, and noise reduction. However, a rug must be placed correctly to achieve these goals. We’ll assist you in having proper rug placement in a home office or a corporate office. 

1.Define Your Rug’s Purpose

Is the office designed to achieve corporate goals or is it for the individual’s use? 
Is the rug meant to:

• Assist in forming a carpet for the desk to sit in? 
  
• Assist in forming a reclined reading chair? 
  
• Assist in the reduction of noise and heat for a large room?

Getting an idea of the office’s goals makes the process easier for you. For instance, a rug meant to highlight a reading corner should differ from one meant to be placed under the main desk.

2.Selecting the Right Rug Size

The size of your rug is important. A rug that is too small will look silly, while a rug that is too big will overpower the room.

• For small home offices: Select a rug that extends at least 24 inches beyond your desk for significant space on all sides of your chair that you won't snag on the edges when you roll back.
  
• For executive offices or larger: Think about a large area rug (like 8x10 or 9x12) that gives the look of a complete cohesive look covering most of the floor.
  

Pro tip: Always measure before you buy. The right rug should enhance, not detract or make your office look smaller.

3.Desk and Chair Placement

In most offices the most important piece in the room is the desk, so here is how to think about placing the rug under the desk:

• Center the desk on the rug: Make sure the rug extends far enough on every side to allow your chair to roll in and out without catching the edge of the rug.
  
• Don't half on half off: If your rug will fit under part of your desk it will look odd - and out of balance. Make sure you are committed to either positioning the desk fully on the rug when possible or fully off, but nothing in-between.

4.Ask about the Shape of the Rug

Rectangular rugs are the norm, but shapes must not be overlooked:

• Round rugs are a more contemporary choice, and can fit in corners or underneath small desks.
  
• Runners are a good option for narrow office configurations, or where circulation space lies between zones.
  
• Square rugs are a viable choice for symmetrical rooms, and under round tables and a group of seating.
  

A shape can fit your furniture arrangement and complement the geometry of the room.

5.Anchor Additional Zones

If your office has seating areas, reading nooks, or meeting zones, see rugs to define any zone delineation.

• Under a seating arrangement: All furniture legs should fit on the rug, or at least the front ones, to really anchor the arrangement.
  
• If a waiting area or lounge corner: Suggest a patterned or textured rug alone to add visual interest and soften the space.

If you're going to use more than one rug, make sure colors and patterns are complementary for consistency.

6.Safety and Maintenance First

• Rug underlayment: A rug underlayment helps to resist slipping, especially on hardwood or tile floors, and extends the life of your rug.
  
• Choose low-pile carpet: Nothing looks worse than high-pile, or a shag carpet because it's difficult to move chairs around on and keeps more dust--go low-pile and your space will look clean and professional.
  
• Use easy care materials: Wool blends or polypropylene or indoor-outdoor rugs are best to use in high traffic locations in the office.
  

7.Style Hints of a Business Look

Never lose track of the design factor. Your rug must not be something that brings a conflict in your office setting.

• The neutrals give a relaxed, professional impression.
• It involves geometric formations to provide a modern twist to minimal buildings.
  
• Subdued vintage designs are very suitable in traditional or eclectic offices.

Consider your office branding as encompassing your rug, sleek and modern, warm and inviting, bold and creative?

Final Thoughts

Having a rug in your office does not require just an aesthetic aspect, but a working environment that is conducive and home-like. Clean construction of rugs can help you visually enlarge the room, optimize the working process, and add to the aesthetics. Creating a new look in a home office or renovating a workspace at a corporate location, the considerations of positioning rugs will make a huge difference.
Searching for an ideal office rug? Our vintage, modern, and transitional lines boast the right collection that can match your area.