Let's Talk About the Office Rug

Working from home has become a regular thing for many of us, so it makes sense that we might be looking to upgrade our home office space. What better way to reinvigorate your working environment than with the perfect area rug?

Does a home office need a rug?

At Wilson & Dorset, we believe every room needs a rug and the home office is no exception. Rugs are great for anchoring a room and defining a space. They can add colour, texture and personality to your home office, as well as providing warmth and comfort underfoot.

There is no reason for your office to be devoid of style. Tie it in with your home decor to help create a perfect and motivating work-from-home atmosphere.

What kind of rug do you use for an office?

It's important to ensure your rug fits in with your personal style and decor - be that contemporary, traditional, rustic or minimalist. There's no need for plain or dowdy, aim for a modern chic rug and don't be afraid of a geometric pattern or bright colour if that's your thing.

That said, there are a couple of practical considerations and rug features to bear in mind:

• Pile height - a low pile or flat weave rug is better than shag or deep pile. Flat woven rugs are less likely to get tangled up in the wheels of your office chair and are easy to clean.
• Durable material - a sturdy hard wearing natural fibre such as wool or jute will fare better under the weight of your desk and the wheels of your office chair.
• Indoor / outdoor rugs are great for the home office and are able to withstand a fair bit of foot traffic.

What rug backing is safe for hardwood floors?

Wilson & Dorset Designer sheepskin rugs come with a suede backing which is non slip and kind on hardwood floors. If your home office rug doesn't have this, you will need to shop for a non slip rug pad to place underneath.

The best material for your rug pad is 100% natural rubber - providing good grip without scratching or marking your floor.

How big should a rug be in an office?

When it comes to rugs, size is everything. Too small a rug can make your home office feel cramped. A large well proportioned rug, however, will give a sense of spaciousness and balance. So go for the largest rug your budget and the space will allow. You won't regret it!

Ideally, your rug will be large enough to comfortably accommodate all your home office furniture while leaving some (about 40 cm) clear floor space between the edge of your rug and the walls.

At the very least, make sure your office desk and chair both sit fully on the rug. You'll also want to be able to pull your chair fully back without it falling off the edge of your rug.

What are normal rug sizes?

Although rugs come in a multitude of sizes, there are certainly more common sizes of area rugs. We've illustrated this in the table below, which can make purchasing a rug a lot easier:

How do you place a rug in a study?

We can all picture the traditional study - floor to ceiling bookshelves, a mahogany desk, large leather chair and an enormous Persian rug. Your home office might be more modern or contemporary in style, or even part of an open plan space, but still the placement of your rug is everything.

Here are a couple of ideas:

• Centre the room - rugs provide an anchor and a visual interest within a room
• Create a conversation zone - office rugs can be fun and a round rug can be more forgiving regarding placement
• Consider how the room will function when placing the rug within the space
• With the exception of a runner or door mat style, rugs can look lonely within a room if there is no furniture sitting on them. This is easier to take care of in an office space as the rooms are usually a little smaller.

Should I put a rug under my desk?

Absolutely, for character and comfort you can't beat a rug placed under your desk. Not only does it provide a soft landing spot for your feet but it provides a 'platform' for your desk and chair, defining the space and anchoring the room.

A good rule to work by is to think of it as a dining room space - be sure furniture legs sit upon the rug and that the chair has space to roll as needed, yet remain on the rug.

Can I use a rug instead of a chair mat?

A chair mat has a smooth vinyl surface that allows your office chair to move about with ease. The downside is that they are made from synthetic fibres and may need to be replaced quite quickly.

Rugs can absolutely be used instead of a chair mat. Choose a rug made from a durable natural fibre (wool or jute) with a low pile height and a tight weave. That way your office chair will be able to move about freely, your rug will wear well over time and will be easy to clean.

Office rugs can make a world of difference to the aesthetics of your work space and with a low pile, tight weave and durable material, you're not going to be short of options.

How do you keep an office rug from moving with a rolling chair?

A rug pad can make all the difference for the functioning of your rug, keeping it safely in one place and preventing bunching. Be sure to choose a good quality non slip rug pad made from natural fibres such as rubber, felt or wool. Refer to my earlier blog for more information: Things you should know about a non slip rug pad.

What do you put under an office chair on carpet?

You may find your chair difficult to move about on carpet, especially if it's a deep pile. Consider placing a low pile rug on top - this will protect your carpet from wear and tear and allow your chair to roll around more easily.

Be sure to select an area rug large enough for the chair and that ties in with the office space. You'll want it to fit neatly under office furniture. Make it the feature of your home office!