Area rugs do more than decorate—they define zones, protect floors, and pull a room together. In this episode, Barb and Jessa break down how to pick the right rug by material and construction, how to size and place rugs for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms, when to consider washable options, and clever layering and cleaning tips. Plus: what “knot count” really means, why dining rooms deserve bigger rugs, and the easy placement rules designers actually use.

What You’ll Learn 

00:00 Welcome + Why rugs feel “controversial,” what rugs do for a room, and a fun myth-busting icebreaker.

08:55 Where to start: picking style and color to match (or lead) a room’s palette; visualize before buying.

13:54 Rug terminology: knots, pile height, rug pads—pros/cons and when to replace.

20:26 What makes a quality rug: natural vs. synthetic fibers, dye methods (solution-dyed), knot/point count, handwoven vs. machine-made.

26:36 What to avoid by room: why shag is a no for dining rooms; motion furniture pitfalls; wool shedding realities.

31:00 Fiber guide: wool, jute, cotton, bamboo, nylon, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, viscose, and silk.

35:32 Layouts that work: expert advice on rug placement in living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, and offices.

43:40 Budget tips and layering rules: how to layer to “size up”, solid + pattern, when to square vs. angle.

48:01 Cleaning and care: spot-clean method, when to hose-wash, drying tips, what to leave to pros.

 

Guest/Hosts

Hosts: Barb Chandler (Interior Designer), Jessa Murphy (Marketing Director).

 

Resources and Links

Read the companion blog: Area Rugs: Dos and Don’ts (Furniture Row blog)

Shop area rugs and washable rugs at Furniture Row (living room, dining room, bedroom, office, and more)

Subscribe to Seated with Furniture Row on Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere you get podcasts for weekly design tips.

Follow  Furniture Row on Instagram for behind-the-scenes and quick how‑tos.

Have a design question? Drop it in the comments for a future episode!