Open plan living is one of Australia's most popular home design trends and it's easy to see why! Open-plan kitchen, dining and living spaces provide light, flow and space, which just can't be achieved by walls. However, with this openness is a design dilemma – how to prevent the large room from being cold, disconnected or prevent it making a showroom floor? In most cases, the solution lies in the right rug, which in open-plan living spaces is extra-large rug.
Why Size Actually Matters
Any rug will do the job in a compact room. However, in an open plan area, a too small rug will do more damage than good. It forms a 'visual island' which emphasizes the lack of floor space around it, thereby making it feel scattered and not integrated. This is where big rugs and extra-large rugs come into play.
A large rug is usually 240cm x 340cm or larger and helps anchor furniture, create a space and provide a focal point. It lets people who enter the room know that this room is thoughtfully designed and not merely "furnished”. The rule of thumb for open plan living: when in doubt, if a rug seems too large, it probably isn’t. Go larger.
Defining Zones Without Walls
An extra large rug can act as one of the most effective walls in an open space.
Open plan rooms can become a single unbroken area without any barriers, the furniture floating in the middle with no meaning or definition. This is where simply putting a large rug under your sofa and coffee table, and you have a living area that has boundaries for each section. For example, the eating area is separated from the rest of the living area with a large rug placed under the dining table.
These separate areas create a sense of purpose and usability and allow each area to have a unique character while retaining the openness of open plan design. The same zoning also contributes to the acoustics. Large, open room floors can be echoey and hard. A well placed large rug will absorb sound and give the room a thickness of warmth that creates a more “home-like” atmosphere than a “loft” atmosphere.
Choosing the Right Extra Large Rug for Your Space
Not every extra-large rug suits every open-plan interior. The style, pile, and colour you choose will shape how the whole room feels.
If you are looking for a more laid back, coastal Australian feel, then a natural jute or flatweave rug with neutral colours would be a great choice. They look great with wooden floors, linen sofas and natural materials.
If you're looking for a contemporary or modern look, a low pile rug with a geometric pattern or abstract print will provide texture to a room without overpowering statement furniture pieces.
A wool rug in earthy shades such as terracotta warm sand, olive or deep brown, can add richness and texture to a space which may be minimal or sparse, for a warm, layered look.
Colour also contributes to the size of a space. Lighter rugs can help open up space and make a room feel more spacious, while darker, richer tones can help to make a large room feel cozier and more comfortable. Either of them can be a great solution in an open-plan space, depending on the atmosphere you're looking for.
Practical Considerations for Large Spaces
Determine the size of the area first and think about how your furniture will fit in the room. The front legs of the sofa and chairs should rest on the rug, ideally in a living room, so that there is a connection between the furniture and the rug, but without covering it.
In areas with heavy foot traffic, a large rug that can be machine-washed, or one with durable, easy-to-care-for fibres, are also good options. Open plan rooms are quite busy, and a hard to clean rug will be worn out in no time.
A rug pad underneath is always recommended for large rugs on hard floors — it prevents movement, protects the floor beneath, and adds a layer of cushioning underfoot.
Make the Statement Your Space Deserves
An open-plan space is an opportunity — and the right rug is what turns it from a floor plan into a home. At Ruggy, our extra large rugs and large rugs collection is designed for exactly this purpose: to anchor big spaces with style, quality, and the kind of impact that makes a room feel complete.
Free shipping Australia-wide. Easy 35-day returns. Find your perfect large rug at ruggy.com.au.
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