How To Create Focus and Space With Small Wool Rugs
A well-placed small wool rug can soften the hard lines of a room, break up a space, and create focus while providing added comfort underfoot.
Small rugs shine in the cosier areas of your home. Hallways, entryways, and reading nooks can be striking when adorned with a small wool rug.
But if placed incorrectly, small rugs can also have the opposite effect — making spaces feel cramped, disjointed, and uninviting.
While cosy and practical, styling small rugs correctly take careful thinking.
Bremworth Product Consultant Lily Ng and wool rug experts share their guidance on how to master the art of styling a small wool rug in your home.
The power of small: how small wool rugs can transform your space
Don’t underestimate the power of natural wool to elevate even the smallest of spaces. Small wool rugs are cosy and practical in the bustle of daily life:
To define a nook
Small rugs can visually separate areas of the home without furniture or transform a cosy nook into a focal point.
Mirroring shapes with small rugs creates an eye-catching result. Our Untouched rug can be customised to be circular, perfectly emulating the shape of your round dining table.
The result is stylish and practical – the low pile resists debris and can stand the test of time under heavy foot traffic.
You can use a well-placed wool rug to section off an open area, creating an inviting and cosy corner.
A round rug like the Galet will define the nook while keeping things soft.
You can never go wrong with a statement chair on a circular rug. Simple and elegant, chunky wool flooring contrasts beautifully to create a standout feature in your home.
Designer Lily Ng discusses the use of small rugs to break up lines and soften up a space.
Hallway or entryway
Small rugs offer high-impact design in small spaces like hallways and entryways.
Hallway runners brighten up long, narrow spaces that would otherwise be quite bland. They also act as transitions between colour palettes and aesthetics from room to room. A well-chosen runner can be the difference between a home that lacks cohesiveness and one that visually flows.
If you want to dampen noise but don’t want to cover your original flooring entirely, an edged runner like the Samurai will improve acoustics without obscuring your original tiling or wood grain.
Adding a small rug to your entryway makes the home feel more inviting. Resilient wool holds up beautifully even in high-traffic zones — a timeless, perfectly practical investment that will hold up for years to come.
Our hallway wool rug collection includes the Samurai rug with its beautiful chunky loop design and the luxurious Lisburn rug made with felted wool.
Where not to use small rugs
Smaller rugs can swallow a space and create a feeling of disconnect if not placed properly. At Bremworth, we generally advise our customers to steer clear of small rugs, particularly in large spaces like:
- Living rooms: Small rugs can make living room furniture appear disjointed, giving a choppy look to the space.
- Large dining rooms: A rug that doesn’t extend past the table’s perimeter causes chairs to get stuck when sliding them in or out. Small rugs tend to work best in cosy dining nooks with a small seating area.
- Bedrooms: Bedroom rugs need to be large enough to fit under the nightstands and extend past the end of the bed for a cohesive look.
A rug that is slightly too large for a space is more forgiving than one that is too small.
The width of small rugs can shine in areas like hallways, where they transform into beautiful runners that add a touch of sophistication to areas that are usually bare.
However, when in doubt, we always recommend erring on the larger side when selecting a rug to maintain a balanced, cohesive look. Rugs that are slightly too large are much more forgiving and easier to work with than a rug that is too small for a living space.
Styling small rugs: your questions answered
Our designers share their insights into the most frequently asked questions about styling small rugs.
What are the smallest rug sizes?
Our smallest rug size at Bremworth starts at a compact 0.5 m x 0.5 m. Standard rug sizes typically begin at 160 cm x 230 cm for living and dining rooms and 80-100 cm wide and 182 cm to 426 cm long for hallways.
Does a small rug make a room look smaller?
Small rugs can swallow a space and make the room appear smaller than it actually is. Choosing a larger rug can open up the space and give a sense of cohesiveness. If you prefer a smaller rug, arrange your furniture evenly around the rug for visual balance.
Are there any special care instructions for small wool rugs?
Caring for small rugs is generally the same as any other size rug. Dry vacuum at least once a week and clean spills and dirt immediately using water and paper towels.
Care instructions can vary depending on the pile of the wool. Refer to this detailed guide to wool rug cleaning and maintenance for guidance on how to keep your wool rug looking beautiful even after years of use.
What is the price range of Bremworth's small wool rug collection?
The price of a small wool rug depends on the style and size you choose. Bremworth’s wool rug prices generally start at around $645 NZD and increase depending on width and length – our customiser tool shows you exactly how much your desired dimensions will cost.
Start Designing Your Small Wool Rug Today
Ready to transform your small nooks with wool flooring? Custom design the ideal small wool rug for your space by selecting your preferred colours, style, and size.
If you aren’t sure whether a small rug would suit your space, schedule an appointment to consult with one of our designers over the phone or in person (available in Auckland only). To get inspired, bring your interior samples and use our cosy nook to create a mood board that reflects your vision.
Explore more rug resources or browse through our collection to find a wool rug that complements your style and space perfectly.
