A photo of the space would help us choose a rug.

Two beautiful spaces that combine gray and brown:

Living Room · More Info

The Sierra Showhome (Calgary, Alberta) · More Info

the bigger couch is solid grey, the smaller slipper chairs are dark brown-ish. So is brown better than grey for a solid color?

No, brown and gray in isolation are of equal value. I would suggest you get the furniture in the room so you can get a better sense of balance. If you're just going to get a solid color rug, then keep the one you have. But this is a chance to add a little pattern, or color, or both. Some spice.

Hi, I don't have any rug right now. That was a picture of the living room from the former owner. Would you mind looking at the pinterest page to see what you think? I need help.... I'll pay if I need to.

Hi Darren, I am happy to help, and to do it for free. My goal is to help people avoid expensive mistakes (and I have too much time on my hands.) Where is this pinterest page? A link would be helpful.

I emptied the room--time for those people to get out anyway--but since I had no idea what your furniture looks like, I just stuck in a gray sofa and a brown chair. Here are two rugs that would transition nicely between brown and gray:

of these two, which would go better for a single guy's house? 2 kids and a girlfriend.
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Linon-Corfu-Collection-Tan-and-Brown-Area-Rug-8-x-103/9368128/product.html?refccid=T2I2VN7V7G3YCPSALMVFRI7SHI&searchidx=19

or
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Nourison-Hand-tufted-Contours-Cinnamon-Rug-73-x-93/5659873/product.html?CID=214117

thanks for the sketch-up, that' pretty awesome!!

hi, i posted the links.

The single guy, 2 kids, girlfriend info is useful only in that it gives some insight into your design disability. (That is a joke, sort of. Insert laugh track here.)

Now, both of those rugs are dated and dull. I get that you need about 8 x 10 at a price point of $300, so let me see what I can find. Are the kids small and in need of a cushy rug that's stain resistant? Are they teens and need something super-stain resistant that can withstand soccer cleats?

Also, don't get desperate here. Better no rug here for awhile than a $300 mistake. Patience. I'll return.

kids are young, so don't really want bright colors. Was thinking the carpet with circles pattern is the best. I was surprised to hear you thought it was dull. But I'll hold off if you think you can find something better.

For the record, it's possible that none of the rugs we find will work depending on the tones of your furniture, which we have not seen.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/nuLOOM-Handmade-Chevron-Ivory-Wool-Rug/7344105/product.html?refccid=AAXAYFSUGIHZTPKPZU6F56JOWA&searchidx=147

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Rangerly-Wool-Rug/7512133/product.html?refccid=OUB4EUBCIZHZCCKECUFOZD5WAA&searchidx=96

If the kids are there all the time you might prefer shopping for indoor outdoor rugs. They come in all sizes and wonderful patterns. Can be taken outside and hosed off if needed, and are inexpensive.

Loloi Rugs Oasis Grey-Citron Contemporary Indoor / Outdoor Rug · More Info

Loloi Rugs Oasis Navy-Multi Contemporary Indoor / Outdoor Rug X-9AA7LMVN60-SOISA · More Info

can i have your email address?

also, I noticed you are going with the grey based ones instead of the brown. you didn't like any of the ones on my pinterest page? if you think floral is good, what's your thoughts on this one?
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Gray-Brown-Area-Rug-76-x-96/6782922/product.html?utm_source=pinterest.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pin_button

I don't guarantee the photos will come up in the same order as the links, but here goes.
http://plushrugs.com/nuloom/grace-wool/sheila/#grey

http://plushrugs.com/nuloom/grace-wool/arron/#grey

http://plushrugs.com/safavieh/soho/soh313c/#dark-gray

email?

I really like the 2nd rug pictured here.

Ah, previous post http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-Rangerly-Wool-Rug/7512133/product.html?refccid=OUB4EUBCIZHZCCKECUFOZD5WAA

any way i can get your email?

questions
1. seems like you're picking grey as dominant color. is that because grey works better against a lighter hardwood floor than a brown tone?
2. are floral designs too feminine or a guy's house?
3. i think leaves are better than flowers, so i like the ones with leaves/branches, not flowers.
4. want to stay away from the big circles and bubbles and too much white space.

the ones you posted are $500 rugs, i'm looking for $300 range. anything on rugsusa.com?

Darren, are you speaking to me? If so, yes, I do love the grey against your hardwood floor and, no, I didn't think of gender preference. I think florals can go either way...

The black and white chevron above is a bit smaller than 8 x 10, it's wool (a good thing for comfort and wear), and it's $298.

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/nuLOOM-Handmade-Chevron-Ivory-Wool-Rug/7344105/product.html?refccid=AAXAYFSUGIHZTPKPZU6F56JOWA

The florals I've chosen are not girly at all, definitely not too feminine, and what I like about them is they add a bit of movement to a room that threatens to be dull. If I can find a suitable abstract in your price range, I will post it.

I am choosing grays instead of browns because they're a bit more versatile. Don't forget, you still need accessories, and gray tends to be more forgiving than brown.

I don't give out my email here, but if you keep posting, I will see it in my feed and will reply.

http://www.westelm.com/products/carla-peters-looped-circle-rug-t1286/?pkey=crug-sale||&cm_src=rug-sale||NoFacet--NoFacet---_-

8 x 10, wool, $249

This one is jute. It will look great and the price is right--8 x 10 for $199--but jute is not soft.
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/bleached+ivory+basketweave+jute+area+rug.do?&refType=&from=fn

Check

http://www.worldmarket.com/product/floating-medallion-tufted-rug.do?page=2&from=fn

Hi Darren, here's an indoor/outdoor rug from Pottery Barn ($349) that you may like.

Also, if you've just recently moved in or will be moving in, call PB about their "new movers" coupon. I believe it's either 15% or 20% off. Basically, they'll just put you on their mailing list for catalogs etc. but then you would get this additional discount coupon. FYI - this coupon is also available at other stores affiliated with PB, such as West Elm, PB Kids, etc.....very helpful for savings on your new rug and/or other purchases.

http://www.potterybarn.com/m/products/dot-dash-outdoor-rug-gray/?pkey=call-rugs

thoughts on this one?
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Safavieh-Handmade-Soho-Garden-Scrolls-Grey-New-Zealand-Wool-Rug/7347945/product.html

i definitely definitely think grey is the way to go, more so than brown for that room. I can see that brown and the brown hard wood floors don't blend well. is that right or am i imagining that? i think the one with the floral pattern is the best so far. you guys are awesome.

i was able to take some of the rugs and put them in a 3d model. any favorites anyone? which one is most verstaile with pictures and throw pillows??

Excellent, Darren. Yes, the first and third rugs look great and are neutral enough to allow you lots of latitude in accessories. I think the last rug is just lifeless, and the green rug requires a commitment to follow through with more green, and not just any green, but a yellow-y or olive-y green.

I think I like the first one - subtle but still pretty.

thoughts on this one?

http://www.rugsusa.com/rugsusa/rugs/rugs-usa-perma/grey/200MTVS07A-P.html
.....reason I ask is because while I know it's grey, there are no other colors which means i'll have more flexibility with throw pillows and art on the wall. You guys think it's too boring?

I really like the first one -it's softer and lighter, in my opinion:)

I really liked that one too, springcath, but I think? it's more expensive.

thoughts on the last one i posted? more about if it's grey ONLY with no secondary color (this one has dark and light grey combo), i was thinking it gives more options in things like paintings and pillows.

Darren, the last rug you posted is a little boring, yes. But both of the floral rugs you put in the room will give you just as many options and will tie together your gray sofa and brown chairs. The first rug especially seems to have a tiny touch of brown, just enough to look deliberate. That's the one I'd choose.

You can still go pretty much any direction with that rug. You'll be more limited by the color of the chairs and the brick wall than anything in the rug.

I chose a piece of art (kind of at random, but I wanted something dramatic) and found some pillows to coordinate.

I think it would be gorgeous!, in my opinion:)

Well, I'd say that first rug with your desired color palette is downright awesome.

The palette is about everything in the room. I would not add either blue or red to the palette you've chosen above. If you want to use blue or red, then you need a different palette.

That said, it's easier to let a palette evolve than to choose one and try to stick to it. Easiest is to choose the art first, then let that dictate the palette. That is exactly what I did in the rendering below. The rust and navy accent pillows come directly from the painting over the sofa.

I really like the rust pillow, works well.

Question -- I think there's a balance issue in the room with the couch and the 2 small slipper chairs. I know it's another conversation, but I'm not married to those smaller brown slipper chairs. You think that room could do better with either arm chairs? Problem is there's a doorway behind the lower left chair so a couch would look silly i think.

...instead of having 2 slipper chairs, is it kosher to put a bigger arm chair with ottoman... and not have another chair on lower left corner?

Absolutely kosher. It depends on how much seating you need and how you're using the room. IMO, slipper chairs are pretty useless anyway, except for in-laws you hope won't stay too long.

Not sure you can get an ottoman in that room unless it doubles as a coffee table. People need someplace to set their drinks.