Some people use a much bigger rug outside to catch dirt (and shoes) if there's not enough room inside. Placing another rug over this one will not be a stylish solution.

Hello Emily Watson and Houzz Pros

What do you think about layering a black cowhide rug over it?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60222932/

You don't mind stepping on cowhide with wet shoes?!?

I honestly think plastic would be the most effective solution, and actually least intrusive. Or get a smaller rug. Or just be glad that this is a less used entry.

If you have to have to a door mat then something more modern to go with your chic decor.

Thanks for the suggestion! Do you mean to replace the small blue rug with a gray rug or place the gray rug on top of the larger rug?

HI -- This won't do anything to keep feet off the big carpet but look at carpet tiles to cover the bare floor space . FLOR.com -- Have a rule for the family that if the weather is not nice do not use that door as the entrance . You can give guests only a pass on that rule .

Maybe due to the bench, there really is no where to go other than further into the room to get the door closed etc. If you moved the bench down and used a longer runner, there would be more of a tenancy to move to the side.

A thought: Is there space and access to re-orient the sofa so it's facing the fireplace? Then you could put a narrow sofa table against the back and have an entrance rug. Your chair and green pouf could go in the window corner where the picture is along with a small personal table.

I would replace the little one that you have in place with one of a similar size. Or slightly bigger. At some point, function is more important than style. Have a nice mat outside the door, and then a small rug inside the door. It need not overlap your lovely living room, just abut it.

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Thank you all so much for the thoughts. This living room has been incredibly tricky to layout. Unfortunately it's mainly used for watching television so the sofa is oriented in that direction - the only wall that can work for a tv. It's also rather narrow so to give enough seating to comfortably watch a movie, I have the sectional rather long to accommodate. It's cozy when you're in there but the entry way continues to be tricky. I'm not sure of the best solution yet, but I'll see what I can do based on your advice. Thanks again!!

I have some situations (dog related lol) that require runners or mats in weird places that do not look good from a decor standpoint. I've given up and just used what works for daily living and when people come over I take them up. I've decided it's no different than picking up or cleaning when company comes, which virtually all of us do. So I'd get a bigger mat that coordinates with your area rug, and just let it overlap the rug. Then stash it when you don't want it seen :).

I will upgrade the mat outside the door to be a bit larger as @apple_pie_order suggested. I think for now I'll simply modify human foot traffic and ask that we keep off the white rug when walking in. It's actually pretty easy to step to the side and close the door and even take shoes off. The rare times we do have guests, I'll just let them step on the rug but they'll have had two doormats to step on before they get to it. If behavior ever changes too much I'll likely consider the smaller version of the rug or some the plastic rug protector for that front corner. I really struggled with choosing a rug size and knew this would be the trade off with the larger one. However, I went with the majority use case which is the couch - not the entryway since we mainly use our side and back doors. Thanks again.

can you rotate the rug the other way so it ends near the door and is wider rather than longer?

The rug seems to be too large for your area , its a beautiful rug I know ! nothing against the pattern or colour just the size, a runner would be too narrow to accommodate people walking in , you need a square ,I would go and get a piece of broadloom and get it binded , get a mat for outdoor to wipe the access dirt/snow of boots and shoes this way the shoes will be cleaner when stepping inside.

Rug size is so tricky! I should have come here before deciding. I started with a rug that was way too small (5x7) and soon discovered the issue with rug sizes! I was going to do 8x10 but realized the entire couch wouldn't have rug under foot so I opted for the 9x12 at the expense of the entryway. The long couch makes it difficult but provides the seating and comfort needed for enjoying movies, etc when family stays with us. Now I'm considering buying the 8x10 and a square for the entryway and see how that feels. Luckily this rug is on the cheaper end so I'm not risking too much cash. Any thoughts on this solution? This would leave some of the couch not on the rug and it would cut thru the middle of the ottoman. Is this the better solution considering the entryway issue?

Unfortunately I can't rotate the rug @Kerry Blossom, the room is too narrow due to the fireplace.

perhaps you could use the rug in another room , so if you can get a smaller size enough to accomodate your sofa , table and chairs that would be better. before going out try papers to see where you would like the rug to stop and more paper for the door mat then stand back and think.

I could use the rug in another room potentially, or I could sell it. If I go with the 7'6x9'6 I get about 13-14 inches back at the entryway. The sizes it could then accommodate would be 3x3 or I could do 5x3. I think a 5x3 might solve the problem fairly well.

@Jodie White...just wanted to say thanks for posting the "Hello" doormat link. Been looking for one I like...medium gray...perfect!

as long that you can accommodate the sofa sort of this idea you will have plenty of room for the mat

One more idea would be to angle the sofa this way you will have a focal point