Thanks, Lena. I know I need some kind of area rug in the family room, but can't decide how big it should be. Hate to cover up too much of my new hardwood.

I would go with something light, to contrast with the darker floors and furniture. Make sure it's practical too though. If you have a lot of foot traffic through that area you probably don't want to go with a solid white or cream rug. Maybe something with a pattern like this.

Hard to tell what the dimensions of the room are from photos but you'd probably be good with a 8x10. You want to create a sense of separate space since you have an open concept going on. The rug should cover most of the space you want to designate as your living room.

Hi Brianjess. Ideally, a living room rug will fit the entire length of the sofa and the front 2 legs width-wise.

This pic might help explain what I mean:

Rugs help protect floors, so I know you don't want to cover up that gorgeous dark stain (I really do love your new floor!) just remember that the rug is going to help add to the beauty and keep your floor looking like new longer.

The ideal size for living room rugs is 8x10. This gives you plenty of space for the furniture to fit on the rug.

I have a really helpful rug sizing guide on my blog :) Let me know if you have any other questions!

Put some newspaper or blue tape on the floor to measure out an 8x10 and a 9x12 and see how you feel. I have a 5x8 that just goes right in front of my sofa - Houzzers would say it is too small, however, I could not stand to cover up my hardwood either.

Like the newspaper idea. Will give it a try!

Do you have cats and dogs as I see the crate?

One dog. She's a 20 lb. Cavachon. (Hopefully not too big of a problem...

If you go the same color theme, then i would get light rug.

Adorable breed and no problem just need to know for choosing rug choices. Are you opposed to the seagrass natural look?

Thanks! Great picture. Helps me see your idea. I'm not sure what the "seagrass natural look" means. Is that something like jute? (I was considering that for my kitchen)

Or bring some blue to down brown.Too much brown in room.

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/bd/408433?CAWELAID=120245430000500160

And

Wool above

More blue

Another option dining room textured rug and the timeless blue rug in Living space. The pattern on far right exploded larger for you to view

What size in dining and what size in living room? Colors you like or colors you dislike?

ballard designs malvern hand hooked rug

Thanks for all of your great ideas. There isn't any blue in my house (not that an accent of color would hurt.) The carpet that was here before was light tan, so it was much lighter. I have mostly brown, tan, medium (not too dark) green and cranberry/rust (see placemats in kitchen) in the rest of the house. I may need to replace the curtains, since the color scheme seems dark now. I think I need a light colored rug with accent colors like cranberry, green, maybe some medium blue or golden yellow. Thinking jute for the kitchen. Also not sure how big the rugs should be. Finally got my hardwood, so I don't want to cover everything with a rug.

https://www.amazon.com/nuLOOM-Handwoven-Jagged-Chevron-Ivory/dp/B01HDWAOJY/ref=sr_1_20?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1507143771&sr=1-20&keywords=jute+rugs

https://www.amazon.com/Safavieh-Natural-Fiber-Collection-NF181C/dp/B01GS11ZSA/ref=sr_1_27?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1507143771&sr=1-27&keywords=jute+rugs

Jodie and Celerygirl, Thanks for all of your input. I measured the rooms. The living room is 18' x 17' (not including the inset for the bay window). The sofa is 88" wide and 35" deep. The entire eating area of the kitchen is 14' x 15', with the table measuring 38" x 66". I was thinking of using a jute or natural rug for the kitchen (the Ziggy Jute from Ballard Design is kind of fun). Stumped on the living room. I will probably end up changing the drapes. I think a little blue is nice. Just don't want to make it the predominant rug color, as nothing else (except the picture my daughter painted on the wall) is blue. I know I need to lighten it up. Here are more pics (before and after). I love the floors, but am hoping I didn't go TOO dark. Thanks again for your expertise.

Why rugs at all? If you went through the mess and expense of new hardwood floor, why do you want to cover them up?

The dining room rug color and texture will be perfect, however let me work on LR, it is too dark. Are you open to a few changes?

What size is your TV? Can you take a photo of opposite wall to the sofa where TV is?

Jodie, Sure. I'm looking to upgrade the look. The floors were light before, so I went dark with furniture and drapes. Now that I have dark floors, I need to lighten it up. Don't want to change furniture, but the rug, drapes, pillows, etc., are all fair game. Thanks!

Photo of other wall?

The TV is about 51" diagonal. Here a couple of pictures. The opening in the living room wall leads into an office, which has pale greenish gray walls and a green and beige area rug (pic below) if that helps. Here are pics of the fireplace/tv wall.

LOVE the Jute rugs from Amazon. I think the black and tan would look great in the kitchen. The price is really good, too.

Want to make the house more fun and less "stuffy"? Is this too crazy for the living room? https://www.pier1.com/coda-zebra-tan-rug/PS59790.html#q=zebra%2520area%2520rug&start=1

Yes, fun is good but the colors and textures need to all work in the space with furnishing, flooring and fireplace. Zebra design is fantastic if the hues work. What are the leather sofa and chair colors. Tan? Brown? Up close photo would help. The multi colored rug would be nice but not sure as it might be too out there for you but works. The texture and movement in a rug would create a visual movement while you do not want it to compete w the FP. I normally do not like TV s over FP, would you consider? Or new TV stand as above, see the difference in materials? Breaking up all the likeness in the woods to create visual balance and interest. Possibly clock above FP and the blue art work does not work on the wall space. Is there another location in your home to find a solution other than that wall. New lamps would help lighten and update as well. Not necessarily the one as above but giving you a visual to see your space with the updated. Rug in kitchen would go with 8 x 10 as adding the 24 inches around would be a safe bet. Love this one from Surya for your kitchen as well or LR and it is above in photo

https://www.houzz.com/products/surya-jute-woven-light-gray-8x106-area-rug-prvw-vr~25042443

Are your counter tops Venetian gold granite?

Not sure what the color is called. The granite was here when we bought the place.

Here are the couch and coffee table up close. I'd say the couch is a little darker than camel. I don't mind moving the clock above the fireplace, but don't think my husband would go for the TV. I've been trying to convince my daughter to move the painting, as the color doesn't work at all. I'll work on it. :-)

I'm no expert on dog friendly rugs, but you should go lighter. How much color/pattern should depend on your style and comfort level. Lighter curtains will lighten the room also. The floors look great!

I think either the top or bottom rugs would work. (Of course, I'll have to come up with new curtains that work.) They're lighter, but nor boring. Where did you find them?

I like the second and third, lots of decisions and best of luck and post after photos

Hahha. Looks like I've got a lot to learn. :-)

Everyone sees color differently and we all have different tastes, go with what appeals to you. As my interior design professor used to say to us in class, "There is no wrong Interior Design". Happy designing....

Jodie, Thanks so much for your expertise. You've helped me look at things from a different perspective -- and probably kept me from making some costly mistakes! Really appreciate your guidance.

I hate that the more info links are gone :-(

https://www.westelm.com/products/rani-rug-multi-t4315/?pkey=crugs-flooring

https://www.westelm.com/products/textured-ikat-wool-rug-t3154/?pkey=crugs-flooring

Good afternoon. In this case, you need something of a light shade.

Does the "hello" mat indicate a door right into the dining area? That would influence the choice of the rug for that area. The rug should be at least four feet wider and four feet longer than the table dimensions (at least 2' of rug all around the table) to allow for pulling the chairs out and in when sitting at the table. It also needs to be thin enough for the door to clear it when someone enters from outside. If the door has a roof overhang outside, I would put a good mat outside for wiping shoes before entering the house. If that is a litter box in the corner, it needs to be somewhere else rather than in the dining room.

Felizlady: Yes, the Hello mat is in front of the door to the deck. (I plan to move the mat once I get a new rug). No litter box. No cats. You probably mean the dog crate, where my dog sleeps during the day. We move it when we have guests over. My table is 38" x 65". Using your calculations, that means I would need about a 7' x 9 1/2' rug. That helps put things in perspective. I'll probably do a jute/sissal/natural fiber rug, so should be able to find something thin enough. Thanks for your help.

kulrn: Thanks for the links. I'm not familiar with West Elm. Will have to check out the site. Looks interesting.