Most people treat rugs as an afterthought. Grab whatever looks nice in the photo, hope for the best. Then it arrives and it's too small, the colour's off, or it falls apart in six months.

After years in the rug game, here are the 5 biggest mistakes I see:

1. Ignoring the size rule

Your rug should be large enough that at least the front legs of your furniture sit on it. That 120x170cm rug you're eyeing for your living room? Too small. Every time.

2. Choosing based on photos alone

Screens lie. A rug that looks warm and golden online can arrive looking washed out. Always check the material and dye process — hand-dyed wool holds colour completely differently to synthetic prints.

3. Skipping the underlay

A quality rug pad costs $30-50 and doubles the lifespan of your rug. It prevents slipping, reduces wear, and makes any rug feel more plush underfoot.

4. Not thinking about traffic

That beautiful flatweave might look incredible, but if it's going in a hallway with three kids and a dog, you need something with a tighter pile and stain resistance.

5. Buying cheap and replacing often

A $50 rug from a big-box store lasts 12 months. A $250 handcrafted rug lasts 10+ years. Do the maths.

At Floorcraft Co., we only stock rugs we'd put in our own homes — quality materials, honest descriptions, and pieces that actually last.

If you're shopping for your next rug, we'd love to help you find the right one.