The right rug can transform a room. As Kirsty Barton, from Alternative Flooring, says, “When decorating your home, few pieces are as versatile and impactful as a rug.
Capable of bringing a room together, while introducing a welcomed splash of colour, a rug provides the perfect base to build a design scheme upon.”
In fact rugs can play so many different roles in your home décor…
A bold patterned or coloured rug can be the hero feature in the décor of a room.
By adding a really striking rug and a few new accessories in complementary colours you can give a room a cost-effective makeover without having to change any furniture or redecorate.
Botanical hand-tufted rug, 170 x 240cm, £399, Atkin & Thyme
It’s a great way to inject new colour and life into a neutral scheme you’re growing tired of.
A long rug – a runner – is the ideal way to draw the eye through a long space such as a corridor.
Imperial Snake II hand-tufted wool and botanical silk runner, 115cm wide, Rug’Society
Introduce texture
Coming as they do in a whole range of different textures – from faux fur to shag pile, tufted to rag – rugs are a wonderful way to introduces different textures into your home.
Georgia Metcalfe, from French Bedroom, says, “I always opt for something heavy on textural interest; a soft, deep-pile rug – patterned, plain, or laser cut – will always feel luxurious and cosy underfoot, making it that little bit easier to jump out of bed on an autumnal morning.”
Jon Flannigan, from Crucial Trading, advises, “Texture adds depth: a plush, deep-pile carpet offers luxury and comfort for living rooms and bedrooms, while a flat-weave or low-pile option is more practical for high-traffic areas like hallways and stairs.
Match the texture to the room’s function – durability for busy areas and softness for comfort zones.”
Jarrett rug in sage, inspired by rugs at White City House, from £1,095 non-member price, Soho Home
Hang it up
If you have a particularly beautiful rug that’s almost too nice to walk on, well, why not hang it on the wall? The best rugs are works of art in their own right.
On the other hand, if you find one you adore, it could be the starting point and inspiration for a whole new look for a room.
Jodie Hatton, of heritage carpet company Brintons, says, “Making a rug the focal point of the room is a strategic design choice – it lays the foundations for a scheme and subsequently informs the choice of paint, furnishings and furniture for a room.
By selecting a rug with a striking pattern or bold colours that contrast with the surrounding decor, such as the vibrant hues inspired by nature’s greens and yellows, the eye is immediately drawn to the rug, elevating its importance in the space.
Congo rug, hand-tufted wood and botanical silk, Covet House
Additionally, positioning the rug in a central location, like under the coffee table or in the seating area, further enhances its role as the centrepiece of the room’s design.”
Styling tips
The experts have some great advice on how to style rugs…
Lorna rug, hand-knotted and designed in India, from £3,795 for non-members, Soho Home
Go big!
Whenever you can afford it, pick a large area rug rather than a small one. Lena Gierasinska, at Barker and Stonehouse, says, “Investing in a well chosen oversized rug can be a savvy move when you’re trying to spruce up your home on a budget.
By opting for a larger rug and positioning it under a sofa, you can instantly elevate a space and make it feel more luxurious.
A common mistake is buying a small rug that sits in front of a sofa and under a coffee table, but by making this small change, it can instantly elevate a living room.
Particularly when paired with wooden flooring and a mix of floor lamps and low-level lighting, the resulting look is not only stylish, but effortlessly timeless.”
Georgia Metcalfe agrees: “Where possible, I’d choose a large, oversized rug to anchor your bedroom, placing it underneath your bed and bedside tables.
This works particularly well for bringing a smart curated look and can help pull together your overall decorative scheme.
You can also use a rug as a practical tool to bridge these larger gaps in your floor space, bringing an instant sense of warmth, and helping to finish off the room beautifully.”
Sorrento Columba rug with cornflower border from £260 (1m x 1m), and Shetland weave Monkstone rug from £113, Riviera Home UK
Pick the perfect pattern
Jon Flannigan says, “Patterns can transform a room’s aesthetic dramatically. Bold patterns add energy and focal points, perfect for making a statement in otherwise neutral spaces.
“Subtle patterns, on the other hand, provide a gentle visual interest without overwhelming the senses. When selecting a pattern, consider the room’s size and existing decor.
“Large patterns can make a small room feel even smaller, while smaller, intricate designs might get lost in a spacious area.
“Balance is essential – patterns should complement, not clash with, your existing furnishings and artwork.”
Jodie Hatton from Brintons says, “Similar to how dark walls can transform a small room or a patterned wallpaper can bring interest to an otherwise dull space, a patterned rug is an inspired way to make a feature of a smaller room.
It can help add interest and character, and, by pairing rugs together, the combination emphasises their different weaves and prints, making a unique design statement and playfully ties a room together.”
Washable Cambria rug in ruby, available in a wide range of sizes and different piles from Ruggable
Layer them up
If you can’t afford – or don’t fancy – one large rug, layering smaller ones can look wonderful too.
Overlap them diagonally to create a sense of movement and fluidity.
Milano multicoloured wool rug, from £185, La Redoute
Irregular shapes
Some of the most fun and interesting rugs around are those that are irregularly shaped.
So, embrace the quirk, and try a rug that’s not rectangular.
Habitat 60 Ripple rug by Simone Brewster, 120 x 190cm, £140, Habitat
Design your own rug
More and more companies, including many of the companies with rugs featured in this story – such as Riviera Home UK and Rug’Society – now offer the chance to design your own rug to fit your home perfectly.
If you’re putting a rug over a floor with underfloor heating, choose a flat, low-pile rug without a thick backing – something that will conduct the heat easily – otherwise you’re effectively blocking the heat from warning your room.
Masi rug in graphite, £425, Agnella by Brintons x V&A, Brintons
Rug care
Check the cleaning instructions for any rug you buy.
Some will be machine washable, some you may only be able to vacuum, and spot-remove stains.
Specialist rug cleaners can deal with the trickiest of rugs, either in situ or by taking the rugs away to their premises.
They will be able to offer advice on the best cleaning process based on the material your rug is made of, and whether there are any specific stains that need treating.
Ruggable rugs are easy to clean thanks to their special system that pairs lightweight, low-pile rug covers with separate non-slip backings.
Hudson stripe indoor washable rug, available in a range of shapes and finished, Ruggable
Sustainability
We are spoilt for sustainable rug choices these days. Mara Rypacek Miller, from Industville says, “Natural rugs made of wool or jute ground furnishings and add warmth underfoot.
Their texture and natural colour variations create depth and interest to a scheme, providing an earthy and warm tone to interiors.
Being made from natural fibres, both wool and jute rugs are biodegradable and contribute less to environmental pollution compared to synthetic alternatives.
Their long-lasting nature makes them a worthwhile investment for those looking to bring quality and sustainability into design schemes.”
Petton hand-woven jute and wool rug, from £229, Industville
Lisa Conway says, “Not only is wool on trend right now, but it comes with the added bonus of being a fantastic sustainable choice for flooring.
“It insulates your home, is easily recyclable and biodegradable, plus shearing sheep is essential for their welfare.
“Thanks to wool’s hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, using it on the floor also helps to make the air we breathe cleaner.”
Sam rug in pale rose/brick hand-woven in linen and PVC from £260, Pappelina
Jon Flannigan adds, “The material of your rug directly affects its practicality and maintenance. Natural fibres, like wool, sisal, sisool, jute, coir, and seagrass, each offer unique benefits.
“Wool is durable and resilient, ideal for high-traffic areas with regular care.
“Sisal and sisool are tough and long lasting, perfect for entryways and staircases. Jute provides a softer feel, which is best for low-traffic areas.
“Coir is extremely durable, great for doormats and outdoor spaces. Seagrass is stain-resistant, ideal for kitchens and dining rooms.
“It’s important to choose a natural fibre based on your household’s needs and the room’s function.”
Sisool Masai in eclipse with double border in felted wool marl border in slate and outer linen twill in obsidian, £163 per sqm, Crucial Trading
Other great sustainable choices are, of course, second-hand and antique rugs.
Meanwhile, Louis De Poortere has adopted a different approach to sustainability, recently launching a collection called Ecorugs, which can be returned at the end of their life to be renovated or recycled into another rug.
Craft Lucia collection, Nuggets rug, from £188 (80 x 150cm), Louis De Poortere
Goodweave
And if you’re looking for ethically produced products, another label to look out for is Goodweave.
Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville, which sells Goodweave-certified rugs, explains, “This certification is the best assurance the rug is produced without child, forced or bonded labour.
“It also means the purchase supports programmes that educate children and improve working conditions for adults in producer communities.”
The carpet – and rug – industry has long been plagued by child labour because children can be paid very little, while their nimble fingers, keen eyesight and biddability make them favoured workers.
As the charity explains, “’Carpet kids’ sit at looms for up to 14 hours a day, using sharp tools to weave carpets with no access to education.
“Some are trafficked to loom sheds far from home – often under threat of violence – to work off a family debt that can never be repaid on meagre wages.”
Goodweave works to ensure supply chains are free of child and forced labour. So, this is an important label to look out for.
Tracey Hague founder of Where Saints Go, sums up why rugs are so appealing right now, “Investing in a beautiful rug is the best design decision homeowners will make over winter.
Not only will it add interest, but it will make the home feel cosier and more put-together as winter takes hold.”
So, which one do you like best?
Agra area rug, wool and cotton, 120 x 170cm, Where Saints Go
