Decorating
10 Things a Living Room Rug Can Do for You
Is your living room missing a certain something? Focus on the floor and transform the space with the remarkable talents of a rug
In the past century, the rug’s job description has changed hugely. Once little more than a precursor to the fitted carpet, the humble rug is now considered a thing of beauty, used to decorate a space as much as keep cold at bay. Size, colour, texture and pattern all need to be taken into consideration when making your selection, though thankfully, its ability to stand up to a carpet beater doesn’t. Take a look at these examples of this most versatile of soft furnishings and discover what a rug can do for you.
Smooth off the edges
It can be difficult to bring together the beautiful imperfections of a centuries-old building with the clean lines of a contemporary interior. Here, the humble hide is your friend. Beloved by modern designers and traditional craftsmen alike, hides have a pleasingly irregular shape and work with all sorts of natural materials from any era.
It can be difficult to bring together the beautiful imperfections of a centuries-old building with the clean lines of a contemporary interior. Here, the humble hide is your friend. Beloved by modern designers and traditional craftsmen alike, hides have a pleasingly irregular shape and work with all sorts of natural materials from any era.
Complete a period piece
Given the right tradespeople and budget, most people could complete a restoration project, but adding soul to your home is another matter. That’s where textiles come in, specifically, a vintage rug like the one in this image. Faded grandeur works brilliantly as an era-appropriate contrast to a crisp, classic setting.
Browse the various traditional rugs featured on Houzz.
Given the right tradespeople and budget, most people could complete a restoration project, but adding soul to your home is another matter. That’s where textiles come in, specifically, a vintage rug like the one in this image. Faded grandeur works brilliantly as an era-appropriate contrast to a crisp, classic setting.
Browse the various traditional rugs featured on Houzz.
Add layers
Create a decadent air without overdoing it by overlapping patterned rugs in the same shade. This puts the focus on the delicate patterns of each one and adds an air of understated luxury. Remember not to skimp on the carpet tape: falling headfirst into the coffee table is not a good look.
Create a decadent air without overdoing it by overlapping patterned rugs in the same shade. This puts the focus on the delicate patterns of each one and adds an air of understated luxury. Remember not to skimp on the carpet tape: falling headfirst into the coffee table is not a good look.
Emphasise space
Show off the scale of your living room with a rug that stretches its full length. A neutral hue can never be accused of being ostentatious and the peek of parquet around the edge of the room works like a tantalising glimpse of ankle. Some rooms don’t need to shout about it – they’re just gorgeous.
Show off the scale of your living room with a rug that stretches its full length. A neutral hue can never be accused of being ostentatious and the peek of parquet around the edge of the room works like a tantalising glimpse of ankle. Some rooms don’t need to shout about it – they’re just gorgeous.
Fill a frame
Why have one rug when you can have two? Place a rug in the centre of a larger one and enjoy an additional border of colour and texture. This framed effect creates a focus and is a good solution if the rug of your dreams is a bit on the small side.
Why have one rug when you can have two? Place a rug in the centre of a larger one and enjoy an additional border of colour and texture. This framed effect creates a focus and is a good solution if the rug of your dreams is a bit on the small side.
Create a focal point
A dazzling patterned rug in jewel-bright colours makes a gorgeous focal point in a living room. Give it some space to shine, rather than covering it in furniture, and relish the mix of rich colours that textiles do so well.
A dazzling patterned rug in jewel-bright colours makes a gorgeous focal point in a living room. Give it some space to shine, rather than covering it in furniture, and relish the mix of rich colours that textiles do so well.
Be utterly charming
Introduce home-made comfort and joy to a midcentury scheme with a hand-knitted rug made from an assortment of patchwork squares. Cute, considered and undeniably snuggly, this is individuality at its best.
Read more about the ingredients of midcentury style
Introduce home-made comfort and joy to a midcentury scheme with a hand-knitted rug made from an assortment of patchwork squares. Cute, considered and undeniably snuggly, this is individuality at its best.
Read more about the ingredients of midcentury style
Add barely there warmth
If you’re reluctant to loose the perfection of pale floorboards, there is a solution. Opt for a rug that’s neutral, but which adds warmth and plenty of texture to your scheme. This design doesn’t fight with the bold décor yet chimes beautifully with the wooden floor and rustic stools.
If you’re reluctant to loose the perfection of pale floorboards, there is a solution. Opt for a rug that’s neutral, but which adds warmth and plenty of texture to your scheme. This design doesn’t fight with the bold décor yet chimes beautifully with the wooden floor and rustic stools.
Give things a twist
There aren’t many pieces that stand up well to a quirky turn. Sofas that jut out into a room or unhelpfully positioned coffee tables often just look a bit awkward, but put a rug at a 45 degree angle and you instantly encourage people to look at familiar items in a new way.
Whatever your style of rug, you can find a huge range of floor rugs on Houzz.
What do you look for in a rug? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
There aren’t many pieces that stand up well to a quirky turn. Sofas that jut out into a room or unhelpfully positioned coffee tables often just look a bit awkward, but put a rug at a 45 degree angle and you instantly encourage people to look at familiar items in a new way.
Whatever your style of rug, you can find a huge range of floor rugs on Houzz.
What do you look for in a rug? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
There’s no denying the sultry appeal of a moody grey scheme, but there’s still room for a shot of brightness. Add it underfoot and you can introduce a substantial portion of zingy colour without things getting out of hand. Geometric shapes are a good choice, too, if you want to maintain a sober look.
See more ways to make an impact with geometric prints