Rug Revamp

HOW TO MAKE AN IMPACT WITH RUGS IN YOUR HOME

Rugs are often underestimated in home design projects, but they can play an important role in transforming a space. We understand that rugs are often an investment, and picking the right rug for your space can be daunting. But these versatile pieces not only add warmth and comfort to a room, but also serve as a powerful design element that can tie everything together.

In this guide we will take you through how you can use rugs in your spaces, and some hints and tips on how to make them look great in your home.

Adding texture

Texture is always important when designing your spaces and rugs can play an important role in this.  From plush wool to natural fibres like jute and sisal, incorporating different textures through rugs can add depth and visual interest to your design scheme.

TIP – Rugs can really vary when it comes to colour, thickness, and texture, so always get samples. What might look great online, might not work with your vision in person. I would also really recommend getting a few samples of the same rug, if you are opting for natural materials like jute and sisal. These are great options, but due to their natural nature they can vary in terms of colour and tone.   

Defining areas

In open plan layouts, rugs can be a great tool to define distinct areas by creating visual boundaries in each space. It can also be a great way to add a focal point to a room, which will stop your room feeling confusing and jumbled.

TIP – If you are working in an open plan space, make sure that you put your rug samples for your various areas next to each other. You certainly don’t need to match your rugs, but having some unifying elements will make a large space feel more cohesive. A good way to do this is to have similar materials/textures or complimentary tones/colours.   

Injecting colour and pattern

The humble rug is a major aspect of interior decor for us designers and can be an effortless way to introduce colour and pattern into a room. It can also be a fantastic way to bring colours together in a scheme and elevate your whole design.

TIP – If you have a few colours in your scheme try looking at rugs that have these colours included. Or get your colour wheel and look at a complimentary contrasting to really make your room have more visual interest. This can make your whole room feel tied together and well planned.

Acoustics

Not the most exciting, but great design makes your life easier. Rugs can act as great sound absorbers, softening footsteps and reducing reverberation. This makes them particularly great on hardwood floors or in high-traffic areas.

“A rug can be completely transformative in a space and anchor your whole room” - Maché

Here are some tips on how to use rugs in specific areas.  

• Living Room: In this area your rug should be large enough to accommodate all furniture pieces that sit on or around it. Ideally, the rug should extend beyond the coffee table and reach under the front legs of sofas and chairs. This helps anchor the seating area.
  

• Dining Room: In the dining room, the rug should extend beyond the edges of the dining table to allow space for chairs to be pulled out without catching on the rug. A good rule of thumb is to add at least 24 inches to the dimensions of the table on all sides. This ensures that chairs remain comfortably on the rug even when pulled away from the table. TIP – Make sure to consider the height of your rug. If you are putting a rug in an area where there will be lots of movement/traffic or when used to define an area, you don’t want a rug with a high a profile as it could end up being a trip hazard.

• Bedroom: In the bedroom, there are a few different rug placement options depending on the size of the room and the layout of the furniture. One simple approach is to place a large rug under the bed, extending beyond the sides and foot of the bed. This is great if you have hardwood floors and want to create a cosier atmosphere.  

• Hallways and Entryways: These areas can be boring and look unloved and a runner or rug can be a very quick and easy way to elevate this space. TIP – You need to choose a rug that fits the width of the space and allows for a few inches of floor to show on either side. This helps visually widen the area and prevents the rug from feeling cramped and looking like badly laid carpet.

• Furniture-Free Areas: We love the instant impact that a rug can have in areas like kitchens. We know this is not always the most practical, but with washable rugs now easy to find, we love to see a bold statement rug in a kitchen.

General tip – Get rug grips! Some rugs come with rug pads, and these are always a good idea. But if yours doesn’t come with a pad, get yourself some rug grippers. This will stop the edges curling up and will stop the rug from slipping around on hardwood floors.  

So, whether you're looking to define zones, add texture, inject colour and pattern, enhance acoustics, create visual interest, or ground your design, there's a rug that perfectly suits your needs. So, next time you're designing a room, don't overlook a rug – it might just be the missing piece that completes your vision.