The Importance Of Using Rugs In Your Home
I thought I would share with you why I think using rugs in our homes plays an important role in the design.
The humble area rug which I consider to be a design hero, is so often overlooked and yet can create a huge impact to your room.
Not only will it transform the look and feel of your home, think of a cosy rug by the fire where pets will sleep peacefully at your feet and appreciate the comfort (they know a good thing when they see it) or when you step out of bed in the morning and sink your toes into a wonderful deep pile rug on a chilly morning.
We already know how a rug can add style and personality to your room but it also provides practical benefits such as insulation, noise reduction and protection for your floors. A well- chosen rug can tie together other elements in the room, creating a cohesive and inviting space which is why I think it plays an important role in designing your home.
What Size Of Rug To Choose
This is a question I get asked a lot especially in larger rooms, and a common mistake is to use a rug that is too small for the space, it can end up looking like a postage stamp in front of the sofa or placed in front of the fire. I understand this, as they can be really expensive the larger you go, it is important though to consider the size of your room and furniture, a rug that is too small or too large will throw off the balance of a room.
As a rule of thumb I like to place all furniture on the rug or at the very least the front legs of the furniture.
The Benefits
Adding a larger area rug to your space can provide numerous advantages especially in open plan living areas or rooms with unusual layouts. Zoning off areas to create a more relaxed feel to define the space or create a focal point. I especially like to use them under dining tables and chairs to group seating areas, it helps to ground the furniture eliminating that floating furniture look.
Open Plan Living
Zone areas in open plan areas
An area rug can be easily changed or replaced allowing you to update your home without having to replace the entire flooring.
Using Rugs In Bedrooms
Image source - Luxdeco
It makes sense to have a rug under the bed when you have hardwood flooring as it gives some comfort when you wake up and get out of bed to have something soft underfoot.
Do you place a rug under the bed even with carpet?
Yes. This is great for introducing another layer of texture, colour or pattern to your room.
Layering With Rugs
Layering rugs is a great design tip, you can place a larger area rug to place all of your furniture on top then place a beautiful feature rug on top (see below). This is cost effective and a great way to layer colour and texture in a room to bring it to life.
Natural fibres like jute or sisal evoke a more relaxed feel to the room, I like to use theses in Air bnb’s as a practical solution.
Larger rug used underneath furniture layered with Designers Guild feature rug on top.
Use Outdoor Rugs
Outdoor rugs are becoming much more popular since Covid as we were eager to use every inch of our homes, and creating a beautiful living space to our garden was a perfect way to relax outside while adding some comfort underfoot. They are also very hardwearing which is why I sometimes use them in dining areas because they are so practical and easily maintained.
Where To Buy A Rug
There a so many options when it comes to shopping for rugs, personally I like to see what I’m buying unless there is an easy return service but here are some of my go to’s:
I hope this has inspired you to try out large area rugs in your space whether it’s layering, zoning are creating a style statement!
As always if you would like help with designing your home I’d love to hear from you, get in contact below.
