Feature article

Five ways rugs can elevate your home

An often overlooked part of a cohesive interior scheme.

Last updated: 31 July 2024

Creating the perfect interior design scheme involves myriad facets including everything from furniture and furnishings through to lighting, texture and colour. Working in harmony with one another, all of these elements will come together to produce the vibrant/relaxing/inviting/warm atmosphere you want for your home.

Cover image: A loop-pile rug in a natural tone adds warmth and texture to the 2021 Home of the Year, Black Quail House. Image: Simon Devitt

An integral, but often overlooked, part of that cohesive interior scheme are rugs. An area rug can add colour and dimension to your décor and is a relatively inexpensive way of transforming the look and feel of a space.

When it comes to choosing a rug for your home there are a few ground rules to consider from the outset. The most obvious being size, style and material type. When it comes to size, the general rule of thumb for a living area is that the rug should, at the very least, fit under the front legs of your key furniture pieces and should leave a space of between 45cm and 60cm between it and the walls.

Style is always going to be a personal choice and one that will be determined by your existing décor. Luckily, there is an almost inexhaustible variety of rugs available, from traditional Persian or Chinese through to geometric and floral. A patterned rug can be used to create a bold look while a more neutral rug can be used to impart a sense of visual texture.

Similarly, the choice of material will be determined by your décor and lifestyle, with cotton or jute rugs being ideal for a casual vibe and relatively high-traffic areas. Wool is another material suited to high-traffic areas, while nylon or polypropylene rugs are great when it comes to repelling spills or in homes with pets.

With size, style and material choice sorted, let’s look at the ways in which rugs can elevate your interior design.

An abstract design, Vapour by Greg Natale from Designer Rugs, incorporating both deep colours and neutrals makes a bold statement within this masculine interior.

1. Creating a statement

Few things make a statement like a well-chosen rug. Traditional, or traditionally inspired designs, work well if you’re after a bit of drama, while a modern rug with a large-scale graphic print is ideal for defining different areas in an open-plan room.

2. A solid choice

As an alternative to a patterned rug, a solid-coloured rug is ideal for use with a number of design schemes and for creating mood. Dark, rich, earthy colours are popular and help define a more intimate space, while lighter colours can make smaller spaces appear open and airy.

3. Layered texture

Contrary to popular belief, rugs work perfectly well on top of carpet and together they can create both tactile and visual interest. Rugs from the OG range, such as shag, woven and knotted, provide softness underfoot and add warmth and dimension to your design scheme. For extra opulence, choose a rug made from wool or silk.

At the entrance to the 2021 City Home of the Year, House on Takapuna Beach by CAAHT Studio, the lightness of the yellow patchwork rug creates a refuge of privacy and nature and complements the materials and textures of the architectural elements. Image: Sam Hartnett

4. It’s the vibe

For a casual, laid-back look, natural fibres such as jute, sisal and sea grass are ideal as they work well in coastal homes but can suit any decor. For an instant ‘lived-in’ look, vintage rugs are the way to go. Rugs with classic, Asian-inspired prints, faded patinas, and distressed details will instantly impart a well-loved feel. Vintage rugs also pair nicely with other antiques and rustic woods.

5. Creating definition

Open-plan spaces are a Kiwi favourite, which means it’s often necessary to define different zones. In that regard, rugs really come into their own as a design tool, creating naturally defined areas. By using complementary rugs to delineate a dining area and a living area, you can create a cohesive design scheme that can also be easily changed either seasonally or as and when you desire.

At the end of the day, a new rug will elevate your favourite room and set the tone for your overall design scheme.

Author

HOME Magazine

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Since 1936, HOME has showcased New Zealand residential architecture; homes that are designed to inspire, challenge and delight, by the country’s best architects.

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