Practical spaces don’t have to be dull. Consider replacing utilitarian mats in your bathroom or kitchen with something brighter. A colourful rug can enliven a sterile space – drawing the eye to pattern, rather than your stainless steel refrigerator. Give your feet a happy place to stand when you’re at the sink washing dishes!
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Give old furnishings a facelift
Tired of an old sofa but not ready to reupholster, or bored of a neutral colour scheme? Tuck a thin rug under the bottom cushion to instantly give Grandma’s sofa a makeover.
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…or use rugs to upholster
Consider using a rug to cover or upholster an Ottoman. A fun, colourful rug can make for a vibrant centrepiece. Don’t be afraid to consider rugs with a deep pile, which can be great for bringing an element of texture or warmth.
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An ideal addition to a well-made bed
A thin rug, draped across the bottom of a bed, can bring a taste of opulence into the room — perfect for elegantly warm toes in winter.
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…or an alternative headboard
Can’t find the right headboard, or fallen in love with a particular design? Hang a textile or a rug above your bed for an instant game-changer.
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Perfect for wide empty walls
Hanging a textile or rug can be an ideal way to bring colour to bare walls – with large pieces providing statement-making coverage.
Drape a kilim, or flat tapestry-woven rug, over a table instead of a tablecloth for an instant make-over.
Conventional wisdom dictates that a rug should follow the shape of the room and be surrounded by a border of one to two feet of exposed wooden flooring – and that the feet of all furniture should rest on your carpet. But those rules can be broken and often help create a dynamic space that bucks tradition.
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Don’t compromise because of size
Fallen in love with a rug that is too small? Place it on a larger Sisal, or woven base: you’ll add colour and texture, and the size will cease to matter.
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Show your rug to maximum effect
If your room is an unconventional shape, display your rug at an angle — a tactic that can also work well in a bedroom, ensuring that the beauty of a rug isn’t hidden by a bed. This is especially effective when the carpet itself, or its design, isn’t perfectly symmetrical.