Decorating With Rugs: From Craft to Art Form
Learn how rugs can bring warmth and beauty into your home
Sophie Seeger
26 August 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior Design Institute, abstract artist and designer of rugs and textiles for soft-furnishings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior... More
Rugs have been giving us beauty and comfort for millennia, and are the glue that brings the other furnishings together in a room. Shepherds first knotted wool into heavy woven cloths to provide them with protection from the elements, and these later evolved into floor coverings.
The art of designing, dying and making rugs spread to tribes, villages and towns across the world – and are still prized as valuable items of great beauty. In our homes, they resolve a room’s decor while offering comfort to us, our children and our beloved pets. Besides the practical appeal of rugs, from a decorating perspective they can transform a space, define a style, act as a feature or be the starting point for decorating a room. If you ever thought that your room was missing something – it could be a rug.
There is an enormous variety of rugs available, including the work of tribal artisans from around the world; the name of the rug is often linked to the village from which that weaving technique, knotting or design originated. The rug is an art form that has travelled the world, and can travel right into your home along with its unique story. Let’s journey through some options to give your home the comfort and impressiveness it deserves.
The art of designing, dying and making rugs spread to tribes, villages and towns across the world – and are still prized as valuable items of great beauty. In our homes, they resolve a room’s decor while offering comfort to us, our children and our beloved pets. Besides the practical appeal of rugs, from a decorating perspective they can transform a space, define a style, act as a feature or be the starting point for decorating a room. If you ever thought that your room was missing something – it could be a rug.
There is an enormous variety of rugs available, including the work of tribal artisans from around the world; the name of the rug is often linked to the village from which that weaving technique, knotting or design originated. The rug is an art form that has travelled the world, and can travel right into your home along with its unique story. Let’s journey through some options to give your home the comfort and impressiveness it deserves.
Make a statement
A black and white rug is a statement piece and a wide stripe gives the illusion of a larger room. Here, the rug pulls all the elements together and truly unites the scheme.
Tip: Choose the right rug for the size of the space. For your dining room, I would suggest selecting a rug that is big enough for the chairs to move in and out without getting caught on the rug’s edge. If unsure of your room sizes, a standard rug size for under a coffee table is 160 x 230mm; and for a large standard size for a dining or sitting room, go for a 200 x 290mm.
A black and white rug is a statement piece and a wide stripe gives the illusion of a larger room. Here, the rug pulls all the elements together and truly unites the scheme.
Tip: Choose the right rug for the size of the space. For your dining room, I would suggest selecting a rug that is big enough for the chairs to move in and out without getting caught on the rug’s edge. If unsure of your room sizes, a standard rug size for under a coffee table is 160 x 230mm; and for a large standard size for a dining or sitting room, go for a 200 x 290mm.
Transport yourself to Morocco
Beni Ourain rugs are in vogue right now and are here to stay. They are made by the rural Berber tribes of Morocco and each one is unique. They are handmade, double-knotted and are 100 per cent natural wool that is undyed. Traditionally used as bedding, they are subtle in design with a white or cream pile, and can carry a geometric design which lives well in any decorating scheme.
Tip: If you love the feel of shag under your feet but not necessarily the look, then these rugs are the answer.
Step inside this loft
Beni Ourain rugs are in vogue right now and are here to stay. They are made by the rural Berber tribes of Morocco and each one is unique. They are handmade, double-knotted and are 100 per cent natural wool that is undyed. Traditionally used as bedding, they are subtle in design with a white or cream pile, and can carry a geometric design which lives well in any decorating scheme.
Tip: If you love the feel of shag under your feet but not necessarily the look, then these rugs are the answer.
Step inside this loft
Double up for a chic look
An animal hide or faux animal rug looks great layered over a neutral natural rug, adding a touch of the exotic to an interior.
Tip: Decorate with a glass coffee table to allow the rug to shine as well as adding the illusion of more space.
An animal hide or faux animal rug looks great layered over a neutral natural rug, adding a touch of the exotic to an interior.
Tip: Decorate with a glass coffee table to allow the rug to shine as well as adding the illusion of more space.
Bring nature into your room
If you prefer a monochromatic scheme, then add a natural rug such as seagrass, sisal or jute to bring texture to the furnishings. Natural rugs suit country, seaside and city homes. They are timeless and easy to decorate around as they don’t vie for attention.
Tip: When choosing a rug for a bedroom, take into consideration the size of the room and also what type of bed you have. For beds on legs, I prefer to see the rug under the bed (like in this room above) to give flow to the room. If your bed is an ensemble, you can place a smaller rug horizontally at the base of the bed; have two smaller rug/runners on either side of the bed, or place the rug under the bed but just up to where the bedside tables begin. This will give a formal finish to a room but still offer comfort when you step down in the morning.
If you prefer a monochromatic scheme, then add a natural rug such as seagrass, sisal or jute to bring texture to the furnishings. Natural rugs suit country, seaside and city homes. They are timeless and easy to decorate around as they don’t vie for attention.
Tip: When choosing a rug for a bedroom, take into consideration the size of the room and also what type of bed you have. For beds on legs, I prefer to see the rug under the bed (like in this room above) to give flow to the room. If your bed is an ensemble, you can place a smaller rug horizontally at the base of the bed; have two smaller rug/runners on either side of the bed, or place the rug under the bed but just up to where the bedside tables begin. This will give a formal finish to a room but still offer comfort when you step down in the morning.
Inject pizzazz into your life
If you prefer to live with a neutral scheme in your furnishings but don’t want your room to look bland, use a brightly coloured rug or one with a bold print to inject colour or visual excitement.
Tip: A smaller rug can work well in a room if all the pieces of furniture are not touching the rug.
Be inspired by these patterned flooring options
If you prefer to live with a neutral scheme in your furnishings but don’t want your room to look bland, use a brightly coloured rug or one with a bold print to inject colour or visual excitement.
Tip: A smaller rug can work well in a room if all the pieces of furniture are not touching the rug.
Be inspired by these patterned flooring options
Set the tone
A rug can set the tone of the room and can be the starting point if you’re decorating from scratch. Here, the furniture has been chosen to complement the tone of the rug.
A rug can set the tone of the room and can be the starting point if you’re decorating from scratch. Here, the furniture has been chosen to complement the tone of the rug.
Give your ottoman a new face
As seen here, kilim rugs make excellent upholstery as they are durable, don’t have a pile but are soft enough to manipulate.
As seen here, kilim rugs make excellent upholstery as they are durable, don’t have a pile but are soft enough to manipulate.
Combine comfort and fun
Kids love a pop of colour – a rug can play the starring role in a bedroom where they can lounge and read in style.
Kids love a pop of colour – a rug can play the starring role in a bedroom where they can lounge and read in style.
Keep it dark from the floor up
A rug with dark tones works well on a dark floor – it weights the room.
Tip: Use a rug to help the eye transition from one space to another; as well as add interest to a long or large space.
A rug with dark tones works well on a dark floor – it weights the room.
Tip: Use a rug to help the eye transition from one space to another; as well as add interest to a long or large space.
Hang a woven artwork
A rug on the wall is an interesting and textural artwork that can be as unique as a signed original. On a practical level, apart from adding warmth, a rug can help with the acoustics.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Have you ever collected a rug on your travels from an exotic place where the technique is still traditional? Share your story with us in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
12 No-Fail Ways to Make Any Room Look Better
16 Clever Ways to Create Zones in Open-Plan Spaces
A rug on the wall is an interesting and textural artwork that can be as unique as a signed original. On a practical level, apart from adding warmth, a rug can help with the acoustics.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Have you ever collected a rug on your travels from an exotic place where the technique is still traditional? Share your story with us in the comments section below.
MORE IDEABOOKS
12 No-Fail Ways to Make Any Room Look Better
16 Clever Ways to Create Zones in Open-Plan Spaces
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Berber rugs have a mystical essence, the ancient symbols they carry conceal a universal language that seems to unite cultures and embellish so many homes.
Visit our online store to discover a collection of handmade treasures for the well-traveled soul:
https://bohoconvention.com/