Contemporary Rugs - A Definitive Guide to Rug Design and Colour

Consider the existing colours of a room

Take a step back and consider the general overview of the room. If it already includes a wide array of colours, don’t overwhelm it by adding yet another hue. Instead draw on existing accent tones, such as those found in cushions or artwork. This will help create a sense of synergy. However, don’t feel they have to be exact matches- often a slightly lighter or darker shade will work just as well.

If you have a boldly coloured sofa or walls, a primarily neutral rug can help break up the large areas of colour. This will create a more restful space.

For a more neutral room, a contemporary rug can be the perfect way to inject colour. If you’re not very confident in choosing from scratch, be inspired by magazine photographs or choose colours from a favourite painting or fabric print. Alternatively, you can try layering different shades of neutrals. However, ensure you choose a rug that provides a significant contrast with the sofa fabric, and ideally also the floor and walls, or the room will lack depth.

Consider the amount of light in the room

For a room that is a little on the dark side, introducing a pale coloured rug can have transformative effect, drawing in light and enhancing the space to make it appear larger. However in the correct setting, dark rugs also have their advantages. They can work splendidly in rooms with a lot of natural sunlight, giving a more dramatic effect than a paler rug.

Consider the colour of the flooring

When choosing a rug to complement a floor, there are differences in opinion on whether to camouflage or contrast. In our view, it is the undertones of the wood colour that matter the most. Woods that have cool or yellowy undertones such as grey oaks and walnuts work well with grey and blue rugs, whereas those with warmer, more reddish undertones combine well with other warm colours.

Consider the purpose of the room and the effect you want to achieve

Julia Green from Greenhouse Interiors says; ‘remember, rugs can either quieten the volume of a room, or turn it up!’ Ask yourself the mood you want to create in the room and if you want the rug to make a statement or be absorbed into the background. A dark richly coloured rug can make a room more cosy and intimate, whereas a bright or light colour can be more energizing. Pale neutral or pastel colours are calming so are the ideal choice for a bedroom for example. Practicality should also be considered, so avoid black or white in high traffic areas; a medium tone neutral or grey rug will be the most forgiving to everyday use.

Find out more about the impact of rug colours at https://bazaarvelvet.com/rug-colour-guide/

Building a room around a rug

Many designers, such as Staffan Tollgard,  create their interior schemes from the floor up. ‘We choose one or two patterned fabrics or look to a contemporary rug or piece of art and then draw out a colour link from that.’ This can be a really easy way to create a colour scheme for a room.

There are other advantages too. It’s great to have the opportunity to buy a rug you really love, rather than just one that fits with items you already have. It’s much easier to find fabrics to complement the colour of your rug, rather than the other way around. Remember a good quality hand knotted rug can last a lifetime.

Colour’s Summarised: