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Modern rugs: The best addition to refresh your home's interior

When you're designing a room from scratch or giving a room a makeover, a good place to start is the floor. The flooring decor you choose will set the tone for the entire space, and rugs give you the opportunity to really make a statement. These days, there are so many different types of modern rugs to choose from which can not only breath new life into a space but add warmth, depth and cohesion.

Rugs can change the entire vibe of your home's interior due to its ability to pull the entire look together. However, choosing the right rug is often a challenging task because there are a lot of factors that you need to consider, from size and shape to colour and design. But with the help of the following tips, you can easily find the right rug for your space.

How modern rugs can transform your room

Have you ever noticed how a new piece of furniture or art can completely transform the look and feel of a room? The same goes for rugs. A new rug can update your decor. Whether you’re looking to add a pop of colour or simply want to change the vibe of your room, a new rug is a great way to do it.

How? Well, for starters, rugs can help to define a space and create a focal point. They can also be used to add colour and pattern to a room, and can even help to muffle noise. Plus, they’re just plain cosy! There’s nothing quite like sinking your toes into a soft, plush rug at the end of a long day. There are endless ways to use rugs to transform your space, so it’s no wonder they’re such a popular choice.

The factors to consider

There are a lot of factors that you need to consider before making the choice, but thankfully there are plenty of modern rugs online making it easy to find the perfect one. These are the primary aspects that you should focus on while picking a rug for your place:

Size

One of the first and foremost aspects that you need to keep in mind while choosing a rug is the size. It is important to make sure that the rug is not too small or too big for the room. If it is too small then it will look odd and potentially give the illusion of a smaller space, while if it is too big then it will cover up the entire floor and make the space look cluttered. Hence, it is important to get the measurements right before making a purchase.

Shape

Another important aspect that you need to keep in mind while choosing a rug is the shape. You need to make sure that the shape of the rug is in harmony with the shape of the room. For example, if you have a rectangular room then rectangular rug would be a good choice. However, if you have a round table in the middle of the room, then a round rug is a good pick.

Colour and design

Finally, the colour and design of the rug will have the greatest influence over the look and feel of your space. The rug should be in sync with the colour palette of the room. This doesn’t necessarily mean it needs to be matchy-matchy but rather the design of the rug should complement the overall theme and can even rebalance the space.

With these tips, you can easily choose the right rug for your home.

How to create space definition

First, let's define what space definition is. In interior design, space definition is creating a space where each area has a purpose and a place. It's important to have space definition in your home because it makes your home feel more put-together and intentional. There are a few ways you can create space definition in your home, and rugs are one of the best items to do so.

Rugs are a great way to create space definition because they can help delineate an area for a specific activity. For example, if you have an open concept living and dining room, you can use a rug to define each zone. This will help create a clear separation between the two spaces and make each feel more distinct. Rugs can also help draw the eye to a space and help detract away from others. If your living room shares a space with your home office set up, you may choose to place a large rug under the main living room zone but not one under your home office to draw attenion away from it. If you're looking for a modern living room rug to refresh your home with, shop our collection of modern rugs online.

How to select the right size rug

Size is one of the most important factors that you need to consider when purchasing a rug because it can either make or break the look of your home. Modern rugs come in a variety of sizes, from small to large, so it's important to select the right size for your space.

As a general rule, the rug should be placed at least 30cm away from walls (unless it's sitting under a large piece of furniture against a wall like a couch) so that there is enough space for people to walk around as well as provide much needed negative space which helps an area feels uncluttered. If your area allows, you’ll also want your rug to be ideally a minimum of 30cm wider on most sides once you’ve placed your furniture on it to help ground the space. Having said that, if you're torn bigger tends to be better. As with other large furniture and decor items, large pieces tends to make an area look more generous and contrary to belief, can give the illusion of a small space looking larger.

You want the rug to be an anchor for the space, so it should be big enough to ground all of the furniture in a room or zone for an open plan area. For example, in a living room, the rug should be large enough to fit under the coffee table and all of the chairs. In a dining room, the rug should be large enough to fit under the table and all of the chairs, with at least 30-50cm showing on all sides. You also want to be able to comfortably pull your dining chairs out and back without getting caught on the rug's edges. Make sure to measure the space before you shop and know the maximum size rug that will fit.

When it comes to smaller rooms, this rule doesn’t always apply. In rooms, such as bedrooms and studies, smaller rugs can sometimes be used in the middle of a space, freestanding away from furniture pieces, especially if it's an interesting shape i.e. round, star or something organic so you can see the full design. However, the ideal in this case, is for the edges of your rug to still sit under at least one piece of furniture to provide a level of cohesion. Just remember that your rug, furniture and room should look in proportion.

In a nutshell:

  • If you have a small space, such as a studio apartment, choose a smaller rug that will not overwhelm the room.
  • If you have a large space, such as a living room or dining room, choose a larger rug that will anchor the space.
  • Fun colours are a good choice if the rest of the room is neutral.
  • Look for inspiration online or in magazines to get an idea of what size rug will work best in your space.
  • Don't forget to measure out not only your room size but the ideal area you'd like your rug to cover before you shop.

How to select the right shape rug

When it comes to shape, there are no hard and fast rules. It really depends on the space and the look you are going for. So, take some time to google to help imagine what will look best in your space.

The shape of the rug can also help to define the space and create a certain mood. For example, a round rug will create a more intimate feeling, while a rectangular rug tends to look more formal. If you have a lot of furniture in the space, you may want to choose a rectangular rug so that all of the furniture can fit on it. If you have a smaller space, you may want to choose a round rug to help define the space.

You can also use the shape of the rug to create visual interest in the space. For example, if you have a square room, you may want to choose a round rug to help soften the space. Or, if you have a long, narrow room, you may want to choose a rectangular rug to once again, define different zones.

How to select colour, texture and add interest

For instance, if the elements in a room are looking too homogenous i.e., too much of the same colour, shape or general style, you could feature a rug in an opposing shade, tone, pattern or texture to add a level of contrast. Using an extra fluffy rug can soften the sharp lines of modern furniture, if your room and it’s pieces are of a neutral, light-coloured palette, you could introduce a mid century rug in a gorgeously rich, darker pattern to add a layer of depth and make a statement. Contrasting elements creates interest in your interior design and add a more luxurious feel to your space.

Texture in the form of patterns, either introduced by the rug’s pile or weave, can play a leading or supporting role in the room’s design. A high-pile, plush rug can introduce comfort and luxury, while a low-pile, looped rug can be a more durable option for high traffic areas. And, of course, there are dozens of weave patterns to choose from, each with their own unique look and feel.

Colour is another important aspect of choosing the right rug. A rug can either be the star of the show or simply enhance without detracting from another statement piece. If you want the rug to be the main feature, then choose a colour that will really pop and make a statement. But, if you want the rug to play a more subtle role, choose a colour that will blend in with the other design elements in the room.

Interest can be created by layering multiple rugs to a room. If you have a large, open space, then you can use a smaller or different shaped rug to define different areas. For example, you could use a rug to create a reading nook or a conversation area. Rugs can also be used to add visual interest. For example, a rug with a bold pattern can be a real treat for the eyes and be the talked about feature in your home.

When it comes to choosing the right rug, there are endless possibilities. But, by keeping these three things in mind – colour, texture and interest – you can narrow down your choices and find the perfect rug for your space.

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