1. Natural Fibers
With the urgent need to reduce our impact on the environment, many homeowners are increasingly opting for sustainable, natural materials. Spun from plant fibers, materials such as Jute, sisal, coir and seagrass are both biodegradable and renewable, plus they offer a beautiful array of tones and textures that bring a wonderful organic feel to interiors. Due to their flatweave composition and durability, rugs made from these materials work well in busy areas with high footfall such as kitchens and living rooms. Above, a Jute dining room rug brings essential texture to the neutral, rustic scheme.
2. Geometric Rugs
We're seeing geometric rugs everywhere right now, and it's easy to see why, as they are wonderfully versatile. Small-scale checks are great for bringing easy-to-live with color and pattern, while larger-scale abstract designs such as this from Tate & Derby make a wonderful focal point.
3. Borders
From designs with scalloped edges to checkered borders, rugs with decorative flourishes around the perimeter are a great way to add gentle pattern to a scheme. We're also seeing interior designers use the motif as a clever visual device to add depth and draw attention to certain aspects of a room.
4. Corlorful Kilims
Woven from wool by nomadic tribes across countries including Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, traditional kilim rugs are loved for their vibrant colors and geometric patterns. They make a great focal point in a neutral room but as they encompass a huge array of tones they would also complement a variety of decorating palettes.
5. Berber Rugs
In a market saturated with mass-made designs, many homeowners are turning to handmade rugs to bring unique character into their homes. Made using traditional techniques by the Berber nomadic tribes in Morocco, authentic Berber rugs are completely unique. While no two are the same, similarities can be traced in the designs of each tribe such as the Beni Ourain designs which are characterized by loose geometric patterns, shaggy deep pile composition and neutral tones.
6. Antique Rugs
Displaying exquisite handcraftsmanship and often unrivaled in quality, antique rugs are enduringly popular among interior designers and homeowners looking for traditional decorating ideas, but they can work wonderfully in contemporary settings, too.
7. Neutrals
Decorating with neutrals is on-trend right now, but the beauty of them is that they never really go out of fashion. Opting for a neutral rug makes a versatile foundation for a room as it can work with so many different looks – layer it with a subtle array of warm neutrals for a calming, sophisticated look, or use it as a blank canvas for layering brighter colors and patterns.
8. Outdoor Rugs
As more people embrace outdoor living, weatherproof outdoor rugs made from synthetic materials are growing in popularity to help make the garden feel like an extension of the home.
9. Rugs In The Kitchen
'A rug is a great way to add elements of texture, color, and pattern to a kitchen which is often full of hard surfaces and straight angles. It softens the feel of the room, adds warmth and comfort, and helps with acoustics by lessening the impact of sounds,' advises Nani Marquina, founder and designer at nanimarquina.
10. Luxurious Texture
Texture is an important way to bring depth and interest to otherwise neutral schemes. Inspired by the Red Rocks of Sedona, Arizona, which are thought to contain mystical healing powers, this hand-knotted rug by Jennifer Manners boasts beautiful variations in tone and gentle abstract patterning making it a fabulous textural backdrop for a calming living room.
11. Statement Stair Runners
Hallways can easily be overlooked when it comes to interior decor, but increasingly we're seeing interior designers treating them in new and exciting ways. As the first space guests see when entering your home they make a fabulous space for showcasing your personal style. Here, interior designer, Lizzie Green added a vibrant stair runner idea to bring a playful twist to a traditional hallway.