Creative Ideas: Decorating With Rugs To Make An Impact

Image Credit - Annie Selke

A great rug can transform a space. Your home environment should be personal to you, it should be a place where you can express yourself and show off your unique and individualised sense of style. Flat weave rugs are versatile decorating tools that add texture, warmth and comfort to any living environment. In fact, some area rugs have such gorgeous patterns and luxurious textures that it feels wrong to walk all over them. So don't. Instead, take a cue from these creative ways to shake up your rug game and give your favourite rug the attention it deserves.

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DINE ON IT 

Image Credit (left to right) - Cult Furniture, Feng Shui Dana

We love how rugs add so much character to a space, and the dining area is no different: A fun and unique way to use them is casually draped over the chair seats or bench, they create chic setting for meals, while also adding lots of cosy texture. Alternatively, dress up a basic wooden table by placing a rug underneath. This addition will cosy-up a hard wooden or industrial look, but they’re also practical and add a bit of comfort as well. You can use a larger piece to define the space and consider layering as a decorative touch. A bonus? Layering can help to unify a mismatched dining set, keep the design light for an airy feel or add some graphic patterns for a statement look.

DRESS YOUR BED

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Love a minimalist bedroom but still crave a bit of colour and pattern? Try topping your bedding with a fringed flat-weave rug. When the bed is made, it creates a perfectly subtle yet inviting look. When it’s time to climb under the covers, simply fold the rug down to the foot of the bed. This setup is especially ideal for the summer months, as it takes a heavy duvet out of the equation.

SEPARATE YOUR SPACE 

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Sometimes you have to take risks, even if it is seemingly weird or strange. There are so many different ways textiles can be used beyond their original purpose. One of our favourite ideas is to see a rug masquerading as a door. I know some of you may be reading this thinking I’m certifiably fit for the loony bin. However, sometimes you have to think out of the box and try something new, hanging a rug in the doorway allows you to gain some distance and space between rooms, while also bringing bohemian inspiration to the setting.

LIVEN UP YOUR LIVING ROOM

Put a twist on it! 

Image Credit (left to right) - Know Feng Shui, Digs Digs

We’re continuously looking for ways to amp up a living space. A rug is a sure way to make a significant impact and to transform a neutral room with vibrant colour and texture. If you want a quick way to revive your seating, no upholstery or slipcovers required - Rugs look super cool when they are draped over a sofa, an eye-catching flat-weave can create a totally new look: choose a rug that’s a few inches shallower than the sofa, smooth the rug down and tuck it into the seam. Following the same method, you can use a flat-weave rug to effortlessly update an upholstered ottoman, armchair or cushion, completing your soulfully chic living area.

HANG THEM

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Sometimes your living room is just too overcrowded and your rug won’t get the attention it craves when used as a floor dressing. With rich, vibrant hues and intricate, handwoven designs, many vintage rugs are true works of art, so why not give them pride of place on your wall? They are not that different from tapestries that used to adorn castle walls. A perfect example of the versatility of rugs as art, the rug brings in a beautiful burst of vivacious colour and pattern.

LAYER THEM

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The layering effect! Layering is simply putting one rug on top of another. It creates a distinct look that is hard to achieve with a single rug. The base rug should be larger than the ones that you put on top, and it’s important to combine colours and different textures in the layered rugs so that the design doesn’t look flat.

OUR RUG CHOICES

Rug Choices (left to right) - ACADIA, GISELLE, ELLYSON, NIKOLAI, UMA, DEVON

For more tips and inspiration for how to put your rugs on display, check out our Pro Guide To Perfect Rug Placement