Designer rugs – how to find the right one for your home
- Finding the right rug size
- Which rug for which room?
- A short guide to materials
- Choosing the right colour
- Care: how to clean your rug
1. Finding the right rug size
As a basic rule, a rug that's too small can easily get lost visually. It's better to choose a larger model. This way, your sofa, table and other furniture don't look too bulky and blend harmoniously into the overall look of the room. So the size of the rug always depends on the size of the room.
A designer rug is the ideal size when it is around 60 centimetres shorter than the shortest wall in the room. A rug placed in front of or under the sofa should extend around 30 centimetres on each side. This creates a sense of space and openness.
"For perfect proportions, a slightly larger rug is usually the better choice. Even though a rug lies flat on the floor, it still confidently defines a zone, whether it's the sofa corner or the dining area. These zones immediately feel more spacious, and the individual pieces of furniture look less bulky in comparison." – Kerstin, interior expert
In large rooms, you can create living islands by placing all your furniture on a generously sized rug. Two functional areas, such as a sofa corner and a dining area, can be visually separated with two different rugs.
2. Which rug for which room?
Living room rugs: In the living room, a rug mainly serves to visually connect the sofa, coffee table and armchairs into a living island. If your living room is particularly large, it's a good idea to place all the furniture on a large designer rug to give the room more structure. In smaller rooms, the edges of the rug extending beyond the furniture make the room look bigger and the furniture more delicate.
Dining room rugs: Placed under the dining table and chairs, a dining room rug reduces noise and creates an inviting look. Here, the rug should be at least 70 centimetres longer than the table on all sides so the chairs don't catch on the edge when you move them. Note: for a round dining table, you should also choose a round rug.
Bedroom rugs: In the bedroom, there are many ways to place your designer rug decoratively. Two runners beside the bed, a large rug completely under the bed or a round rug half underneath – all ensure warm feet and a cosy atmosphere in the bedroom.
Rugs for rooms with special requirements: If you're looking for an outdoor rug, make sure the material is particularly robust and weatherproof. In the bathroom, decorative, generously sized bath mats that absorb moisture and feel soft underfoot are a good choice. In open through areas, you can use one or more rugs to structure different zones.
3. A short guide to materials
A high-quality designer rug is often made of natural materials that create a harmonious feel. Easy-care wool rugs and sheepskins look homely and create a cosy atmosphere.
Felt is a relatively new material in rug production. This natural material can be used to create unusual designs – like the Pinocchio rug by HAY, which has become a modern classic. Felt rugs are also particularly robust, which makes them a good choice for entrance areas or playrooms.
For the dining area in an open-plan kitchen, for conservatories and for nature-inspired rooms, a jute or hemp rug is an interesting choice: they are hard-wearing, durable and create a natural atmosphere.
Bamboo is one of the fastest-growing plants on earth, which makes bamboo rugs particularly sustainable and environmentally friendly. The rugs are also very lightweight yet highly robust.
Synthetic fibres such as polyester are a good option for many living spaces: they are easy to clean and come in a wide variety of patterns and shapes. For all rugs: when they're new, some shedding is normal and can easily be removed with a vacuum cleaner.
4. Choosing the right colour
In general, light and warm colours look inviting and make a room feel airy. Dark colours and bold patterns make a room look smaller, so they work best in large rooms. Small rugs in strong colours become an eye-catcher in plain corners.
Do you like colour? Then you'll find a wide variety of patterns and colour gradients among our creative designer rugs. A rug can be modern or retro in style – like the Non Flying Carpet by Fatboy with its modern take on oriental style.
Depending on where you use the rug, different colour schemes are possible. If you love a romantic interior style, a pink rug adds the right accents, for example in the bedroom or children's room. A grey rug suits an industrial interior or creates an interesting contrast in a classic setting – like the Oona designer rug by Normann Copenhagen. A blue rug looks particularly cosy in interiors with dark wood.
5. Care: how to clean your rug
Thanks to their natural oils, wool and cotton get dirty less quickly than synthetic fibres and are fairly water-resistant. They also stay beautiful for a long time, so you can enjoy your new designer rug for years. In general, natural materials are very easy to care for, and stains can easily be removed with soap and water. You can treat stubborn stains with a special carpet foam.
Test for colourfastness first, ideally on the underside of the rug. For all rugs: vacuum regularly to remove dirt. If the rug still looks worn after a while, professional rug cleaning can make it look like new again. This can be done by a specialist rug cleaner.
Buy designer rugs online at Connox – your benefits at a glance
- high-quality original rugs from top design brands
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- fair delivery costs
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- delivery in just a few working days
Shopping advice at Connox
Would you like to buy designer rugs online but need some help? Our customer service team is always happy to help. We'll support you with advice while you shop, make recommendations and answer your questions quickly. Then simply sit back and have your chosen item delivered straight to your door.
