How to pick the perfect rug

To me, rugs are the subliminal element in any room. You see them out of the corner of your eye and, as such, they should be the last thing you notice. When you do, the room should all make sense. It is therefore key that the rug should be considered the foundation of your room but also that it doesn’t dominate the space it is inhabiting.

When we help people find the right rug for the space it is a bit like acting as a GP for the room. You go into the house and you look at the wallpaper, the colours, the light. All of these clues enable you to judge what the room needs. Of course, some would say it is more of an art than a science but there are some key elements to consider particularly in reference to what room you are working with.

The sitting room

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In the sitting room, the size is the most important thing to consider. The front legs of the furniture should sit on the rugs. However, if your space is open plan you can create a room within a room by using rugs to denote different zones. In this case the furniture should sit entirely on the rug. In terms of weaves, Persian is the most sophisticated and works best in a formal space. Berber works well if it’s a more informal environment as the looser weave creates an appealing space in which to relax.

A staircase

As a busy area of the home a high knot count and tighter weave will work best. It is also a great space to use pattern, not only because it tends to be a simpler space so something bold can work well, but it can also hide a multitude of sins which is unavoidable in a busy home. Graphics work really well here for example stripes and IKAT prints.

An entrance hall

As the introduction to your home, this area really sets the tone and style of the house. It is an area which can hold a strong colour and bold design. Colour works well in a hall as it is often these spaces which have less light than other areas. Bear in mind an entrance hall rug will be seen from a lot of different angles depending on your route when you enter or leave the home. This area can also take more unusual shapes, for example circles and octagons as opposed to the more conventional square or rectangle rugs. As with the staircase, the rug will get a lot of action so a high knot count will be best. A heavier weave will also create a sturdier more enticing entrance which will not be bunched up.

The dining room

A rug in a dining room not only pulls the room together, as guests share the boundaries of the rug, but it softens the acoustics of a busy dining room table. It is important to ensure there is enough rug surrounding the table so that guests can push their chair back after a meal without coming off the rug.

A bedroom

A bedroom is the space where you will be barefoot most often, so choose texture and fabrics that feel great underfoot like cashmeres or Berber weaves both of which are tactile and sumptuous. In a child’s bedroom it is my belief that naivety of design goes a lot further in children’s rugs than violent colours or cartoon characters. Keep patterns simple and colours muted. For all bedrooms the rug should frame the bed well while ensuring there is enough room to pad around barefoot.

Established in 2003, Luke Irwin specialises in the design and manufacture of hand-knotted custom-made rugs. For more, visit lukeirwin.com or call +44 (0) 207 730 6070.

Luke Irwin