Top 6 Area Rug Trends

These rugs look like they came from a cool vintage shop, but they’re actually brand new (and a fraction of the price). The traditional designs on these rugs are a great way to infuse a dose of old-world charm into your room. They typically have a muted palette which mimics the look of an antique rug and can balance out a bold wall color.

Find a rug with colors that match your furniture and accessories to make the space feel cozy. If you’re trying to make a small space feel larger, choose a rug that’s almost the same color as your floor.

Neutral rugs look good in any space, which makes them perfect for homes with an open floor plan. An area rug defines each space, but the neutral colors ensures one room flows smoothly into the next. Having a neutral rug also makes it a cinch to swap out accessories on a whim. The key to a good neutral rug is finding one with a cool tone-on-tone pattern, texture or a fun fringe border to keep things interesting. Neutral doesn’t have to equal boring.

Distressed rugs also have an heirloom quality to them, but the pattern is more weathered and faded. Because of the intentionally imperfect design, this type of rug is ideal in high-traffic areas since they’re masters at hiding stains. The rug’s mixed colors will also pull together a room with multiple paint colors. Add a distressed rug to your dining room or living room, for a clean and cohesive look.

A striped rug, especially in a light color, will brighten up a room. Pay attention to the direction and the size of the stripes on the rug you choose. Vertical stripes will make the room appear longer, while horizontal stripes will give the appearance that the room is wider. The same goes for the width of the stripes. A smaller pattern adds depth to the space, while thick stripes act as a focal point.

Rugs with geometric shapes, like squares and triangles, go a long way in injecting personality into a space. If your room is on the minimal side, add contrast with a bold geometric pattern in a dark color. Geometric patterns can also create optical illusions and play tricks on your eyes. They may end up making your room look smaller than it actually is, so leave these rugs for a larger space like the living room.

Soft, faux fur rugs add an air of whimsy to any space. Sold in a standard rectangle or in an irregular shape meant to mimic a real animal hide, a faux fur rug makes any space feel luxurious. The softness is one reason these rugs are great for nurseries, closets and anywhere you’ll be walking barefoot frequently and won’t have a lot of outside foot-traffic. The long hairs on a faux fur rug mean this isn’t going to be the easiest one to clean, but the comfort level is hard to beat.

Adding an area rug to your room helps define the space and balance your design. When it comes to sizing, go big since a large rug makes the room feel larger. A good rule of thumb is the rug should be big enough for at least some of your furniture (like the front legs of your couch or the end of your bed) to sit on top of it.