Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Inspiration

These are the best rug designs for a traditionally-decorated home

Kathleen Ostrander
By

Choosing a rug is a big deal. It’s going to be there for a while—maybe a long while—and you will likely be arranging your room around the rug. Any rug you choose should mesh well with your decor style and your lifestyle. As with any decor piece, whether your home is decorated in the bohemian, retro, rustic or traditional style, it’s important that your rug fits the motif and works practically within your home.

traditional living room with rugDo you really need a rug?

Rugs are great for a variety of practical and decorative uses. Rugs add depth and texture to your space; they also reduce echo and are good for noise control, which is an essential when working from home with the kids in the house. For more open floor plans, rugs can define a space or unify an area. Rugs can also change the scale of a room, and they are an easy “refresh” or decor update option.

Recommended Videos

There’s a symmetry to the traditional style that we find elegant but still comfortable. Keep that in mind when you are looking at designs for your rugs. It is likely the living room will be where you will put the largest rug. Once you pick a traditional living room rug, you can keep the color and pattern in mind to keep the rest of your decor cohesive.

Related

living room with rug and coffee tableTraditional rugs

A wool rug is a good bet for a living room rug. Most Oriental and Persian rugs — two popular traditional styles — are usually wool or a wool blend. 100% wool rugs are a great investment because they stand up to use, and the pattern doesn’t wear down.

In theory, you can get a real Oriental or Persian rug for your traditional living room, but if there’s a lot of foot traffic, you will regret that choice. If the kids, the dog, and an occasional frog or two are going to be in the living room, opt for a design in the vein of traditional but in a material that will wear well. Additionally, keep the weave of the rug in mind – clunky textured weaves may look inviting but could make it difficult for coffee tables and end tables to sit flat on the ground.

kitchen runner rug
Beazy/Unsplash

Not just for the living room

Depending on your home setup, a rug could be a great addition to your kitchen, dining room or bedroom. A traditional Oriental or Persian patterned rug will work under the dining room table. If your dining room is trending more towards neutrals like tans, soft grays, ivory, or taupe, look for those colors in the patterns or the border.

A rug in the kitchen may or may not work depending on the traffic and how many people are regularly cooking at the same time. If you have room to play with, a runner in front of the refrigerator will provide an accent and also continue the cohesive decor. Look for thinner rugs in washable materials to account for the inevitable spill or errant coffee drip.

A small rug in the bathroom will help it look a little brighter and more put together. Here you can use pastel tones of the colors you used in the living room. And, if you’re gravitating to the chevron pattern that is on trend right now, it will work in the bathroom as well as in the bedroom.

Rugs are an investment, but they’re also a quality addition to your home that can pull your spaces together and make guests and residents feel warm and welcome. By choosing rugs that match your desired design, pattern, color and material, you can elevate your space and add that little extra something to your home.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Kathleen Ostrander
Kathleen Ostrander
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kathleen has worked for United Press International and she's written about everything from style to pets for newspapers…
6 modern cabin decorating tips you need to know to avoid a kitschy design
Try these amazing tips to modernize your cabin decor
modern log cabin living room and dining room interior design

Cabins radiate a sense of coziness, warmth, and comfort for the lucky homeowners who get to experience their atmosphere. However, there is a tendency for these spaces to become dark, kitschy, and overwhelming when improperly decorated.

With so many earthy textures and dark tones to work with in the design, it can be challenging for homeowners to create a gorgeous, modern space. What you truly need is a fresh take on traditional cabin decor that will brighten the room and restore that sense of comfort and coziness that you adore.

Read more
The best green paint colors for a soothing, sophisticated home
Recommendations for warm and cool green tones to add to your space
Green wall color with plant nearby

Green is a color we’re seeing everywhere in home design. Named Color of the Year for 2022 by many of the most prominent names in the paint industry, green is a trendy hue that you can expect to see in many interior designs in the foreseeable future. Green has an incredible way of adding a sense of vibrance and authenticity to your space. So, if you’re a homeowner in need of a soothing and sophisticated shade, then green might be just what you’ve been looking for.

This color can help you invite a renewed sense of vitality and energy to a space, making it perfect for homeowners looking to change up their existing palette. While green was trending in home design as 2022's "it" color, it has become a popular staple even as we venture into the coming years. So, it's safe to assume that this wonderful shade will likely add a timeless and natural look to any space. If you're eager to incorporate green into your design scheme, here are some of the best green paint colors to inspire your next renovation.

Read more
These apps that use AR for furniture placement are amazing
Check out these interior design apps that use AR to help you style your space
person using an augmented reality app for home design

Sometimes we just need a change. Whether this means rearranging existing furniture or purchasing a brand new sectional, redecorating the home is a quick and easy way to give yourself a change of scenery. Now, you don't even have to push couches back and forth to determine their best placement or purchase a table without knowing for sure how it will fit with the rest of your decor.

Advancements in technology have revolutionized the way we go about interior design. AR technology has paved a new path for many designers and homeowners, allowing them to superimpose furniture right in their living room. If you're a pioneer in the home design space or simply love using tech to style the space of your dreams, take a look at these AR interior design apps that will make the next remodel smooth and easy.

Read more