Interior Obsessions – the Rug

Last week’s look at coffee tables inspired the focus for today’s post as those tables often sat upon area rugs of different shapes and sizes. I love wood, tile and stone floors in a space, and am often wary of using wall-to-wall carpeting, but sometimes rooms with hard surface floors can feel cold or empty. The area rug is a perfect way to solve this issue. It provides a softer surface for often-used areas, and is certainly warmer on the toes as you step out of bed and avoid a tile floor first thing in the morning. Rugs can help delineate a space within a larger area like a great room, where a large expanse of the same flooring material can feel overwhelming.

A great way to add visual texture to your space, rugs are available in all colors, sizes, materials and finishes. From an old fashioned wool oriental to animal hides, the options go on and on. If your furniture is a little on the drab side, consider adding a punch of color or a geometric pattern. White works great, especially in a more textural or fluffy finish. Natural grass or jute rugs work equally as well, and can help provide a more casual, beachy feel, or even enhance a zen-like space. Rugs can be used in virtually any room – entries can be warmed up with a runner, seating areas delineated with a larger piece, bathrooms can have a soft place to set your just-showered feet. And don’t overlook the use of modular floor tiles to create your own area rug – it’s fun, fairly inexpensive and can be rearranged as you wish.

(above) Geometric Patterning

Textural White and White and Fluffy

Traditional Oriental

Large Hide and Hide Rugs in Bedroom

Circular Natural

Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.