Cut a rug (or two)

Lily Rug

Rugs have always been a popular household item. In recent years, however, their popularity has grown because so many people favour wooden floorboards over carpet, and wooden floorboards really do need a rug.

Whether you have floorboard or carpet, however, a strategically placed rug can create an entirely new look in any room.

If you want to add warmth and texture to a room, then choose a rug in a warm and neutral tone – think beige, chocolate or mocha. These tones also suit most colour schemes and look timeless and elegant.

Perhaps you want to add an element of surprise to a room – do you want to create a feeling of crazy, bohemian exuberance? Then have a few mismatched items in your room, of which your rug should be the biggest and boldest. Choose a rug with a bold print or pattern, a must-feel texture and a good size – and make sure it clashes with your wallpaper!

Maybe it’s the other way round. Perhaps you have a muted room that you want to bring some life to, but in a more classic way. Assuming that your walls and soft furnishings are in plain tones, choose a rug in which incorporates that colour but mixes it with a bold pattern in a contrasting colour. This Lily Rug is a fine example as it has a striking yet classic floral pattern against a muted backdrop.