28 rug ideas for every room in the house

Lara Sargent

Lara loves writing about every aspect of the home – from the latest colour trends to emerging designs. She has a lot of experience writing about home trends and interior advice for leading titles such as The Telegraph, Metro, and Homes & Gardens.

Rugs are arguably the most simple yet effective way to transform your home. Not only are they available in a huge array of colours, patterns and textures, but they also inject a warm, snuggly touch underfoot. And they’re naturally sound-absorbing too!

So what are you waiting for? Time to scroll through our inspiring rug ideas, trends and tips to add an extra layer of decoration to your laminate, vinyl, tile or carpet flooring and finish off every room in the house. Whether it’s the bedroom, living room, kitchen or even bathroom, we leave no room untouched by the creative possibilities of the humble rug.

Bedroom rug ideas

Comfort is key in the bedroom. So, if you want to ramp up the cosy factor you can’t beat bedroom rug ideas.  After all, this is a space that should invite a warm, restful mood.

So along with thick blankets, snuggly cushions and heavy curtains, make sure to rely on a rug to instil instant cosiness underfoot.

Warm up hard flooring

Bedrooms with hard floors such as flagstones or tiles are beautiful but can feel notoriously cold and uninviting underfoot. And bedrooms are one place in the house we want to feel relaxed and cocooned.

Laying down a rug – even a small one – is a game changer. Position rug ideas around the bed so when you get up each morning you can feel a warmth and softness underfoot.

Try mixing and matching a few different smaller rugs for a cool, eclectic look.

Cosy up a neutral scheme with faux sheepskin

If you want to add texture and cosiness to a neutral Scandi-inspired bedroom, you can’t go wrong with a faux sheepskin. In fact, thick pile rugs (those with longer fibres or loops) are one of the simplest ways to instil a sense of luxury into any room.

The soft plush surface is snug, decorative and versatile and is the perfect decorative touch to a neutral bedroom. Not only that, positioning a rug at the end of a bed is a great idea as it can help frame your sleep space and promote visual harmony.

Enhance the look by draping extra faux sheepskins over chairs and headboards. Then, stay in bed all weekend til Monday morning beckons. We’re in…

Stick to natural materials

Bedroom rug ideas don’t always need to be plush, fluffy or shaggy to instil a luxurious vibe.

In fact, a short pile wool rug may be less thick but is equally warm underfoot. The natural yarn also melds seamlessly with the palette of natural materials: timber floorboards, rattan accessories and cotton bedding.

A bedroom rug with a short pile is also a more practical solution for busy households and areas with high footfall, especially if you have a young family.

Utilise bedroom rug ideas for colour and pattern

Even the smallest bedroom rug can be an exciting design opportunity. Echo your bedroom colour scheme by introducing a rug in the same palette or hues.

If you’ve chosen bold colour blocking across the walls, a busy pattern underfoot is an easy way to make your floors pop. And unlike wallpaper, a patterned rug isn’t a big design commitment. Simply switch it to another room in the house if you get tired of the look, and choose a new rug for the bedroom.

Patterned bedroom rugs are also a great way to elevate the blank canvas of a new build bedroom and inject some personality. Stuck for ideas? Then, we recommend the expertise of an interior designer who can help with all your design and decorating challenges.

Pop your postcode in the search box below and find tradespeople who are recommended by other homeowners in your area.

Play around with print

Fancy brave colour and pattern but don’t want the permanence of bold paint or feature wallpaper? Textiles and rugs are the answer. Rug ideas are also a great way to inject personality if you’re in rental accommodation and not allowed to decorate the walls.

This large rug with a modern, grid-like pattern offers a huge dose of maximalism and neatly zones the bed area. We love how it mirrors the navy and white bedding, fabrics and accessories.

The result: vibrant, cohesive and oh-so-fresh.

Make a focal point of the bed

It goes without saying that the star of this chic, concept bedroom is the contemporary, oversized rug. The classic monochrome pattern elevates the cream decor and makes a focal point of the centrally positioned bed.

However, the rug doesn’t simply serve a decorative purpose. While concrete floors are chic and unavoidably modern, these brutal, hard surfaces need warming up, especially in the bedroom. So even if you have underfloor heating, add an element of texture to concrete flooring with a soft, comfortable rug.

Living room rug ideas

There’s nothing like living room rug ideas to instantly brighten up a space. Whether you opt for a soft neutral underfoot or a statement-making pattern, you can’t go wrong with a rug.

Rugs are practical, decorative and useful design tools for zoning. Let us show you why a living room rug should be your best friend…

Define zones with a rug

In an open plan living space, rugs are a handy design tool to create subtle divides. In this light and bright apartment, a cosy Berber-style rug is placed under the L-shaped sofa to help define the seating hub. The result is a feel-good space for relaxing.

Placing a large rug under seating, with all the furniture sitting on top, helps to visually separate an area. This easy design tip also creates a more upmarket mood. Smaller rugs can sometimes feel mean and you might end up with a disjointed living room.

Choose a statement design

Add character to a neutral living room with a statement rug. Be playful with your choice of pattern and colour and choose a design that you love – not simply something that’s on trend.

A classic monochrome rug in a geo print is a timeless addition to your home. It’s fresh, striking and will go with every colour should you switch up your furniture and paint colours in the future.

Let your living room rug ideas become the hero of your home.

Neaten up a small space

For smaller living rooms, it’s a good idea to keep the main furniture off the rug. Larger spaces can take an oversized rug, for sure. But a compact space might look neater with a smaller rug furnished with a coffee table and pouffe.

Plus, smaller rugs have other benefits. You might be able to max out the budget with an ultra-luxury material such as wool or silk.

Play around with shapes and silhouettes too. Soften the hard edges and angles of a square rug and L-shaped sofa with organic curves and oval floor cushions.

Try mid-century rug ideas

Burnt orange and leaf green are a winning combination if you’re looking to channel a mid-century mood in the living room.

So why not go all out on an orange patterned rug for mid-century rug ideas with serious design clout?

It’s a look that will warm you up all year round and looks fabulous with a plethora of indoor plants. Green fingers at the ready!

Splash out on an antique rug

Invest in an antique or vintage rug and get ready to transform your living room. The design experts insist that we should go bold and big with our rug choices. So, make it the main decorative focal point with an investment rug you’ll adore for years.

And don’t forget, living room rugs can be transported from room to room and from home to home should you move. Thus, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth if you decide to splash out on a big-ticket design.

Go for it!

Kitchen rug ideas

If you’ve dismissed kitchen rug ideas as an impractical flooring option, hear us out.

By choosing the right materials and the best location, rugs can introduce a whole host of pattern and personality points to your cook space. Let’s look at some of the options.

Zone a small space

Zone a small open plan kitchen with striking graphic rugs. Stick to the same flooring throughout to unify a compact space and then divide up with small rugs.

Pick a durable runner

Add personality to a practical space with a hardwearing runner and keep it in place with a felt rug pad that won’t slip about.

Choose durable jute or sisal or a rug that can be chucked in the washing machine.

Go dark and practical

Embrace the lived-in farmhouse mood with a kitchen rug that zones the dining space in an open plan kitchen.

Dark colours can create a focal point and won’t show the dirt so much in this busy space.

Earn your stripes

Add colour and pattern to a small galley kitchen with a vibrant rug.

You can’t go wrong with a classic, striped design – so why not go bold?

Warm up the room

Inject rich colour and softness underfoot with a practical, short pile rug. Echo the overall design tempo for a smart, considered design.

Dining room rug ideas

Whether you have a separate dining room or a dining table in the kitchen, rugs are a gorgeous addition.

Let us entertain you with some of our top tips.

Prioritise tough love

Dining table rug ideas located in the middle of the kitchen need to be tough, hardwearing and washable.

Go for durable jute, sisal or a man-made material that can be scrubbed.

Locate it off-centre

For busy households with young children, locate your rug off-centre of the dining table.

Hard floors are easier for sweeping away crumbs and debris, but a rug will soften the overall tone.

Match patterns

Embrace bold print and pattern for dining table rug ideas.

Don’t forget patterned carpets and rugs are also more forgiving and won’t show up dirt or debris quite so much as plain.

Be mindful of size

When it comes to dining room rug ideas, size matters!

Choose the right size of rug for your dining room. It should be proportionate to the room and allow you to pull the chairs out from under the table without the back legs extending past the edge of the rug.

Bathroom rug ideas

A bathroom rug is probably not top of your wishlist when designing a new bathroom project.

However, bathroom rugs are certainly an untapped design trick for most of us. They can add much-needed colour and texture to spaces that are mostly hard surfaces and clinical, wipe-clean finishes.

Try these simple and stylish bathroom rug ideas.

Add texture to tiled floors

Use a warm fabric rug to add texture to cold tiled floors.

Just make sure your rug or runner is fixed securely to the floor with rug underlay or a felt pad. You want to avoid the danger of slipping on wet floors and splashes!

Upgrade your bath mat

Upgrade your bath mat with a plush, fluffy rug. It’ll add a more luxurious feel underfoot and transform the bathroom into a relaxing sanctuary.

Be sure to choose a washable material or a rug that’s made from a man-made synthetic. That way, it won’t get ruined by splashes and moisture.

Choose planet-friendly options

Choose sustainable bathroom rug ideas made from eco-conscious materials.

Seek out planet-friendly rugs made from recycled plastic bottles which are machine washable, hardwearing and stain resistant. A great choice for the damp, humid conditions of the bathroom.

Embrace circles

Break up a large tiled bathroom floor with a natural circular rug.

The sweeping curves will add a quirky, feel-good accent to a room that is primarily kitted out with hard surfaces and functional pieces.

Playroom rug ideas

Playrooms and nurseries need to be fun, attractive and practical. Rug ideas can inject all of this and so much more into your little one’s play zone.

A rug can also add that extra layer of warmth and cosiness which is so important for babies and toddlers who may be crawling or just learning to walk.

Try a practical sisal rug

A large, practical sisal rug is a great option for a playroom. Not only is it hardwearing, but it’ll also offer a neutral backdrop to the explosion of colourful toys.

Inject colour

Go for a classic rainbow striped rug to inject instant joy to a play zone.

Pile ut with cushions for a space that’s packed with colour and comfort.

Stick to the fluffy

Stick to a fluffy neutral rug for a playroom that doubles up as a bedroom or living space. Play mats are also an amazing way to inspire the next generation.

Game room rugs

Converted garages are often the number one spot for a games room. You can try home darts setup ideas , a snooker table in your spare room or even a full-scale PS5 games hub for the teenagers.

Garage floors are hard surfaces – they need to be practical and easy to keep clean. But that’s not to say you can’t cosy up with a hardwearing and durable rug.

We recommend going for a synthetic material in a dark, neutral shade. Have fun!

If you’re stuck deciding on rug ideas for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens why not seek professional help? We always recommend hiring an experienced professional such as an interior designer who will know the latest rug trends, materials and decor tips to elevate your space. Add your details to the search bar below to see who comes highly rated in your area.