JOIN USWant to add instant warmth and personality to a room? Get home the right carpet or rug and see your floors work their charm. There’s no better way to up your room’s style quotient, argues Bindu Gopal Rao
One of the important aspects of interiors is flooring. Rugs and carpets are the ultimate decorative accessory that add warmth and personality to a space. A variety of carpet styles, colours and designs are available in the market. However, the choice one makes reflects on how one wants to personalise and enhance the space. Additionally, a carpet or a rug is not just an item that covers your floor, it is one of the most vital foundations for a room’s decor. Hence, it is important to choose the right colours, patterns and textures that will all work together to form the basis of the room’s personality.
From distressed looks and silky sheen of viscose to strong colours and bold patterns, there is a lot trending today in the world of carpets and rugs. “Additionally, the trend of neutral carpets favours incorporation of these new design possibilities —more texture, patterns and even spurts of colour adding interest to basic backgrounds making them stand out,” says Kavita Shah, principal interior designer, Purple Designs. Angular patterns such as geometric shapes and zigzag patterns are seen to be immensely popular as well.
Right choice
While there may be a lot to choose from in terms of designs and textures, it is important to match the type of carpet or rug to the room accurately. Sure, it can seem to be something complex and confusing; but it is not. By taking into account the tips mentioned below, you will be able to find the perfect covering for your floors:
* Match the rug or carpet to the room’s overall decor, including the colour scheme. “While the right kind can be incorporated effortlessly in any part of a home, you always need to make sure that the rug or carpet fits well in the space. Additionally, it should either complement or create a contrast with the space’s interiors,” advises Ayush Choudhary, MD & creative director, Cocoon Fine Rugs.
* Keep in mind the overall design of the room when using carpets and rugs. “The rule of thumb is to use rugs to define separate areas, such as the sitting area or dining area. To create a sense of variety, use rugs in different sizes. To keep them from sliding, use a liner that will keep it in place,” says Manoj Kumar Singh, chairman, Mangalya Group. However, ensure that it is the right size and is appropriate to the floor type. “Carpets, on the other hand, should be used to lay a neutral base to all the rooms,” he adds.
* If you are looking to create a partition between rooms, you can consider using separate rugs for each space, like the dining space and living space. “However, at the same time, try to maintain the symmetry in terms of decorating the area around your carpet or rug. It might be floor lamps, potted plants, or even couches that give your space a seamless flow,” says Varalaxmi, content expert, Bonito Designs.
* In terms of colour, carpets and rugs form the central focus of a room. Hence, it becomes important to choose the right colours. “As the carpet is the main focus in a room, one should ideally choose bold colours like brown, beige, red and even blue that can set the tone of the room,” says Rajat Singhi, founder and creative director, Address Home.
* Choose the rugs and carpets depending on the space you are looking to put them in. “A patterned rug in a darker shade will be able to hide dirt and stains in high-activity areas. If you want a rug for a more decorative purpose, luxurious viscose, wool and leather rugs in rich designs and colours are the way to go. Dark and rich colours help define a more intimate space while lighter colours make a smaller space appear larger,” says Aditya Gupta, founder, The Rug Republic.
* Furthermore, ensure that the size of the carpets are in proportion to the size of your seating area. An ideal situation is when all the legs of the furniture are on the rug.
Textures & patterns
Whether your home has a modern or a vintage theme, there are carpets and rugs that will suit every theme. “When the choices in carpets were limited to basic beige, designers treated it more often as a neutral background for room furnishings. Now, with numerous textures, patterns, and colours available, carpets are emerging as the focal point in some interior designs,” states Parushni Aggarwal, founder and creative director, Studio Creo. Hence,
today, one can see a great variety of carpets and rugs coming out in various textures, materials and colours.
However, this is not to say that the need for neutral carpets no longer exists.
“Traditional handwoven carpets are still a popular choice today. But unlike the plain varieties of the early 90s, today’s versions have more texture and pattern. Variation in height and sculptured effects offer a bolder look. Even the more traditional ones offer more visual interest with extreme differences in pile cut and thicker, deeper loop textures,” explains Parushni. Additionally, there is a shift towards layered colour and soft texture in carpets and rugs as these add more visual appeal. These give the carpets a plush look and feel. And if you are looking to add a sophisticated feel to your room, you can consider investing in some luxury carpets.
Modern takes
With a wide variety of designs available today, it becomes important to choose the ones that will let your room sparkle.
Additionally, many homeowners are using them today to add a bit of personalisation to their rooms. “Modern rugs featuring geometric patterns and carpets in colours such as dark brown, red, orange and green exemplify the willingness of the home-owners to let their floors set the tone,” says Aditya.
The trick is to look for the right combination of texture and pattern. “Applied and woven patterns such as designs of leaves, trellises, or flowers, for example, offer organic shapes that coordinate easily with patterns in other furnishings,” adds Aditya. And, if you are looking to have sustainable carpets in your home, there are several natural materials that you can use to do so. “You can consider repurposing silk saris to make a carpet or use banana tree fibres to weave or patchwork together remnants of old threadbare carpets,” suggests Sarita Handa, creative director and founder of the eponymous decor brand.
Carpets and rugs, today, are increasingly becoming the main design focal points for a home’s decor. Once you choose the right products that gel with your room’s aesthetic sensibilities, half the work is done!