A bold, brilliant red? A cool, calming blue? Or a fresh, vibrant green? Which is the right rug color for you and your home? You can get rugs in every color of the rainbow. While it's nice to have such a wide range of options, it can also make the decision-making process overwhelming. If you're struggling to pick a hue for your floor's focal point, let's talk some tips that will help you choose the right rug color, in the right saturation and brightness, for your space.
What's The Existing Color Palette of the Room?
A new rug needs to coordinate with what you already have in the space. You'll want to take inventory of the colors on your walls, furniture, curtains, and other decorative items. These existing colors will give you a framework for selecting a rug that complements the room.
You have a couple of routes you can take. A rug in the same color family as your walls and furniture will create a cohesive, monochromatic look, whereas a rug in a contrasting color can introduce a dynamic visual element that energizes the space. For example, a navy blue rug could anchor a room with light gray walls and beige furniture.
What Mood Do You Want To Create?
Colors have a powerful effect on the atmosphere of a room. Your choice of rug color can set the emotional tone for the entire space. You should decide what kind of feeling you want the room to evoke before you start shopping.
Warm colors like reds, oranges, and yellows give off an inviting and energetic ambiance. Use them in social areas like living rooms and dining rooms. Cool colors such as blues, greens, and purples promote a sense of calm and relaxation, which makes them a popular selection for bedrooms and bathrooms.
How Much Foot Traffic Does the Room Get?
How much activity happens in a room each day can help you decide what rug color to choose. High-traffic areas, like hallways, entryways, and family rooms, are more susceptible to dirt, spills, and wear.
Lighter-colored rugs, such as white, cream, or pastel shades, will show stains and dirt more easily. For these busy spaces, a darker color or a rug with a complex pattern might be more practical. These options are better at hiding minor spills and footprints, which keeps your rug looking fresh for longer.
How Large is the Room?
The color of your rug can also affect the perception of a room's size. Lighter colors reflect more light, which can make a small space appear larger and more open. If you're decorating a compact room, a rug in a shade like beige, light gray, or a soft pastel can create an illusion of spaciousness.
Darker colors, on the other hand, absorb light and can make a room feel more intimate and cozy. A deep-toned rug in a large, open-plan living area can help define a specific zone, like a seating area, and add a sense of warmth and containment. This can turn a vast room into a more comfortable and defined space.
What Role Will the Rug Have in the Room's Design?
You should decide if you want your rug to be a quiet supporting character or the star of the show. A neutral-colored rug, perhaps in a solid shade of gray, beige, or taupe, can provide a subtle backdrop that allows other elements, like bold furniture or vibrant artwork, to shine.
Alternatively, a rug with a bold color or an intricate pattern can become the centerpiece of your room. This is an opportunity to express your personal style and add a lot of character to the space. A brightly colored geometric rug or a traditional Persian rug with rich hues can be a statement piece that anchors your entire design scheme.
What's the Lighting Like in the Room?
The way a color looks can change dramatically depending on the lighting conditions. Natural daylight tends to show colors most accurately, while artificial lighting can alter their appearance. An incandescent bulb will cast a warm, yellow glow that can enrich warm colors and mute cool ones. Fluorescent lights often have a cooler, bluish tint.
Before you make a final decision, get a small sample of the rug. You can place the sample in the room and observe how its color appears at different times of the day, under both natural and artificial light. This helps you avoid any surprises after you've brought the full-sized rug home.
What Textures and Patterns Are Already Present?
Your rug doesn't exist in a vacuum; it interacts with all the other textures and patterns in the room. A room with many different patterns, maybe on the curtains, throw pillows, and upholstery, might benefit from a solid-colored rug. A simple rug can provide a visual break and prevent the space from feeling too busy.
If your room is decorated with mostly solid colors and simple textures, a patterned rug can introduce visual interest and complexity. The pattern itself can also influence the color's impact. A rug with a small, dense pattern will read almost like a solid color from a distance, while a rug with a large, bold pattern will make a much stronger statement.
What Are Your Personal Color Preferences?
Ultimately, your home is a reflection of your own personality and taste. While design principles are helpful, your personal preferences are what really matter. You should surround yourself with colors that you love and that make you feel happy and comfortable in your own space.
Don't be afraid to select a color that speaks to you, even if it breaks a few "rules." Your connection to the color is what will make the rug a cherished part of your home for years. Trust your instincts and select a color that brings you joy every time you walk into the room.
Find Your Hue at Decor Market
Choosing the right rug color for your home can be challenging with how many options there are. But by asking yourself the right questions, you can narrow down the color wheel and make finding that perfect rug easier on yourself.
If you're ready to shop, stop by Decor Market! We have Lauren Ralph Lauren rugs, as well as options from other popular brands like Martha Stewart and Safavieh. Our rugs have the artisan quality you'd expect of these iconic names, while still being affordable.
And if you're not ready to shop because you're still stuck between colors, that's no problem—again, we can help! We offer complementary interior design services. Just email our team information like the size of your room, the existing furniture, and the current wall color and we can make recommendations based on your preferences and what you want your room to look like. With help from our professional interior designers, you'll be able to pin down the right rug for your bedroom, living room, or office in no time.