Although it’s tempting to stick with the reliable neutral tones, there are some subtle changes in the new norm. The traditional beige tones are being replaced by greys, taupe and pale pink shades, while strong colours are being used now in the same way as wallpaper, to create an accent. 

Rugs come in different shapes and sizes for a reason, this is so you’re able to pick out the rug that perfectly complements your room. Some common rules to follow to ensure a more aesthetic feel are:

• subtract 1 meter from the length and width of the room. Leaving the floor bare at the edges creates the illusion that the room is bigger.

• Runners should be 0.1 meters narrower than your hallway and 0.5 meters shorter. Make sure they are wide enough to accommodate both feet on the rug when you walk.

• When laying a rug under your dining room table, leave at least 0.5 meters of the rug from the edge of the table out on all sides. This enables the back legs of the chairs to stay on the rug, even when pulled out to let someone sit.

Use a rug to visually quieten a room or turn up the volume as needed. If your wallpaper is very busy, bold or is the statement piece of the room , choose a rug that is more subtle. When walls and upholstery are fairly subdued, you can try a busier pattern or more vibrant colours to add more personality to the room.

Use a rug to define or separate areas, such as the living room from the dining room table. This is especially useful in studio apartments or larger rooms that need definition.

Start thinking of your rugs as pieces of art on the floor and how you can add different furniture around this “piece of art” to create more pop in the room. You should use your favourite rug as the basis of the colour scheme in a room. However, if you add it after you have your furniture in place, the rug can still be used to elevate the look and feel of the room

One thing that is commonly overlooked when placing down a rug is the use of a liner. A liner can be very helpful in ensuring the rug does not move around when being walked on. The rug liner you use will depend on the size of the rug as well as the floor type of the room.

Now that you know all these tips and tricks when it comes to the use of rugs, it's time to get your rug on and start decorating your spaces!