Rugs

Keep Current with Contemporary Rugs

For items that we walk all over (literally), the importance of rugs can't be overstated. Maybe you have the perfect sofa for your living room. And accent chairs. And side tables, ottomans, throws and a media console with all your favorite movies on both DVD and Blu-Ray. An area rug, like wallpaper or paint color, can tie all these elements together. Bonus points for welcoming guests to your home with doormats and runners. Unsure which will best suit your lifestyle? Read on—we've got you (and your floor) covered.

For living rooms and larger spaces, area rugs can showcase your artistic sensibilities. Patterned designs have a sophisticated vibe, and if you're looking for something especially bold? Try animal prints. Or, go classic with one-of-a-kind vintage rugs, each unique in its size, shape and patterns. If you want the ground to be glam, shag rugs are a particularly lush option. Their plush softness also makes for cozy seating during large get-togethers. Try setting a coffee table on top for caj and intimate wine nights. Looking for something to fit your minimalist aesthetic? Solid colored or subtly patterned carpets of wool, jute, rayon and more mesh well with existing decor. Alternatively, go for something louder to add contemporary eclecticism.

And why limit area rugs to the living room? Rolling out of bed and onto a soft rug makes morning wake-ups that much easier. If you're the orderly type, you can get a surface pad to make sure it remains right where you want it.

Doormats, meanwhile, are a classic way to make the entryway welcoming—and to politely suggest that guests wipe or take off their shoes. (You wouldn't want to get your area rug dirty, after all.) Try including a coat rack or hooks to be extra accommodating. Or, move your mat to the kitchen; nobody wants to cook with cold feet. Whether it's dirt or dropped food, they're also easy to clean.

Situated somewhere between area rugs and doormats is the runner. Need inspo for working with its elongated shape? We got you. Like doormats, they can brighten an entryway—rich rayon and patterned wool add an especially luxe touch. Runners' shape also lets them breathe new life into hallways that look a little bare.