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When it comes to choosing the right rug color for your home, the possibilities can seem endless. While having an abundance of choices is great, it can also be a bit overwhelming – how do you decide which rug color will work best with your decor?
The good news is that there are a few key tips and tricks you can follow to help narrow down your selection and create a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and comfortable.
The Importance of Choosing The Right Rug Color
The rug color can help define the mood of the space, create contrast, and bring a sense of balance to the room.
Any Interior designer will tell you the best rug color to pick, is a color that coordinates with the other items in your space, such as furniture and décor. The right color can make all the difference, adding a pop of vibrancy or creating a soothing atmosphere.
Factors to Consider When Picking a Rug Color
When it comes to choosing the right color for your area rug, there are few key points to remember.
- The Room’s Existing Color Scheme
- The Function of the Room You Wish to Add the Rug
- Your Personal Style
Factor 1. Consider the Room's Color Scheme
When picking out a rug color, it’s important to take into account the color scheme of the room you’re looking to add it to.
The area rug will be a major component of the room, so it should coordinate well with the walls, furniture, and other accessories.
You can either choose a rug color that’s complementary to the room’s palette or create an interesting contrast by picking a color that’s the opposite of the existing colors.
Matching the Rug Color to the Room's Existing Color Palate

This helps to create a cohesive look that exudes style and sophistication. The key is to choose a rug color that complements the other colors in the room.
This could be an area rug that contains a lighter or darker shade of the existing colors, or one that uses a complementary hue that ties all the colors together.
Tips on How to Create Contrast and Harmony With the Rug Color
If you’ve got neutral walls and furniture, why not add some zing with a bold-colored rug? Red or orange would be a great way to create a contrast and bring some excitement to the room.
Mix it up with some patterned rugs to liven things up! If your walls and furniture are pretty tame, why not throw in a rug with some bright colors to make the place more exciting?
If you wanna make a room seem more put together and to create harmony, try picking out a rug that’s close to the same color as your walls and furniture. For instance, if you’ve got blue walls and couches, you could get a rug with a blue-ish tinge to match everything.
If you want to add some contrast or harmony to your room, think about playing around with different textures. For example, if everything in your space is smooth and sleek, why not throw in a rug with a more textured surface, like a shaggy or berber one? It’ll definitely add some visual oomph to your space.
Types of Color Schemes and How They Can Be Applied to Rug Selection
Monochromatic
This type of color scheme uses different shades of the same color, creating a cohesive look for any room.
You could choose a deep blue rug and then incorporate lighter shades of blue in the furniture, curtains, and other accessories. This will create a subtle but stylish look to the room.
You could also choose a more vibrant color and use a range of its shades to create a bolder look. It’s important to balance the shades of the same color in order to create the right look.
Complementary
This type of color scheme is based on the color wheel, which uses contrasting colors that are opposite each other on the wheel.
For instance, if you have a blue wall, you would might choose a rug with an orange or yellow hue. Or if you have green walls, you could choose a rug with a purple or red tone.
You can also choose a patterned rug with a combination of colors from the opposite sides of the wheel. This will create a vibrant and eye-catching look in any room.
Accented Neutral
This look is perfect for creating a beautiful and cozy atmosphere in your home. Whether you’re looking for something subtle or something a bit more eye-catching, an accented neutral color scheme can provide the perfect backdrop for your space.
Start with a neutral base, like ivory or beige, then choose a few accent colors to bring the rug to life. Think shades of gray, blues, greens, or oranges for a well-rounded look.
The beauty of this color scheme is that you can easily switch it up for the seasons by adding or removing elements to create a completely new look.
Factor 2. Think About the Function of the Room
This is a key factor to consider when making your selection because depending on the purpose of the room, you’ll want to choose a rug that fits in with the other elements in the space.
For example, if it’s a living room, you might want to choose a warm, neutral color that will make the room feel inviting and cozy. On the other hand, if you’re picking a rug for a bedroom, you may want to go with a more calming hue that promotes relaxation.
The Use of the Room Should Influence Rug Color Selection
Different rooms have different purposes and the color of the rug should reflect that.
For example, a living room or den is likely to have more foot traffic and different furniture that may require a darker color to hide any dirt or stains.
Meanwhile, a bedroom will require a softer, more plush rug that’s comfortable to walk on. And in a dining room, you may want a more elegant rug that ties together the different elements of the room.
Ultimately, the purpose of the room should be a major factor when selecting a rug color.
How to Choose Rug Colors for Different Types of Rooms
For living rooms, bold colors and patterns can be great for making a statement. If you want something a bit more subtle, neutral colors are always a safe bet. Natural fiber rugs, like wool rugs, jute rugs and sisal rugs are great for a living room, as they add an organic feel to the space.
For bedrooms, cooler colors like blues, grays, and greens can help create a calming and peaceful vibe.

For the dining room, consider something that complements the space without taking away from the overall aesthetic. This room is where you’ll be entertaining guests, so it’s important to select something that adds to the atmosphere. One option is to go with a rug that is neutral in color. A cream or beige rug is a great choice as it allows you to experiment with different color combinations in the space.
Tips on How to Create a Cohesive Look Across Multiple Rooms With Open Floor Plans
- First and foremost, consider your color palette. Use colors that complement each other while keeping the overall look of the rooms in mind.
For example, if you have a neutral color scheme, you can use accent colors to bring all the rooms together. You can also use patterns in each room to create a cohesive look, but remember to use the same patterns in each room for a more unified look. - Use furniture pieces that are similar in style. Having the same furniture in different rooms can help give the space a unified look.
Factor 3. Consider Your Personal Style
Whether you prefer bold and vibrant colors or more subtle and muted hues, the color you pick should reflect your individual taste.
Your Personal Style Should Influence Rug Color Selection
The color of the rug you choose should be an extension of your unique style, as it will be a major component of your home décor.
If you prefer a minimalist look, select a rug in neutral colors – think off-whites, beiges and tans.
If you want to make a bolder statement, go for a bright, vibrant color.
If you prefer a cozy, inviting atmosphere, opt for a rug in warmer shades, such as burgundy, burnt orange or forest green.
And if you’re more of a classicist, look for an understated pattern in classic colors
Different Design Styles and How They Can Be Reflected in Rug Color
One way to reflect the style of your home is through the color of your rug.
Not only does it set the foundation for the room, but it can also be used to reflect your design style and make a statement.
Whether you’re going for a modern, contemporary, traditional, or eclectic look, there are a variety of rug colors that can help create the desired atmosphere in your space.
Modern
Modern design is all about keeping things clean and minimal.
When it comes to choosing the right rug color to reflect this style, there are several options. Neutral tones are definitely the way to go in modern designs, as they create a feeling of calmness and simplicity. You can choose a rug color that directly matches the neutral tones of the room, such as whites, grays, and tans.
Traditional
Traditional design style typically consists of furniture pieces with classic lines, floral prints, and warm and soothing colors.
When it comes to traditional rug colors, you’ll want to stay away from anything too bold or bright. Instead, go for more muted shades like beige, brown, gray, greens and even navy blue. Warm colors like yellow, red, and orange can also work well in this style, as they give off a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
These colors pair well with traditional furniture and bring a timeless feel to a room.
Mid-Century Modern
Mid-Century Modern is known for its simplicity and clean lines, so look for rugs that don’t have too many frills. Think basic but stylish, with a focus on geometric shapes and muted colors.
When it comes to finding the perfect rug to reflect this style and pull the room together, there are a few different colors that are ideal. Mid-century modern rugs typically feature warm, earthy tones in hues of yellow, orange, brown and green. These colors not only bring out the natural elements of the style, but also provide a cozy feeling to the room.
Farmhouse
Farmhouse design is a timeless style that brings a cozy, homey feel to any space. It is defined by classic, simple shapes and colors that evoke the feeling of a quaint country farmhouse.
When it comes to rug colors, warm neutrals, white, off-white and muted earth tones are popular choices that capture the essence of the design style.
Bohemian
Bohemian style is all about expressing yourself and having fun with design, and choosing a rug with a bright, eclectic pattern can be an easy way to add a Bohemian touch to any room.
When it comes to rugs, colors that reflect a bohemian style are often rustic, muted and earthy. Think shades of taupe, sand, and deep reds. Blues, purples, pinks, oranges, and yellows are also popular in Bohemian-style rugs. Patterns such as ikat, tribal, and Southwestern are great choices.
How to Incorporate Your Personal Style Into Your Rug Color Selection
Instead of focusing on what’s trendy or what would be a good fit for your space, why not focus on finding something that expresses your own personal style? Incorporating your style into your rug selection can be a great way to make your space feel truly unique and inviting.
- Take inspiration from your wardrobe. Look at the colors and patterns you wear most frequently and consider translating that into your rug selection.
- Take a look at the colors you enjoy. What shades do you prefer and which don’t you care for? Is there a certain hue that you especially like or a certain combination that you are aiming for.
- Take into account the atmosphere you’d like to establish. Warm hues like reds and yellows can make a comfortable, inviting vibe, while cooler colors such as blues and greens can give off a more tranquil and tranquil vibe.