Living design with carpets: tips for a harmonious interior design

Carpets are far more than mere doormats. They are essential elements in interior design , bringing comfort, warmth, and personality to living spaces. A well-chosen carpet can transform the entire ambiance of a room, unifying it in a way that furniture and decoration alone cannot achieve.

But how do you choose the ideal rug? Which materials, colors, and patterns best suit your lifestyle? In this comprehensive guide, we share expert tips to help you find the perfect rug for your home.

The carpet as a key piece in interior design

Carpets are not just decorative objects; they are a statement – ​​an invitation to experience the room in a certain way.

The art of carpet weaving existed in ancient civilizations and has evolved over the centuries. From the handwoven masterpieces of Persia to the colorful modern designs of the Pop Art movement – ​​carpets are works of art for the feet and for the soul.

Carpets can not only give a room a more comfortable, inviting and cozy ambience through their pleasant texture, but they also offer the opportunity to experiment creatively with color and material.

Claire Kimble , the design director of Crucial Trading , once stated:

"The floor can become a constantly changing canvas, reflecting moods and providing both comfort and orientation to our interior."

Whether you want to make a bold statement with a patterned rug in your living room or prefer a simple and neutral style for your bedroom rug ideas, a wide variety of rug designs are available from numerous suppliers. These designs will perfectly complement your space.

A brief historical overview of carpets

Before we delve into the selection criteria and interior design tips in this guide, let's take a brief historical detour. Carpets have a long and fascinating history that is worth exploring.

Antiquity and the Silk Road

Carpets have a fascinating history stretching back thousands of years. One of the oldest known carpets is the Pazyryk Carpet , dating from the 5th century BC and discovered in the tomb of a Siberian prince. This intricately crafted carpet demonstrates that even in antiquity, carpets were considered precious works of art.

During the heyday of the Silk Road in the Middle Ages , Persian and Turkish carpets reached their zenith in design and craftsmanship. These trade routes facilitated not only the exchange of goods, but also of ideas and techniques, making carpet weaving a globally cherished art form.

Renaissance and Baroque

In Renaissance and Baroque Europe, oriental carpets were seen as a symbol of wealth and refined taste. Monarchs and nobles invested in precious carpets, often used as wall hangings or tablecloths, to demonstrate the splendor of their courts.

These carpets can be seen in many historical paintings, highlighting their cultural influence and importance.

Persian cultural sphere

In the history of Iran (formerly Persia), carpet weaving and care were an essential part of the culture. Kings and nobles had their own carpet caretakers whose task it was to keep these works of art in pristine condition.

This tradition shows us that carpets have always been regarded as precious possessions that deserved special care.

Different types of carpets and their origins

Carpets have a rich and diverse history that spans different cultures and regions of the world.

Here are some of the most well-known types of carpets and their historical origins:

Persian carpets

Origin: Iran (formerly Persia)

History: Persian carpets are considered some of the finest and most artistic carpets in the world. The tradition of carpet weaving in Persia dates back to 500 BC. The oldest known Persian carpet, the Pazyryk carpet, dates from the 5th century BC and was discovered in a Siberian tomb.

Characteristics: Persian carpets are known for their intricate geometric and floral patterns, vibrant colors, and exquisite craftsmanship. Famous carpet centers such as Tabriz, Isfahan, and Kashan have each developed their own distinctive designs and techniques.

Turkish carpets

Origin: Turkey (formerly Ottoman Empire)

History: The art of carpet weaving in Turkey has a long history dating back to the 13th century. Turkish carpets were particularly prized in the Middle Ages and were often used in European palaces and churches.

Characteristics: Turkish carpets are distinguished by their bold patterns and colors. Frequently used motifs include medallions, hexagons, and rhombus-shaped designs. The "Ghiordes knot" technique, consisting of interlocking loops, is typical of Turkish carpets.

Berber carpets

Origin: Morocco (Berber tribes)

History: The carpet weaving tradition of the Berber tribes in Morocco dates back thousands of years. These handmade carpets were originally used by the Berber peoples as floor coverings and blankets to provide protection and warmth in their tents.

Characteristics: Berber carpets are known for their thick, fluffy texture and minimalist, often geometric patterns. The carpets are usually in off-white or beige tones, with contrasting black or brown patterns.

Oriental carpets

Origin: Asia (including India, China and Tibet)

History: Oriental carpets encompass a wide range of different carpets produced in various regions of Asia. These carpets are known for their intricate craftsmanship and symbolic patterns.

Characteristics: The designs of oriental rugs vary by region, but often include dragons, phoenixes, lotus flowers, and other symbolic motifs. Chinese rugs are known for their soft, pastel tones and detailed floral patterns, while Tibetan rugs often incorporate traditional Buddhist symbols.

Flat-woven carpets (Kelim)

Origin: Middle East and Central Asia

History: Kilims are flat-woven, pile-less rugs that have been produced for centuries in countries such as Turkey, Iran, and the Caucasus. They were used both as decorative rugs and as everyday household items.

Characteristics: Kilims are lightweight and do not have a cuttable surface like knotted rugs. They are distinguished by their geometric patterns and bold colors. Kilims are especially popular due to their versatility and traditional design.

Guide: How do I choose the right carpet?

Room size, carpet dimensions, shape, pattern, design, color scheme, material composition, furnishing style numerous aspects to consider when choosing a carpet

Finding the right starting point can be challenging. Therefore, I present here my recommendations and advice on selecting and using carpets to achieve an appealing overall look.

01 Start with your needs

Before buying a rug, you should first determine your needs and those of the room. Ask yourself questions like:

• Will the carpet be located in a high-traffic area?
• Should it be an accent piece or a neutral background?
• Do you have pets or children who might cause additional wear and tear?

Depending on your answers to these questions, the type of suitable rug will vary considerably. High-traffic areas like the living room or hallway require durable materials such as wool or synthetic fibers, while a bedroom can be enhanced with a luxurious silk rug.

02 The carpet from the starting point

If you already have a rug you cherish, or discover an exceptional rug you are eager to acquire, then design your interior around it, recommends interior designer Deirdre O'Connell .

In London, the renowned designer and antiques dealer Robert Kime each of his design projects with a rug. O'Connell recommends choosing a soft, understated color as a base and matching the style and design of the rug to the room's decor.

03 The right size

As with everything in design, size is crucial. When using a centerpiece rug in a room, the general rule is "either all the furniture on the rug or all the furniture around it ." A rug that's too small will look lost and out of place, while one that's too large can overwhelm the room.

Here are some rules of thumb :

• Living room: The carpet should be large enough to accommodate all the furniture, or at least to allow their front legs to rest on it.
• Dining room: The rug should be large enough to fully accommodate the table and chairs, even when they are pulled back.
• Bedroom: At least the front two-thirds of the bed should be on the carpet.

The size is directly related to the price, so you can save a few euros if you place the rug just over the front feet of the surrounding furniture.

Match the rug shape to the room shape : a square rug for a square room, a rectangular rug for a rectangular room. If you want and can afford a very large rug, this is a practical option for covering older, worn flooring. Measure and leave a 30 to 45 centimeter gap from the walls.

If you have a limited budget but need a large rug, try placing two identical solid-colored or patterned rugs side by side. Just pay attention to where they meet.

A practical tip: Use painter's tape to mark the outline of the desired rug on the floor before you buy it. This will give you a feel for how the room will look with the rug.

04 Materials

Choosing the right material is just as important as the size. Carpets are available in various materials: wool, cotton, silk, and synthetic fibers such as nylon or polyester. Each material has its own advantages and disadvantages.

• Wool : Natural wool is durable, dirt-repellent and offers a pleasant feel.
• Cotton : Easy to clean and ideal for high-traffic areas.
• Silk : Luxurious and soft, but also expensive and less durable.
• Jute : Jute is another natural material frequently used for woven or braided rugs. Jute rugs are known for their durability, but are not as soft as rugs made of wool or cotton.
• Sisal : Sisal carpets are known for their durability and coarse texture. They are ideal for high-traffic areas, but can feel rough underfoot.
• Nylon : Nylon is among the most durable synthetic fibers used in carpet manufacturing. It is resistant to stains, wear and tear, and deformation, making it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas.
• Polyester : Carpets made of polyester are soft, vibrant in color, and resistant to many stains. They are generally less expensive than nylon carpets but offer less durability.
• Acrylic : Acrylic is often considered a cost-effective alternative to wool. It is colorfast, pleasantly soft, and offers a similar texture to wool, but it does not achieve the same durability.

Australian interior designer Lauren Keenan , whose award-winning podcast has been providing inspiration for more than 7 years, believes that the best carpets are made of wool or nylon if you are looking for a more cost-effective option.

Lauren shared with her podcast listeners that wool is an extremely durable choice that will last a long time with proper care.

Wool is considered the finest and most prestigious fiber. While it may be somewhat more expensive, it is a natural fiber of great importance. It is naturally soft and requires no chemical additives to feel pleasant against the skin. Furthermore, wool is dirt-repellent, which is especially important if you have children or pets, or if you occasionally spill something

The interior design expert further argues:

"There is a widespread misconception that wool is delicate. However, wool carpets are extremely durable. Furthermore, wool has a memory for its fiber structure, which allows it to spring back into shape after heavy furniture such as a table or bed has been moved. Synthetic carpets are considerably less likely to recover their shape."

Lauren occasionally recommends nylon rugs. These are very popular and offer a wide range of options and price points. They can be used without hesitation in high-traffic areas of your home. Lauren usually advises choosing a solution-dyed nylon rug, as this fixes the color and is less prone to wear and tear over time.

As numerous designers and brands strive for a more sustainable selection of carpets, the focus today is increasingly on the use of carpets in living spaces that are made from natural and renewable raw materials and are therefore more environmentally friendly.

Jodie Hatton , design manager at Brintons also considers wool a particularly popular and durable example of this. She explains:

Wool is not only currently trending, but also has the added advantage of being a fantastic sustainable choice for floor coverings.”

Wool insulates your home, is easily recyclable, and biodegradable; moreover, shearing sheep is important for their well-being. Thanks to wool's hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, using it on the floor helps improve air quality.

05 Patterns and Textures

When choosing patterns and colors, you should consider your existing decor and color scheme. A rug can act as an accent piece, adding color and pattern to an otherwise neutral room, or it can serve as a unifying element, harmoniously connecting different parts of a room.

Popular carpet textures and pile

Loop pile carpets (Bouclé): are characterized by their distinctive loop structure.

Unlike cut-loop carpets, bouclé carpets retain their characteristic looped shape. These loops can be designed at different heights, allowing for a fascinating variety of textures and patterns.

Cut-loop carpets : In these carpets, the yarn loops are cut, creating a softer, plusher surface.

Velour carpets : These carpets also belong to the category of cut-pile carpets. They are manufactured by cutting the yarn loops, resulting in a smooth and luxurious surface. The often short fibers create a fine, dense pile that offers a high level of comfort underfoot.

Bouclé, cut pile and velour carpets can be divided into high pile and low pile carpets.

The texture of a carpet influences both the feeling underfoot and its visual appeal, contributing to the overall mood and style of the room.

06 Color

The detail that significantly determines the overall effect is the carpet color . It can make the carpet disappear into the background, almost as a stage for the rest of the decor. Or it can make it an eye-catcher that draws the eye before it gradually wanders around and discovers the rest of the room.

But that's not all: The color of the carpet can make the room appear cozy or lively, sober or cheerful.

Here's how to showcase your interior with colorful carpets

Beige: warm and elegant

Beige is one of the most popular colors for carpets. It's understated without being cold. It's unobtrusive without being boring. And it goes well with many colors and interior design styles , such as minimalism or Scandinavian design .

A beige rug particularly easy to coordinate. Combined with wooden surfaces and soft pastel shades, it creates a relaxed and natural atmosphere. In a minimalist design, it underscores the understated character of the decor while simultaneously adding a touch of warmth.

Furthermore, a beige rug visually brightens the room and thus makes it appear larger. Beige is therefore a good choice for a welcoming, elegant, and relaxed overall impression.

Grey: neutral and modern

Gray is a neutral color that can quickly appear cold. At the same time, it embodies understated elegance and timeless modernity. A gray rug is often the first choice for a minimalist interior. It provides a subtle backdrop against which the clean lines of minimalist furnishings can truly shine.

In combination with other neutral tones, gray creates a harmonious and calm atmosphere. It also serves as a good backdrop for furniture in bold colors, preventing vibrant hues from appearing kitschy or overly playful.

Many a furniture combination that borders on a fashion faux pas can be grounded by a grey rug, creating a harmonious ensemble. A grey rug is particularly suitable when a room is intended to have a modern and elegant look.

Green: calm and natural

Green carpets are often in dark tones that exude calm and naturalness. Compared to beige or gray carpets, green a color that makes a carpet appear significantly more prominent in a room. Against this backdrop, lighter natural materials can truly shine – wood, for example, stone, or wicker. The overall impression depends primarily on the shade of green.

A rich, dark green exudes luxury and a particularly calming atmosphere. Olive green tones appear more modern, but also somewhat harsher. It pairs well, for example, with furniture in earth tones, such as a brown sofa. Green is the ideal carpet color when tranquility and a natural feel are paramount.

Red: powerful and warm

The color red symbolizes passion, energy, and warmth. It brings spaces to life and infuses them with emotion. At the same time, red draws all eyes, creating a strong focal point. Red carpets are often in dark shades like burgundy, as this color also conveys a sense of calm and warmth.

Because of its dramatic effect, it's advisable to combine a red rug with neutral colors or soft accents in wood or gold tones. This creates a balanced overall look and prevents the room from feeling cluttered. In this way, a red rug creates an elegant and vibrant, yet also cozy, living environment.

Colorful: creative and vibrant

Multicolored rugs create a unique sense of creativity and vibrancy. They instantly appear more interesting than monochrome rugs and are also an excellent expression of individuality and personal style. However, they do require a certain eye for style. The more colors and shapes that need to be combined, the more difficult it becomes to create a harmonious overall look.

To avoid overwhelming the room, the rest of the furnishings should be kept in either complementary colors or neutral tones. The rug then becomes the centerpiece of the room, lending it color and character. Magnificent rugs are an excellent choice if you want to bring dynamism and a strong personal touch to the space.

Fun Fact: The meaning of colors

Did you know that colors in carpets often cultural and symbolic meanings ?

In Persian carpets, for example, the color blue stands for sky and spirituality, red symbolizes prosperity and joy, and green is the color of the Prophet Mohammed and represents renewal and paradise.

Tips for placement and care

General rules of thumb for placement

The placement of a rug can completely transform the character of a room. Here are some simple tips to get the most out of your rug:

• Place the rug under significant pieces of furniture to anchor the room.
• Use a rug to define different areas in an open space.
• Experiment with patterns and textures to create visual interest – for example, combine a fluffy shag rug with smooth, modern furniture.

Integrating carpets with interior design styles

Carpets in minimalist, industrial and Scandinavian living spaces: For minimalist and Scandinavian designs, low-pile carpets in neutral tones are ideal, while textured carpets emphasize an industrial character.

Carpet selection for eclectic and traditional styles: Eclectic interiors offer space for vibrant, colorful patterns that embody various influences, while traditional interiors are enhanced by classic designs such as Oriental or Persian carpets.

Care

A carpet requires regular care to maintain its beauty and lifespan. Vacuum it regularly to remove dirt and dust. Keep in mind that different materials require different care methods.

Prompt stain removal is essential to keeping carpets looking pristine and attractive. Use carpet pads under heavy furniture to prevent pressure marks, and rotate carpets regularly to ensure even wear. 

Blot up any spills with a clean cloth and use appropriate cleaning agents depending on the carpet material.

For example, a wool rug should not be treated with the same cleaning products as a synthetic rug. It is also advisable to rotate the rug regularly to ensure even wear.

Functional considerations

Acoustics and well-being

Carpets absorb sound, reduce echoes in a room, and create a pleasant texture that can positively influence the perception of space. Robust, low-pile carpets like Berber are particularly well-suited for high-traffic areas due to their durability and ease of maintenance. This is of considerable importance in many office environments.

Cooperate with a professional carpet cleaning service to protect your carpets from invisible dangers.

Indoor air quality

Choose carpets made from natural fibers like wool or specially treated synthetic fibers that are resistant to dust mites and other allergens. Regular vacuuming with HEPA filters , as well as professional deep cleaning, can significantly reduce allergens and maintain good indoor air quality.

Final thoughts

A rug is more than just a decorative piece – it's an expression of your personality and style. By carefully selecting a rug that meets your needs, is the right size, and is made of high-quality materials, you can transform your home into a welcoming oasis.

Rugs tell stories, give rooms character, and are often the finishing touch that completes a room. Choose wisely, and your rug will bring you joy for years to come.