Rug shots

They lend personality to a room. Big, dominant and flamboyant or small, discreet and muted, either way you cannot go wrong with rugs. Carolina D’Souza meets experts who offer rugged ideas for your home

Living Room

The theme: Modern
The rug: A retro-styled mustard coloured shag rug.
Setting created by: Vincent Subeldia, merchandising manager, Home Centre, Dubai.

Subeldia says: “I chose a modern theme [compared to classic] because it allows for a more playful experimentation.

The primary function of a rug is to group different pieces of furniture; and the size of furniture dictates the size of the rug. In a living room that has a one-, two- and three- seater sofa set, a rug should be placed in a manner that the furniture sits on it – either partially or completely. If you choose to place the rug partially, allow a six-inch perimeter area for the furniture to sit on. However, the design of the rug is an important aspect when deciding on this [placement].

“The diagonal arrangement of the shag rug in this setting creates more interest. As most living areas have wall-to-wall carpeting, a diagonal placement is usually quite comfortable. Circular rugs are not recommended for living rooms, as they are more suited for foyers or receiving areas.

“When choosing a rug one should take into consideration the kind of traffic [people who will pass through the room], the size of the room and its furniture along with the overall décor. The most common size for a living room rug is 4x6 feet. The type of design [on the rug] would depend on the central theme. A few popular choices include animal prints, multi- coloured, abstract patterns and geometric designs.”

Tips:

Shampoo rugs twice a year.
Use rug adhesive to hold it in place.
Use a thicker rug for heavy-traffic areas.

Foyer

Theme: Colonial with modern touches.
The rug: Natural sheepskin in cream.
Created by: Hanne Gokstad, senior decorator, The One, Dubai.

Gokstad says: “When using a rug in a foyer, place it in a corner or at a side, instead of the walkway area. The cream- coloured sheepskin rug [used here] adds cosiness and gives this theme a modern touch. The mahogany- coloured parquet flooring provides a contrast to the light colour of the rug. Its purpose is visual rather than functional. If functionality is what you are looking for, opt for darker colours, and use rugs, such as a dhurrie, that are meant for high-traffic areas, like the foyer, where, apart from people there are times when heavy luggage also make an appearance, avoid lightweight rugs that tend to slip.

“When deciding on the size of rug, the area of the place is very important. If it is a small area, like most foyers are, opt for a small-sized rug. Circular or irregular-shaped rugs work well too; and I don’t recommend wall-to-wall carpeting.

“When choosing colours, opt for tones that complement or contrast. Ideally, allow the colours on your walls to dictate this choice.”

Tips:

If you want to use a rug near the door, use one meant for high-traffic areas.
A sheepskin rug can be used on a bed, on the sofa and even on a wall.

Dining area

Theme: Classic with modern touches.
The rug: geometric patterned rug in complementing shades of brown and blue.
Created by: Samira Sultana, administration manager, Options Furniture Centre, Dubai

Sultana says: “A rug enlivens any setting – they are the crème de la crème of furnishings. However, rugs in dining areas are not very popular. But if used correctly, they lend a distinctive touch. This particular setting is a mix of classic and modern. The rug is placed in a way that it covers only half the dining table area. Its use here is more visual rather than functional. If you allow a dining set to sit on the rug entirely, the beauty of the rug will surely be lost. The geometric design of this rug has a certain uniformity, so it fits into the theme with ease. Strong borders and central designs in rugs work better for living room areas.

“Also, if you have a table with a centre base [instead of four legs], ask for a thick felt lining. This ensures less damage to the rug.”

Tips:

Shag rugs should be avoided.
Choose colours wisely as the possibilities of food crumbs and drink spills are more in the dining area.
Use “shoes” for the legs of chairs.

Bedroom

Theme: Fusion
The rugs: Woollen lime-green rugs in geometric patterns.
Created by: Hameed Khawaja, merchandising manager, Homes R Us, Dubai.

Khawaja says: “The Oriental low bed, bright duvet and parquet flooring create a fun blend, so we chose lime-green rugs to complement this setting. Also, the bright colours of the various elements lend a cheery touch to the room. This fusion look is perfect for younger people as well as those in their 30s.

“Carpets and rugs play a major role in décor after furniture; but when it comes to the function of rugs in a bedroom, it is comfort. The most common place is at the foot or the side which faces the entrance to the room. It is recommended that the size of the rug match either the length or width of the bed. (For aesthetic appeal, it is better to conform to this rule.)

“Here we have placed two rugs in a linear manner; and the layout and colour scheme is balanced by the bright colours [of the rugs]. When deciding on a rug size, factors such as size of the room, furniture and theme are to be considered.”

Tips: