In my student days I was never a fan of rugs, whether that was shaggy rugs or something completely different like a sisal or jute rug. I just couldn’t see the point of them. Now I’m older and wiser, it’s safe to say that I’m a complete convert! I firmly believe that a rug will improve any room and I have 5 great reasons for this, which I will share with you here.

Rugs Add Colour and Texture

Adding a rug is perhaps one of the simplest ways to add texture and colour to any room in your home. Rugs offer a contrast to hard flooring and can be layered to add even more visual interest. Of course, rugs come in many shapes, colours and materials, so you can be sure to find the perfect style for your room. I especially love faux fur and faux animal skin, felted wool and seagrass rugs for adding texture to a room. In terms of colour, adding a rug can completely change the look and feel of a room. It’s an easy, yet affordable way to brighten your space and add a splash of colour.

Rugs Add Warmth

Adding a rug is one of the best ways to add a feeling of warmth and cosiness to any space within your interior design. A rug will add a touch of luxury and comfort underfoot. Rugs make a room with hard flooring more inviting. What could be cosier than snuggling up on a rug in front of a roaring fire? If cats and dogs could talk, they would tell you that a rug is the best spot for a warm and comfortable snooze. In a bedroom with hard flooring, it’s a great idea to have a large rug so that you don’t have to get up on winter mornings and put your feet straight onto a cold, hard floor.

They are Great for Noise Reduction

If I had known how effective a rug is at noise reduction, I would have bought a job lot for my housemates at uni. My bedroom was on the ground floor and I could hear them walking (and sometimes dancing!) around at all hours! Rugs help to muffle footsteps and dull other noises by reducing sound transfer within a room. A rug is the ideal way to soundproof your home without sacrificing style. This can be especially helpful in a home where you have a bedroom or playroom above another living space, which you need to be quiet (a home office, bedroom or lounge for example).

They Offer Protection and Hide Imperfections

Hardwood and even modern laminate flooring is costly. Adding a rug to home areas with a high level of footfall can protect and preserve your flooring. Hall and entryways can benefit from a rug in order to protect flooring from outdoor footwear. Another advantage is that a rug can be more easily cleaned than a carpet in case of spills. One place where this is particularly effective is under a dining table, where pulling chairs in and out can cause scuffs and damage to your floor.

On the other hand, if you have a floor that already has a blemish, stain, mark or discolouration, a rug is the perfect way to conceal it. Using a rug is a far more affordable option than re-flooring a room and is perfect for those who are renting. Invest in a rug and you can take it with you when you move.

Rugs Add the Perfect Finishing Touch

A rug is like artwork for your floor. It’s the perfect way to tie a space together and act as an anchor for your interior design. It may even be the starting inspiration from which your scheme develops. A rug is ideal for designating ‘zones’ in an open plan home, acting as a focal point each different space. In addition to this, rugs can help to consolidate a colour scheme and ‘ground’ your room.

So, there you have it, 5 great reasons to use more rugs in your interior design. Remember that larger rugs are usually more expensive, so if you’re on a budget, you might opt for two smaller rugs and layer, or slightly overlap them. As a bonus, this adds extra texture too!

This is a guest article. This guest article was written by Gude Hudson-Gool, Brand Manager at Synsera Homes Limited. At work she loves to collaborate with others in the property, construction and interiors industry. Gude is a little obsessed with decluttering and interiors and also loves cats, origami, yoga and travel.