Choosing a Rug: The Full Guide to Colour in Interior Design

We all have colours we’re naturally drawn to, whether you love bold statements or lean towards understated palettes. But understanding how colour works and the impact it has on your space is more relevant than ever, as we continue to see creative expression front and centre in homes.

Bringing Colour into Your Home

One of the most transformative (but manageable) ways to experiment with colour is by using accessories and soft furnishings. Among these, rugs offer a standout opportunity: they’re large enough to anchor a space, impactful enough to shift the mood, and practical too, adding warmth and insulation for added comfort.

Not ready for a major commitment like repainting walls? A rug is your chance to try out new hues or test emerging trends, all without anything lasting or expensive. Rugs will always be bolder and more influential on your room’s vibe than, say, cushions or vases.

Choosing Your Colour

There’s no hard-and-fast rulebook, but harmony matters. Consider what a colour means emotionally, and how a room is used, to inform your choices. For example, yellow remains energising (great for a kitchen or workspace), while blue continues to be associated with calmness, so it's perfect for bedrooms.

Here’s a quick refresher on the character and effect of each colour, updated for today’s interiors:

Red in Interiors

Red remains a bold choice in interior design, and it’s never really out of fashion. Deeper reds like burgundy, wine, and maroon are proving particularly stylish. These shades evoke warmth, comfort, and a sense of passion.

If you choose a red rug, you’re making a powerful statement since it becomes the focal point of any room. Red works especially well in social spaces where you want to encourage conversation and energy, such as dining rooms or living spaces.

If you find bright red intimidating, consider darker, muted shades. These are perfect for creating a snug, intimate atmosphere, especially during the colder months. Pairing red with natural wood and brass finishes can help bring out its richer, more luxurious undertones.

View our extensive range of red rugs.

Pink in Interiors

Pink has matured well beyond its traditionally feminine and girly associations. It’s now widely embraced for its versatility and softness.

Whether you opt for gentle blush, earthy rose, or something livelier like magenta, a pink rug can introduce a nurturing, calming quality to a room. Muted pinks are especially popular for bedrooms and reading nooks as they gently uplift without overwhelming.

If you’re experimenting with boho or modern styles, consider layering pink with warm terracotta or olive green to create a tranquil, harmonious environment. On the bolder side, playful neon or magenta pinks can work brilliantly in creative spaces or children’s areas, bringing a sense of fun and vibrancy.

View our extensive range of pink rugs.

Orange in Interiors

Orange is all about energy, playfulness, and creativity. It brings a sense of warmth and cheer, evoking sun-drenched Mediterranean settings.

This year, earthy tones are leading the way, think burnt orange, apricot, and terracotta rather than bright tangerines. An orange rug can instantly lift an otherwise neutral space, making it feel inviting and stimulating without being overpowering.

Terracotta is especially on trend, as it strikes a balance between traditional and contemporary. It looks fantastic in both minimalist spaces and bolder, maximalist rooms, depending on the accompanying décor. Soft peach versions add a gentle, almost romantic touch to bedrooms and lounges.

View our extensive range of orange rugs.

Yellow in Interiors

Yellow is the colour of sunshine and optimism, and its association with creativity and positivity remains strong. A yellow rug can brighten up the dullest of spaces, making it ideal for north-facing rooms that don’t get much natural light.

In kitchens and living areas, yellow encourages energy and sociability. It also works well in spaces where you need a creative boost, such as a home office.

Current trends lean towards mellow, buttery yellows and mustards, which feel cosy and grown-up rather than the stark or neon brights of the past. Pair yellow with muted greens or soft greys to keep things feeling fresh and modern.

View our extensive range of yellow rugs.

Green in Interiors

Green is used for its links with nature, calmness, and wellbeing. It’s an incredibly versatile colour, ranging from deep, dramatic forest greens that feel luxe and grounding, to fresh sages that are soothing and subtle.

Recently, demand for biophilic, nature-inspired interior design has been huge. Green rugs fit right in. Rich, dark greens add depth and sophistication to dining rooms or studies, while lighter, muted greens are perfect for bedrooms, promoting peace and relaxation.

Green works particularly well with natural timber, rattan accessories, and indoor plants, bringing the outdoors in and helping to create restorative, harmonious spaces.

View our extensive range of green rugs.

Blue in Interiors

Blue remains a firm favourite due to its calming, peaceful properties. It can be airy and fresh with lighter tones like duck egg or powder blue, or moody and enveloping with navy, midnight, or teal.

Blue rugs are especially good in south-facing rooms, which have plenty of natural warmth and can tolerate cooler tones. They help establish a tranquil atmosphere in bedrooms, bathrooms, or living spaces, and lend an understated sophistication to more formal areas of the home.

Layering different shades of blue together or combining blue with soft pinks and greys can make a space feel intentionally designed and serene.

View our extensive range of blue rugs.

Purple in Interiors

Purple is the go-to for those wanting to inject a sense of luxury, creativity, and just a bit of drama into their home. Historically linked with royalty, modern takes on purple tend to favour softer, more liveable tones like lavender and mauve, as well as rich berry hues for added warmth.

A purple rug can bring a dash of sophistication to any room, making it especially striking in reception rooms or master bedrooms. Cooler purples give a sense of elegance and formality, while berry or plum shades create a cocooning effect that’s both warm and inviting.

Mixing purple with gold or brass accents can take the regal feeling even further.

View our extensive range of purple rugs.

Grey in Interiors

Grey is still the backbone of many modern interiors, prized for its adaptability and understated elegance. The movement towards more tactile, textured spaces means that grey rugs aren’t just flat and functional, they’re a way to layer softness and pattern without dominating the room.

Paler greys work beautifully in bright, open spaces to create a sense of calm, while deeper charcoals and graphite tones make a dramatic statement and can serve as the anchor for more colourful accessories. Grey also acts as the ideal bridge between cool and warm tones, bringing everything together effortlessly.

View our extensive range of grey rugs.

Black in Interiors

Black brings a sense of drama, sophistication, and depth. While it might seem daunting, a black rug is actually a clever way to ground a room, especially those dominated by pale colours or minimalist design.

Black should be used sparingly but with great impact. It's all about contrast: a black rug can define a seating area in an open-plan space, add refinement to a hallway, or make light-coloured furniture pop.

It’s especially effective in modern, industrial-inspired homes or those featuring strong architectural statements, where it adds a much-needed sense of punctuation.

View our extensive range of black rugs.

White in Interiors

White is often associated with clarity, peace, and simplicity. While a white rug might seem like a bold (and perhaps impractical) choice, it can actually do wonders for a room, especially when you use a textured weave or natural fibre to prevent the space from feeling too stark.

White rugs are perfect in dark rooms where you want to maximise the available light, or in spaces with richly coloured walls where you need some balance. This year, the trend is for relaxed, almost rustic whites, think undyed wool or cotton, rather than high-gloss finishes, which bring warmth, tactility, and a bit of bohemian flair to the home.

View our extensive range of white rugs.

Ultimately, each colour brings its own mood and message to a space. Rugs are a fantastic, low-risk way to introduce new hues, try out bold colours, or simply refresh a room. Let your instincts guide you and build a home you love!

No matter your style, remember: using colour is about self-expression. Rugs are a fantastic way to introduce exciting new shades to your living space.