Modern, sophisticated homeowners are open to the latest ideas when it comes to home furnishings and luxury rugs have unsurprisingly become one of their more popular choices. These rugs help make any corner of your home more luxurious and striking owing to the modern designs, high-end materials and stunning colour patterns. Some of the world’s best designers have been collaborating on these magnificent creations, which can accentuate the aesthetics of your space and provide warmth and comfort underfoot at the same time.

While the classic rugs continue to have their place in the rugs hierarchy, as it were, modern rugs have stolen a march in recent years and for good reason. Rugs have been in use for centuries so what makes a rug ‘modern’, as opposed to a traditional rug?

Vibrant Blue large machine-made modern rug placed in spacious sunlit room

What Defines ‘Modern Rugs’?

As the world has evolved, designers and rug technicians have taken the art of rug making to new heights. A modern rug would stand out due to its knotting methodology, design, shape, colour pattern and materials in some cases. As a consequence, it is correctly regarded as the ideal combination of art, inventiveness and functionality in the realm of luxury design.

A contemporary rug elevates the room with chic luxury. The innovative shapes, colour combinations and patterns on the rugs make them the ideal luxury item for your home. Another significant attribute of modern rugs in some cases is the material.

Some of the unique and innovative fibres that are used for manufacturing these designer rugs offer considerable longevity, functionality and luxury aesthetics. However, it should be noted they can also be made from traditional materials like wool, sheepskin and silk - as long as their designs work for modern interior design.

Luxury red and black hand crafted silk rug complemented with an elegant modular sofa and a stunning coffee table enhancing the spacious, contemporary living room .

How Rugs are Used in Luxury Interiors

Rugs have become increasingly popular among interior designers involved in sprucing up luxury properties and it is easy to see why. In this context, it is also important to remember that they have adorned the homes of the rich, famous and powerful for thousands of years. In the current age, there are several ways in which rugs are used in luxury properties.

Elevating the Interiors

A luxury rug with a distinctive shape or innovative design patterns and materials enriches the interiors of a luxury property profoundly. These rugs integrate the overall aesthetics of the room, including wall colours, furniture, floor patterns and furnishings in a subtle way. They are available in all sorts of shapes, colour combinations and patterns so that you can explore your creative vision when choosing one for your luxury home.

Warmth and Comfort

Other than its immense aesthetic quotient, the modern rug also provides warmth and comfort like the classical luxury rug. In your luxury property, you could place it under your bed or the sofa and pretty much anywhere you feel like so as to enjoy the natural insulation and comfort of these rugs.

An Understated Style Statement

True luxury is always understated and one of the best ways of accentuating the interiors of your luxury property is by adorning it with complementing accessories. The modern rug adds character and style to the interiors thanks to its bold patterns, quirky shapes and innovative designs. Lately, we’ve been seeing an increased demand for handmade rugs in bespoke designs as they have become a ‘must-have’ for luxury interiors.

Classy and modern living room with a cozy grey handloom rug complemented by a stunning sofa and the sleek solid wood coffee table.

Best Materials for Modern Rugs

As opposed to traditional rugs, modern luxury rugs could be made with a range of materials, including classic ones. Here’s a closer look into them.

Wool

It is one of the most popular materials for rugs in general and for good reason, given the warmth and comfort it offers. It is durable, self-cleaning and water-resistant. While it is more expensive than rugs made of other materials, these rugs also last for generations with proper maintenance. Modern woollen rugs come in very unique designs and shapes, offering a different spin on an age-old classic.

Hides

These rugs are made from animal skin and the popular ones are sheepskin rugs and bearskin rugs. Cowskin rugs are also one of the options. Modern animal hide rugs offer highly innovative designs and patterns which can light up your living space. While these rugs score highly on the aesthetics scale, they can be damaged easily and hence they are better suited for areas with low traffic.

Natural Fibres

Natural fibres are popular materials for rug manufacturing, owing to the contemporary styles in which they can be fashioned and also for being relatively less expensive. The most popular natural rugs are sisal and jute, since both these materials can be easily integrated with most homes, regardless of interior decor. However, these materials are not soft like fur or hides and stain removal is routinely difficult.

Man-made Materials

These synthetic materials collectively represent the epitome of modernity since they have been developed and perfected over the past few decades. Some of the popular materials used for manufacturing include polyester and olefin. Fibres made from these materials offer a shiny and luxe feel. However, if you are looking for a more ‘natural’ look then viscose, Trieste and rayon fibres could be the ideal choices, even for outdoor rugs. Viscose could be a great substitute for silk fibres. Nylon fibres are highly popular for such rugs since the material can be cleaned easily and can tolerate high traffic, unlike the other synthetic fibres, which is why they’re frequently used in runner rugs..

A stunning grey artistic rug  place in a modern bedroom with a contemporary look.

Popular Rug Types for Different Spaces

A rug is a luxury furnishing and can be placed in any part of your home. However, certain types can be more suitable for certain specific spaces in the house. Here’s a look at some of the popular rug types for two of the most important spaces.

Living Room

The living room is where you entertain visitors and also spend your leisure time. Hence, it would need a rug that makes a statement. A wool rug with bold and innovative patterns could send a strong message about your tastes, preferences and sophistication. These offer warmth and comfort while being durable and water-resistant. It is hardly a surprise that it is one of the most popular types of large rugs for the living room.

Another good option is the animal hide rug, usually made from sheepskin, cowskin and bearskin. These living room rugs would give your space a classical look. However, in recent times, synthetic fibre rugs like those made from nylon, rayon, acrylic and polyester have also become popular. They are available in a range of bold colours and patterns, including abstract rugs which can take your breath away.

Bedroom

The bedroom is your personal space and sanctuary from the world, which is why it may need a different kind of rug. Rugs which are popular in the bedroom category are generally smaller in size, offering both warmth and comfort. The most popular ones are woollen or animal hide ones because these fit the bill on both fronts.

Shaggy and wool rugs are excellent choices for bedroom rugs but you should look for designs and colours that complement your space. Lately, we’ve been loving the use of dark colours and geometric patterns in bedrooms and this has seen its way to rugs as well. Designers also love using rugs to bring texture to the space, for example, through the use of shaggy rugs.

A modern machine printed white and black rug in stunning bedroom with a minimal look

Designer Tips on Styling Your Space with a Rug

While the clear benefits of having a rug are well known, it shouldn’t be ignored that luxury rugs are also a significant element of your interior decor and can elevate the aesthetics of a room significantly. Here are some ways in which you could achieve ‘the look’.

Harmony

The rug should complement the overall decor of the room and thereby help accentuate it. For instance, if the room is dominated by lighter colours, then a grey rug could be the perfect choice to further harmonise the decor. Conversely, a bolder colour could be used if such colours are present in the room to some degree.

Pattern Matching

This may be a basic design hack but it is the one which can make a significant difference to the room’s aesthetics. Patterned rugs are now all the rage but it would look out of place if it is not somewhat matched with the patterns on the sofas. For instance, if the sofas bear big squares, then your rug should also have similar patterns and colour schemes so as to present a consistent vibe.

Play with Contrasts and Shapes

While pattern matching and harmony are essential thumb rules, a slight play with contrasts or vibrant colours wouldn’t look out of place in certain rooms. If you contrast the dominant colour of your rug with the dominant colour of the room then it can create a stunning look. Such contrasts may work for red and blue or green and yellow. In terms of shapes, adding organic shapes like a round rug can make a huge difference.

A stunning multi coloured cozy modern rug complemented with a classy L-shaped sofa enhancing the inviting ambiance of a room with a beautiful view of lush greenery outside.

How FCI London can Help you Find the Perfect Rug

FCI London is the foremost lifestyle and furniture house in the United Kingdom, with almost four decades of experience.

We have built our position by supplying high-grade bespoke furnishings, furniture and lifestyle offerings through our attention to detail, personal service and customisation expertise.

We urge all discerning customers to head to our London showroom and check out our extensive rug collection that can be customised in any modern design of your choice.

Book an appointment with an FCI rug expert

If you need any advice on selecting, designing or layering bespoke rugs, take advantage of our free design consultation. Simply make an appointment to visit our award-winning showroom and our expert team will walk you through all your options, ensuring that you end up with an aesthetic you love.

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