The Timeless Beauty of a William Morris Rug Design
If you’re looking for William Morris rugs, you’ll find them in the prestigious Morris & Co. range. With beautiful patterns based on the original Victorian designs of William Morris himself, these rugs encompass the intricate patterning and floral scenes that typify his art.
At Rugs Direct, we have a premium range of Morris & Co. rugs for sale, with free UK delivery on all items as a standard. This article will guide you through why these William Morris rug patterns are so iconic, explaining the history behind the artist and the significance of his designs.
We’ll also take you through our top picks from the wide variety of Morris & Co. rugs that we stock plus our William Morris-style rugs for more affordable options.
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Who Was William Morris?
William Morris was a textile designer, poet, socialist (and more!) and was a seminal figure in the British Arts & Craft Movement. Living from 1834-1896, Morris is considered a vital figure of Victorian Britain who holds an enduring significance.
During his own lifetime, he achieved notoriety chiefly as a poet, but he has become posthumously famous for his textile designs. In fact, Morris was a major contributor to traditional British textile art revival, and the significance of this can be seen in the lasting popularity of his designs in interior decoration.
Indeed, Morris’s goal in creating the British Arts & Craft Movement was to bring back the methods of hand-made crafts, like textiles, and restore their perceived prestige. It came about in fierce opposition to the 19th-century prioritisation of factory production.
The Designs and Patterns that Characterise William Morris Rugs
Morris created his own workshop where he set to work designing many different patterns, intended for hand-crafted woven and printed cloth, upholstery, and more. His personal interest in medieval arts and crafts was suffused into his embroidery textile designs.
William Morris rug designs closely follow his original art, comprising rug patterns with intricate weaves of floral detail. Bursting with a distinctive colour palette, these iconic designs are busy and daring but never tacky.
The English heritage of William Morris’s design is undeniable. Think country homes and pretty flower gardens in the high bloom of an English summer, birds trilling in the oak trees. With a Morris & Co. rug, you can bring the outdoors in.
Our Favourite William Morris Rugs For Sale
We are proud to offer some of the best prices on William Morris rugs in the UK – and our fast, free delivery seals the deal.
A William Morris wool rug gives you the luxurious softness of this natural material with a sleek sheen finish: each rug from Morris & Co. features a sophisticated 94% wool and 6% viscose weave.
Below is our curated selection of best-selling Morris & Co. rug designs:
William Morris Seaweed Rugs
This Seaweed Ink Rug from Morris & Co is one of our most popular options. The deep blue provides a bold backdrop for the lighter blues, greens, and creams to shine through. Pick out the leafy green accents to pair with soft furnishings or just let the eye-catching design of the rug speak for itself.
For a rustic autumnal look, the shades of this Charcoal Mustard option make for a charmingly muted aesthetic.
William Morris Strawberry Thief Rugs
The Strawberry Thief design is an original from William Morris, made around 1883 and based on the thrushes who frequently stole strawberries from the gardens of Kelmscott Manor. The complex pattern is beautifully ornate and will be a great talking piece. Choose the Crimson option to extend the strawberry theme and lend a truly luxurious feel to any room or go for the fresh minty greens of the Slate option.
William Morris Thistle Rug
This William Morris area rug has a uniquely elaborate pattern that manages to be both intricate and subtle thanks to its deft colouring. The cool bluey-grey hues meld with the terracotta and cream accents to create a gorgeous finish.
William Morris Acanthus Rugs
The forest design of the Acanthus Rugs from Morris & Co. are an enchanting mixture of crimsons and burnt orange. You can almost feel the crunch underfoot in the delicately drawn furls of crisp Autumn leaves.
To take the design in a more contemporary chic direction, choose this sophisticated black and white option.
William Morris Artichoke Rug
Like many Morris & Co. designs, the Artichoke rug allows you to bring an earthy outdoors feeling to any room. This artwork is heavily inspired by original embroidery from Morris, featuring typically intricate plant detailing. Choose from the rich blues and reds of the Mineral option, the warmer Amber Charcoal, or the cool Charcoal Mustard.
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Explore Our Favourite William Morris-Style Rugs
If you’re looking for a rug with a William Morris inspired pattern that has a more budget-friendly price tag, browse these fantastic alternative options below:
Kendra Rugs by Oriental Weavers
Evoke a William Morris Arts and Crafts rug with the Kendra range from Oriental Weavers. These rugs have traditionally ornate designs that have a beautiful antique look. Choose from a range of mature colours for a timeless design made from highly durable polypropylene material.
Da Vinci Rugs by Mastercraft
The Da Vinci range from renowned brand Mastercraft features an array of elegant designs with exquisite decorative detail in true William Morris style. From indigo blues and luxurious reds to white and gold, the best thing about this range is its variety.
Devore – Matric Rugs by Asiatic
If the floral details in William Morris rugs are to your taste, have a look at the Matrix collection from Asiatic. These rugs lend a modern twist to a Morris-style pattern, with white flowers against pretty block pastels for a fresh aesthetic.
Find the Perfect Designer Rug With Free UK Delivery at Rugs Direct
At Rugs Direct, we proudly stock a huge variety of quality rugs in the UK, including designer brands like New Weave, Calvin Klein, and Louis de Poortere. And if you like the antique elegance of William Morris, you can browse our range of traditional rugs or floral rugs to find similar designs.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor rugs or hallway runner rugs, we have the range. Don’t forget that every rug is available with free UK delivery and an easy returns system so you can shop hassle-free.