Harmonising Home Décor with Multicoloured Rugs

 

Stepping into a room adorned with a multicoloured rug is an uplifting experience, and having one instantly transforms the mood of the space. With their vibrant hues and intricate patterns, they have a unique ability to infuse life into even the most monochrome or understated interiors.

But for all their charm, there is a challenge. How do you coordinate them with existing furniture and décor? It can’t be denied that multicoloured rugs captivate, but you have to be careful not to tip the room from well-matched to overwhelming by placing one down. But there’s no need to worry if you don’t know where to start.

With the right insights – like those you’ll find in this guide – and some creativity, you can create spaces that resonate with beauty, balance, and brilliance. Join us as we share the secrets of mastering coordination between lively multicoloured rugs and the rest of your home. We’ll help you ensure harmony in every room.

The Power of Palette Selection

Each colour in the palette of a multicoloured rug plays a pivotal role, and understanding their significance can be the key to achieving a cohesive décor scheme.

Dominant vs. Subtle Hues

At first glance, your eye might be drawn to the more dominant colours within the rug. These are the bold shades that immediately capture attention and set the rug's overall tone. But intertwined with these dominant tones are often more subtle, secondary hues that play a supporting, but equally important, role in the rug’s design.

Take, for instance, this Ankara Global ANR14 Teal Multi rug:

Of course, you’re immediately drawn to the greenish blues of the teal. It’s even right there in the name. But what about the beiges, the browns, and the flecks of red?

You should always look to recognise and differentiate between these main and secondary colours to create a balanced look. All shades present offer unique styling opportunities.

Tying Everything Together

Once you've identified the primary and secondary hues, you can begin to curate your furniture and décor around them. For dominant colours, consider using them sparingly in the room to avoid overwhelming the space. This could be in the form of a statement armchair, cushion covers, or wall art.

Look at this Nomad Nourison NMD04 Aqua rug for an example of what we mean. The rug is large, so other aqua elements and features in the space are limited to the chair cushion:

On the other hand, the secondary, more muted tones present an opportunity to be used more liberally. Much like the beige and cream colours in this Terrain Bakke Cream Multi rug:

Remember, the key lies in balance. By understanding the hierarchy of colours within your rug and mirroring this in your room, you create a harmonious environment where each element complements the other, rather than competes for attention.

Neutral Accents: A Balancing Act

While a visual treat, multicoloured rugs also need to be styled in a way that keeps a space from becoming overly chaotic or cluttered-looking. This is where neutral tones come into play, acting as the calming force in the vibrant storm.

Grounding the Space

Imagine a vivacious rug with splashes of blue, red, and yellow. As thrilling as the burst of colours is, without some restraint, a room can start feeling cluttered. Neutral-coloured furniture or decorative pieces act as the grounding elements.

You can see exactly what we mean with this Celestial CES09 Blue Yellow rug:

Be it a sleek beige sofa, a sand-toned coffee table, or soft white cushions, neutral accents provide a pause for the eyes, allowing them to rest amid the rug's vibrant hues. They don't just complement; they enhance the multicoloured allure by providing contrast.

Neutral Walls

While it's tempting to match the vibrancy of the rug on the walls, restraint can often yield the most aesthetic results. Walls painted in soft greys, creams, or whites create a canvas that allows your multicoloured rug to truly shine. This neutrality ensures the rug becomes the star of the room, while the walls act as the subtle backdrop.

We’ve got a great example right here, in our Sunrise 21821 Multi rug:

Beyond letting the rug have its day, there is another reason to opt for neutral walls. Palettes like this one ensure flexibility. Should you ever choose to switch out décor or introduce new colour schemes, neutral walls will consistently provide the perfect base.

Mixing Patterns with Care

Pairing multicoloured rugs with patterned furniture, or patterned ornaments and decorative elements, is a fine art. It requires delicate care and attention to get them to blend together without clashing.

Scale Matters

Consider your multicoloured rug the main visual element. If it boasts large, sprawling patterns, counter it with furniture or decor that features smaller, more understated designs.

A rug with a grand paisley or floral pattern, for example, might be best complemented by cushions with petite polka dots or thin stripes, much like we’ve achieved here with our Vintage Kashan VKA02 Ivory rug:

Conversely, if your rug has a delicate design, don’t be afraid to go bold with your upholstery, art, or curtain patterns. The bright golds of our Astro 7150 J rug blend beautifully with the cushions and blankets while bouncing playfully off the gorgeously deep teal of the sofa:

The key is contrast: different scales ensure patterns don’t clash, but converse.

Pattern Rhythm

Just like in music, rhythm in design creates cohesion. When working with various patterns, you should aim to seek alignment. If your rug has a particular motif that's repetitive, mirror that repetition in other areas of the room – perhaps in the form of wall art, vase designs, or even in the texture of fabrics.

This can even work on a simple colour level. The Lexus Terra rug has a repeating motif of terracotta shades, which are mirrored across this living space:

Ensure, however, that these patterns aren't screaming for attention. They should instead subtly echo the rug's theme. Think of it as different instruments playing the same tune in an orchestra; while distinct, they all contribute to the same harmonious sound.

Texture Tales

Multicoloured rugs are often a tactile experience, inviting you to touch, feel, and connect with a space. In a room's ensemble, while colour and pattern play the lead roles, texture is the powerful support, adding depth and dimension.

Here's how to weave texture into the narrative of your space with a multicoloured rug as the centrepiece.

Texture Harmony

Every texture tells a story. The plush pile of a multicoloured rug might speak of luxury, while its intricate weave speaks of artisan craftsmanship. These stories can be complemented by the narratives of other elements in the room. A velvety sofa, for example, can add a touch of opulence, forming a rich tapestry of touch with the rug.

Look at how one can work wonders with our Gilbert 83 X rug:

On the other hand, a rustic wooden table or wicker chair can offer a delightful contrast, grounding the room with earthiness. Look at how it works between this particular chair and our 3D Geo Shaggy Ochre rug:

It's all about the dialogue between textures; some agreeing, some contrasting, but all contributing to the room's layered narrative.

Smooth Transitions

While it's tempting to drench the room in a myriad of textures, restraint is key. Imagine your space as a textured mosaic; each piece distinct, yet part of a cohesive whole.

Start with your multicoloured rug as the anchor. Identify its dominant texture and then scatter complementary textures around the room. Avoid clustering similar textures in one corner; distribute them evenly to ensure the eyes – and hands – flow smoothly from one tactile experience to another.

For instance, if you have a silky cushion and a coarse throw, don’t bunch them together on one sofa; let them reside in separate areas, creating pockets of varied touchpoints. You can see a small example of what we mean with this Allure Globe Cream rug:

The blanket and cushion are separated, opposite a stool of a completely different material to provide visual and tactile interest.

Room-by-Room Coordination

Each room in your home serves a unique purpose and possesses its own charm. When incorporating a multicoloured rug, the goal is to let the rug blend seamlessly with the rest of the space.

Let's explore the key rooms and see how they can be mixed and matched with multicoloured designs.

Living Rooms

The living room is often the centrepiece of a home, bustling with activity and conversation. Here, your multicoloured rug becomes the ground on which all else stands.

If your rug boasts bold colours, try opting for a neutral-toned sofa or one that picks up or matches a secondary hue from the rug. Like we’ve done here, with this Seaweed Ink 28008 rug:

Conversely, with a subdued rug, a vibrant sofa can create a lovely juxtaposition. This Scion Screen Printed Jackfruit & The Beanstalk Chai Sage 125706 rug is certainly subdued next to this sofa:

Wooden or glass coffee tables can also serve as a neutral break, allowing the rug's colours to shine. This is especially true if the material is in a contrasting (but still neutral) colour, such as the coffee table paired with this Brooklyn 21830 Multi rug:

If you’re feeling adventurous, even a metal table reflecting a hue from the rug can be striking. You can see what we mean with this pairing of a side table and our Living Treasures LI16 Grey Ivory rug:

Bedrooms

A sanctuary for many, the bedroom should evoke calm and relaxation. Here, let your rug be the artwork on the floor.

You should try and opt for bed linens that pick up one dominant colour from the rug. This creates a cohesive look without overwhelming the senses. Add a few throw pillows or blankets in a mix of complementing and contrasting hues for an eclectic touch.

We’ve done it here, with our Avanti Melete Emerald rug:

Meanwhile, if your rug is rich in pattern, go for solid-coloured curtains that match a subtler shade from the rug. We’ve done this with a Kaya Esfir KY09 rug and a set of neutral-colour curtains:

For simpler rugs, patterned curtains can also add a delightful contrast.

Dining Rooms

Breaking bread and forging memories, the dining area becomes even more inviting with a multicoloured rug setting the stage.

You should consider chairs in a shade that resonates with the rug but doesn't overpower it. For instance, if the rug has a touch of deep blue, navy chairs could be a stylish choice.

The same principle applies to the whites in this Washable Hug Marrakesh Multi rug, paired with white dining room chairs:

Classic wooden tables work with most rugs, letting the colours be the star. However, a table with metal accents echoing a hue from the rug can also be a sophisticated touch. Again, you can see this in the picture we’ve provided above.

Meanwhile, you can see how a wooden table easily plays second fiddle to our Standard Hermonia Terracotta rug:

Find Your Rainbow Rug Here

Every individual and every home has its distinct character. At Rugs Direct, we understand this principle. That’s why our curated collection of multicoloured rugs isn't just expansive – it's versatile, ensuring there's a match for every unique style and every nuanced preference. From the subtly shaded to the vibrantly vivid, our palette of possibilities knows no bounds.

But a rug isn't just about aesthetics. It's an investment in your home, and it should stand the test of time. That’s why each rug in our collection is crafted to not just add beauty to your rooms but to do so year after year, without losing its charm. Feeling confident and inspired? Explore our selection of rainbow rugs and imagine how each might redefine your interiors.