Lately, the design world has been rolling out a lot more love for rugs – and rightly so. If you’re trying to make your home feel like it’s been styled by a pro (without actually hiring one), starting from the floor up might just be your smartest move.
Rugs are no longer just practical floor coverings; they’re design statements, mood setters, and according to interior designer and Vogue columnist Jermaine Gallacher – often misunderstood. A well-chosen rug can anchor a room, define zones in open-plan layouts, and inject colour, texture, and a sense of story into a space. Whether you’re working with tired floorboards, echoey acoustics, or simply want to soften the room’s energy, a rug does more than pull a look together – it builds it.
Flat weave rugs like dhurries and kilims (the kind you find in antique markets or tucked away in dealers’ showrooms) offer durability and laid-back charm. They’re ideal for high-traffic zones like hallways and kitchens, where a deep shag pile would be nothing short of chaos. If you’re after more luxe underfoot, opt for a cut pile – plush, elegant and endlessly tactile, especially in bedrooms or cosy sitting rooms.
Don’t shy away from bold tones or intricate motifs. A vintage Persian or Moroccan rug will bring warmth and depth to modern interiors, while a clean-lined runner with a border can elongate a hallway and add architectural clarity. And forget the myth that light rugs make a space bigger – darker rugs ground a room beautifully and offer a more dramatic contrast.
Some of the best rugs aren’t brand new. Shopping vintage or second-hand (hello, Pimlico Road) is not only more sustainable – it often leads you to pieces with real soul. Just be sure to check for moth holes and wear. Faded patterns and natural patinas, on the other hand, are all part of the charm.
Kitchens? Yes. Bathrooms? Why not? A rug where you least expect it can elevate the entire feel of a room. Jermaine Gallacher himself swears by flat weaves in unusual places, and even a bold leather number in the bedroom. It’s these kinds of choices that make your home feel lived-in, layered, and, most of all, loved.