Rugs Direct: 4 Surprising Interior Design Trends to Watch Out for in 2015

4 Surprising Interior Design Trends to Watch Out for in 2015

As we approach the dawn of a brand new year, many folks in the interior design world are looking forward to what 2015 will hold. Despite the fact that we’re still a few weeks away, there are still some solid indicators about the interior design trends we may be seeing next year. So let’s take a look at the most likely design trends we’ll be seeing in 2015… some of which may surprise you!

4. Salvaged and upcycled materials

This has been a trend that’s been on the up-and-up for a few years now, but it’s set to really explode next year: salvaged and upcycled materials. The concept of taking an old piece and giving it new life, or even including salvaged materials (like driftwood and railway sleepers), is really gaining some traction. Keep an eye out for the use of some unusual ornaments and statement pieces in lounges and living room in 2015.

3. Modern and traditional fusion

As we move toward the future, there are many interior designers who look to the past for inspiration. This is a great thing because it allows a fusion of both schools of design. For example, the very 1960s trend of using vivid block colours on walls is something that’s really coming back into style. But this design aesthetic is partnered with modern furniture and artwork, causing a juxtaposition that actually works very well.

2. Organic and natural themes

Both in the world of art and wall coverings, there’s been a resurgence in the popularity of designs that include natural elements. Don’t be surprised to see depictions of vines, flowers, trees and other natural forms both in the wall coverings and also in the design of furniture and so on. Bringing this natural touch to a modern room in 2015 is a great way to make a real impression.

1. Monochrome

Here at Rugs Direct, we’ve already seen some of the design trends for 2015 come to life in the form of rug designs. One of the most popular at the moment is anything in monochrome, such the Arte Espina Reflective Rugs. The blend of blacks, whites and greys can create a stark contrast in a room and it’s something that’s already generating buzz in interior design circles and consumers alike.

What are your top picks for the design trends of 2015? Don’t hesitate to let us know. You can call us on 0845 8388638 anytime or find out more about our design trends in our online shop. 

Rugs: Don't be Square!

Don't Be Square: Why Unusually Shaped Rugs Are Making a Comeback

Take a look at any modern home with a rug and you’ll probably notice a trend: rectangles, squares and circles are all very popular rug shapes. It’s easy to see why; these are classic rug shapes that have stood the test of time. But there are some more unusual shapes out there that seem to be grabbing the attention of the rug-buying public. So what is that makes unusually shaped rugs so very popular? We at Rugs Direct think we’ve got the inside track on this emerging trend, so let’s dig in.

Unusual shapes make for eye-catching rooms

While it’s true that a classic rectangular rug can give a room some visual flair, an unusually shaped rug – like those in the Intersection 4210-41 rug range – can transform it. This example doesn’t just break the traditional rules of rug design, they re-invent them. By using right-angles and the appearance of multiple layered squares in varying colours, these unusually shaped rugs could easily pass for modern art, and bring a contemporary twist to any home.

New shapes mean a new approach to colour

If you’re a regular at the Rugs Direct blog, you’ll know that there are a huge number of colours on offer. But unusually shaped rugs give rug design a whole new lease of life. Another sub-set of the Intersection range, the 4209-75 unusually shaped rugs, have a very slapdash approach to shape and colour. An explosion of colours amidst many different geometric shapes, these examples really are unusually shaped rugs taken to the next level.

Unusually shaped rugs break from tradition

One of the major trends in recent times within the world of interior design is a rejection of so-called tradition. Call it post-modernism, call it whatever you’d like, the point is that unusually shaped rugs really do fit in nicely to this new aesthetic. They don’t feature any of the classic or traditional design elements, even down to their colour and design, and unusually shaped rugs are certainly anything but square! With more and more daring choices being made in people’s homes these days, it seems that there really is a place in the modern world for unusually shaped rugs.

If you’d like to explore the weird and wacky world of unusually shaped rugs for yourself, why not visit our online shop today? Alternatively, to quiz one of our friendly rug experts, just call 0845 838 8638.

4 Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

4 Easy Ways to Keep Your Home Warm This Winter

It can’t have escaped your notice that the nights have drawn in and the time for hot-water bottles is once again upon us.

The winter has never been most people’s favourite season, and one of the main reasons behind that is the ever-increasing cost of warming the home. With energy prices in the UK going up all the time, we’re all on the lookout for ways to bring down those wintertime bills. Well, here at Rugs Direct we’ve got a few recommendations that could help you keep your home warm for less – so let’s take a look.

4. Block out drafts effectively

Drafts are one of the main factors in loss of heat within the home. Whether it’s a window slightly open or simply the crack under the door, cold air can easily get in and warm air can get out. To eliminate this issue, you should look at every area where air could escape and install either draft excluders or similar in order to block them out before they start.

3. Install underlay for existing rugs and carpets

Just like wearing multiple layers to keep your body warm, it’s a good idea also to ensure heat isn’t escaping via the cold ground below your home. You can add an extra layer of insulation by adding a high quality underlay to the existing rugs and carpets in your home. Of course, this solution isn’t ideal for very small rugs, but large rugs and 100% coverage carpets will benefit greatly from this measure.

2. Only heat the room you’ll be spending time in

Why pay to heat a room nobody is in? The answer to that should be simple – and the ethos carries across the home. Try to isolate your heating by only switching on radiators in rooms that you’ll actually use. Electric heaters can actually be a better way to achieve this, even if the energy-efficiency of these units is often much higher.

1. Get those exposed floors covered up

If you have a lot of bare wooden floors in your home, or even concrete or other stone materials, you’re losing a lot of heat all the time. The cold ground will quickly sap any heat that’s being generated and boost your bills sky-high. To avoid this, look into purchasing a large rug for total coverage – the longer the pile, the better it will be at trapping warmth.

Remember: for more handy tips like this, keep your eye on the Rugs Direct blog. And if you’re looking for the very best rugs for winter or anytime of the year, head over to our online shop or call 0845 838 8638.

Stuck for a Present? The How about a Rug!

3 Essential Ingredients for the Perfect Christmas Rug

With the big day just around the corner, time is running out to secure those perfect Christmas presents.

But just because the festive season is all about giving doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself now and then, right? With that in mind – and to get into the Christmas spirit – we thought we’d take a look at the essential elements for the perfect Christmas rug. So if you’re looking to create a winter wonderland in your own home this December, our recommendations for a Christmas rug should really come in handy.

A seasonal colour scheme

Before you ask: we’re not talking about a Christmas rug that’s adorned with sparkles, tinsel, gold and silver (although if that’s your kind of thing, we won’t stop you). There are some colours that can be regarded as both festive and appropriate all year round, making them perfect for Christmas rugs. Take red and green for example; these are two classically festive colours that lots of rugs feature. The Swing Funky multi-textured rugs include a floral pattern with red and green highlights blended with just a touch of amber – a real contender for a Christmas rug!

A long pile for extra cosiness

What do you think of when you picture Christmas? Perhaps it’s the traditional image of a warm fireplace with cold weather outside? If so, the perfect Christmas rug has to include a thick, cosy texture for that extra touch of the warm and cosy. Any one of the shaggy rugs in our range would be an ideal choice – a great Christmas rug on which to open your presents on Christmas morning! Shaggy rugs are great as Christmas rugs because the long, soft and feathery pile makes them a real pleasure to sit on.

A traditional design for your Christmas rug

Okay, so it might not be ideal to have a rug in your home all year round which features Santa Claus or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy traditional designs. Intricate and ornate patterns such as those you see on our antique rug ranges are ideal for Christmas because they evoke images of a wintry, traditional England – and the blend of reds and greens doesn’t hurt the Christmas rug image either.

If we’ve inspired you to track down the ideal Christmas rug to add to your home this festive season, why not explore our full online rug shop? Or if you have any specific questions, just call our friendly team on 0845 838 8638. Ho, ho, ho!

The Best Black and White Rugs

Monochrome in Your Home: The Best Black and White Rugs

If you’re looking for the latest in interior design trends, you can’t miss out on monochrome.

In fact, it’s not just limited to interiors: the monochrome colour scheme can be seen in fashion design, too. At Rugs Direct, we aim to offer the freshest and most in-demand designs, which is why we stock plenty of eye-catching black and white rugs for you to choose from. But with so much choice, how can you decide which black and white rug is the one for you? Well, with a view to helping you make a better decision, we’ve chosen a handful of our favourite monochrome rugs – so let’s make a start!

Tashen Black and White Rug

For real texture and true character, you can’t beat a Tashen black and white rug. With its unmistakeable chunky pile, this rug has been designed to really catch the eye. A peppering of black and white can be a superb focal point for any room in your home. These rugs are made from the finest 100% New Zealand wool, and are easily one of our top choices for black and white rugs. See this black and white rug in our shop.

Monochrome Black Grey rug

Fancy a splash of geometry in your home? Then this black and white rug should fit the bill perfectly. With a design that’s made up of irregularly placed squares and triangles, this is a truly monochrome rug from the masters at Arte Espina. Hand-tufted in China and made from espirelle, this is a hard-wearing black and white rug which is totally colour-fast. Find out more now.

Splash Elements Ivory Rug

Nobody creates black and white rug designs quite like Elements, and this Ivory Rug is living proof. The contemporary and head-turning design is quite literally impossible to miss, and that’s paired effortlessly with a soft but thick pile made from 100% wool. This is a black and white rug you can really be proud of – and it’s perfect for a modern home. Get yours today.

Football Rug

We couldn’t end this post without something for this kids – and this technically falls into the black and white rug category. A football rug through-and-through, and made by the well-known brand Arte Espina, this black and white rug is perfect for the footie fan in your life. Although we’d probably recommend it for children – unless you’ve got a big kid in your house! Learn more about this rug.

We hope we’ve inspired you to check out our range of black and white rugs, but if none of the above tick your boxes, you can find plenty more in our shop. If you have any questions, please contact our crack team of rug specialists on 0845 8388638.

Rugs: The Perfect Present this Christmas

Kids’ Rugs: The Perfect Present This Christmas

With sleigh-bells on the horizon and the temperature rapidly dropping, it can only mean one thing – Christmas is well on the way.

And here at Rugs Direct we want to make sure yours goes off with a bang. One way to do that is with the perfect gifts, and if you’ve got a child or two who fancy redecorating their bedrooms (let’s face it, which of them don’t?), then we have the kids’ rugs for you. With that in mind, let’s explore some of our most popular kids’ rugs…

Stripey Ted Kids’ Rug

Perfect for kids who are still in the nursery, this wonderful Stripey Ted Kids’ Rug is packed with character. Shaped like a classic teddy bear and made up of bright, vibrant colours, this is a kids’ rug that will really stand out and make a lasting impression. Ideal for a boy or a girl, the rug is made from hand-tufted 100% wool.

Arte Espina Kids Collection

If you want to be spoiled for choice in terms of the design on your kids’ rugs, you’ll love the Arte Espina Kids Collection. Adorned with colourful characters, these are kids’ rugs that demand to be seen, with complex scenes that kids will just love to explore themselves. If you’ve got a budding builder in your family, they’ll love the kids rug we have featuring a big yellow digger – a real favourite!

Capri Guitar Kids’ Rug

If you’re shopping for a slightly older child, we’ve got plenty on offer for them too – including this eye-catching Capri Guitar Kids’ Rug. Designed with the unmistakable graphic of a guitar in deep grey with just a dash of red, this is a kids’ rug with a real urban vibe. Made from 100% polypropylene pile, this rug is made from an exclusive Maclon fibre that makes it soft to the touch and easy to clean – the perfect kids’ rug!

Arte Espina Fairytale Kids Rug

Our final favourite kids’ rug for Christmas is perfect if you have a little princess in your household. Emblazoned with a fairytale princess castle and pink pony, this really is a rug that’s made for a little girl. The Arte Espina Fairytale Kids Rug has been hand-tufted in China and is made to last.

We hope you’ve got a fresh batch of ideas for your kids’ rug present this Christmas, but if you’re still unsure, why not explore our full range? If you have any questions, please contact our friendly team of rug experts on 0845 8388638.

Are Wooden Stair Rods Right for Your Home?

Are Wooden Stair Rods Right for Your Home?

If you’re planning on having a set of stair rods added to your home, it’s doubtful you need any convincing of their benefits. But have you chosen the specific material you’d like just yet? A lot of people plump for traditional stair rods made from cast iron or bronze, but there is another option: wooden stair rods. These can bring a real sense of rustic, earthy charm to any home – but are they right for you?

What makes wooden stair rods different?

Here at Stair Rods Direct, we offer a few different options for those looking into wooden stair rods. It’s understandable that some people may worry that a wooden stair rod wouldn’t be as sturdy or long-lasting as its metallic counterpart, but this is far from the truth. The wooden stair rods we offer are made from solid hardwood with different finishes for aesthetics. They’re fastened using heavy brass tips and brackets, meaning that they’ll be just as effective as a metallic stair rod in securing the carpet to the stairway.

What finishes are available for wooden stair rods?

We offer two types of wooden stair rods: Tudor Runner Rods and Tudor Front-Fix Rods. Both of these are built from the same durable hardwood, but are also available with a couple of different finishes depending on your taste. If you’re going for a light motif, we’d recommend the Light Oak finish, whereas for a more traditional effect we’d suggest the Dark Oak finish. Either of them will bring a true sense of class and rustic nostalgia to your home. So if you want that true ‘country house’ feeling, wooden stair rods are a great choice.

Do wooden stair rods work with runners and fitted carpet?

One of the great things about our selection of wooden stair rods is the fact that we have options for either carpet runners or fitted carpets. If you’re using a carpet runner on your staircase, you’ll need the Tudor Runner Rods, but if you have fitted carpet on your stairs, the Tudor Front-Fix Rods are the answer. Either of these variants come with your choice of tips and brackets, available in a number of eye-catching finishes such as Antique Brass, Pewter, Satin Nickel and many more.

So what do you think? Is there room in your home for a set of beautiful wooden stair rods? If you still have questions, please do call our friendly team of wooden stair rod experts on 0845 8388638.

Rugs on a Budget

Rugs on a Budget: The Best Way to Dress Your Home for Less

Believe it or not, the words 'budget' and 'cheap' are not at all synonymous – at least not in the case of the rugs we offer here at Rugs Direct.

In fact, in our experience, we've found that some of the best examples of our products are budget rugs. That’s why we thought we’d offer you the rundown of some of the very best budget rugs you can buy. What does this mean for you? Well, you can dress your home in style without breaking the bank.

Keep it simple with Skye Rugs

Sometimes you don’t need an ornate pattern or an intricate design to bring something special to a room. That’s why one of our favourite budget rugs is the affordable range of Skye rugs. Hand-made in India with 100% polyester, these rugs feature flat colours that will blend seamlessly into any room. If you’re looking for simplicity along with your budget rugs, this one’s for you. Oh, and they’re available in a range of classic colours including teal, cream and mulberry which makes them ideal budget rugs for any home.

Add a touch of visual flair with Nina Rugs

If a plain flat colour is a little too ‘vanilla’ for your tastes, another recommended budget rug is the range of Nina Rugs. These are hand-made rugs crafted in Egypt using a polypropylene pile which makes these budget rugs truly durable. The depth of the pile allows for an eye-catching range of patterns and colours that really make these pieces shine. If you’re looking for a rug that will stand the test of time but go easy on your wallet, Nina Rugs are the answer.

Budget rugs for the practically minded

When you’re not too bothered about the visual design of the rug itself, it opens plenty of doors for true durability. So if you’re looking for a budget rug that can be tested to destruction and be affordable, we thoroughly recommend the Sisal Rug range. Machine-made and sourced from China, these budget rugs also have an anti-slip backing that means that even when placed on a smooth wooden floor, they’ll always stay firmly in place.

To discover the full range of budget rugs in our shop, just click here. Have a question about any of our products, or simply rugs in general? Call our friendly team of rug and carpet experts on 0845 8388638.

Modern Vintage Rugs

Modern Vintage Rugs: Our Favourite Contradiction in Terms

To talk about any item being vintage and modern at the same time may seem like something of a contradiction – but it’s a very current phenomenon, and it’s happening with rugs too.

As trends and tastes have evolved within the world of rug design, older designs have tended to be left behind. However, there are now plenty of manufacturers out there who are recreating the essence of vintage rugs in designs for today. Of course, the benefits of vintage rugs as a consumer are significant: you’re able to enjoy the vintage rug design and benefit from the latest in build quality technology too. With all of this in mind, let’s take some time to look at our favourite modern vintage rugs.

Heriz Burnt Orange Rug

Designed by world-renowned rug designer Louis de Poortere, the Heriz Burnt Orange vintage rug is certainly one of our favourites here at Rugs Direct. Made using a unique flatweave pile, this is a vintage rug that’s not only celebrating the love of bright, vivid colours, but also the intricate patterning and detail that’s immediately visible on this eye-catching rug.

Multi-Colour Vintage Rug

Another showing from Louis de Poortere, the Multi-Colour Vintage Rug is an exploration of the ever-popular patchwork designs that made such an impact a few decades back. With hemmed edges and an anti-slip coating, this vintage rug is a perfect example of the classic blending seamlessly with the retro designs. With each block of the patchwork boasting a different pattern, this is a real head-turner of a vintage rug and will blend flawlessly with any surroundings – even the most contemporary ones.

Young Urbanite Beetle Green Rug

If you want something that really stands out and has that unmistakeable vintage rug vibe, the Young Urbanite Beetle Green is an ideal choice. Featuring an ornate pattern that instantly harks back to the fashionable designs seen in the 1960s, this is a real lesson in how to do a vintage rug right. And the intense green finish of the flatweave pile is the perfect way to create a real focal point in any room of the house – and is ideal for injecting a vibrant vintage touch too.

Have we inspired you to take a closer look at the range of vintage rugs out there? If so, why not take a look at our wide range today? Or, if you have any questions about vintage rugs or anything else, simply call us today on 0845 8388638.

Striped Rugs: Do Have a Place in Every Home?

4 Reasons Why Striped Rugs Have a Place in Every Home

There are few patterns as polarising as stripes: some people love it, others can’t stand it.

For us at Rugs Direct, though, it’s all about how you use it. A striped rug can actually bring a great deal of visual interest to a room, and we think there’s a place for them in every home. In case you need any more convincing, here are 4 reasons why striped rugs should have a home at yours.

Reason 1: A cacophony of colour

If you’re the type of person that’s easily bored, a simple flat colour rug simply won’t do. That’s where striped rugs can come in really handy. Because of the way that striped rugs are made, it’s possible to use a number of differently coloured yarns. This leads to a world of possibilities for the colour and design of striped rugs. Need an example? Just look at the Splash Stripe Rug.

Reason 2: Geometric balance

Let’s face it: the vast majority of rooms in modern homes are four-walled affairs, and very often square or rectangular. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense that a striped rug would blend very well into this layout. In fact, the clean geometric lines of a striped rug bring a sense of balance to any room that features lots of straight lines. If you haven’t tried it yet, don’t take our word for it – give it a go!

Reason 3: A wide selection of textures

Striped rugs tend to be manufactured in such a way that they can be customised ‘line by line’. In fact, many rugs are tufted this way; but what it means for striped rugs is that rug makers can play around a little more with the actual texture and feel of the rug. For example, it’s possible to have a varying pile length or material for each different stripe in the design. Granted, these aren’t common (or even popular), but it’s possible.

Reason 4: Striped rugs don’t need to be square

Don’t think that just because we’re talking about striped rugs that they are always square shaped. Quite the opposite is true, in fact. There are plenty of striped rugs out there which feature unique shapes – such as this heart-shaped striped rug – but which still catch the eye and bring a focal point to a room.

If you’re sold on the excellence of striped rugs, why not explore our full range now? Or if you have any questions about striped rugs or any of the other designs we have on offer, call us today on 0845 8388638. 

Brass Stair Rods Are More Popular Than Ever Before

Brass Stair Rods Are More Popular Than Ever Before. Here's Why.

Whether you’re adding a stair runner or fitted carpet to your staircase, you’ll likely need a reliable set of stair rods.

There’s a wide range of choices open to you – including both solid and hollow options – but there is one form of stair rods that are really enjoying a surge in popularity: brass stair rods. As a durable and long-lasting metal, it’s perhaps no surprise that brass has been used for centuries for all sorts of purposes, but are brass stair rods really the right choice for you? In this article, we’ll explore what makes brass stair rods so popular.

A wide variety of designs

All brass stair rods will come with the essentials you need to fit them: brackets, finials and so on – but the actual design of the rods can differ wildly. One of the best things about brass as a material is that it’s very versatile. This has enabled the manufacturers of brass stair rods to try lots of different designs. For example, you can find the ornately engraved lines of the Country Front-Fix Brass Stair Rods alongside the smooth finish of the Crystal Runner Brass Stair Rods.

Your choice of finish

Each brass stair rod is already an excellent choice because the metal itself is so hard-wearing and ideal for use on a staircase. But just because you’re choosing brass stair rods doesn’t mean you have to settle on one finish. There are a number of different choices you can make for the finish of your brass stair rods which will not impact the structural integrity at all. Examples include matte black, polished brass or even gleaming chrome.

Brass stair rods can bring vintage charm

Creating a theme in your home can be a tall order – and it’s really all about the details. That’s why brass stair rods are such a popular choice just now. With more and more people trying to capture that traditional vintage look, brass stair rods have found their way back into the mainstream. Just take a look at a product like the Eastern Promise Front-Fix Brass Stair Rods and you’ll see why this eye-catching design is finding its home in so many others.

If you’d like to explore the world of brass stair rods for yourself, and find out just how durable and great-looking they can be, you can find our full range online now. If you have any questions about our brass stair rods, or need any advice about installation or anything else, just call 0845 838 8638. 

Stair Runners vs. Hallway Runners: What's The Difference?

Stair Runners vs. Hallway Runners: What's The Difference?

If you’re looking to do a little home improvement, you may already have considered a new rug or perhaps carpet.

But have you also considered a stair or hall runner? Whilst the two of these products are similar by design, they actually achieve two different objectives within the home. If you’re not 100% clear on the differences between stair runners and hallway runners, you’re certainly not alone, so allow us to shed some light on the key points of difference between stair runners and hall runners. After all, Rugs Direct is one of the UK’s premier sources of hallway runners (and we know some folks who can help with stair runners, too).

What is a hallway runner?

Both modern and traditional rugs tend to come in a variety of sizes, and most stockists you’ll find will offer a similar selection, generally speaking. For example, you’ll easily find circular rugs, ovular rugs and of course rectangular rugs – but what happens if you have a long corridor that you’d like to throw a rug on to bring that extra bit of charm? Well, short of grabbing a pair of pinking shears and trying to re-shape a regular rug, there is another solution – hallway runners. By investing in a high quality hallway runner, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a colourful room rug in a shape that’s perfectly suited to the space you need to fill. At Rugs Direct, we offer a wide variety of hallway runners, including modern designs, traditional designs and lots of eye-catching colours too.

What is a stair runner?

In many modern homes, and even in older ones, you’ll often find wooden staircases. And if you’re not a big fan of wood – or if you simply don’t like the carpet that’s on the stairs – you’ll want to find a way to cover the stairs up. That’s where stair runners come in. But far from disguising the stylishness of your stairs, these stair runners actually bring a sense of style that’s all their own. Available in a wide variety of patterns and designs, stair runners generally leave a space on either side of the staircase to draw the eye to the runner itself. Stair runners can also protect those feet from the cold wood in winter!

The bottom line

As you can see, there is actually a very clear difference between both hallway runners and stair runners. So the next time you want a new rug for your hall, you’ll know exactly what you want to be looking for: a hallway runner. Likewise in the case of a stair runner. If you have questions about hallway runners or anything else, you can get in touch with the Rugs Direct team on 0845 838 8638.

Circular Rugs Bring a Living Room to Life

3 Unique Ways Circular Rugs Can Bring a Room to Life

Finding all-new ways to bring a sense of charm and character to your home can be a great feeling.

With today’s post, we’d like to explore on type of rug that’s been somewhat neglected over the years – at least in the sense of mainstream interior design. We’re talking about circular rugs, one of the most unique and eye-catching variants of all. It’s easy to understand that circular rugs aren’t the right shape for every room, but there are plenty of ways that they can bring a room to life. Here are our favourite three.

#1. Circular rugs create a focal point for the room

Have you ever walked into a room and found it a little bare or sparse? It’s times like this when a focal point can become invaluable – and circular rugs are ideal for this job. Take the Royal Red circular rug for example. With its intricate and ornate design, it’s the ideal way to draw the eye to the centre of a room. And of course, the fact that this is a circular rug means that it naturally draws focus from the things around it anyway. It’s a win-win!

#2: Circular rugs can define the theme of a room

When you want to bring real personality into a room, one way to do it is to create a running theme. This could be anything, from something geographical like a country to something more like a hobby. In any case, a circular rug can be a great way to bring the theme to the fore. For example, if you were aiming for a football theme, perhaps for a child’s bedroom, this Football Circular Rug would be absolutely perfect. And that’s just one example of the ways in which circular rugs can be a superb part of a room’s theme.

#3: Circular rugs add real textural interest

Texture, or the way that things feel, is something that many people forget about when putting a room together. But circular rugs are an excellent way of introducing some unique texture and patterning. The Spiral Red Rug, for example, is hand carved with a spiral design which blends seamlessly with the circular rug shape. That makes for a rug that will not only turn a few heads in a room, but also add some genuine texture. The variance of the rug’s pile adds to this effect, with both short and long shag bringing textural flavours of their very own.

Explore our shop now to discover our full range of circular rugs. Or call the Rugs Direct team today on 0845 838 8638 and we’ll help you find the perfect circular rug for your home!

Shaggy Rugs: The UK's Next Favourite Rug?

Shaggy Rugs: The UK's Next Favourite Rug?

Just as in any industry, the tastes and trends within the world or rugs is always in flux.

The popularity of certain types of rug can wax and wane at almost any time, and we’re always surprised to learn about which specific rug will be the nation’s new favourite. Well, from the looks of recent history, shaggy rugs are the newest ‘must-have’ rug for the UK. So is this a shaggy rug renaissance, or just a flash in the pan? Let’s find out.

The history of shaggy rugs

The long pile shaggy rug has always been a relatively popular choice in the UK. Way back in the 1960s when rugs like this were first imported from countries like China and India, shaggy rugs took off in a big way. You only need to look at some of the memorabilia or movies from that era to see the specific type of shaggy rug that seemed to be prevalent on almost every floor. Vivid colours were big time too, with lots of bright and colourful designs in the midst of that long pile. Classic shaggy rug designs, like the Cascade Rugs, have always been popular – but recently they’re really catching on.

The role of texture and feel

One of the style choices you’ll see in lots of modern interior design is texture – and that’s not just in relation to shaggy rugs. From wallpaper to flooring, cushions to bedding, the way things feel is becoming more important in the 21^st Century. That could explain the surge in popularity of shaggy rugs such as the Dumroo Rugs range. Made from textured pile for an effortlessly soft touch, it’s no wonder shaggy rugs like this are so sought-after.

Is a shaggy rug for you?

It’s not always obvious whether or not a specific rug type will be good for your home. That’s why we recommend that you browse all available rugs before making your decision. The shaggy rugs can really bring a touch of elegance to a room, with the luxurious long pile and often very soft materials used. Colours are extensive too, with palettes ranging from flat block colours to rainbow-like expressions of real character. So be sure to look at all of our shaggy rugs before you join the latest revolution in rugs!

Have questions about shaggy rugs or anything else? Call our team on 0845 838 8638 for some free expert advice.

Modern Rugs this Halloween

The Weird (and Sometimes Spooky) World of Modern Rugs

With Halloween just around the corner, what better time to explore the more characterful side of modern rugs? It’s not all plain colours and square cuts, don’t you know!

It’s easy to see why some may feel that modern rugs could be a little staid or bland; after all, many of the modern rugs chosen by show homes and even interior design shops are just that way. But there’s a whole world of choice out there for people who want real character in their rugs. So let’s look at those rugs in more detail.

Glowy Spirit Modern Rugs

We’re not sure if glow in the dark modern rugs really count as ‘spooky’, but we had to get something in to justify the headline… right? Examples like the Glowy Spirit Wish rug showcase the addition of glow in the dark elements to great effect. All it takes is one glance to see just what kind of personality a rug like this can bring to a room. In addition to that eerie glow, these hand-tufted Chinese rugs are made of top quality fibres and feel great underfoot too.

Bazaar Indra Modern Rugs

If you want something that’s going to turn heads and really fall into the more unusual category of modern rugs, you want a Bazaar Indra rug. With a softly middle-eastern style, each of these rugs is essentially unique. This is because these are modern rugs made from recycled patches of other rugs. Just take a look: you can see that each square has a character all its own. You won’t find any modern rug that’s as unusual or eye-catching as a Bazaar Indra modern rug.

Harlequin Scroll and Dotty rugs

It takes a lot for a modern rug to truly stand out; a combination of both vibrant colours and intricate patterning. With the Harlequin Scroll and Dotty modern rugs, you get both of those elements and much more. Hand-tufted in China and made from a hard-wearing acrylic yarn, these eye-catching rugs will stand the test of time – and then some! The design itself is completely unique in the world of modern rugs, and it’s something that will easily become the focal point for any room in your home. Why not give it a shot for some real spice this October?

See… who knew that modern rugs had a spooky side? If you have any questions about the modern rugs we offer, you can call our team on 0845 838 8638 for some free expert advice. 

Colourful Rugs this Autumn

Brighten Your Home This Autumn with Colourful Rugs

As the evenings draw in and the weather begins to get just a little bit cooler, it can be a great time to bring a little sparkle to your home. And what better way to do that than with some colourful rugs? Here at Rugs Direct we’ve worked our way through our huge collection of rugs to pick out the best and brightest (quite literally, in some cases) colourful rugs that are the perfect way to keep colour on the menu in your home this autumn.

Colour Festival Rugs

Let’s start as we mean to go on, with something that really cooks… in the colourful rugs sense, that is. Our range of Colour Festival Rugs are a superb introduction to the world of colourful rugs. Made up of a beautifully angular design with blocks of bright, vivid colours, these are rugs that demand to be looked at. Hand-tufted in China, the Colour Festival Rugs are as soft to the touch as they are eye-catching. Made of a premium quality yarn for a long life, these colourful rugs are also very resilient to staining.

Festival 928X Rugs

If you’re a fan of the rainbow, have we got the colourful rug for you! The striking Festival 928X Rugs are an explosion of colour played out in a spectrum that extends across the expanse of the rug’s surface. Made in Egypt, these rugs are easy to clean and stain-resistant, but most importantly – incredibly bright and vivid.

Vintage Sunbird Rugs

Fancy bringing colour and history into your home with just one colourful rug? Then the Vintage Sunbird Rugs are for you. From manufacturer Louis De Poortere, these rugs are a true treat on the eyes, and really do define ‘colourful rugs’. Using a patchwork motif to really make an impression, you can choose from a range of bright and vivid designs – any one of which will really spruce up your home this autumn. These colourful rugs have been woven using the very best quality blend of both wool and chenille using wilton jacquard for that extra sense of ‘je ne sais quoi’. Need we say more?

Ready to find the ideal colourful rugs for your home this autumn? Then why note explore our full range in our online shop, or call our team on 0845 838 8638 for some free expert advice? We’d love to help you find your new colourful rug.