Myndu Interior Design

Area rugs are often associated with contemporary homes, especially as modern designers use them increasingly as focal points. Browse through any home design catalog and you’ll notice that rugs play a central role in many design plans, highlighting the sleek, stylish atmosphere of a modern home. But modern isn’t the only way to describe area rugs. More and more homeowners are opting to buy rugs online to get the best of both worlds: the bold attitude of a contemporary home and the warm, cozy feel of the classics.

It may seem contrary to the rules of design—after all, the point of choosing a theme is to keep your visual elements consistent. But blending two themes doesn’t always mean breaking the rules. That’s where area rugs come in: since they’re so varied and versatile, you can easily find one that’s sleek and soft, modern and classical, cutting-edge and nostalgic all at the same time. It may take some planning and a bit of creative thinking, but the results are often more than worth it. Here are some design tips to help you find the perfect piece.

Choose your color combinations.

Colors play a big role in whether a home looks “old” or “new.” Trends change a lot, so there’s no single rule as to which colors evoke which moods. However, there are some elements that can give you a clue: for example, neutral colors like beige and white are associated with classic designs, while bold, jewel tones are considered more modern. Consult an area rug blog or some recent design reviews to find out what’s in and what’s not.

The best way to blend the two together is by opting for contrast. If you have pastel walls or a mellow color scheme, set it off with a brightly colored area rug. Adding a nice splash of color can really bring it to life and turn it into the room’s focal point. Note that not all contrasting colors work together—sometimes two colors simply don’t work. Print out a color wheel to help you determine which colors complement the ones you already have.

Get inspired by nature.

If there’s one design element that unites the old and the new, it’s probably the patterns derived from nature. Whether in a charming log house or an elegant urban pad, natural materials like wood floors and stone counters have always been considered the best. So choose an area rug that channels the beauty of nature and ties your modern and traditional elements together. Floral rugs are especially good for softening up hard flooring surfaces.

Nature designs can also lean towards the abstract side, which helps it blend better into modern décor. While actual floral and leaf prints can be very eye-catching, sometimes a stylized pattern works much better with what’s already there. This is especially true if you already have lots of color and pattern in the home, and you need a much simpler area rug to balance it out. Take your time to shop around and see which pieces fit the best.

Play up the contrast.

The best way to make a combined theme work is to highlight the contrast between the two. While a bit of subtlety won’t hurt, you don’t have to mask the difference completely either. Look into traditional area rugs—rugs that have both modern and classic elements in one piece. The Dynamic Rugs Charisma 1409 Mediterranean blue area rug is a good example—the intricate patterns convey a classic oriental feel, while the vibrant blue background creates a mood that’s decidedly modern.

If you have a hardwood floor, another way you can introduce contrast is by going for soft materials. Wood may be nice to look at, but it tends to look cold and uninviting especially when left bare. With a well-chosen area rug, you can add a touch of warmth to the floor and make it look much cozier. Genuine wool and shag rugs work especially well because of their thick construction, which helps them stand out more against the wood grain.

Consider unusual shapes.

You’re probably most familiar with rectangular and square area rugs, and for most homes, they do work perfectly well. But shaped rugs are also becoming increasingly popular. Round area rugs are a great way to mix soft curves with straight, angular walls. You can also go for oval area rugs, which make excellent backdrops for low furniture such as TV trays and coffee tables.

If your room is large enough, consider putting a round oriental rug in the middle. This helps create a visual center to the room, making it look more intimate and drawing all the design elements together. Just choose a pattern or design that complements your existing décor, and you have the perfect finishing touch for a classic yet contemporary home.