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Bring coziness to the floor: Set accents with rugs

Bring coziness to the floor: Set accents with rugs

Carpets are true transformers in the world of home decor. With little effort, you can assign them the task of making rooms appear warmer, more homely, and structured. Often, it is precisely these textile floor accessories that give a room its final touch. It's no longer just about practical protection against cold feet – carpets make statements, tell stories, and create new living zones. Whether you want to give your living room a modern update, make the hallway more inviting, or add coziness to the bedroom – with the right carpet, you can easily achieve these desires.

It becomes particularly exciting when you use carpets deliberately as a design element: colors, shapes, materials, and patterns often influence the room's effect more than you might think. But which types of carpets are suitable for which room? What sizes create harmony, and how can a carpet be cleverly combined with other home accessories? In this article, we show you how to set accents with carpets, what to consider when choosing them, and how to transform your home into a feel-good oasis with simple tricks.

Carpets as Comfort Boosters – Why They Are More Than Just Floor Coverings

Carpets as Comfort Boosters – Why They Are More Than Just Floor Coverings

Carpets are much more than just floor coverings – they are an expression of your interior style and significantly influence the room's atmosphere. In open floor plans, carpets create structure by defining zones: A cozy seating area, a clearly defined dining area, or a quiet reading nook instantly become more inviting and homely with carpets. Especially in large, open spaces, they can help create islands of comfort and give the room a clear structure.

Moreover, carpets enhance the room's feel. They dampen footstep noises, improve room acoustics, and bring warmth to cool surfaces like tiles or laminate. For barefoot lovers, carpets are a must – who wants to stand on a cold floor on a winter morning? With carpets, you ensure a pleasantly soft walking experience while also protecting your floors from wear and tear.

But carpets can also make fashion statements. Whether as a brightly colored eye-catcher, with striking geometric patterns, or in soft natural tones – they bring personality and dynamism to your home. Especially vintage carpets, ethnic patterns, or Scandinavian designs are currently in trend and give your living style that certain something. With the wide variety of colors, shapes, and materials, you have all the options to design your home individually.

Making the Right Choice – Consciously Selecting Materials, Sizes & Colors

Making the Right Choice – Consciously Selecting Materials, Sizes & Colors

Choosing the right carpet is crucial to ensure it fits both visually and functionally with the respective room. For high-traffic areas like hallways or kitchens, you should opt for robust, dirt-resistant materials such as jute, sisal, or durable synthetic fibers. These are long-lasting, easy to maintain, and withstand intensive use. For the living room or bedroom, cozy high-pile carpets or soft wool carpets are ideal, providing more warmth and comfort.

Equally important is the right size. A carpet that is chosen too small quickly loses its impact and looks lost in the room. In the living room, the carpet should ideally be large enough for the front legs of the sofa and chairs to rest on it. In the bedroom, it is advisable to place the carpet under the bed so that it extends at least 60 centimeters on the sides – this creates a harmonious overall look and a luxurious room feel.

You can be bold with colors: Light tones like beige or pastels make small rooms appear larger, while dark carpets create depth and coziness. With patterns, you can set specific accents or emphasize a particular style – for example, Boho vibes with ethnic prints or a modern touch with clear, graphic designs. Dare to combine different carpets – such as various shapes, sizes, and textures. The important thing is that a connecting element like a color family or a recurring pattern ensures visual harmony.

Creative Uses - How to Properly Showcase Rugs

Creative Uses - How to Properly Showcase Rugs

Carpets can do much more than decorate floors. They can also be hung on walls, transforming bare surfaces into true works of art – especially hand-woven carpets or those with impressive patterns are perfect for this. A carpet on the wall provides warmth, dampens noise, and becomes a stylish eye-catcher.

Outdoor carpets offer exciting possibilities for use on terraces, balconies, or in the garden. They bring a living room feel outdoors, are weather-resistant, and easy to clean. For bathrooms, carpets made of synthetic fibers or special outdoor models that are resistant to moisture are suitable, creating a cozy, homely bathroom.

Another trend is the layering look: several carpets are layered on top of each other to bring depth, structure, and personality to the room. You can play with different shapes, colors, and materials – for example, a large, neutral carpet as a base, with smaller carpets featuring striking patterns or bold colors on top. This creates an exciting, individual overall picture.

You can also beautify stairs with carpets: narrow, long runners bring warmth to the stairwell and ensure a secure step. With a bit of creativity, the carpet becomes a style-defining element and gives your home a very personal touch.

Frequently Asked Questions About Carpets

In the living room, the carpet is usually the centerpiece of the space and should appear both cozy and stylish. Ideally, large, soft high-pile or wool carpets that can be placed under the entire seating area are perfect. This visually ties the area together, creating a sense of calm and harmony. The size should be chosen so that the sofa, armchairs, and coffee table have at least their front legs on the carpet. You can really go wild with colors in the living room: vibrant colors or trendy patterns create exciting accents, while neutral tones produce a calm, elegant look. Currently, carpets with geometric patterns, vintage looks, or ethnic motifs are particularly popular, conveying coziness and character. A round carpet under a round coffee table or as a contrast to linear furniture also adds excitement and style. It's important that the carpet matches the rest of the decor and doesn't overwhelm the room—a carpet should frame and accentuate the space, but not dominate it.

Definitely – and in a very stylish way! Combining multiple rugs in a room is a popular trend in interior design. You can mix different sizes, shapes, and patterns. However, it's important that the rugs share a common element, whether it's a color scheme, material type, or similar pattern, to prevent the room from looking chaotic. The so-called layering look is particularly exciting: Here, rugs are deliberately placed on top of each other. A large, neutral rug serves as a base, and on top of it, you place smaller, more striking rugs. This creates depth and gives the room a personal touch. In open living concepts, the targeted use of multiple rugs is also useful to clearly delineate different areas. For example, a large rug under the dining area and another under the sofa corner. However, make sure that the rugs harmonize and don't outshine each other. A good guideline is similar color tones or recurring patterns that give the room a cohesive overall effect.

For allergy sufferers, choosing the right carpet is crucial to minimize symptoms while still enjoying the cozy effect of a carpet. Short-pile carpets or carpets made from synthetic fibers like polypropylene or nylon are particularly suitable. These materials absorb less dust, pollen, and pet hair and are very easy to clean. It's important that the carpet is vacuumed regularly – ideally daily – with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. This ensures even the smallest particles are reliably removed. High-pile carpets, shaggies, or natural fibers like wool are often discouraged, as dust and allergens can settle more easily and cleaning is more labor-intensive. The choice of carpet backing is also relevant: look for models without latex or rubber coatings, as these can trap moisture and create an environment for mold or mites. In general, carpets don't have to be off-limits for allergy sufferers – with the right selection and care, they can still contribute to a cozy, stylish home.

The size of a carpet has a huge impact on how harmonious and coherent a room appears. A carpet that is too small can quickly look lost and visually cut the room, while a carpet that is too large can appear dominant and overwhelming. As a rule of thumb, in the living room, the carpet should be large enough to accommodate the front legs of the sofa, armchair, and coffee table. This creates a coherent, framed picture. In the dining room, it is recommended to have a carpet that extends at least 60–80 cm beyond the table so that the chairs can still stand securely on the carpet when pulled out. In the bedroom, you can either choose a large carpet that completely underlays the bed or place smaller carpets on the sides and at the foot end. For hallways, kitchens, or bathrooms, elongated runners are suitable, as they visually stretch the space. Tip: Before buying, you can simply tape the dimensions with painter's tape – this way you get a feel for which size works best and optimally showcases the room.

If you have underfloor heating, you should pay attention to models that are specifically designed for this use when choosing a carpet. It is important that the carpet allows heat to pass through and does not cause heat build-up, as this not only reduces the efficiency of the heating but can also lead to damage to the carpet and floor. Flat-woven carpets or those with a low pile are particularly suitable. Materials such as cotton, polypropylene, or viscose are considered heat-conductive and allow the heating warmth to flow into the room unhindered. Also, look for carpets that are explicitly approved by the manufacturer for underfloor heating – you can often find this information on the label or in the product description. Avoid carpets with latex or rubber backings, as these can trap heat. In general, it is recommended to regularly lift the carpet and ventilate the floor underneath to maintain a healthy living environment. This way, you can combine the cozy warmth of your underfloor heating with the homely atmosphere of a carpet – without compromise.

A carpet needs regular care to stay beautiful for a long time. The foundation is regular vacuuming – ideally once or twice a week, depending on usage. You should also vacuum under furniture and in corners, as dust and dirt often accumulate there. For high-pile carpets, it can help to occasionally lift the pile with a carpet brush to keep the fibers in shape. Stains should be removed as soon as possible – the fresher the stain, the easier the cleaning. Use a soft cloth and gently dab from the outside in. Never rub hard, as this can damage the fibers. Special care is needed for delicate natural fibers like wool: Avoid aggressive cleaning agents and opt for special carpet cleaners or have the carpet professionally cleaned. In general, the carpet should be thoroughly cleaned once a year – either with a steam cleaner (if suitable) or by a professional company. Regularly turning the carpet also ensures that it wears evenly and its colors do not fade.

Yes, a rug in the bathroom can create a particularly homely, cozy atmosphere. However, it's important to choose a model that is suitable for damp areas. Classic bath rugs are usually made from quick-drying materials like microfiber or cotton and have a non-slip backing. Alternatively, modern outdoor rugs made from synthetic fibers like polypropylene are also suitable. These are water-repellent, mold-resistant, and easy to clean – ideal for bathrooms. To ensure you can stand safely on the rug, make sure it has a non-slip underside or is placed on an anti-slip mat. Rugs in subtle colors or natural tones are particularly beautiful, transforming the bathroom into a wellness oasis. If you prefer a more luxurious feel, you can also combine several rugs – for example, a large rug in front of the bathtub and a smaller one in front of the sink. Important: Ventilate the room regularly and let the rug dry well to avoid moisture buildup.

A carpet can work wonders in small spaces when used intentionally. It creates coziness, structure, and often makes the room appear larger. The rule of thumb is to choose light colors like beige, gray, sand, or pastels, which visually expand the room and provide a sense of lightness. Subtle patterns or tone-on-tone designs enhance this effect without overwhelming the space. Avoid overly bold or very dark carpets, as they can make small rooms feel oppressive. Also, ensure the carpet is large enough—ideally covering as much floor space as possible. This gives the room a calmer, more spacious appearance. Round carpets or those with organic shapes are also great style tools to set accents in small spaces and break up the rigidity of rectangular layouts. Particularly effective: Combine a carpet with light furniture and airy textiles—this way, your small room will feel bright, open, and cozy at the same time.

Charlotte Green

by Charlotte Green

Charlotte Green is an experienced interiors expert from London with a true passion for colours, shapes, and statement furniture. For her, every room design starts with a favourite piece – something that sparks emotion and becomes the heart of a thoughtfully styled space. Whether it’s a Victorian sideboard, a sleek designer piece or a charming second-hand gem, Charlotte knows how to make it shine through well-balanced colour schemes and harmonious layouts.In her articles, she shows you how colour and lighting can transform the effect of furniture and shape the atmosphere of a room. Her signature style blends British charm with a fresh, modern edge – elegant, but never overdone.

Off-duty: Charlotte lives in a townhouse in North London, filled with light, high ceilings and a lovingly curated mix of favourite objects. She spends her weekends wandering design markets or giving colour advice to friends and family. Her Instagram, featuring mood boards, colour palettes and furniture styling ideas, is followed by a growing community.

Transparency note: Charlotte Green writes her articles with lots of love – and a little help from AI.Focus topics: Favourite furniture, room ideas, colour concepts