Generally, when it comes to design with rugs, there are no set rules. We encourage you to experiment and discover what works for you and your home, depending on your space and of course your preference.

Modern vs. Traditional Rugs: Which one is for you?

We agree that shopping for a rug can be overwhelming. Choosing a rug style is one of the biggest steps in adding an area rug to your home. Narrowing the rug selection down to one of the main design styles (modern or traditional) will make it much easier. Knowing the different patterns, styles, and how to match them with other accessories in a room will make all the difference for your home. The main thing is to think about your overall style, decor, and furniture while asking yourself - what kind of look do you want to achieve? What works with the furniture already in the room? Don't let the options overwhelm you. Here's our rug style buying guide to help you decide which style fits best in your home.

If you want to add class and sophistication to your room, a traditional rug would get the job done.

Traditional Rugs

This type of rug might be the easiest to identify. Traditional rugs usually contain classic Oriental, Persian, Turkish, European, or Victorian patterns. With designs that date back centuries, they are gorgeous, ornate, and intricate in pattern and colour. The designs that can be found today were developed centuries ago, often in the royal eras of many countries. This design style is stately and usually made in a pre-defined colour range. Most traditional rugs have similar sets of natural colours including maroon, black, red, navy blue, brown, white, and green. Traditional rug designs contain specific elements like florals, intricate patterns, borders, and central medallions in shapes like diamonds, octagons and hexagons. With universally recognized beauty, it's no wonder that traditional rugs are known for the luxurious touch of elegance they add to any room.

Traditional rugs can often be found with bolder colours, and they pair well with warm woods or bronze decor. Luxurious draperies featuring embellishments, such as tassels, often tie-in nicely with a traditional rug. The traditional rug also goes well with furniture that features gentle curves and soft edges.

If you decorate your home with paintings, chandeliers, crystals, candlesticks or flowers, consider having a traditional rug as the final component in your home decor. These rugs sometimes have a more feminine touch in a room depending on the intricate detail, or they can add a bold, masculine vibe with deep colours and dark patterns. Consider pairing a traditional rug with a leather couch, recliner, and light accessories to bring things together.

Take some time to look around your home and determine if your style would fit well with a traditional rug. While a rug is an important addition to a room, it can also be changed out if you decide later that you want to switch up the look or just refresh the room. In the meantime, a traditional rug would be a great way to unify your space and make it complete.

If you want to add simplicity and uniqueness to your room, a modern rug would get the job done.

Modern Rugs

Modern rugs are contemporary designs that can be "soft" or "hard" depending on its patterns and colours. They are more Western in their designs and are common in newer homes. Modern rugs generally favour stark contrasts, geometrics, and free-form abstract styled elements. Unlike traditional rugs, the range of modern rugs is much more diverse. This offers you variety that sometimes makes shopping for a rug more like shopping for art. Although contemporary rugs usually incorporate bold colour choices and unusual design elements, they can also be very subtle and fit seamlessly with furniture and decor. Many modern rugs come in just one or two colours without any intricate designs.

Modern rugs can often be found with neutral colours, and they pair well with modern furniture.

Consider pairing a contemporary rug with more eclectic furniture or accessories. Contemporary and modern looks often push the envelope and add an element of fun to a room. A little spunk in your home decor never hurts.

Take some time to look around your home and determine if your style would fit well with a modern rug. While a rug is an important addition to a room, it can also be changed out if you decide later that you want to switch up the look or just refresh the room. In the meantime, a modern rug would be a great way to unify your space and make it complete.

If you can't decide between traditional or modern, then a Transitional rug may be your choice. If you want to add both classic and new elements to your floor, a transitional rug would get the job done.

What is a Transitional Rug?

Transitional rugs are a more casual style that falls somewhere between traditional and contemporary. They are often adapted from traditional designs with a modern twist, or a traditional rug with re-worked colours. These rugs are created by brave designers and weavers breaking the traditional rules of rug styles. Taking a more classic theme from traditional rugs, this style often features an all-over repetitive design element. The result is an endearing design that strikes the perfect balance between comfortable and classic. If you're looking to add the benefits of a rug without the noise of traditional or contemporary styles, then a transitional rug might be for you. The balance of a transitional rug allows flexibility in style while adding the best of both traditional and contemporary features. If you simply can't choose sides, or you like the subtle options that a transitional rug brings, consider adding this style of rug to your home. Since these are a creative and experimental style, transitional rugs are generally categorized as modern or contemporary rugs.

Transitional rugs work well with natural, organic elements like stone, granite, and wood, harmonious tones, netural floorings and tasteful signature pieces.

Since transitional rugs are a blend of traditional and contemporary styles, they work well with nearly all interiors as well as making your home warm and welcoming.

Take some time to look around your home and determine if your style would fit well with a transitional rug. While a rug is an important addition to a room, it can also be changed out if you decide later that you want to switch up the look or just refresh the room. In the meantime, a transitional rug would be a great way to unify your space and make it complete.

Your Rug, Your Style

While there are countless styles and designs from rugs around the world, they can usually be categorized into these two main categories. Use these tips as a starting point. Be sure to take a good look at the space you're trying to complete. Consider how you're using the space, the way you want to feel when you enter the room, and how you might transition through the life of the space while you live in your home. Once again, when it comes to design with rugs, there are no set rules. We encourage you to experiment and discover what works for you and your home, depending on your space and of course your preference. Have fun shopping and we'll be here to help every step of the way. Happy styling!