A beautiful rug or runner will inject warmth and colour into your home this autumn. But with myriad designs to choose from, what should you go for? Here are some of our favourites...
The best rugs for your homePatterned or plain, these rugs will command attention...
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This Bobble rug oozes warmth and texture that’s perfect for large, industrial-style spaces, from £129, Marks & Spencer.
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Usher in some sunshine with the hand-knotted woollen Wawa rug, £920, A Rum Fellow.
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Channel the vibrancy of arainforest with this tropical design.Large Palm Jungle Green Tropical rug,£499, Audenza.
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Eclectic and characterful, the Gooch Abstract Berber rug marries traditional design with contemporary colour, from £525, John Lewis & Partners.
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Use this classic Rose Ragini kilim as the starting point for an antiques-filled scheme, from £925, Susie Watson Designs.
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The coral hue of this rug sings against pale flooring, while the diamond pattern is classic enough to complement traditional schemes. Coral Iris rug, from £138, Weaver Green.
The best runners for your home
Bring personality to a hallway or entrance with a textured runner...
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The natural texture of this Jute Big Panama runner with Cotton Herringbone Mouse border brings warmth underfoot, £227.75, Alternative Flooring.
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For a design that’s eye-catching and graphic, you can’t beat the Rheinsberg runner in Granite, £325, Designers Guild.
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With mellow colours and worn soft with age, antique or vintage runners are perfect in period properties.A selection of vintage runners, £POA, London House Rugs.
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The soft texture of this Geometric Rose runner looks quite at home atop traditional flagstone flooring, £260, Vanessa Arbuthnott.
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The tribal feel of this Zhara Abstract rug taps into the trend for Berber designs, £85, Next.
Why choose a wool rug or runner?
Why is wool such a great material?
Graham Clark, Head of Marketing at British Wool, says, ‘It’s very hardwearing and naturally fire-resistant. A resilient fibre, it keeps its shape for longer than carpets made from other materials and is resistant to spills, which means it’s easy to care for. It’s also hypoallergenic, acting as a natural air filter.’
Does wool vary in quality?
‘Wool from different countries offers different features and benefits. In our opinion, British wool is the ideal fibre for making carpets and rugs because it’s so hardwearing. British Wool operates a licensee scheme, which helps consumers identify products with a genuinely high content of British wool. Simply look for the crook mark [above].’
Are wools from different breeds better suited to different flooring?
‘Breeding history and climate have an effect on the attributes of wool. For example, British mountain sheep often live in exposed environments, so their wool has adapted to protect them. This means different types of wool are suited to different flooring applications. In heavy footfall areas, such as halls and stairs where a hardwearing flooring is needed, British mountain wool is ideal. If a softer feel is required, in a bedroom for example, a cross-bred wool is perfect.’
Why is wool often mixed with other fibres in carpets?
Natalie Littlehales, Consumer Marketing Manager at Brintons Carpets, says, ‘Brintons has a strong commitment to the use of British wool in carpet, but in the 1950s pioneered the development of the 80 per cent wool, 20 per cent nylon blend of fibres that we use today. The addition of nylon makes wool carpet more resistant to abrasion, while preserving its softness and insulating properties.’