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Designer rugs on trend for autumn

As winter approaches and the evenings get chilly, people look for ways to make their home warmer, more comfortable and more inviting during the cold dark months ahead. This year forecasters are predicting a relatively cold autumn and winter period following what turned out to be a much cooler and wetter summer than normal, which makes it even more important to keep warm indoors.

In recent years, the trend in interior design towards exposed floorboards and laminate flooring means that wall to wall carpeting is no longer the norm in British homes. UK homeowners tend to compensate for the absence of fitted carpets by adding designer rugs to introduce a splash of colour and induce a sense of warmth and comfort, especially in autumn.

Rugsare not just functional but can be considered objects of art for the floor. A colourful designer rug could even inspire the interior design scheme for an entire room.

Although sales have fallen from their 2008 peak, the popularity of rugs remains undiminished as they continue to dominate the UK flooring market. In 2010, rugs and carpets had an estimated 56% share of the UK floorcoverings market value of just under £1.8bn.

Discover what's trendy in rugs

For anyone who seriously cares about their flooring, whether as an interior designer, store buyer, lifestyle journalist or trendy homeowner, there is only one place to watch. Everyone’s eye will be on Domotex, the world’s largest flooring trade show, which is held every autumn in Hannover, Germany. This is where you can find out what is hot in flooring and discover the latest trends in rugs.

Themes for this season

The key trends for the 2012/2013 season as seen at Domotex this year are reflected in current ranges from leading designer rug companies, such as Brink and Campman :

1. Catwalk-inspired statement rugs: The most important rule when it comes to the latest designer rug trends is to make a statement, whether through use of bold colour, unusual texture or quirky pattern. Fashion has a major influence on rugs this year with use of bold colours straight from the catwalks of major fashion shows: cobalt blue, mustard yellow, hot pink, petrol, leaf green and turquoise are favourites. Floral themes remain popular along withrestyled oriental rugs. Some patterns are partially printed for a faded effect or hand-dyed in specific areas of the rug for dramatic highlight.
2. Natural ‘organic’look: Nature-inspired patterns are always popular and the trend continues this season with motifs such as flowers, leaf patterns, butterflies and insects. Colour palettes in this theme tend to be warm and natural or tinted with natural dyes derived from plantsto further enhance their appearance. There is emphasis on texture –the more unusual the better, such as multi-layered and more dimensional surfaces or hand-woven rugs with extra long pile. Natural materials dominate, including sisal, silk, hemp, plant fibres from cacti and un-dyed wool.
3. Classic designs with a twist: The final trend involves reinterpreting traditional rug patterns in fresh and new ways. This innovative and fascinating trend includes oriental carpets over-dyed in bright colours, faded tribal rugs given a single colour wash revealing only parts of the original pattern and traditional Persian rugs updated with the use of new contemporary colour palettes.

Where to get the latest rug designs

When it comes to gaining access to a wide selection of rugs in traditional and contemporary designs online retailers have a huge advantage over local ‘bricks and mortar’ carpet stores which can only stock and display a limited range. One of the best sites for purchasing rugs online is Rug Store NE.

Both modern and traditional rugs are represented in the Rug Store’s latest collections for the 2012/2013 winter season. Whatever your personal taste or preference, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to selecting a new designer rug for your home that reflects the latest trends.