17 Gorgeous Ways to Work In a Patterned Area Rug

When it comes to area rugs, we often take the safe route, opting for solid designs and neutral colors. But a patterned rug or two can unify disparate elements in a room and make a sea of plain upholstered pieces suddenly come alive.

Our ancestors originally used area rugs to warm up cold stone or dirt floors. Today, with central heating, their purpose tends to be more decorative — although they still come in handy for trying to muffle sound or providing a soft surface for baby’s first steps.

Throw a pattern into the mix, however, and utility becomes versatility. Dull becomes divine. And great things start to happen.

Chalk on a blackboard. As bold as black and white may sound, here the effect is rather subtle, as it’s only the white lines that stand out against the dark ground and dark floor.


Granny squares. This rug has all the charm of a hand-knitted shawl. The spunky homespun quality has a sweetness all its own. It works especially well here with what appears to be a collection of handed-down, heirloom furnishings.


Fraternal twins. Although these two rugs are very different, they’re similar in size and color. The Chinese art deco dining rug helps anchor the table and chairs with its broad band of pink and mustard. In the living area, the Persian pattern swirls about under the glass-topped Barcelona table.


Tastefully restrained. This Doris Day blue dhurrie unites the decorating scheme with a little pluck, but not a lot of fanfare. It offers a quiet pattern underfoot that coordinates but does not compete with the chair upholstery or the beige paint job.


Bold and neutral. This may seem contradictory, but this rug has an active pattern in very neutral tones. The contrast of the charcoal and oatmeal pattern gives it a real kick. The rug holds its own against the punches of tomato red in the pillows.


Brought to you by chevron. A classic tile pattern rendered in wool makes a striking statement. The large scale of the pattern is very important: It’s bold without being busy. Keeping the colors to a minimum helps to create a very welcoming room.


A spot of leopard. This racy pattern doesn’t even appear exotic in this context; the allover pattern gives it a traditional tone in this room. If you see a pattern you like in a broadloom, you can easily have it cut and bound to form a custom-size area rug.


Lattice entertain you. There is something very interesting going on here. The white and orange rug is telegraphing the lattice of the étagères. It’s like the rug is casting shadows on the walls! Let your area rug echo the lines of your furniture.


Furniture anchor. The rug’s colors are repeated in the furniture and accessories here, like the bentwood chairs and the coffee table. When in doubt, stick to a triad of colors, as with this room’s red, black and white palette.


Black and white and discreet. The simple geometric checks on this Mongolian rug are a quiet respite from the bold blues of the furniture. Mimicking the classic black and white checked floor, this rug is a great choice for a traditional interior.


Mod, mad stripes. This sculpted rug adds perimeter interest to a furniture group, its irregular edges contrasting with the simple, square lines of the large-scale contemporary furniture.


Large, dark and masculine. If you want to add a touch of pattern but aren’t ready to go whole hog, take a cue from this cosmopolitan interior. The rug’s moody blue middle is understated and masculine, but the border feels tribal and exuberant, lending a dose of pattern without overwhelming the room. Couple this with a contemporary wood and glass table, and you’ve got design that makes a statement, but does so in a whisper.


A stitch in time. This area rug, cobbled together from an assortment of rug remnants, is a modern twist on the traditional Persian rug. The cinnabar, maroon and red add a wealth of warmth to this white room.


Right this way. There’s no mistaking where to go in this entryway: The rug leads the way. Area rugs don’t just anchor furniture arrangements; they can also provide direction, as this one does. These vibrant colors really dress up the hallway and turn it into a grand entrance.


Rug on rug. Pattern and texture are layered beautifully here. A small worn antique carpet placed atop a larger sea grass rug is a great way to expand the perceived size of an area rug.


Off the sofa and onto the floor. Ultrawide black and white stripes set off this otherwise all-white room. It’s a brazen choice, but not an unstudied one. Notice how the same stripe — albeit slightly smaller — works so well on the sofa pillows. This is the ultimate in rescaling patterns in a white room.


Look at me! This brilliantly bold area rug is actually made from carpet tiles. This means it can be arranged and rearranged at will. This area rug doesn’t just anchor the broad white sofas and white coffee table; it takes center stage.

More: How to Combine Area Rugs in an Open Floor Plan

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