How to choose a rug colour
Colour sets the mood of a room. Here is how to choose a rug colour that works with what you already have, and that will still look good in a year.
Start with what will not change
Floors, the sofa and large furniture are expensive to change; the rug should work with them. Take a photo of the room in daylight and look at the dominant colours.
Rug colour by floor
| Floor | Works well | Use care with |
|---|---|---|
| Light oak | Grey, blue, sage, rust, black and white | Beige of the same tone, which can disappear |
| Dark wood | Cream, ivory, light grey, ochre | Very dark rugs, which lose contrast |
| Grey laminate | Warm tones: terracotta, mustard, cream; or deep navy | Mid-grey of the same shade |
| Beige carpet | Darker or patterned: navy, teal, rust, multicoloured | Cream and beige |
| Patterned tiles | Plain rugs in a colour picked from the tile | Busy patterns |
With your sofa
- Grey sofa: almost anything. Cream and grey for calm; mustard, rust or teal for warmth. See grey rugs, ochre, teal.
- Cream or beige sofa: add contrast with pattern or a darker colour, or layer textures in neutrals.
- Navy or green sofa: warm neutrals, rust and patterned rugs that include the sofa colour.
- Leather (tan or brown): cream, blue, green and Berber-style patterns.
Colours that hide dirt
Mid-tones and patterns are most forgiving: taupe, mid-grey, multicoloured, Persian-style and abstract designs hide daily wear. Pure white and very dark plain rugs show the most.
Colour and space
- Light rugs make a room feel larger and brighter.
- Dark rugs anchor furniture and make large rooms cosier.
- A rug repeating a colour from cushions, curtains or art ties a room together.
Shop by colour
Grey · Cream · Beige · Blue · Green · Sage green · Teal · Orange · Rust · Ochre · Pink · Red · Brown · Black · Multicoloured
Frequently asked questions
Should a rug be lighter or darker than the floor?
Contrast works best. A lighter rug on a dark floor or a darker rug on a light floor.
What colour rug goes with a grey sofa?
Cream, grey and white for calm; mustard, rust, teal or navy for contrast.
What colour rug hides dirt best?
Mid-tone and patterned rugs such as taupe, mid-grey and multicoloured designs.
Should the rug match the sofa?
It should complement it rather than match exactly; a shade lighter or darker, or a pattern that includes the sofa colour.
Shop the guide
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Colores Cloud Gardenia CO01 Outdoor Rug in Multicoloured
from £69.98 -
Colores Cloud Arabesque CO02 Rug in Multicoloured
from £69.98 -
Colores Cloud Ethereal CO03 Rug in Multicoloured
from £69.98 -
Colores Cloud Galactic CO04 Rug in Multicoloured
from £69.98
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Atlas Shaggy Rug in Gunmetal Grey
from £59.98 -
Atlas Shaggy Rug in Silver
from £59.98 -
Jasper Medallion Rug in Blue Cream
from £69.98 -
Jasper Rug in Multicoloured
from £69.98
Related guides
Questions about a specific rug? Every product page lists the maker's size, material, pile height and care details. Delivery is free to England, Wales and mainland Scotland: 2-5 working days for Asiatic rugs and 1-2 working days for Livabliss rugs. See delivery and returns.