The best rugs, ever!
Discover my exclusive curation for Ruggable: timeless, beautiful, practical rugs. Plus top tips on how to work rugs well at home.
Texture, texture, texture, that’s my constant refrain. And yet my floors were always a little bereft of it because I didn’t really get on well with rugs. With dogs and children, it felt like laying a beautiful painting on the floor and then inviting everyone to walk all over it! But it did mean that while my walls were lovingly explored canvases for relief and colour, my floors, although perfect in oiled parquet (plus underfloor heating), were in truth missing out.
And then along came Ruggable’s machine washable rugs.
It’s one of those blindingly simple concepts that you can’t quite believe someone didn't come up with before. Caveat, it does limit what the rugs can be made of (for example no delicate silks or wool), but for the visual joy they bring underfoot, I think this is a compromise worth making for high-traffic areas, kitchens and anywhere you might keep your shoes on.
So when I was invited to curate a collection for Ruggable, I was all in! To leap straight to see the designs I’ve chosen, inspired by my signature style, click below. And remember, all designs are available in loads of different widths and sizes, from a doormat to a runner, to big enough to cover your entire living room!
More here, explore the Michelle Ogundehin Edit for Ruggable right now!
PLUS use the code MICHELLEO to get 10% off!
But what’s my signature style you might ask? I define it as “an elegant simplicity that’s inspired by nature with a touch of the pretty, a lot of texture, and a carefully-curated colour palette.”
However, there are a lot of different designs on the Ruggable site. And at first, to be honest, I was a little overwhelmed. But then, I do the work so you don’t have to, and, by channelling the above, I managed to narrow it down to about 50 different designs. From there it was a case of selecting the designs I could imagine working well to add a touch of my signature style to anyone’s home, as well as my own.
As a result, I can confidently say that my final selections are rugs I absolutely believe you’ll love for a lifetime. Rugs you’ll never get bored of. Rugs that can be switched from room to room. Rugs that can work with anything. See the post below for a glimpse behind the scenes of my choosing…
But here’s more detail on why I think rugs are a darn good thing for every home…
The role of the floor in home design
In any room, the floor is one of the largest surfaces. It therefore has a unique potential to shape the atmosphere and function of a space. While walls and ceilings are essential to define a room’s structure, the floor plane offers an uninterrupted expanse where art, design, and comfort can seamlessly integrate.
Without considering the floor, even the most beautifully designed walls or furniture can feel disconnected or incomplete.
As I write in my book, Happy Inside, “Whether you want your home to be relaxing, calm, or invigorating, always start with your floor, then follow with the colours for your walls and know that everything will flow from there. This is because floors are often overlooked, or left until last, when they should be one of the very first things you think about, as they’ll be in your eyeline from all viewpoints, underpinning everything in your home, both visually and quite literally.”
Rugs serve as a bridge between the material chosen for the actual floor, and yourself, adding depth, softness, and warmth to a room. They can also define a particular zone within an open floor plan, helping to create a cosy, intimate space where you can relax or entertain. The right rug has the ability to entirely change the mood of a room, whether it’s by infusing a sense of luxury or promoting calmness with its colours.
See the entire Michelle Ogundehin Edit for Ruggable here!
Rugs as practical art
One of the most remarkable features of rugs is their ability to act as practical art. Unlike paintings that are typically framed and hung, rugs lay flat on the ground, offering an interactive design experience. You walk on them, touch them, and feel the textures underfoot, making them a sensory part of daily life. As a result, rugs are a unique combination of functionality and beauty, capable of transforming the aesthetic of a room while also serving practical needs like warmth, comfort, and noise reduction.
And where previously this very interactivity would have led to issues of cleanliness, Ruggable rugs, being machine washable, delete this issue in one.
So that means, all you have to think about is the artistic potential of your rugs! Whether you’re drawn to traditional, minimalist modern designs, or more contemporary styles, rugs can add an element of sophistication or whimsy to a space. But it’s also why I love rugs with borders as it makes me feel like the pattern is framed, just like an artwork (you’ll see most of my edit has borders accordingly!)
Adding texture to your space
Texture is one of the most important, yet often overlooked, elements of interior design. I bang on about this a lot! Rugs are therefore a perfect way to introduce various textures into your home, elevating the sensory experience of any space. From the plush pile of a sheepskin to the sleek flat weave of a kilim, textures invite touch and draw attention to the floor plane.
For example, a wool rug may add a soft, cosy feeling to a bedroom, while a sisal or jute rug brings a more natural, tactile sensation. Texture can also play a role in how a space feels. A thick, plush rug can make a room feel warm and inviting, while a flat, woven rug might give a more modern, streamlined look. Different textures create different moods and atmospheres, enhancing the overall comfort of a room and offering contrast to other surfaces like hardwood floors, tiles, or concrete.
I also love to layer rugs. Layering a smaller, perhaps more delicate, rug on top of a larger one can create visual depth and provide a dynamic look. You can mix contrasting textures or combine a traditional patterned rug with a contemporary solid colour for a more personal style.
Shop the Michelle Ogundehin Edit for Ruggable Collection!
And use the code MICHELLEO to get 10% off!
4 Top Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Rugs
Choose the Right Size: The size of your rug matters just as much as the design. A rug that’s too small for the space can feel disconnected and out of place, while a rug that’s too large can overwhelm the room. Ideally, your rug should anchor the furniture and fit the dimensions of the area. In living rooms, ensure the rug is large enough to cover the seating area, with at least the front legs of the furniture resting on the rug. In dining rooms, a rug should extend beyond the edges of the table, allowing space for chairs to be pulled out without slipping off the edge.
Layer Textures for Depth: Don’t be afraid to layer rugs for added texture and visual interest. Combining rugs of different sizes, patterns, and textures can create a rich, dynamic look. Just make sure to balance colours and patterns so that they complement each other rather than competing for attention.
Embrace the Art of Placement: Rugs can be used to demarcate zones within an open-plan layout. For instance, a rug can define the seating area in a living room or add a softening touch to a reading nook. This is also why I absolutely love rugs with borders. To me this frames them, and ergo, anything placed on top. It feels like an essential finishing touch to me, rather than just laying a ‘naked’ pattern underfoot. Experiment with different sizes and placements to see how the rug interacts with your furniture and walls.
Link colours for cohesion. The colours, patterns, and textures of rugs can create a statement or complement existing decor, giving your room an extra layer of visual richness. Rugs also help to tie various design elements together, providing balance and harmony by linking the different colours found in furniture, walls, or other textiles.
Final Thoughts
The joy of home-making is about elevating function, appealing to the senses, and connecting to your context. It’s about priorities and telling your story, being adaptable and nourishing the self. When you bring all of these things together, you can create a home that makes you happy and keeps you healthy. And rugs can become a vital part of that equation: practical art that brings personality, warmth, and texture to the floor! With the right approach, your rugs will not only beautify your living space but also provide lasting comfort and functionality.
Shop the Michelle Ogundehin Edit for Ruggable Collection!
And use the code MICHELLEO to get 10% off!
Happy Inside: How to Harness the Power of Home for Health and Happiness
I obviously went wrong in styling my living room as, 4 years after moving in with the whole room redecorated and furniture purchased, I finally sorted a rug! Oh my goodness, the angst I could have saved myself if I’d bought the rug first! The room just didn’t ever look ‘finished’ and I couldn’t understand why as I’ve always been loathe to have a rug due to my 2 Labradors lolling around. I bought a washable one (absolute genius idea) and it’s worked wonders! I have an open plan living room/dining room with half of the space allocated to each - the rug defines spaces perfectly. I placed it so it covers 75% of the living area and maybe 10% of the dining area. I think this works well as it hasn’t meant I’ve ended up with 2 spaces jutting up against each other but instead it kind of flows. Honestly, the joy a rug can bring!
Super article ! Thank you Michelle 💗