Enhance Your Decor With The Clean Lines And Versatility of a Cream Area Rug

When looking for the perfect rug, cream rugs have a lot to offer. Whether they're in wool, woven handmade material, tufted construction or machine made with power loom construction, there are so many rug styles, shapes and textures on the market, it can be hard to decide which one will suit your space. In this blog we've done the research to bring you our top design tips for furnishing your place with the luxurious style of a cream area rug.

Effortlessly chic, classic and versatile; white, cream, beige and ivory area rugs are the perfect choice to lighten up any room in your home. Complementing modern decor or a more traditional design, the simplicity of a white rug can establish a cozy feel and a final touch.

Light-colored area rugs are not only easy to incorporate into any design, but they also make your space appear larger. Combine these rugs with all-white furniture for a Scandinavian-influenced style, or use them as a neutral centrepiece to bring together contrasting elements: the versatility of cream area rugs is endless.

What to Look for When Buying a White or Cream Rug

Before you hit the store, spend some time thinking about which size rug will work best in your bedroom. Ideally, your area rug will be in proportion to both the room itself and your furniture, so rug shape is important too.

From a practical perspective, the material your rug is made from is key. You'll want something comfortable, inviting and soft underfoot, but also durable and long-lasting. This is where the wonders of wool come in! You can add real depth and character to your interior with an irresistibly plush and silky pure wool area rug. Ideal for use on hard flooring and spaces needing an extra layer of warmth, texture and definition, Wilson & Dorset's collection of designer floor rugs are available in a range of lighter, neutral tones. At the white and cream end of the spectrum, we have Cardrona (off white), warming up to Matuki (cool neutral), through to the blush of Mt Burke and honey-coloured Mt Gold. Shop by color to find your perfect hue, or take up our offer of online shopping assistance and we'll send a sample to you.

Cleaning a large area rug can sometimes be a little tricky, especially if placed under a heavy bed, so look for a stain-resistant design and materials that are easy to care for.

Create a moodboard on pintrest or scroll away on Insta or at design sites you like (we've been returning to chris loves julia a fair bit lately!) Now you are ready to start searching for your perfect bedroom rug, either online or by visiting a local rug retailer.

Should a rug be lighter or darker than the carpet?

Colour is important - make sure the colour of your area rug is lighter than your carpet. They should be complementary so as to lift and brighten the overall feel of your room.

Do area rugs have to match the furniture?

An area rug should tie in and complement your furniture, but does not have to match. Choose similar tones and textures: for example, a beautiful ivory rug will harmonise well with a neutral color palette. Add accents from the same color family such as throw cushions, floor lamps and artwork to complete your chosen look.

What rug is best for the living room?

A seating area in a living room is a good place for a pale colored rug; inviting comfort and conversation. Because light-colored fabrics show dirt and dust more quickly than dark-colored rugs, most interior designers avoid using white, cream, or ivory rugs in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen or dining room. If you want to decorate with light-colored rugs, be sure to position them where there will be little foot traffic, or use a machine-washable white rug to maintain its fresh and clean look. Just don't forget to invest in a rug pad or double-sided carpet tape to ensure your rug stays in place and keeps its form.

What is the most popular area rug size?

The 8x10 ft or 240cm x 310cm area rug is the most common standard rug size. The math tells us it covers about 80 square feet, or 7.5 square meters of floor space, which means it fits comfortably into most spaces - living rooms, bedrooms or under dining tables.

Is a cream rug a good choice?

Still undecided about installing cream area rug in your home? Here are a few things to consider:

If you want to add some understated sophistication and a fresh, luxurious feel to your rooms, then a cream rug is a good choce.

A cream rug is also ideal if you're worried about a certain design that may date or are concerned that the patterns on a rug you like now, you'll eventually change your mind about. Cream rugs go with absolutely everything and stand the test of time, even with a bit of a lived in look.

Cream rugs add a layer of luxury to hardwood, tiled or heated floors, so they are also a great choice for a bathroom.

Yes and no, if the rug will be used a lot by kids and pets. If it's made of natural fiber, you're safe. The paler the rug, the more unforgiving it is for stains and dirt. While wool has stain repellant properties, a polyester location or polypropylene location rug will not be so user-friendly.

Does a large rug make a room look bigger?

If you don’t have room for an enormous sofa or giant media console, you’re not alone. Many of us are living in urban neighborhoods or apartments where space is at a premium.

There are some creative solutions to giving the illusion of more space in the way you arrange your furnishings. A few smart decisions can give you the space you need while making your room cosy and welcoming.

It might seem counter intuitive, but when it comes to creating the illusion of space using floor rugs, go as big as your space and budget will allow, the bigger the better! Use a rug that extends beyond your furniture in each functional space. For example, in your living area, a rug that sits under the sofa, coffee table and additional seating will draw the eye wider and make the appear room bigger. If you imagine a rug that is just big enough to sit under the coffee table as a contrast, it can feel more like a bath mat and the living space will feel limited to the area around the table. Large and light-colored rugs are the way forward to enhance a feeling of spaciousness.

On the flip side of this, a big rug can make a large open area feel more intimate by connecting all the elements. If you have a spacious open plan area, a large rug can create 'zones' within the space and make it feel cosy. For example using a rug under the dining table creates a defined space for dining.

Do dark rugs make a room look smaller?

Essentially, yes. Dark hues absorb light, therefore an area rug in a dark tone will make your place appear smaller. To obtain a more spacious look and feel, choose gentle tones of white, beige, ivory or cream, as brighter spaces appear larger and more inviting.

How much floor should show around an area rug?

As a general rule, your area rug should be about the size of your living room’s seating area to ground the conversation zone. To make your space feel balanced, your rug should be at least a foot wider than your sofa on either side.

As a rule of thumb, a rug should be large enough to anchor your furniture whilst leaving some of the floor exposed. When in doubt, go for the biggest size possible – there’s nothing worse than an undersized rug!

There are a number of commonly sized rugs available on the market, however if you have a really large space most higher end rug suppliers offer the option to have a bespoke or custom rug made for your space.

Common rug sizes:

Oversized: 200cm x 300cm Fill the whole room but not wall to wall, the rug should create a stage for your sofa and coffee table.

Large: 160cm x 230cm. Define space and create separation between dining and living areas if you have an open concept living space. Think tufted construction or longer pile height for added softness.

Small: 155cm x 225cm A quick and easy living room update, a small rug in a low pile height placed under a coffee table is often a layer of love that’s been lacking in a room.

The takeaway

You might already have or be looking to purchase an area rug in grey, green or blue: but don't forget about the possibilities that a cream rug can bring too. What's more, they go with every other color, so you really can't go wrong when adding a cream rug to your decor.