Whether we’re talking about sisal, jute or seagrass, a natural-fiber rug is a superb addition to any room, from contemporary to traditional. They’re often affordable, eco friendly and the element that ties a room together. I love the natural and earthy texture. Let’s take a look at how they work in a selection of rooms, styles and colour combinations.
Lisa Borgnes Giramonti
1. Offices and dens. Among my favorite tricks is to utilize a sisal or jute rug underneath a more compact vintage Oriental, Oushak or Kilim rug. When you find a vintage rug that’s too small for the room but want to use it anyway, a great alternative is to layer it on top of a natural fiber rug.
Dana Wolter
2. Traditional living rooms. Natural fiber rugs can add a little contemporary simplicity to a conventional room in cream, beige and white. There’s a casual elegance and timeless feel to the mixture of cream upholstery, a jute rug, and a chandelier.
Paul Francis Shurtleff Architect
Beige, black and white. Monochrome with a bit of drama. This natural fiber rug anchors the room and gives a calming backdrop to more elaborate pieces such as the tapestry and chandelier. A standard Oriental rug would completely change the look of this room and would cause it to feel heavier or more serious. The natural fiber rug lends a more casual feel.
Tracery Interiors
White slipcovers and sisal: a combination that is timeless.
ROMABIO / Interior & Exterior Mineral Based Paints
Natural fiber rugs tend to be flat woven and may be layered with smaller rugs and hides.
CWB Architects
3. Modern and eclectic living rooms. This is one of my favorite rooms on Houzz. Within this setting with a mixture of vintage style upholstered furniture and a headboard juxtaposed against conventional architecture, I can not imagine anything other than a natural fiber rug to tie the space together.
Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab
Whenever you have a larger room in which two or more rugs might be desired, natural fiber rugs help you mix and layer different colors, fibers, colours and patterns.
West Elm
Jute Bouclé Rug – $39
Brian Watford Interiors
4. Dining rooms. I really like the way natural fiber rugs appear in a dining room. I understand they might be practical when it comes to falling pieces of food or drink spills, but I often suggest them regardless. Stains clean up easier than one thinks.
There’s something about the way natural fiber rugs transition naturally with hardwood flooring.
Rebekah Zaveloff | KitchenLab
5. Kitchens. Natural fiber rugs are great for kitchens. They obviously repel dirt and you can take them outside and shake them out. Strangely, I find that having a natural fiber rug underfoot doesn’t make me believe to take off my sneakers and I don’t be concerned about it. I love using them for entrance mats in addition to in mudrooms and entryways.
Liz Williams Interiors
6. Bedrooms. In bedrooms, natural fiber area rugs and even wall-to-wall carpeting is a terrific alternative. I love the way it feels on bare feet. I use jute rug as a bathmat.
Eclectic Rugs – $218.90
More:
11 Area Rug Rules and How to Break Them
How to Choose the Ideal Rug for Your Entryway
Oriental Rugs Past the Living Room
The Magic of Showstopping Carpets