The material is the first thing to take in consideration for different reasons. First, there are practical aspects to take in consideration: In which room will the rug be used? Does the household have children or animals? Will it be in an area with a heavy footfall? Secondly, the connection that one has with the material is equally important: some might prefer soft and shiny textures, others might like opaque ones or would only use vegetable and non-animal sourced materials. Once all this information is gathered, the architect or salesperson can provide material suggestions. For example, tightly knitted and low pile rugs, such as G.T.DESIGN’s Textures wool collection, are more resistant and better suited for areas with a heavy footfall. Others might fall in love with a particular style and material and won’t care if the rug will require a higher maintenance, as it often happens with In-Canto collection.

I advise to never use rugs with long fringes, they are a safety hazard.

There are no strict rules, but some suggestions can help make the space more inviting. It depends on the home. For small living rooms, positioning the furniture such as a couch, a coffee table and an armchair all on the same rug will give the idea of a larger space. When placing the rug in the center of the seating area, position it 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) from the couch’s border.

Rug areas can define different spaces within the home, especially in lofts. However, they should have a fluid quality as well that can be achieved, for example, by using organic shaped rugs (such as the UltraNative and Cobblestone collections). It would be ideal to bring a floor plan when purchasing a rug to better determine the perfect rug dimensions and placement.

A large rug placed underneath the lower part of the bed and the bordering has a more elegant look than two singular small side rugs. For low-to-the-ground beds, a custom-made rug can border the frame in a U shape.

A circular rug can also be placed on one side of the bed if the other side is closed to the wall.

There are different materials that can be used in patios and terraces. For example, G.T.DESIGN’s Coconutrug “I Glassati” collection, made in resin coated coconut fiber, is extremely resistant and can also get wet.

The high performing rugs such as Passo Doppio and Paglietta, that combine jute and a technical yarn, can also be used in outdoor covered areas.

The most important rule is to choose a rug color that has enough contrast with the flooring.

Eclectic homes can have bold color rugs, while neutral shades are better suited for more minimalistic environments.

Relaxing nuances of green and blue work well in night areas, where reds and oranges should be avoided.