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40+ Rooms With The Most Magnificent Rugs

By Jenna Wilhelmsen & Sabina Sohail On

Accessories may help elevate a room, but there’s nothing quite like the transformative power of a rug.

Whether you’re looking to revamp a living room, a bedroom or even a bathroom, nothing sets the tone quite like a woven work of art underfoot. Get inspired by these stunning spaces where the rug is the star of the show!

A warm-toned rug on a pale palette creates a spa-like atmosphere in this principal bathroom overlooking Lake Joseph.

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Lorraine Franklin

House & Home July/August 2020

Layering a natural-fibre rug underneath a vibrant green striped one breaks up the similar tones in the room, without losing impact.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Cynthia Fergusson

House & Home September 2020

This family bathroom is warm and modern, thanks to an eye-catching vintage runner. It feels unexpected while still complementing the metal-trimmed vanity and classic subway tiles.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Peter Atkinson

House & Home May 2020

The key to mastering a monochrome palette is pattern mixing! A dynamic rug complements this artful den‘s gray-on-gray palette.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Daniel Harland, Roundabout Studio

House & Home May 2020

In hotelier Christiane Germain’s dining room, a colourful rug works with the amethyst-hued dining chairs to bring a boost of energy to the lofty space.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Jane Charron

House & Home January/February 2021

A cool-toned watercolor runner fills this hallway with cheer and looks great next to the custom Moroccan-inspired door.

  • Photographer Tracey Ayton
  • Designer Ben Leavitt, Plaidfox Studio

House & Home September 2020

A children’s room is the perfect place to make some bold design moves! This pink patterned rug mixes whimsy and sophistication when paired with a bunny lampshade and tassel-trimmed bedding.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Ami McKay, Pure Design Inc.

House & Home March 2020

There is so much to love about this farmhouse-style mudroom, from the burgundy speckled rug to the antique pine bench and greige armoire.

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Allison Willson

House & Home October 2020

Want to give a neutral living room some extra oomph? All you need is a blue rug (which reads as a neutral), and you’ve got a refreshed space!

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Grace Doyle & Sacha Leclair

House & Home April 2020

This dining room by Susan Burns is grounded by a slate-toned rug and complementary navy chairs. It adds a modern touch to the rustic wood floors.

  • Photographer Robin Stubbert
  • Designer Susan Burns

House & Home June 2020

A geometric blue, gray and yellow rug grounds this calming home office, while adding a fresh and textured look to the space.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Cathy Radcliffe & Teigan Jorgensen

House & Home January 2019

Bold fabrics abound in this stylish city condo. Using an array of patterns in different sizes — like this striking rug — keeps them from overpowering one another.

  • Photographer Stacey Brandford
  • Designer Christine Johnson

House & Home October 2019

A dreamy blue and pink rug creates a designated sitting area in this open-concept laneway house. “The whole design of the space is about flexibility,” says the homeowner.

  • Photographer Janis Nicolay
  • Designer Architecture by MA+HG Architects

House & Home January 2020

Pairing a dynamic rug with laid-back leather chairs speaks to the inspiration for this new-build living room — Parisian style with a bit of West Coast.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Erin Feasby & Cindy Bleeks, Feasby & Bleeks Design

House & Home April 2019

Designer Alda Pereira opted for a red patterned rug to add drama to the quiet but comfortable furnishings in this Whistler, British Columbia, ski chalet.

  • Photographer Ema Peter
  • Designer Alda Pereira

Houe & Home February 2020

Designer Luke Havekes achieved a layered look in his country dining room by combining colors and patterns that give off a similar vibe: New England style with masculine touches.

  • Photographer Maxime Desbiens
  • Designer Luke Havekes

House & Home September 2019

A moody Scandi-inspired rug brings depth to this cheery seating area, and contrasts beautifully with the velvet Danish-modern sofa and other gold accents in the room.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer John Baker & Juli Daoust-Baker with Christine Ho Ping Kong & Peter Tan

House & Home October 2019

A classic runner gives this bright and colorful kitchen a decorative moment and leads the eye to the vibrant painting across the room.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Barbara Purdy

House & Home April 2020

In this principal bedroom’s mood-boosting seating area, a striped circular rug mimics the flow of the chairs and sofa, and adds visual interest underfoot.

  • Photographer Stephani Buchman
  • Designer Quinn Cooper

House & Home April 2020

A dramatic turquoise rug adds a pop color to a long black dining table and mid-century modern Danish chairs in this Toronto home. Mounting a playful photograph adds even more personality to the gathering place.

  • Photographer Stephani Buchman
  • Designer Quinn Cooper

House & Home April 2020

In this mid-century modern dining room, a vibrant blue rug injects color into the otherwise neutral space.

  • Photographer Michael Graydon

House & Home February 2015

Lofts can be quite stark at times so why not bring in a bold patterned rug to add texture and warmth? We love how the nature-inspired hues contrast with the velvet blue sofa here.

Tour the rest of this glamorous Montreal loft.

  • Photographer Adrien Williams
  • Designer Alexandre Blazys & Benoit Gérard of BlazysGérard

House & Home December 2017

In this contemporary entryway, a vintage Persian rug offers an inviting, global feel.

Alexander Design

In a room where the color palette is so saturated, only a bold patterned rug would do. In columnist Amoryn Engel’s den, an heirloom Persian anchors the room and is striking enough to balance against the blue lacquered walls.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer J Gibson

House & Home February 2018

In this modern family room, a Moroccan-inspired patchwork rug injects life and dimension to the grey and white color scheme.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Samantha Farjo

House & Home January 2016

For a global look, a vintage kilim is the perfect pick for this bathroom. The bold pattern is done in soft pastel hues to complement the serene atmosphere.

Becki Owens

A pleated yellow cocktail chair paired with a vibrant aqua rug in this striking foyer makes for a memorable first impression.

  • Photographer Kim Jeffery
  • Designer Jennifer Worts

House & Home April 2017

A simple way to break the tension in a formal living room? With an artsy carpet, of course. This splashy purple one complements the emerald sofa while offering a cool, unique look to the eclectic space.

  • Photographer Alex Lukey
  • Designer Samantha Farjo

House & Home January 2016

For the minimalist, an intricately detailed rug is the perfect pick. This vintage piece adds warmth to the space and is undoubtedly the focal point.

Natasha Habermann Studio

Who says a neutral rug can’t be magnificent? This vintage Moroccan Beni boasts a beautiful deep purple, orange and charcoal palette, and is the standout feature in this light and bright living room.

Green Body + Green Home

When designing a feminine dressing room, two things are essential: a blush pink ottoman and an equally pretty rug. How perfect is this painterly piece?

  • Photographer Valerie Wilcox
  • Designer Stephanie Pellatt, Pivot Design; Leanne Tammaro & Adolphina Karachok, Designtheory

House & Home April 2017

Layering a rug over a basic carpet is a yes in our books. Here, a plush patterned rug adds interest and dimension to the sisal carpet underneath.

  • Photographer Kim Jeffery
  • Designer Joel Bray

House & Home February 2016

If you’re a maximalist, match your rug to the decor. Pumpkin, evidently, is a color that works really well for a tone-on-tone look.

  • Photographer André Rider
  • Designer Les Ensembliers

House & Home June 2016

In this bright California foyer, a Persian rug offers a warm and inviting vibe to the otherwise streamlined space.

  • Photographer Tessa Neustadt
  • Designer Amber Lewis

Amber Interiors

We love how a purple-hued rug is paired with glossy lilac-colored tiles in this feminine bathroom.

Nickey Kehoe

This picture-perfect dining room by Studio McGee is anchored with an equally stunning rug underfoot.

Studio McGee

For a formal feel, a pair of matching runners were added to this hallway, which are flattering to the stunningly carved wooden bench.

  • Photographer Tessa Neustadt
  • Designer Amber Lewis

Amber Interiors

In this modern-meets-old-world bathroom, a copper-toned rug offers a global look while adding warmth to the perfectly manicured space.

  • Photographer Donna Griffith
  • Designer Lisa Worth

House & Home June 2018

A flat woven kilim in the most stunning shade of blue adds boho flair to this bungalow in L.A., and is grounded by greys for a handsome look.

Emily Henderson

In this grey and white kitchen, a colorful runner breathes life into the space while contrasting with the Terracotta-tiled floors.

  • Photographer Kim Jeffery
  • Designer Virginie Martocq

House & Home June 2017

Instead of bringing in a vibrant area rug, designer Christine Ralphs decided to keep her living room condo all white with a textured piece underfoot, which is just as striking.

  • Photographer Virginia Macdonald
  • Designer Christine Ralphs

House & Home August 2018

This poppy-printed rug ties all the colors of the furniture and decor together, creating a cohesive look.

Anthropologie