Pale floors, pale walls and then white on the floor as well? That is exactly what makes a small room look bigger and tidier. There are twenty-nine designs right now, mostly pure white with some cream, which works as an off-white. Wool tops the list, ahead of synthetics, jute and cotton.
Wool
Warm and dense
Synthetic
Soft, up to really fluffy
Jute, jute with cotton
Textured and natural
Cotton kilim
Flat and light
A white rug in the living room
Under a seating group you usually need 200 x 290 cm or more, so the sofa's front legs rest on it. Look at a 200 x 300 cm rug or browse the living room rugs. The handwoven wool design is a calm choice here, with a fuller pile, and the wool rug range shows other shades. The largest size is 300 x 400 cm, big enough for a large white rug in an open-plan room.
Black and white together look modern and graphic, for instance a black coffee table on a pale rug. Grey and white stay quieter.
Prefer it warmer? Take cream instead of white. With honey-coloured wood and warm light it looks softer. A beige rug goes a step further, and a muted taupe rug further still.
Beside the bed
Stepping onto wool barefoot in the morning is a pleasure. A second wool design comes round or as a runner, also in 100 % wool. For a cosy corner there is white shaggy pile in synthetic fibre, really fluffy underfoot. A small white rug, 80 cm across, fits in front of the bedside table, and with blue striped bed linen it looks fresh.
Is white wise with children and dogs?
Honestly, this is where many people hesitate. White shows marks sooner. That is true. With small children who carry juice cups and crayons across the floor, or a dog that heads straight for the sofa after a walk, weigh it up first. A flat cotton kilim is the relaxed option here, easy to shake out. At the front door, a darker runner makes more sense.
For texture, look at jute in white. Woven from 100 % jute, it brings the look of the natural fibre in a light shade.
Frequently asked questions
Doesn't white get dirty straight away?
It shows marks sooner. Regular vacuuming and blotting liquids at once help a lot.
Is there white in wool?
Yes, wool is actually the most common material in white.
What's the difference between white and cream?
Cream has a slightly yellowish, warm undertone. White looks clearer and cooler.
Can a white kilim go in the washing machine?
The plain cotton kilim is listed as machine washable, white included. Check the care label before the first wash.
Which white rug is the fluffiest?
The synthetic shaggy. Wool feels denser and flatter.
