Orange & Terracotta Rugs

The orange and terracotta rug has become one of the strongest interior trends around. These earth tones, drawn from Mediterranean fired clay, weathered copper and the setting sun, bring an enveloping warmth like nothing else. They have rehabilitated the orange family, sidelined for years after the excesses of the seventies, in far more sophisticated and contemporary shades.

The shades, and what to do with them

This colour family has real range:

• Terracotta: a matt orange leaning pink-brown, the signature colour of interiors since 2020
• Rust / cognac: deep brown-orange, autumnal and cosy
• Golden ochre: a warm yellow-orange that recalls southern soil
• Weathered copper: a soft metallic tone, thoroughly sophisticated
• Burnt orange: bright but tempered, far more current than pure orange
• Pink ochre / salmon: soft and powdery

Terracotta remains the most popular shade of all, because it combines warmth with sophistication: never too bright, never too brown.

Which colours to pair it with

Terracotta and orange sit remarkably well alongside:

• Every beige, cream and sand: a very soft Mediterranean tone-on-tone
• Teal or navy: a sophisticated warm-cool contrast
• Anthracite grey: a contemporary pairing everyone is using
• Sage or olive green: a botanical, tropical mood
• Black and brass: Art Deco chic
• Raw natural wood: essential to the Mediterranean look
• Dusty pink and blush: a soft contemporary tonal scheme

Which style to go for

Terracotta suits:

• Terracotta Berber: a cream ground with terracotta motifs, soft and graphic at once
• Faded vintage: a naturally softened palette that fits anywhere
• Tribal oriental: geometric motifs in terracotta, cream and black
• Terracotta textured plain: the sophisticated minimalist choice, often in viscose for a silky finish

Which room?

Terracotta is genuinely versatile. In a living room, it creates a warm Mediterranean mood on the spot. In a bedroom, it wraps the space in a cocoon, and looks especially good in shaggy. In an entrance hall, it welcomes people warmly. In a dining room, it encourages everyone to linger. It is especially at home in Mediterranean, bohemian and warm Scandinavian interiors, and in "slow decor" schemes.