White rugs

The white rug is the choice of pure elegance. It brightens a dark room, visually enlarges small spaces and creates the pared-back, sophisticated atmosphere that every contemporary scheme is after. It is also the most versatile rug of all stylistically: it goes with any furniture and any colour without ever competing with them.

The shades of white and their effects

"White" actually covers a rich palette:

• Pure white: brilliant, very contemporary, but watch out for stains
• Off-white / ecru: slightly yellowed, warmer and more welcoming
• Cream: a warm white leaning towards beige, very soft
• Ivory: an elegant off-white, with a hint of yellow and pink
• Pinkish white: very subtle, and gentle in a bedroom
• Greyed white: contemporary and sophisticated

In a bright, south-facing room, pure white works. In a north-facing or dark room, go for cream or ivory, which will bring more warmth.

What goes with a white rug?

White goes with absolutely everything. A few pairings that work particularly well:

• White + black: timeless graphic minimalism
• White + pale wood: Scandinavian at its purest
• White + beige / greige: a sophisticated tonal blend
• White + navy: maritime freshness
• White + powder pink: soft and feminine
• White + bright colours (yellow, red, green): white shows them off

Does white really get dirty too fast?

This is the big worry. The truth is more nuanced:

• A pure white in a busy area (an entrance, a hallway runner) will indeed mark quickly
• A white in a bedroom stays immaculate for a long time
• A white in a living room holds up very well as long as you do not eat on it
• An ivory or cream is far more forgiving than a pure white
• The machine washable versions solve the problem entirely: straight in at 30°C

Which styles work in white?

White brings out the best in certain styles. A white shaggy gives a luxurious sheepskin effect, perfect in a bedroom or in front of a fireplace. A cream Berber with black motifs is an evergreen classic of the modern look. A white Scandinavian rug with soft patterning brightens a Nordic living room. An ivory plain textured rug in viscose has a sumptuous silky sheen in the light.