A rug with a face on it changes a room in a way a plain one never will. Animal and character rugs bring colour, humour and a focal point to the floor, but they work best when the rest of the room gives them a little space. Here's how to choose one, where to put it and how to style around it, with some of our favourites.
Choosing your character
Start with the mood you want. A soft, friendly design suits a bedroom or nursery, while a bolder colour can anchor a living room or hallway.
The Pinky Leopard Rug from Doing Goods is a friendly-faced pink leopard, handmade in 100% wool. It's an easy way to brighten up a room and make a feature of the floor. The Plumpy Panda Rug, also from Doing Goods, has a wool face and a cotton reverse and comes in more than one size, so it can work as a bedside rug or a bigger piece in a playroom.
Both are handmade and ethically sourced, so expect slight variations from one rug to the next. That's part of their charm: no two are quite the same.
Where to put a statement rug
- Hallways and landings: the first thing guests see, and a place where a cheerful face sets the tone for the whole house.
- Bedrooms: a rug beside the bed gives you something warm and soft to step on first thing in the morning.
- Children's rooms and playrooms: a character rug quickly becomes part of the game, and gives a busy room a natural centre.
- Living rooms: place it in front of an armchair or reading corner rather than half under a sofa, so the design isn't hidden.
For smaller spots, the Seletti x Toiletpaper Magazine Mat is a small mat printed with some of the studio's most recognisable images, from Lipsticks to Sea Girl. It brings instant personality to a hallway, bathroom or bedside.
Let the rug lead the colour scheme
A statement rug is a ready-made colour palette. Pick one or two shades from it and repeat them around the room: the pink of the leopard in a cushion or lampshade, or the black and white of the panda in a picture frame or throw. Keep the larger furniture calmer so the rug stays the star.
If you love pattern, you can go further and set up a conversation between floor and walls. Morris & Co's Blackthorn Wallpaper, designed by J.H. Dearle in 1892 and available in Green, Autumn and Spring, is full of dense foliage. Put the pink leopard on the floor beneath it and the room starts to feel like a playful jungle. If that feels like too much, a character rug against a plain wall is just as effective.
Add companions with the same sense of fun
One character piece is a statement; two or three in conversation make a scheme. Vary the scale and spread them out, so each one has room to be noticed.
The Qeeboo Rabbit Chair is made from tough, lightweight polyethylene, can be used indoors and out, and can be sat on several ways, including riding it with your forearms on its ears. You may recognise it from ITV's Love Island. It's a natural partner for the panda rug in a playroom. For a grown-up living room, the Gorilla Chair by Marcantonio is an ape-shaped lounge chair with a rich real leather covering, a sculptural piece that holds its own next to a bold rug.
Lighting finishes the picture. The Seletti Diver Lamp turns a famous 1940s tattoo of a diving woman into a three-dimensional sculpture, in red or yellow, with a dimmable LED. Placed near a pink leopard rug, the red version picks up the warmth beautifully.
Keep it looking good
A rug underlay stops a smaller rug sliding about on wooden floors and helps it lie flat. Turning the rug round every few months also helps it wear evenly, especially in a busy hallway.
See every design in our Doing Goods rugs collection, or browse our wider home decor range for companions. If you'd like help picking the right character for a room, visit us in Somerset or get in touch with the team.
