If you’re big on the idea of unique decor, custom rugs should be at the top of your shopping list. They take personalisation to the next level and let you mark your space in an incredible way.
As it happens, we at The Rug Maker craft a lot of bespoke rugs each year. As such, we know what the process of creating one entails, what people want out of such rugs, and so on.
If you’re curious about all of that, you’re on the right page. Today, we’ll provide a guide to the process of designing a custom rug.
Why bother getting a custom rug?
One of the main reasons to get bespoke rugs is the edge they have over ordinary ones when it comes to personalising spaces.
Few – if any – mass-manufactured rugs will have the same power. Why? For the simple reason that finding a mass-manufactured rug that caters to all of your exact needs and preferences is about as likely as winning the lottery.
Sometimes you may find a mass-manufactured rug with the design you want, yes. But then something like size may be slightly off. Or you find one with the perfect design and size. But then a colour or the materials aren’t what you want.
There are simply too many factors to account for when sifting through mass-manufactured rugs for the “perfect fit”. With custom area rugs, you can skip all of that effort. You can just have the perfect fit created!
That lets you satisfy all of your preferences from the get-go. Moreover, since you design your own rug, it lets you express your character and brand your home with it!
What’s involved in designing personalised rugs?
So, what goes into making your own unique rug? A lot of things, actually. It honestly involves quite a bit of work, even on your end.
If you want as seamless an experience here as possible, you might consider just turning to us at The Rug Maker. Given that this is our wheelhouse, you can expect maximum consideration and professionalism.
That being said, it’s important for you to know what goes into this so you can make an informed decision. So, let’s break down the process!
Assessing and understanding your space
Assessing your living space is critical when you want to design a rug. You should take a look at the room size, the existing colour schemes, and the overall style of the decor in the room.
Among other things, note the room’s obstructions. Practical considerations like doors should be included.
After all, it’s perfectly possible to end up with an oversized rug that blocks doors’ bottom edges. Thick rugs can also be tripping hazards, so it would be best to look at where their edges would end up when sizing.
If you’re having trouble visualising the ideal size or form for custom-shaped rugs, check out our previous article on the topic. That said, you can also just ask us to do an assessment with you. We can inspect your space to put together recommendations for sizes.
Choosing the right material
Material is absolutely vital when designing a rug. It can affect the rug’s feel, durability, and even colours and look, as some designs are best on certain rug materials.
Generally, though, the first things you should think about are the rug’s purpose and placement. What is the rug supposed to do? Into which room is it going?
Just as you wouldn’t want to put a costly silk rug on the patio, you probably wouldn’t want a hard-wearing but rough sisal rug in your bedroom. You want something hardy for the former, where people are likely to tread with shoes and things like weather are a consideration. In the latter room, you’re more likely to be barefoot and seeking comfort.
Consult our article on rug materials for a rundown of the most popular options and what each one offers. That should help you figure out which rug material is best for your needs.
Exploring design inspiration
When visualising your rug, it’s a good idea to look at items you find inspiring. These can range from other rugs to even things like your favourite parks or works of art.
Inspiration can come from anywhere when it comes to design. The idea is to look at things that you feel both suit the look you’re going for in your home and epitomise you or your taste.
Of course, your rug designer will very likely give you some help here. We certainly provide guidance or ideas to our clients when they approach us for assistance in custom rug design.
For example, we might recommend a look at the top interior design trends for 2024. This can provide new ideas as well as offer concepts of how to freshen up or modernise a space.
We also recommend gathering ideas from design blogs, social media platforms, and the like. It gives you a good idea of current trends and materials, as well as what aesthetics appeal most to you.
This way, you can better find the perfect expression of your individual style and personality!
Finding the right partner
You can only get the perfect rug if you work with the right rugmaker. While your personalised rug is based on your vision, you still need a good rug artisan to turn that vision into something tangible.
But how do you know which rug designers or crafters to work with for the project? As people who specialise in that, we can tell you what to look for:
- Check if their expertise matches your vision. Do they specialise in a particular style or rug type? Do they work on rugs like your dream one?
- See if they provide the quality you’d like. Are the materials they use of the sort of quality you expect for your rug? Is their craftsmanship the same? Do they create products as durable as they are beautiful?
- Select options whose approaches align with yours. What is their design philosophy like? Does their working approach also align with yours? Are your aesthetic preferences and values similar?
Don’t be afraid to review their previous work, especially for bespoke pieces. It’s a great way to gauge a crafter’s skill and versatility at translating a client’s vision into reality.
That’s why another good idea here is to ask others for recommendations. Talk to other homeowners and ask rug designers or crafters for references. Most will be happy to provide them!
At The Rug Maker, we’re more than happy to show you our many success stories, for instance. We can show you countless cases where we guided people through every step of the process, from consultation to actual production.
And in each case, you’ll see our passion for personalised work. We’re all about living up to clients’ expectations and fulfilling their dreams.
Start the process of creating your custom rug now
If you’re raring to begin your own bespoke rug journey, there’s no time like the present. We’ve already given you all the basics of what’s involved, so you should be better equipped to get started compared to before!
Should you need more help, however, feel free to reach out to us. At The Rug Maker, we specialise in custom rugs and thus have more than enough experience to guide you through the process.
Reach out to us for a consultation on your custom rug plans. We can help you figure out what’s best for you and how you can get it!
