Friday 28 November 2014

Rugs: The Perfect Present this Christmas

Kids’ Rugs: The Perfect Present This Christmas
With sleigh-bells on the horizon and the temperature rapidly dropping, it can only mean one thing – Christmas is well on the way.
And here at Rugs Direct we want to make sure yours goes off with a bang. One way to do that is with the perfect gifts, and if you’ve got a child or two who fancy redecorating their bedrooms (let’s face it, which of them don’t?), then we have the kids’ rugs for you. With that in mind, let’s explore some of our most popular kids’ rugs…
Stripey Ted Kids’ Rug
Perfect for kids who are still in the nursery, this wonderful Stripey Ted Kids’ Rug is packed with character. Shaped like a classic teddy bear and made up of bright, vibrant colours, this is a kids’ rug that will really stand out and make a lasting impression. Ideal for a boy or a girl, the rug is made from hand-tufted 100% wool.
Arte Espina Kids Collection
If you want to be spoiled for choice in terms of the design on your kids’ rugs, you’ll love the Arte Espina Kids Collection. Adorned with colourful characters, these are kids’ rugs that demand to be seen, with complex scenes that kids will just love to explore themselves. If you’ve got a budding builder in your family, they’ll love the kids rug we have featuring a big yellow digger – a real favourite!
Capri Guitar Kids’ Rug
If you’re shopping for a slightly older child, we’ve got plenty on offer for them too – including this eye-catching Capri Guitar Kids’ Rug. Designed with the unmistakable graphic of a guitar in deep grey with just a dash of red, this is a kids’ rug with a real urban vibe. Made from 100% polypropylene pile, this rug is made from an exclusive Maclon fibre that makes it soft to the touch and easy to clean – the perfect kids’ rug!
Arte Espina Fairytale Kids Rug
Our final favourite kids’ rug for Christmas is perfect if you have a little princess in your household. Emblazoned with a fairytale princess castle and pink pony, this really is a rug that’s made for a little girl. The Arte Espina Fairytale Kids Rug has been hand-tufted in China and is made to last.

We hope you’ve got a fresh batch of ideas for your kids’ rug present this Christmas, but if you’re still unsure, why not explore our full range? If you have any questions, please contact our friendly team of rug experts on 0845 8388638.

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Are Wooden Stair Rods Right for Your Home?

Are Wooden Stair Rods Right for Your Home?
If you’re planning on having a set of stair rods added to your home, it’s doubtful you need any convincing of their benefits. But have you chosen the specific material you’d like just yet? A lot of people plump for traditional stair rods made from cast iron or bronze, but there is another option: wooden stair rods. These can bring a real sense of rustic, earthy charm to any home – but are they right for you?
What makes wooden stair rods different?
Here at Stair Rods Direct, we offer a few different options for those looking into wooden stair rods. It’s understandable that some people may worry that a wooden stair rod wouldn’t be as sturdy or long-lasting as its metallic counterpart, but this is far from the truth. The wooden stair rods we offer are made from solid hardwood with different finishes for aesthetics. They’re fastened using heavy brass tips and brackets, meaning that they’ll be just as effective as a metallic stair rod in securing the carpet to the stairway.
What finishes are available for wooden stair rods?
We offer two types of wooden stair rods: Tudor Runner Rods and Tudor Front-Fix Rods. Both of these are built from the same durable hardwood, but are also available with a couple of different finishes depending on your taste. If you’re going for a light motif, we’d recommend the Light Oak finish, whereas for a more traditional effect we’d suggest the Dark Oak finish. Either of them will bring a true sense of class and rustic nostalgia to your home. So if you want that true ‘country house’ feeling, wooden stair rods are a great choice.
Do wooden stair rods work with runners and fitted carpet?
One of the great things about our selection of wooden stair rods is the fact that we have options for either carpet runners or fitted carpets. If you’re using a carpet runner on your staircase, you’ll need the Tudor Runner Rods, but if you have fitted carpet on your stairs, the Tudor Front-Fix Rods are the answer. Either of these variants come with your choice of tips and brackets, available in a number of eye-catching finishes such as Antique Brass, Pewter, Satin Nickel and many more.

So what do you think? Is there room in your home for a set of beautiful wooden stair rods? If you still have questions, please do call our friendly team of wooden stair rod experts on 0845 8388638.

Friday 21 November 2014

Rugs on a Budget

Rugs on a Budget: The Best Way to Dress Your Home for Less


Believe it or not, the words 'budget' and 'cheap' are not at all synonymous – at least not in the case of the rugs we offer here at Rugs Direct.

In fact, in our experience, we've found that some of the best examples of our products are budget rugs. That’s why we thought we’d offer you the rundown of some of the very best budget rugs you can buy. What does this mean for you? Well, you can dress your home in style without breaking the bank.

Keep it simple with Skye Rugs

Sometimes you don’t need an ornate pattern or an intricate design to bring something special to a room. That’s why one of our favourite budget rugs is the affordable range of Skye rugs. Hand-made in India with 100% polyester, these rugs feature flat colours that will blend seamlessly into any room. If you’re looking for simplicity along with your budget rugs, this one’s for you. Oh, and they’re available in a range of classic colours including teal, cream and mulberry which makes them ideal budget rugs for any home.

Add a touch of visual flair with Nina Rugs

If a plain flat colour is a little too ‘vanilla’ for your tastes, another recommended budget rug is the range of Nina Rugs. These are hand-made rugs crafted in Egypt using a polypropylene pile which makes these budget rugs truly durable. The depth of the pile allows for an eye-catching range of patterns and colours that really make these pieces shine. If you’re looking for a rug that will stand the test of time but go easy on your wallet, Nina Rugs are the answer.

Budget rugs for the practically minded

When you’re not too bothered about the visual design of the rug itself, it opens plenty of doors for true durability. So if you’re looking for a budget rug that can be tested to destruction and be affordable, we thoroughly recommend the Sisal Rug range. Machine-made and sourced from China, these budget rugs also have an anti-slip backing that means that even when placed on a smooth wooden floor, they’ll always stay firmly in place.


To discover the full range of budget rugs in our shop, just click here. Have a question about any of our products, or simply rugs in general? Call our friendly team of rug and carpet experts on 0845 8388638.

Thursday 20 November 2014

Modern Vintage Rugs

Modern Vintage Rugs: Our Favourite Contradiction in Terms

To talk about any item being vintage and modern at the same time may seem like something of a contradiction – but it’s a very current phenomenon, and it’s happening with rugs too.

As trends and tastes have evolved within the world of rug design, older designs have tended to be left behind. However, there are now plenty of manufacturers out there who are recreating the essence of vintage rugs in designs for today. Of course, the benefits of vintage rugs as a consumer are significant: you’re able to enjoy the vintage rug design and benefit from the latest in build quality technology too. With all of this in mind, let’s take some time to look at our favourite modern vintage rugs.

Heriz Burnt Orange Rug

Designed by world-renowned rug designer Louis de Poortere, the Heriz Burnt Orange vintage rug is certainly one of our favourites here at Rugs Direct. Made using a unique flatweave pile, this is a vintage rug that’s not only celebrating the love of bright, vivid colours, but also the intricate patterning and detail that’s immediately visible on this eye-catching rug.

Multi-Colour Vintage Rug

Another showing from Louis de Poortere, the Multi-Colour Vintage Rug is an exploration of the ever-popular patchwork designs that made such an impact a few decades back. With hemmed edges and an anti-slip coating, this vintage rug is a perfect example of the classic blending seamlessly with the retro designs. With each block of the patchwork boasting a different pattern, this is a real head-turner of a vintage rug and will blend flawlessly with any surroundings – even the most contemporary ones.

Young Urbanite Beetle Green Rug

If you want something that really stands out and has that unmistakeable vintage rug vibe, the Young Urbanite Beetle Green is an ideal choice. Featuring an ornate pattern that instantly harks back to the fashionable designs seen in the 1960s, this is a real lesson in how to do a vintage rug right. And the intense green finish of the flatweave pile is the perfect way to create a real focal point in any room of the house – and is ideal for injecting a vibrant vintage touch too.

Have we inspired you to take a closer look at the range of vintage rugs out there? If so, why not take a look at our wide range today? Or, if you have any questions about vintage rugs or anything else, simply call us today on 0845 8388638.



Friday 14 November 2014

Striped Rugs: Do Have a Place in Every Home?

4 Reasons Why Striped Rugs Have a Place in Every Home

There are few patterns as polarising as stripes: some people love it, others can’t stand it.
For us at Rugs Direct, though, it’s all about how you use it. A striped rug can actually bring a great deal of visual interest to a room, and we think there’s a place for them in every home. In case you need any more convincing, here are 4 reasons why striped rugs should have a home at yours.

Reason 1: A cacophony of colour

If you’re the type of person that’s easily bored, a simple flat colour rug simply won’t do. That’s where striped rugs can come in really handy. Because of the way that striped rugs are made, it’s possible to use a number of differently coloured yarns. This leads to a world of possibilities for the colour and design of striped rugs. Need an example? Just look at the Splash Stripe Rug.

Reason 2: Geometric balance

Let’s face it: the vast majority of rooms in modern homes are four-walled affairs, and very often square or rectangular. With this in mind, it makes perfect sense that a striped rug would blend very well into this layout. In fact, the clean geometric lines of a striped rug bring a sense of balance to any room that features lots of straight lines. If you haven’t tried it yet, don’t take our word for it – give it a go!

Reason 3: A wide selection of textures

Striped rugs tend to be manufactured in such a way that they can be customised ‘line by line’. In fact, many rugs are tufted this way; but what it means for striped rugs is that rug makers can play around a little more with the actual texture and feel of the rug. For example, it’s possible to have a varying pile length or material for each different stripe in the design. Granted, these aren’t common (or even popular), but it’s possible.

Reason 4: Striped rugs don’t need to be square

Don’t think that just because we’re talking about striped rugs that they are always square shaped. Quite the opposite is true, in fact. There are plenty of striped rugs out there which feature unique shapes – such as this heart-shaped striped rug – but which still catch the eye and bring a focal point to a room.


If you’re sold on the excellence of striped rugs, why not explore our full range now? Or if you have any questions about striped rugs or any of the other designs we have on offer, call us today on 0845 8388638

Wednesday 12 November 2014

Brass Stair Rods Are More Popular Than Ever Before

Brass Stair Rods Are More Popular Than Ever Before. Here's Why.

Whether you’re adding a stair runner or fitted carpet to your staircase, you’ll likely need a reliable set of stair rods.

There’s a wide range of choices open to you – including both solid and hollow options – but there is one form of stair rods that are really enjoying a surge in popularity: brass stair rods. As a durable and long-lasting metal, it’s perhaps no surprise that brass has been used for centuries for all sorts of purposes, but are brass stair rods really the right choice for you? In this article, we’ll explore what makes brass stair rods so popular.

A wide variety of designs

All brass stair rods will come with the essentials you need to fit them: brackets, finials and so on – but the actual design of the rods can differ wildly. One of the best things about brass as a material is that it’s very versatile. This has enabled the manufacturers of brass stair rods to try lots of different designs. For example, you can find the ornately engraved lines of the Country Front-Fix Brass Stair Rods alongside the smooth finish of the Crystal Runner Brass Stair Rods.

Your choice of finish

Each brass stair rod is already an excellent choice because the metal itself is so hard-wearing and ideal for use on a staircase. But just because you’re choosing brass stair rods doesn’t mean you have to settle on one finish. There are a number of different choices you can make for the finish of your brass stair rods which will not impact the structural integrity at all. Examples include matte black, polished brass or even gleaming chrome.

Brass stair rods can bring vintage charm

Creating a theme in your home can be a tall order – and it’s really all about the details. That’s why brass stair rods are such a popular choice just now. With more and more people trying to capture that traditional vintage look, brass stair rods have found their way back into the mainstream. Just take a look at a product like the Eastern Promise Front-Fix Brass Stair Rods and you’ll see why this eye-catching design is finding its home in so many others.


If you’d like to explore the world of brass stair rods for yourself, and find out just how durable and great-looking they can be, you can find our full range online now. If you have any questions about our brass stair rods, or need any advice about installation or anything else, just call 0845 838 8638

Friday 7 November 2014

Stair Runners vs. Hallway Runners: What's The Difference?

Stair Runners vs. Hallway Runners: What's The Difference?

If you’re looking to do a little home improvement, you may already have considered a new rug or perhaps carpet.
But have you also considered a stair or hall runner? Whilst the two of these products are similar by design, they actually achieve two different objectives within the home. If you’re not 100% clear on the differences between stair runners and hallway runners, you’re certainly not alone, so allow us to shed some light on the key points of difference between stair runners and hall runners. After all, Rugs Direct is one of the UK’s premier sources of hallway runners (and we know some folks who can help with stair runners, too).

What is a hallway runner?

Both modern and traditional rugs tend to come in a variety of sizes, and most stockists you’ll find will offer a similar selection, generally speaking. For example, you’ll easily find circular rugs, ovular rugs and of course rectangular rugs – but what happens if you have a long corridor that you’d like to throw a rug on to bring that extra bit of charm? Well, short of grabbing a pair of pinking shears and trying to re-shape a regular rug, there is another solution – hallway runners. By investing in a high quality hallway runner, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a colourful room rug in a shape that’s perfectly suited to the space you need to fill. At Rugs Direct, we offer a wide variety of hallway runners, including modern designs, traditional designs and lots of eye-catching colours too.

What is a stair runner?

In many modern homes, and even in older ones, you’ll often find wooden staircases. And if you’re not a big fan of wood – or if you simply don’t like the carpet that’s on the stairs – you’ll want to find a way to cover the stairs up. That’s where stair runners come in. But far from disguising the stylishness of your stairs, these stair runners actually bring a sense of style that’s all their own. Available in a wide variety of patterns and designs, stair runners generally leave a space on either side of the staircase to draw the eye to the runner itself. Stair runners can also protect those feet from the cold wood in winter!

The bottom line


As you can see, there is actually a very clear difference between both hallway runners and stair runners. So the next time you want a new rug for your hall, you’ll know exactly what you want to be looking for: a hallway runner. Likewise in the case of a stair runner. If you have questions about hallway runners or anything else, you can get in touch with the Rugs Direct team on 0845 838 8638.

Wednesday 5 November 2014

Circular Rugs Bring a Living Room to Life

3 Unique Ways Circular Rugs Can Bring a Room to Life

Finding all-new ways to bring a sense of charm and character to your home can be a great feeling.

With today’s post, we’d like to explore on type of rug that’s been somewhat neglected over the years – at least in the sense of mainstream interior design. We’re talking about circular rugs, one of the most unique and eye-catching variants of all. It’s easy to understand that circular rugs aren’t the right shape for every room, but there are plenty of ways that they can bring a room to life. Here are our favourite three.

#1. Circular rugs create a focal point for the room

Have you ever walked into a room and found it a little bare or sparse? It’s times like this when a focal point can become invaluable – and circular rugs are ideal for this job. Take the Royal Red circular rug for example. With its intricate and ornate design, it’s the ideal way to draw the eye to the centre of a room. And of course, the fact that this is a circular rug means that it naturally draws focus from the things around it anyway. It’s a win-win!

#2: Circular rugs can define the theme of a room

When you want to bring real personality into a room, one way to do it is to create a running theme. This could be anything, from something geographical like a country to something more like a hobby. In any case, a circular rug can be a great way to bring the theme to the fore. For example, if you were aiming for a football theme, perhaps for a child’s bedroom, this Football Circular Rug would be absolutely perfect. And that’s just one example of the ways in which circular rugs can be a superb part of a room’s theme.

#3: Circular rugs add real textural interest

Texture, or the way that things feel, is something that many people forget about when putting a room together. But circular rugs are an excellent way of introducing some unique texture and patterning. The Spiral Red Rug, for example, is hand carved with a spiral design which blends seamlessly with the circular rug shape. That makes for a rug that will not only turn a few heads in a room, but also add some genuine texture. The variance of the rug’s pile adds to this effect, with both short and long shag bringing textural flavours of their very own.


Explore our shop now to discover our full range of circular rugs. Or call the Rugs Direct team today on 0845 838 8638 and we’ll help you find the perfect circular rug for your home!