How to Bring the Great Outdoors into Your Home Using Earthy Toned Rugs

 

Earthy tones are the often overlooked and underrated colour palette that deserves a second glance.

While some might feel that such a colour scheme is a little bland, the reality is that earthy tones are actually quite a classic colour collection; they go with all kinds of home decor and, when used just right, they can bring a certain element into the space, one that unifies the look you are going for, adds some sophistication, and even creates a homely sense of peace and relaxation. We discuss how you can incorporate these earthy toned rugs into your space.

Earthy tones are essentially a list of colours inspired by the natural world.

They include rich browns, that mimic fertile soil or a warm wood, the calming greens of a sun-dappled forest, or the deep blues that resemble that evening hue.

Using earthy tones in your home doesn't require you to undertake an expensive, complete decor overhaul. The simplest and least expensive way to create a sense of tranquillity in your home is by incorporating a rug adorned with a natural colour scheme, i.e. an earthy tone.

The right rug can give a room a whole new look by adding warmth, defining areas, and providing a foundation for the rest of your décor.

When buying a high-quality earthy coloured rug, like a hand-knotted Persian or a hand-woven Oriental, it’s always helpful to think of it as an investment in both beauty and longevity for your home. These exquisite pieces, often made using time-honoured techniques and natural materials, offer a unique blend of elegance, comfort, and earthy sophistication.

At Rugs Original, we have a plethora of beautiful outdoor rugs, many of which are available in an earthy tone. And to help you make your selection, we have just the guide for you. Rugs Original also offers a great guide on warm winter rugs for the upcoming cold months.

 

Bringing Nature Indoors with Earthy Toned Rugs

 

Earthy tones include a variety of colours, each capable of creating a slightly different mood. Earthy colours are generally among the safest to work with, because, for the most part, these colours are neutral and will suit most existing spaces.

Depending on the colour you prefer, the size and pattern of the rug you buy, and the room you place it in, your rug can make a room look totally unique and personal to you. These are some of the more popular earthy tones that you can buy when choosing a new rug.

 

Warm Browns

 

Warm browns are well known for creating feelings of security and comfort. Rich, chocolate browns can also create a real sense of drama, and this makes them rather perfect for spacious living rooms or grand entrances. Lighter taupes and beiges, which are a lot more neutral than other brown tones, can add warmth as well as a touch of rustic charm to bedrooms or family rooms. The great thing about using a brown-toned rug is that it will quite literally complement every colour scheme you are working with.

 

Earthy Greens

 

Green is widely considered to be the very embodiment of nature as it represents renewal and growth. Deep forest greens can be wonderful for adding a sense of sophistication to a study or library, while sage greens and olive tones create a serene atmosphere in bathrooms or bedrooms. Earthy greens are also known for their peaceful quality, and they are ideally used when you are looking to add a sense of relaxation to the room.

 

Calming Blues

 

Inspired by the calming vastness of the sky and sea, blues bring a sense of peace and tranquillity when used in a home. Light, airy sky blues can open up a space and will work well in smaller rooms or hallways. Deeper navy blues are guaranteed to add a touch of luxury and drama to master bedrooms or living rooms. There’s a reason that darker blues are considered a symbol of royalty and as such they are a must if you are looking to make your home look and feel more elegant.

 

Earthy Reds

 

Earthy reds, such as terracotta or brick red, are perfectly capable of adding warmth and energy to any space to which they are added. These colours work beautifully in dining rooms or kitchens, where they can enhance the overall social feeling while at the same time be used to stimulate the appetite. You should use these colours sparingly if you hope to avoid overdoing it as red can be a rather domineering colour.

 

Creams and Ivories

 

Neutral tones like cream and ivory are the perfect base for any earthy colour scheme, but they also look quite beautiful when used as the main colour in a room. These colours are ideal for adding light and a sense of spaciousness, allowing the bolder colours of your decor to truly shine.

Creams and ivories are simply stunning when used in a bedroom or a living room, and as such soft colours, they are considered upmarket.

 

Creating Colour Harmony

 

Creating a cohesive colour scheme is so important if you want to be sure that you have a balanced and aesthetically pleasing space once you’ve done your decorating.

When working with earthy tones, understanding how colours interact becomes even more important, and a great place to start is by understanding and working with one of the many colour harmony techniques, those listed below, that have become famous among interior decor circles, and which have featured in numerous interior magazines.

 

Analogous Colours

 

You should start by picturing (or Googling) a paint swatch with a spectrum of colours flowing from one to the next. Analogous colours will be those that sit next to each other on this spectrum.

One example is using sage green, olive, and khaki, for your rug and accent pieces to create a harmonious and calming effect.

Working with analogous colours is a foolproof method for beginners, as the inherent colour relationships ensure a naturally pleasing aesthetic especially when you are working with an earthy selection of colours.

 

Complementary Colours

 

For a more dynamic look, you should consider working with complementary colours. These are colours that sit directly opposite each other on the colour wheel. While analogous colours create a sense of calm, complementary colours add a spark of energy and vibrancy.

A great example of using complementary colours would be a terracotta rug paired with teal or turquoise throw pillows, artwork, or accent furniture, to add that vibrancy.

Keep in mind that complementary colours can be visually jarring if used in excess. Use them sparingly to create a focal point or to add a simple but playful colour contrast.

 

The Rule of Three

 

This decorating principle suggests limiting your colour palette to just three main colours.

For an earthy colour scheme, this could involve a primary earthy tone (like forest green) for your rug, a secondary colour (like cream) for your walls and larger furniture, and an accent colour (like a pop of teal) for those smaller decorative elements.

This approach to using earthy colours ensures that you will create a cohesive look while still having that visual interest.

 

The 60-30-10 Rule

 

Another helpful guideline is the 60-30-10 rule.

With this approach, 60% of the space is dedicated to your dominant colour (often a neutral like cream or beige), 30% to a secondary colour (like your chosen earthy tone), and 10% to an accent colour. This formula creates a balanced and visually pleasing space where the earthy tones can truly shine.

 

Colours to Avoid Pairing

 

Generally, you should avoid placing colours from the same colour family directly next to each other, as this can create a dull effect. For example, if you pair a beige rug with a navy blue accent chair instead of a brown one, the effect can be somewhat underwhelming.

 

Selecting the Earthy Tone to Complement Your Rug Size

 

The size of your rug also plays a huge role in choosing the right earthy tone, as colours can make a rug, or a space, look bigger or smaller than it actually is.

• For Large Rugs: When working with a big living room or dining room, a large rug in a deeper earthy tone like forest green or terracotta can anchor the space and create a sense of intimacy.
• For Medium Rugs: Medium-sized rugs offer more versatility. A warm beige rug would work well in a family room, while a calming sky-blue rug can create a tranquil look and feel when used in a bedroom.
• For Small Rugs: Small rugs are just perfect for defining areas within a room. An earthy red rug can create a cosy nook, for reading in a corner, while a light olive rug can add a touch of nature to an entryway.

 

Tips for Placing Rugs with Earthy Tones

 

Once you've chosen the perfect earthy toned rug, you need to know how to place it just right so that the rug complements the space, rather than overwhelms it. General rug placement tips should suffice, but if you need more help with your placement, keep these tips in mind:

• For Living Rooms: Leave at least 20.3 x 30.5 cm of exposed floor around the rug's perimeter. The front legs of your couch and armchairs should ideally sit on the rug to define the conversation area.
• For Dining Rooms: Buy a rug large enough to accommodate all the chairs when pulled out from the table. Ideally, all four legs of the chairs should rest on the rug.
• For Bedrooms: For a luxurious feel, choose a large rug that extends partially under the bed and nightstands.
• For Open Floor Plans: Use multiple, strategically placed rugs in earthy tones to define different areas within the open space. For example, a warm brown rug can anchor your living area, while a light green rug can define your dining space.
• Layering: For added depth and visual interest, layer a smaller, patterned rug in complementary earthy tones on top of your larger area rug.

 

Bring the Tranquillity of Nature into your Home with Rugs Original

 

At Rugs Original, we offer our clients a curated selection of hand-knotted Persian rugs and hand-woven Oriental rugs as well as a selection of everyday rugs, all featuring a stunning array of earthy tones. Our rugs are sourced directly from reputable artisans, ensuring the highest quality and ethical manufacturing practices.

We understand that choosing the perfect rug can be daunting.

That's why we offer an expert consultation and sales service, where our rug experts can help you find the ideal piece to complement your existing décor and create a natural aesthetic in your home.

Visit our website today to browse our collection and bring the peace and beauty of nature into your home.