Purple Rugs Buying Guide
Purple is the color of royalty, spirituality, serenity and peace. From soothing lavender to rich plum, read on for tips on working a purple area rug into your space.
Why Choose a Purple Area Rug?
A color associated with misty mountains, fields of Provence lavender and luscious farmer’s market eggplants, there’s no doubt that purple is an eye-catching hue. Sitting between cool blue and warm red on the color wheel, a purple area rug can coordinate with a surprisingly wide range of other hues, and lends a serene, peaceful note to any space.
Know your purples:
- Lilac: Pale purple with just a touch of pink.
- Lavender: Light to medium bluish purple with a bit of grey in it.
- Mauve: Light to medium purple with pink undertones.
- Violet: Strong purple with a bit of blue in it.
- Amethyst: Medium purple with a smoky feel.
- Plum: Deep, rich purple with red undertones.
- Eggplant: Deep, dark purple that can read as almost black.
Variations of purple area rugs to look for:
- Traditional: A classic oriental rug is a can’t-miss design item for any home. Look for one in smoky amethyst or rich plum.
- Moroccan: With patterns inspired by tile work and architecture, Moroccan rugs look stunning in shades of purple.
- Shag: If you’re looking for a super-soft and plush rug to sink your toes into, a shag rug is what you need. Look for shag rugs in solid purple, chevron print or fun polka dots.
- Overdyed: This hybrid between a traditional oriental style rug and modern super-saturated color makes for a rug that works with a wide range of styles.
Material Matters
Purple area rugs come in a range of materials and textures, from soft wool to indoor-outdoor versions. Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular materials.
- Wool: Wool is a high quality rug material that makes for a soft and natural feel underfoot. Wool has natural soil and stain resistance.
- Cotton: Made from the soft tufts of the cotton plant, cotton is a budget-friendly material that feels soft underfoot. Sometimes blended with synthetic fibers to make a more durable rug.
- Indoor-Outdoor: Made from synthetic materials designed to withstand sun, sand, and weather, this is a good choice for patios and high-traffic zones.
- Hand-tufted: Hand-tufted rugs are created by pushing yarns into a fabric base. The surface pile is then cut to create a cushy, soft feel.
- Synthetic: Examples of synthetic materials used in rugs are nylon, polyester, polypropylene and viscose. Also called olefin, polypropylene is a synthetic fiber that is strong, colorfast, and comfortable.
Where to use purple area rugs:
- Bring serenity to a home yoga studio or meditation space with a soothing amethyst rug.
- Create a peaceful backdrop in the bedroom with a lavender rug.
- Help baby sleep soundly in the nursery with a soft and cushy pale purple rug.
- Create a warm and welcoming living room with a plum rug.
- Make a statement in a formal dining room with an overdyed deep purple rug.
- Up the style quotient in your laundry space with a purple moroccan style rug.
Decorating with Purple Area Rugs
Because it’s made up of warm red and cool blue, purple straddles the line between calming and uplifting energy. A soft lavender or lilac works in areas where you want to cultivate rest and relaxation, like the bedroom and nursery. Vibrant violet is energizing and modern, while deep, rich purples like plum and eggplant are sophisticated and surprisingly versatile.
Color pairing tips for purple area rugs:
- Purple, chocolate and bronze: This is an elegant combination ideal for traditional, contemporary and formal spaces.
- Purple, white and silver: Easy, simple, and foolproof, this is a great color scheme to go for if you like to decorate in a simple modern or contemporary style.
- Purple and red: Rich and elegant, plummy purple and red bring to mind fall colors and traditional spaces.
- Purple and chartreuse: Uplifting and powerful, purple and chartreuse make a fun and unexpected combo, calling to mind purple blooms in a fresh spring green garden.
Styling Tips for Purple Area Rugs
Styling tips for every room:
- Living room: Pair a purple and chocolate brown rug with a leather sofa, mission style coffee table and parchment colored walls.
- Yoga zone: Set an inspiring scene with a violet overdyed rug, chartreuse yoga mats and light wood furnishings.
- Dining Room: Pair a rich plum rug with a natural wood dining set and bronze light fixture.
- Bedroom: Roll out a moroccan style rug in shades of amethyst. Pair with crisp white bed linens, white walls and sleek silver bedside lamps.
- Nursery: Soothe baby to sleep with a lavender rug, light wood furniture and white walls adorned with vintage storybook art.
Find Your Perfect Purple Area Rug
Use these shortcuts to narrow down your search results and find just the right purple area rug for you.
