How Do I Pull Colors Together for Decorating?
Expert Advice from Kirishian Rugs
One of the most common questions we hear from customers is: “How do I pull colors together when decorating a room?” Whether you’re starting with a blank slate or adding a rug to an already furnished space, creating a cohesive, inviting room comes down to thoughtful coordination—not perfect matching.
Start with the Rug as Your Anchor
If you’re designing a room from the ground up, the easiest and most effective approach is to begin with the rug. Think of your rug as the anchor of the room. A well-chosen area rug provides a strong visual foundation and offers a wide range of colors to inspire your overall palette. From there, you can select complementary shades for your walls, upholstery, window treatments, and accessories.
When pulling colors from your rug, aim for harmony, not duplication. For example, if your rug features deep reds, soft blues, and golds, you don’t need to repeat those exact tones on your sofa or walls. Instead, choose fabrics and paints that echo or contrast gently with those colors to create visual balance.
Already Have Furniture and Wall Colors?
If your room is already furnished and painted, choose a rug that complements your existing elements rather than trying to match them exactly. A rug with coordinating undertones—warm with warm, cool with cool—will help tie everything together effortlessly. You might be surprised to learn that the right rug doesn’t have to match your sofa to look perfect in the space. Instead, look for hues that bring harmony and bridge the existing colors in your décor.
Yes, You Can Mix Patterns
Many people shy away from combining patterned rugs with patterned upholstery, fearing it might be too busy. But with the right balance, it can be a beautiful, layered look. The secret? Vary the scale of the patterns. Pair a rug with a large-scale floral or geometric design with furniture that has a smaller, tighter pattern. This allows the eye to rest and prevents the elements from visually competing with each other.
You can also mix a patterned rug with a solid-colored one if you’re layering rugs or have multiple spaces connected within an open floor plan. This technique helps define each area while keeping the overall design cohesive.
Final Tips for Color Harmony
- Use Accessories to Tie It All Together: Throw pillows, artwork, and drapery can echo the colors in your rug, helping to pull the room together without overwhelming the space.
- Stick to a Cohesive Tone: Even if the colors vary, try to keep the overall temperature (warm or cool) consistent throughout the room.
- Trust Your Eye: Ultimately, if it looks and feels right to you, it probably is. Sometimes a touch of contrast or the unexpected is what brings a room to life.
At Kirishian Rugs, we’re always happy to help you find a rug that not only fits your space but enhances your entire design. Whether you're working with a decorator or going it alone, starting with a rug—or finding one that complements your existing space—is a great way to ensure a stylish and balanced home.
