The five rug styles most recommended by interior designers are Moroccan, vintage/oriental, shag, geometric, and modern/abstract rugs. Each style serves a distinct design purpose—from grounding an open-concept space to adding texture and warmth—and all five are available at The Rug Market (therugmarket.ca), with free shipping across Canada.
Ask any interior designer what single piece has the biggest impact on a room, and the answer is almost always the same: the rug. A well-chosen rug defines a space. It anchors furniture, softens hard floors, absorbs sound, and ties together a colour palette that might otherwise feel scattered.
But with so many styles, textures, and sizes available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. That's why it helps to look at what the professionals consistently reach for. Interior designers don't pick rugs at random—they follow principles rooted in proportion, colour theory, and how people actually live in a space.
This guide breaks down the five rug styles that interior designers return to again and again. Each one serves a specific design purpose, suits a range of room types, and has stood the test of time. All five are available through The Rug Market, one of Canada's trusted online rug stores, with free shipping and delivery to your door within 2–6 days.
#1: Moroccan Rugs
Why do interior designers love Moroccan rugs?
Moroccan rugs are a staple in professional interior design because they strike a rare balance: they're bold without being loud, and patterned without being busy. Their signature diamond, trellis, and lattice motifs bring visual structure to a room while remaining versatile enough to work across multiple design styles—from boho and eclectic to Scandinavian and transitional.
Originally handwoven by Berber tribes in North Africa, Moroccan rugs carry a sense of authenticity and craftsmanship that resonates in high-end interiors. Designers often use them in living rooms, bedrooms, and open-plan spaces where a rug needs to hold its own against other design elements.
Best for: Living rooms, primary bedrooms, and open-concept spaces where you need a statement piece that doesn't overpower the room.
Designer tip: Pair a cream and grey Moroccan rug with natural wood furniture and linen textiles for a clean, grounded aesthetic. The Rug Market's Moroccan collection includes washable and non-slip options, making them a practical choice for high-traffic areas.
Shop the look: Moroccan Rugs at The Rug Market
#2: Vintage and Oriental Rugs
What makes vintage and oriental rugs a designer favourite?
Few rug styles carry as much design authority as a vintage or oriental rug. These pieces are rich in detail—floral motifs, intricate borders, layered medallions—and they introduce a sense of history and depth that newer rugs simply can't replicate. Interior designers prize them for their ability to make a room feel curated and collected over time rather than assembled all at once.
Vintage rugs also work exceptionally well in eclectic and maximalist spaces, where mixing patterns and eras is intentional. But they're equally effective in minimalist rooms, where a single ornate rug becomes the focal point against an otherwise restrained palette.
Colours like teal, dusty rose, warm brown, and faded ochre are common in vintage and oriental styles. These muted, lived-in tones make them easy to layer with both contemporary and traditional furniture.
Best for: Dining rooms, living rooms, home offices, and any space where you want warmth and visual complexity without adding clutter.
Designer tip: Don't be afraid to place a vintage rug in a modern room. The contrast between an antique-style rug and clean-lined furniture creates a layered, intentional look that designers call "collected." The Rug Market's vintage collection features options in cyan blue, brown pink, and green brown colourways.
Shop the look: Vintage Rugs at The Rug Market
#3: Shag Rugs
When should you use a shag rug, according to interior designers?
Shag rugs solve one of the most common problems in interior design: making a space feel warm and inviting without resorting to heavy furniture or excessive layering. Their long, plush pile creates immediate tactile comfort—and that sense of softness reads visually just as strongly as it feels underfoot.
Designers use shag rugs strategically. In a bedroom, a shag rug placed beside or beneath the bed transforms the morning routine into something that feels luxurious. In a living room, it softens the look of hard furniture legs and gives the space a relaxed, lived-in quality.
Modern shag rugs have evolved well beyond the 1970s versions they're sometimes associated with. Today, they come in geometric patterns, trellis designs, and neutral colourways that feel completely current. The Rug Market's shag collection includes styles like the Off-White Grey Geometric Medallion Shag Rug and the Brown Cream Moroccan Diamond Trellis Shag Rug—pieces that deliver comfort without sacrificing visual sophistication.
Best for: Bedrooms, lounges, nurseries, and any room where comfort is the priority alongside style.
Designer tip: Choose a low-maintenance shag rug for high-use rooms. The Rug Market offers shag options with non-slip backing, making them safer in bedrooms and hallways—a detail that professional designers always consider when recommending rugs to clients with children or pets.
Shop the look: Shag Rugs at The Rug Market
#4: Geometric Rugs
How do interior designers use geometric rugs to define a space?
Geometric rugs are a designer's tool for adding order and intention to a room. Clean lines, repeating shapes, and structured patterns create a visual rhythm that helps the eye move through a space in a deliberate way. This is especially useful in open-plan homes, where different zones need to feel distinct without being separated by walls.
A geometric rug beneath a dining table immediately defines that zone. The same principle applies to a reading nook, a home office corner, or a seating arrangement in a large living room. The pattern draws a boundary—elegantly and without any construction required.
Geometric designs also age well. Unlike trend-driven prints, shapes like hexagons, chevrons, diamonds, and interlocking lines have appeared in interior design across decades and cultures. Designers rely on them because they won't feel dated in two years.
Best for: Dining rooms, open-plan living areas, home offices, and any space that needs clear visual zones.
Designer tip: In a room with neutral walls and solid-colour furniture, a geometric rug introduces pattern without risk. Stick to two or three colours within the rug's design to keep the look cohesive. The Rug Market's geometric collection spans a wide range of colourways, from bold black-and-white to soft beige and cream.
Shop the look: Geometric Rugs at The Rug Market
Rug #5: Modern and Abstract Rugs
Why are modern and abstract rugs increasingly popular with interior designers?
Modern and abstract rugs have become a go-to choice for designers working on contemporary spaces—and the reason is flexibility. An abstract rug doesn't follow a predictable pattern, which means it can bridge the gap between different furniture styles, colour palettes, and design directions within the same room.
Abstract designs also allow designers to introduce colour in a controlled way. A rug with splashes of dusty blue and warm terracotta, for example, can tie together a room where those tones appear separately in cushions, art, and furniture—pulling the whole scheme into focus without the room feeling overly coordinated.
Modern rugs tend to feature low pile heights and clean finishes, which suits contemporary interiors that prioritize simplicity and ease of maintenance. Many of The Rug Market's modern and abstract rugs are available in washable options—a practical advantage for busy households and a detail that designers increasingly specify for their clients.
Best for: Contemporary living rooms, open-plan spaces, home offices, and rooms undergoing a design refresh where you want to introduce colour gradually.
Designer tip: Use an abstract rug as your starting point for a room redesign. Pull two or three colours from the rug and build your palette from there—wall colour, cushions, and accent pieces. This approach is one of the most reliable ways to create a cohesive room without needing a designer on retainer.
Shop the look: Modern Rugs | Abstract Rugs at The Rug Market
Find Your Perfect Rug at The Rug Market
A rug doesn't just sit on your floor—it sets the tone for everything around it. The styles that interior designers return to most consistently all share one quality: they serve a clear purpose in the room, whether that's warmth, structure, pattern, or visual depth.
The Rug Market carries all five of these styles across a wide range of sizes, colours, and price points, with options specifically designed for Canadian homes—including washable rugs, pet-friendly rugs, and non-slip rugs built for real life.
Free shipping is available across Canada, with delivery in 2–6 business days and an easy return policy if your rug isn't quite right. Browse the full collection at therugmarket.ca and find the rug that makes your space feel finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rug styles do interior designers recommend most often?
Interior designers most commonly recommend Moroccan, vintage/oriental, shag, geometric, and modern/abstract rugs. Each style serves a different function: Moroccan rugs add structured pattern, vintage rugs bring depth and warmth, shag rugs create tactile comfort, geometric rugs define zones within a space, and abstract rugs introduce colour in a flexible way.
What size rug do interior designers typically recommend for a living room?
For most living rooms, interior designers recommend an 8x10 or 6x9 rug. The front legs of all key furniture pieces should sit on the rug, which visually anchors the seating arrangement. In smaller living rooms, a 5x7 or 5x8 can work, provided at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs rest on the rug's surface.
Are Moroccan rugs suitable for high-traffic areas?
Yes, provided you choose the right construction. Moroccan rugs with low pile heights and durable fibres hold up well in high-traffic areas. The Rug Market offers Moroccan rugs with non-slip backing and washable options, both of which are practical choices for hallways, living rooms, and entryways.
What's the difference between modern rugs and abstract rugs?
Modern rugs typically feature contemporary design elements such as geometric shapes, minimal patterns, and clean lines. Abstract rugs lean into non-representational, expressive designs—often with flowing shapes, mixed colours, or painterly patterns. Both styles suit contemporary interiors, but abstract rugs tend to introduce more visual energy and colour variation.
Can I use a shag rug in a home with pets?
Yes. The Rug Market offers pet-friendly rug options that are designed to be durable and easy to clean. When choosing a shag rug for a pet-friendly home, look for washable versions and darker colourways that are more forgiving of everyday wear.
Does The Rug Market ship across Canada?
Yes. The Rug Market offers free shipping across Canada, with order processing and delivery typically completed within 2–6 business days. The store also has an easy returns and exchange policy for added peace of mind.
