Pantone Colour of the Year 2019: Living Coral

With all trends, it can be helpful to start small, including little elements of the colour into your home interior and then building upon it with layers. This can be done with accent pieces such as cushions, throws, a lampshade or a floor rug for example. You don’t need to consider the colour of a transient trend though necessarily either. If you like something a lot, it can remain in your home, your wardrobe or anywhere else for years to come! From an environmental and waste perspective, this is a positive spin.

Living coral sits back beautifully as an accent to a wide range of timber stains (including timber floorboards!), and neutral pallets, drawing the eye across a room. It’s a positive colour, working well in living spaces such as family rooms, coastal homes and entertainment areas. Teamed with other jewel tones (deep turquoise for example), or stark black and white, it can have quite a dramatic effect too. For a more conservative approach, hints of Living Coral amongst a blue and white interior is also gorgeous.

It can be easy to be caught up with trends as they flood the high-end market then quickly flow down to the high street shops. The best way to approach them is to be true to yourself. Do you really like the colour/ trend/ item? The most beautiful spaces are true reflections of the occupants, not a carbon copy of a magazine spread!

Taking good care of your rug not only keeps it looking beautiful but also helps it last longer — and it’s simpler than you might expect!

• To avoid uneven wear in busy areas, rotate your rug every six months.
• Vacuum weekly using a suction-only vacuum. Steer clear of turbo or rotating brush heads, which can cause the fibres to fuzz.
• Treat spills straight away. Blot gently with a clean, dry cloth — don’t rub — and rinse with water to avoid leaving a sticky residue that attracts dirt.
• Depending on how much foot traffic it gets, have your rug professionally cleaned three to four times per year

Here are a few important things to remember about dirt and stains:

• Grit and grime act like sandpaper underfoot, wearing away rug fibres — use doormats and vacuum regularly to help minimise this.
• What looks like a stain is often leftover sugar or cleaning residue that’s collected dust.
• Avoid over-wetting, harsh chemicals or vigorous scrubbing, as these can damage fibres or make marks harder to remove.
• When you’re unsure, it’s always best to contact a professional. With gentle care, prompt action, and regular upkeep, your rug will continue to look its best for years to come.

Are timber floors high maintenance?

Timber floors sit higher on the maintenance scale in the hard flooring world. But while laminate flooring, vinyl and hybrid flooring might require less maintenance, all flooring requires some level of care to keep it looking like new for longer. The look and feel of real timber is also aspirational, authentic and full of genuine character which can last for years if cared for. It also has the ability to be repaired in many cases, that is why we see beautiful old homes with original (restored, often) flooring.

What is a pet-friendly rug?

A pet-friendly rug is a must in a home with dogs and cats! Look for attributes such as washable features, anti-stain qualities and non-loop pile fibres (for pet paws to get caught in).

What should I consider when choosing a rug for my bedroom?

There are a few things to consider here. Do you want the rug to feel plush underfoot or would you prefer a flatter pile? Do you want the rug to become a feature (with pattern and colour) or more understated? Bedrooms are not incredibly high-traffic spaces so you can afford to choose something like wool or a light colour which you may not, say, in an entryway. Ensure the rug is large enough too, you can see a few different size and placement ideas in our Rug Guide.