Farid Gabbeh rug white

A plain rug has no pattern, just a single colour throughout. A classic rug features a symmetrical pattern with a medallion or scrollwork. With a plain rug, the focus is on the texture and the material; with a classic rug, it is on the motif.

A light, plain-coloured rug shows stains more easily than a patterned one. A darker plain rug or one with subtle textural variation hides dirt better.

The plain rugs in the Houseify collection are hand-knotted or hand-woven. Although they do not feature a pattern, small, natural variations in the wool are visible.

For greater contrast, choose a darker plain rug, or one with a high pile, where the pile itself adds visible texture.

Vacuum the rug regularly, following the direction of the pile, on a low setting. Blot stains immediately with a damp cloth and a drop of pH-neutral wool detergent. Leave thorough cleaning to a professional rug cleaner.

For a woollen rug, follow these guidelines: vacuum on a low setting in the direction of the pile, dab stains rather than rub them, and never machine wash. Jute and other natural fibres must not be cleaned with water; it is best to use a dry brush and, for stubborn stains, call in a professional.

A woollen rug may shed a few fibres in the first few weeks, is more susceptible to moisture than synthetic rugs, and is generally more expensive. On the other hand, it has a long lifespan and a natural depth of colour that synthetic materials cannot match.

A well-maintained, hand-knotted woollen rug will last for decades under normal use. Machine-woven and thin kilim rugs have a shorter, but still considerable, lifespan of around ten to twenty years; rotate the rug regularly so that wear is distributed evenly.

Both will work, depending on the layout. Choose a size that will at least accommodate the front legs of the sofa, usually 200x300 cm or larger; a rug that is too small will look out of place and actually make the room appear smaller. For a compact seating area or next to an armchair, a smaller rug measuring 160x230 cm will suffice.

Yes. A plain rug subtly defines a seating area or dining area, without distracting attention from the furniture or any other pattern elsewhere in the room.

Yes, as a neutral base. A plain rug in a subtle colour keeps the room uncluttered and, by creating greater contrast, can help ensure that brightly coloured toys and accessories stand out.

Over the years, dyed wool fades slightly when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods. This is more noticeable on a plain rug than on a patterned one, as the rug has no design to distract the eye. Turn the rug half a turn regularly.

That depends on the pile height. A thick, high pile traps air and acts as an insulating layer, meaning heat is less likely to escape into the room. A low-pile, plain rug therefore allows heat to pass through more easily when used with underfloor heating. Thin, low-pile or woven rugs, such as a kilim, are best suited to underfloor heating. Check the specifications for each product to see whether the underfloor heating manufacturer permits the use of rugs.

Wool gives a solid colour the greatest depth thanks to slight natural variations in the fibre. Cotton looks flatter and more uniform, whilst jute has a matt, coarse texture. The exact material composition is listed for every product on Houseify.

On slippery floors such as tiles or parquet, a non-slip mat prevents the rug from sliding. Use a felt or rubber non-slip mat that is slightly smaller than the rug, so that the edges do not curl up; a felt mat protects the floor from wear and tear.