The Transformative Power of Irregular Rugs and Runners for 2024

In the contemporary world of interior design, modern irregular rugs and runners stand out as versatile, statement-making pieces that can instantly elevate the aesthetic of any room. While traditional rugs are often symmetrical and made in standard shapes, contemporary irregular rugs and runners are breaking the mould, offering a new way to cover your floor in circles, geometric shapes, or organic forms. In this article, we reveal our top tips on How-To style irregular rugs, plus the different types of odd shaped rugs as well as some of our favourite modern irregular rugs and runners for 2024.

How To Style Irregular Rugs

Styling irregular rugs and runners requires a delicate balance of creativity and strategic design and it’s essential to consider the room’s overall aesthetic and layout, especially if you have an odd shaped room. However, don’t be afraid to experiment with different textures, patterns and colours. Here are few of our top tips to provide you with irregular rug styling inspiration!

Define Zones

Modern rugs play a crucial role in interior design by helping to define areas within a room. Unusual area rugs and runners are particularly great for defining zones in a space, due to their shape variety. If you have an irregular room layout which has a curve or an obscure point, an irregular carpet with a funky shape can suit your space perfectly, which is great because not everybody has a perfect rectangular or square living room.

For example, if you have a bay window, an odd shaped rug which has a curved side would be a lovely option for the space. Consider also using a large irregular rug to anchor the seating area in a living room, while a narrow irregular runner can indicate a pathway. By strategically placing irregular rugs, you can create distinct areas within a room while maintaining a cohesive design scheme.

If your room is particularly hard to define, why not have a custom rug created in the exact measurements and shape you require to suit your space perfectly. We have worked with many clients worldwide to bring their unique rug vision to life and tailored to work with their distinctive space.

Learn more about our Bespoke rug design service here.

Multiple Sized Rugs

Consider the scale of the room and the furniture within it when styling irregular rugs and runners. Experiment with adding 2 or 3 odd shaped rugs in varying sizes and shapes to create an eclectic and curated aesthetic, ensuring that the rugs complement each other without overwhelming the space. This style can come in handy if you have an odd shaped room and need help anchoring your furniture within the space – if you have an irregular room get an irregular rug!

Irregular Wall Hangings

While modern rugs are traditionally meant for the floor, it is sometimes overlooked that you can hang an irregular rug on your wall as a striking piece of art. Odd shaped rugs make a powerful statement when displayed on a wall, adding interest and texture and giving oil paintings a run for their money!

Many of our clients choose to display our Vibrant Contemporary Rugs as wall hangings. To see them in action, take a look at our client testimonials here where you’ll spot irregular area rugs from our collection hanging on their walls as art.

Explore our blog, “Using Designer Rugs as Wall Hangings” and discover how to install your modern rug as a wall hanging, as well as the benefits modern rugs have when displayed on the wall.

Pair with Unusual Furniture

The unique shapes and asymmetrical designs of both irregular furniture and irregular rugs can complement each other well. For example, the iconic Noguchi table, with its organic silhouette and sculptural form, pairs beautifully with odd shaped rugs, enhancing the overall sense of fluidity and movement in the space. Both the Noguchi coffee table and irregular rugs are statement pieces, and when paired together they amplify each other’s visual impact. The iconic Noguchi table also features a clear glass top allowing you to view your modern irregular rug underneath.

Another piece of unusual furniture which would pair nicely with an oddly shaped rug is the Womb Chair, designed by Eero Saarinen in 1948. It was created as part of Saarinen’s exploration into the possibilities of organic form and was intended to be a comfortable and inviting modern lounge chair. The Womb Chair is an iconic piece of contemporary design and together paired with an irregular rug and the Noguchi coffee table, could make your home interior instantly contemporary and unique.

Pair with Unique Accessories

As well as furniture, styling irregular rugs with unusual home accessories can also infuse a space with personality and charm. To achieve an eclectic and visually compelling look, consider mixing textures, shapes, colours, and artisanal pieces.

For instance, pair the irregular carpet with handmade functional sculptures like these beautiful ‘Infinite’ floor lamps by Alicja Strzyzynska, which are initially cast in plaster then carved by hand and sealed with matt varnish, available through Rossana Orlandi.

You could also consider the magnificent ‘Fungus Vases’ by David Valner Studio, which are functional objects that draw inspiration from the fungus’s shape, colour and surfaces, and of course the awe of their uncanny beauty. Handcrafted in delicate glass, their family design studio is based in Czech Republic, where they follow traditional glassmaking techniques. Also seen on Rossana Orlandi.

You could also try exploring the possibilities of unusual artwork, like multidisciplinary artist Kimathi Mafafo whose practice ranges from embroidery and oil painting to installation. Her practice celebrates the black female, while depicting abstract forms often inspired by lush greenery and drapery. The tactical material of fabrics combined with the plush material found in a wool rug could be the perfect combination, producing a warm and comforting environment.

Mafafo often uses the fold of the fabric to create her irregular shapes, seen in work such as ‘Untitled 10’ (2021), which is sewn and stitched to create curves and creases, leaving it to hang where it naturally falls instead of stretching it onto a rectangular or square frame.

Types of Irregular Rugs

Irregular Geometric Rugs

Characterized by shapes such as squares, rectangles, triangles, and diamonds, geometric rugs are often arranged in repetitive patterns or symmetrical layouts, creating visually appealing and structured designs. An example of this is the After Matisse Rug by Sonya Winner, which features layers of coloured squares, with its overlapping hues creating sharp geometric shapes in an irregular outline.  When styling an irregular geometric rug, think about the rest of your furnishings and try incorporating the shapes echoed within your geometric rug design in your surrounding interior. For the After Matisse Rug, a good option could be a coffee table with sharp points instead of curves, or some contemporary colour block wall art.

Irregular Circle Rugs

Irregular circular rugs, as the name suggests, are rugs that have more of a circular shape rather than the traditional rectangular or square shape. This may be a simpler, less maximalist option if you are looking for an unusual area rug, however it still has a great effect on defining zones and making your interior more interesting – especially if your modern rug is bold and colourful! For instance, The Deep Sunset Rug by Sonya Winner uses a deep, rich palette of warm colours, including red and yellow alongside deep purples and pinks, inspired by the dramatic colours seen at sunset on a Middle Eastern beach. This modern irregular round rug makes a perfect focal point in a dining area or open plan seating area because of its slightly irregular circle shape rug which adds interest to the design. Consider placing this round rug underneath a glass circular dinner table and allow your conversation to glow from the warm colours resting beneath you and your dinner guests.

Irregular Illusion Rugs

Rug design is an inspiring art form to play around with and it allows you to think outside the box, which is why an Irregular illusion rug is a fun feature to add to your space if you want to wow people as they enter your home. Whether it’s a rug with a captivating design that seems to shift and morph as you walk around it or an irregular shaped rug that defies expectations, these pieces have the power to transform your room into a dynamic and visually stimulating environment.

A beautiful example of an irregular illusion rug is the Amoeba Sunset Rug, a collaborative design by Sonya Winner and artist Yoni Alter. Yoni’s work explores the space between the figurative and the abstract, combining graphic shapes with vibrant colours, which when combined with Sonya’s expertise in rug design results in a series of irregular modern rugs with an optical illusion. See the collection here.

The Sunset colourway is a gradient of warm hues with violet and blue accents, reminiscent of a sunset. The gradient allows for visual twists and turns, giving the appearance of movement, creating an illusion rug perfect for bringing excitement into any space.

You can delve deeper into this unique rug collaboration and read about more about their design journey here.

Irregular Organic Rugs

Irregular rugs with an organic-shape bring a touch of natural whimsy and artistic flair to any space. These odd shaped rugs defy the traditional rectangular or square shaped rug and embrace curves, waves, and asymmetry, mimicking the organic forms found in nature. One example of an irregular organic area rug is the Lichen Greige Rug by Sonya Winner in collaboration with Alice Hislop, inspired by the intricate patterns and textures of lichens (which have over 18,000 species that cover 8% of our planet’s surface!) This irregular rug captivates audiences with its wavy edges and intricate wool carving, bringing a new level of skill to weaving as an art form. Irregular Organic modern rugs like this are perfect for nature lovers who want to bring the outside in whilst making their home interior feel luxurious and modern.

You can read more on this irregular rug collaboration and follow its design process here.

Irregular Runners

Irregular runners must also not be overlooked! As you walk down your corridor or hallway, these unique pathways create a sense of movement and flow, subtly guiding your journey through the space. Each step becomes a tactile experience as your feet navigate the curves and contours of the irregular carpet. Beyond their obvious practical functions, odd shaped runners have the power to transform mundane hallways into captivating passageways.

Irregular modern runners inject personality and charm into the often forgotten about areas of the home, infusing them with energy and style. Whether it’s a subtle accent or a bold statement piece, irregular shaped runners can elevate the mood of any narrow space, making it a more inviting and inspiring space to walk across.

Pictured here, the Sonia and Sonya Runner by Sonya Winner, a colourful irregular carpet to adorn your floors. For this design, Sonya Winner finds inspiration in iconic artist Sonia Delaunay to create this beautiful modern irregular runner. Also made as an irregular circular rug, which both use a variation of colourful semicircles arranged within an unusual rug shape.

Explore more about the inspiration behind the Sonia and Sonya Rug and Runner here.

Conclusion

Breaking boundaries and pushing the limits of rug design, these unconventional irregular rugs and runners bring a sense of uniqueness and creativity to any space. With their distinct silhouettes and unconventional shapes, odd shaped rugs challenge the traditional rectangular or square format, offering a fresh and modern aesthetic.

By thoughtfully defining zones within a space, experimenting with multiple sized odd shaped rugs, as well as pairing them with unusual furniture and accessories, individuals can craft home interiors that reflect their personality and style in infinite ways. From geometric to round rugs, illusionary designs to organic shapes, each irregular carpet offers its own distinct charm and character.

We have uncovered the transformative power irregular rugs have in reshaping mundane hallways, living rooms and odd shaped spaces, injecting energy and style into any area and enriching the everyday experience of home living.

If you’re feeling inspired by these beautiful irregular rugs and would like to explore the rest of Sonya Winner’s unusual rug designs, view our full Modern Rug and Runner Collection here and request a complimentary visualisation service so you can see our award winning designer rugs placed digitally in your room(s) and the transformational effect they will have.

If you need assistance in choosing some rugs for visualisation, please book a free video consultation with our design team by emailing enquiry@sonyawinner.com or call us +44 (0) 203 283 8776.