Contemporary Rug Trends

Retro: Shag is back and it's better than ever: thick, dense, and luxurious, in exciting colors. The '70s never knew shag this funky - it has spongy layers of wool felt; the look of a pebbled beach; and long, comfortable shags that explode with abundance and color. It's so luscious, your feet just want to fondle the fibers. Flokati contemporary rugs made of New Zealand wool bring home durable, hand-washable, hand-woven Greek style.

Bamboo: Bamboo rugs are durable, natural, ecological-friendly contemporary rugs for patios, kitchens, and living rooms. Contemporary leather rugs are durable and loaded with personality. Imports from India and Argentina feature patchwork designs, commonly of cowhide; some Brazilian rugs use ostrich. Leather shag rugs add dimension and complement modern and leather furniture groupings. Turkish leather rugs are dense mats of fur, commonly cowhide and lamb skin.

Animals galore: Lions and tigers and bears, oh my and contemporary animal print rugs in wool, cotton, or synthetic fibers add adventure into your decor. It's like being on a safari with animal skin motifs; these exotic, tribal accents, made of various fibers, complement many furniture styles with an adventurous appeal.

Calling all kids: From nurseries to classrooms, children's contemporary rugs are stimulating and educational. Soft, plush, contemporary rugs with spaceships, animals, beloved characters, puzzle pieces, game boards, and alphabet and number games. Being sent to their rooms will never again be boring.

All braided up: Contemporary style has brought back the braided rug in natural and synthetic fibers. Find rugs like the immigrants brought to America in one-of-a-kind hand-braided and durable, affordable machine-braided accent, runner, and room-size contemporary rugs.

Modern Masters: Abstract expressionism, Art Deco, and even Oriental themes resurface in contemporary rug styles as award-winning designers create inspirational floor coverings. Squares, circles, rectangles, flowers, branches, and vines dwell amid lush piles and exquisite colors. Hand-knotted Tibetan wool and silk use natural dies for contemporary rugs in neutral colors, earthy tones, and shades of nature.