Rug colors going out of style for 2025, according to interior designers
You don’t have to be a dedicated follower of fashion to want to know which are the rug colors going out of style. There are good reasons why certain shades lose their allure at a particular moment in time and why you might, therefore, want to make different selections.
Color, along with texture, shape, and size, is a major factor when choosing a rug, and should always be an individual choice. However, it is the case that shades can fall out of favor because they no longer create the mood we’re yearning for.
So which are the rug trends and colors that interior designers say you might want to step away from in 2025? We asked them to name the colors that are no longer hot, as well as to suggest the hues that are preferable in their place.
Bright red
(Image credit: STARK)
Vibrant versions of red (and orange, too) are hues becoming outmoded for rugs, the experts say.
‘Bright red decor had its moment in 2024 (remember the unexpected red theory) as it offered a sense of drama, but it’s starting to feel a bit too intense and seasonally specific,’ says Ashley Stark, creative director of STARK and founder of Ashley Stark Home. ‘Bright reds can come off as heavy or overly traditional. In 2025, we’re seeing interior designers and homeowners are moving towards colors that feel both luxurious and adaptable without the visual weight.’
What to go for instead? ‘A good alternative to this is emerald green,’ she suggests. ‘Emerald evokes a freshness and elegance, making it popular for those looking for a rug that’s less predictable and can still serve as a statement.’
Interior designer Kathy Kuo of Kathy Kuo Home agrees that bright red – as well as orange tones – are out. ‘Rug colors are always going to be a personal preference,’ she says. ‘But I am seeing a trend lately towards organic modern rug looks with warm neutral color tones and materials like nature-inspired wovens.’
Cyrena Hand-Loomed Wool Rug
Emerald green might sound like a bold choice for a rug color, but it’s a surprisingly versatile shade that would work with layers or neutrals for a more toned-down space or look wonderful with contrasting rich shades like browns and terracottas.
Charcoal gray
(Image credit: Lulu & Georgia)
Step away from charcoal gray rugs to create the ambience that’s desirable right now, suggests interior designer Jo Rich, of J Rich Designs and Raydoor Sliding Walls & Doors.
‘Charcoal gray certainly dominated modern schemes for years and years, but its heaviness can make spaces feel too somber – especially as many homeowners nowadays seek brighter, airier rooms,’ she says.
‘An alternative that I like to recommend is a muted terracotta or clay-tone rug. I have always felt that the earthy reds can really introduce a cozy and grounded vibe that reads neutral enough to layer with things like patterned pillows or accent furniture.’
Terracotta is a lovely alternative to a neutral rug, it adds more depth and grounds a room. It makes for a lovely bedroom rug color where you want a bit more of a cocooning feel.
Cool blue
(Image credit: Paint and Paper Library)
Although they’ve been a favorite up to now, you might want to opt out of fresh blues for your rug color, suggests interior and product designer Rachel Blindauer.
‘Blues – especially icy or nautical tones – have had a long run in coastal and transitional interiors,’ she says. ‘But in today’s design landscape, they often feel too crisp, too impersonal. Clients are craving interiors that feel emotionally resonant.’
If you’re looking for a replacement, there are a few shades she recommends: ‘Stormy slate, muted indigo, or sea-glass green. These hues still offer a whisper of color, but with far more nuance. They nod to nature and memory, rather than a catalog spread.’
Carmine Handwoven Wool Rug
The perfect whisper of color that Rachel mentions, this pale blue rug would be easy to incorporate into any scheme. There are hints of orange in there, too, which ups the warmth.
White
(Image credit: Future)
Despite its undoubted charisma, white is a rug color to skip in 2025. ‘While a crisp white rug can look stunning, it rarely holds up in real life,’ says Ashley Stark. ‘White rugs tend to show every little mark, making them hard to maintain, especially in high-traffic areas like living rooms.’
The good news for fans of decorating with neutrals is that you don’t have to move too far away from crisp white. ‘Homeowners and designers are leaning towards more grounded neutrals like a soft cream, warm tan, and shades of gray with a pattern or texture,’ says Ashley. ‘You still get that light and airy feel, but they’re far more forgiving and practical for everyday living.’
Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Scottie Ivory / Grey Area Rug
A warm cream that’s soft underfoot is going to be far more welcoming and practical than a stark white rug. This one from Loloi also has some lovely details that add the perfect amount of interest.
Jewel tones
(Image credit: Charlotte Lea Photography / a NABER Design)
Yes, we mentioned emerald as a shade that’s on trend now, above, but there are certain jewel tones that are going out of style for 2025, and these are the highly saturated hues.
‘Once celebrated for their drama, deeply saturated overdyed jewel-toned rugs (think amethyst purples, sapphire blues, and ruby reds) are slipping out of fashion,’ says Rachel Blindauer. ‘While bold in concept, they can become visually heavy and difficult to pair with evolving decor. These pieces often dominate rather than elevate.’
But there are some alternatives that will appeal to lovers of earthy colors: ‘Earth-inspired ochres, washed terracottas, and soft tobacco tones,’ suggests Rachel. ‘These shades still offer a richness, but in a more grounded, organic way. They pair beautifully with stone, wood, and brass – materials that are also having a renaissance in both residential and boutique commercial interiors.’
Bayberry Spill Proof Vintage Washable Rug
A rich warm brown is the perfect rug choice. It’s timeless yet very on trend for 2025, it will ground a room filled with lighter neutrals, and it’s a very practical shade too – made even more practical by the fact this rug is spill-proof and machine washable.
The rug shades that are going out of style in 2025 are those that are too heavy, as well as those that feel too cool. But what could be more tempting in their place than the warming organic tones interior designers are recommending?
link
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ai-designed-rooms-GettyImages-2201897278-ee17d3b654d5443595d764c2d54c0725.jpg "Would You Trust AI to Decorate Your Home? Experts Share the Pros and Cons")
