We’re in love with every single rug in our new designer collaboration with content creator and designer Arvin Olano. And another thing we love? All the incredible rug-related styling advice Arvin has imparted along the way. He’s an absolute pro when it comes to curating a beautiful home, and we know you’ll find his advice endlessly helpful, regardless of where you are in the design process. Keep reading to hear Arvin’s top tips and to learn how to pull off minimalist-meets-eclectic style!
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Tip #1: Use a rug to set the tone in a space.
“When I’m designing a space, I always start from the ground up, so I usually start with a rug,” Arvin says. “Rugs are so important in any space because they can completely change the mood. For example, a shag textured rug will invite you to get cozy, take your shoes off, and watch TV. Or a jute rug is so resilient, so you’re not going to be so careful around it—maybe you’ll have it in a dining room or in a kitchen.
A good rug can also help delineate spaces, so it’ll tell you, ‘This is the living room, or this is the kitchen, or this is the bedroom.’ They really ground the space and help ground the design. They’re the foundation of a room, so I feel like every room needs a rug!”
Tip #2: Don’t be afraid to break the rules
When it comes to design, Arvin is always willing to push the envelope and do what feels right in his gut versus following set rules. “I feel like I am always breaking the rules, but if I were to follow any, I think just: keep it simple, don’t overthink it, and buy what you love.”
Tip #3: Be selective when it comes to rugs.
“There are three things that I always look for when purchasing a rug,” Arvin says. “Number one: The color palette. I always go for something neutral. It’s easy. Number two: I always look for natural fibers—wool, jute, and cotton. And number three: I go for a classic design style or print. It’s usually a stripe, a grid pattern, and even check patterns, as well.”
Tip #4: Yes, you can be stylish and have pets!
And the key? Choosing rugs you can easily clean. “Being a pet parent means I included a few washable rugs in my collection to make sure there’s that durability factor,” Arvin says. “Let’s be real: our pets have little accidents, so [with these,] you’re able to just throw [them] in the wash and [they’re] good as new.”
