Jonathan Adler x Ruggable Collection: designer styling tips

Four rugs from the Jonathan Adler x Ruggable collection in Jonathan's home, in the hallway, lounge, dining table, and bedroom — (Image credit: Ruggable)

Potter and designer Jonathan Adler is famous for bringing colour and personality to everything he touches. He's globally celebrated for vibrant, maximalism at home, but his new rug collection offers a different, inspired approach to softer, organic styling.

We sat down with him to get the designer's dos, don'ts, tips, and tricks for how to style a rug at home. We delved into his new collection launch with Ruggable and asked him for personal favourites.

Whether you already have colour and character in your home or you're looking to add some to a more neutral palette, here's how to do it. The designer way.

Jonathan Adler x Ruggable Collection

We started out by asking Jonathan for his three favourite rugs. He explains that the "collection explores more of my crafty side. Each rug design is a little softer, a little more organic than what we’ve done in the past but still features my favourite colours and patterns. They’re usable, they’re wantable and, of course, they’re washable." Here are his recommendations:

Statement style

Ruggable

Rio Multicolour Rug by Jonathan Adler

On the Rio collection, Johnathan says, "Rio has a great sense of movement and feels almost like a painting you can walk on. I’d use Rio as a foundation in a room, and then keep the rest of the space simple and let the rug do the talking."

Luxury look

Ruggable

Philippe Amber Red Rug by Jonathan Adler

If you're looking for some luxury, Adler recommends Philippe. "I think folks should decorate with pieces that make you look even more glamorous than you already are, and Philippe does just that."

Fun and whimsical

Ruggable

Oscar Ochre Rug by Jonathan Adler

We asked Adler about one of our favourite designs, Oscar. "I’m crazy for the kaleidoscope pattern," says Adler, "if you try a graphic rug, you won’t look back - I promise!"

Ruggable has celebrated some stunning collaborations this year, from Morris & Co and Sanderson to an all-new wool collection, but Jonathan Adler's has to be one of our favourites. The characterful, designer pieces are an easy way to make your room look expensive, so we had to ask Adler what his secret is. "Good design looks like it was uncovered rather than created," he explains. In his new collection Adler chose the colours, patterns, materials, and textures to come together so that it looks naturally, expertly "life-enhancing" in Adler's words. Here are some more of our favourites - and we've got some tips and tricks on how to choose the right rug and style further below.

Fun features

Ruggable

Bowtie Natural Rug by Jonathan Adler

Simple style

Ruggable

Inkdrop Camel & Ivory Rug by Jonathan Adler

Colourful centrepiece

Ruggable

Rio Grey Rug by Jonathan Adler

Jonathan Adler Ruggable Styling Advice

We wanted to make the most of having the designer for tips and tricks, so we asked him all our pressing question, starting with how to choose the best rug for your room. Adler's first tip is choosing the correct size. "I find most folks err too small and, like so much in life, when it comes to rugs size matters!"

Next, he talks about style and patterns. "Start with a graphic rug, and then build from there." If you’re nervous about patterns, he recommends choosing "a softer palette or smaller-scale design. You don’t need to go from zero to maximalist overnight. And remember: life’s too short to look back and see an endless haze of beige."

From there, Adler says "there are no rules. If you love it, it will work." When we pressed him on how to add more colour to neutral rooms, he says "going bold doesn’t have to mean going overboard. I love a rug with colour and personality, but I also believe in giving it a little breathing room. Let the rug set the palette, then pull a few colours or shapes into the rest of the room. Above all, your space should reflect your personality."

For a feature

Ruggable

Brasilia Ochre Multicolour Rug by Jonathan Adler

For large rooms

Ruggable

Marquise Border Natural Rug by Jonathan Adler

For rich colours

Ruggable

Pennant Blue Rug by Jonathan Adler

One of the most special things about this collection is that it is quintessential Jonathan Adler. He even says "this collection is ME in a rug. The crafty potter? The fancy decorator? The couple with a senior rescue dog who likes to add her own…patina…to our floors? It’s all here and, thanks to Ruggable, you don’t have to choose between good design and pieces you can really live with."

So, if you're looking to bring colour into your kitchen and a little warmth to your rooms, we think we've found your perfect collection.

Laura is woman&home's eCommerce editor, in charge of testing, reviewing and recommending products for your home. You'll see her testing anything from damp-banishing dehumidifiers and KitchenAid's most covetable stand mixers through to the latest in Le Creuset's cast iron collection.

Previously, she was eCommerce Editor at Homes & Gardens, and has also written for Living Etc, The White Company and local publications when she was a student at Oxford University. She is also a Master Perfumer (a qualified candle snob), SCA-Certified Barista (qualified coffee snob) and part of a family who runs a pizza business (long-time pizza snob) - all of which come in handy when you're looking for the best pieces of kit to have kitchen.