Novelty Rugs Explained – Rug Themes 101

Sometimes you need a novelty rug to spice up the decor in the house. You may already have a grand collection of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas rugs packed away in the closet, but a firm understanding of what categorizes a rug as “novelty” is useful when choosing the right decor for your space. 

Novelty rugs bring a more relaxed and recreational vibe to the room. If you’re currently on the hunt for the right type of rug to fit your space, you’re in the right place. Take a few moments now to learn more about what elements are considered when categorizing a piece as novelty. 

Novelty rugs and unique shapes

Traditionally, rug designs stick to just a few basic shapes: a circle, a rectangle, or a square. Rugs categorized as novelty stray from the reigns of tradition in many different ways. “Shape” is definitely one of those ways. 

You can find rugs shaped like everyday objects. Television-shaped rugs, rugs shaped like animals, and plant or food-shaped designs would all be categorized as novelty. This is not to say novelty rugs can’t be shaped in traditional ways but that unconventional shapes are common in the category. 

The vibrant colors are easily recognizable

Unlike traditional designs, novelty rugs come in almost any color scheme imaginable. While traditional designs generally stick to navy blues, darker shades of red, and browns, novelty designs could include just about any color. 

From bold and bright shades of pink to neon green, lightning blue, and even black, novelty includes all the shades of the rainbow and then some. Some novelty designs are shaped after various cartoon characters, and the colors used serve as a notable element. 

Materials used for novelty rugs

The materials used when crafting a rug are key when choosing the right rug for your floors. Novelty manufacturers have a sort of “poetic license” when it comes to the materials used. You can find them made of wool, cotton, jute, sisal, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, vinyl, or even seagrass. 

When choosing a novelty design for your outdoor space, it’s best to choose a design made from polyester and/or polypropylene. These materials can withstand sun and weather and are easy to work to obtain rugs of all shapes and sizes.

The right place for a novelty rug

Novelty is suitable for use in a variety of settings, indoor and outdoor. The wide range of designs in the category makes for a wide range of possible appropriate spaces. 

Novelty rugs can fit into a kitchen, the living room, the hallway, your patio, porch, or garden, and are especially suitable for children’s playrooms and themed designs.

For instance, a rug with a racecar track design is great for enhancing playtime. When you’re decorating for holidays, a seasonal novelty design would be well-suited for the occasion. 

Novelty in a nutshell

Novelty rugs are an excellent way to add personality to a room. Make sure to place your new design in a spot where it will be seen as a focal point in the room. Now that you know a little more about the category, check out what RugSmart has to offer for a bright and creative spin on your newest room decor.