So you have white tile floors in your home. Nice! White tile brings a clean, bright, airy feel to any space. But maybe all that white is feeling a little too white right now. The cure? Add a pop of color with an area rug.
But what color rug goes with white tile flooring? As a professional custom rug manufacturer, I will lead you to explore some options…
Why Add An Area Rug to White Tile Floors?
Before we dive into colors, I want to highlight the benefits of adding an area rug to white tile:
- Warm things up. Tile floors can come across as cold and flat. An area rug makes the space feel warmer and more inviting by adding dimension, texture, and color.
- Protect the tile. Rugs provide a protective barrier so your tile doesn’t get scratched and damaged. This is especially important for high-traffic areas like hallways and entryways.
- Soften your steps. Who doesn’t love walking on cushy softness vs. hard flooring? Rugs feel great underfoot.
- Enhance acoustics. Tile tends to echo sound. Rugs absorb noise to keep things pleasant.
- Pull the space together. An area rug unites furnishings by defining sitting/conversation areas. It brings cohesion.
Now let’s explore some rug color options to pair beautifully with your white tile.
7 Colorful Rugs That Go Great With White Tile Floors
1. Navy Blue Rugs
A deep blue rug pops against white tile. The color contrast is dramatic and makes the space instantly feel richer.
Navy also beautifully complements white and beige color schemes. So if you have a soft white and beige aesthetic going on with walls, seating, and decor, a navy rug ties everything together.
Navy works perfectly as a foundational neutral that still packs a colorful punch.
2. Soft Pink Rugs
For a playful, feminine vibe, try a soft pink area rug against white tile. The palest blush pink makes white floors feel fresh. Brighter pops of pink make the floor really stand out.
Pink rugs work well for:
- Girl’s rooms
- Nurseries
- Feminine living rooms/bedrooms
- Spa-like bathrooms
Some pink rug ideas: a shag rug with dimensional fibers or a vintage-style distressed rug for loads of texture.
3. Red Rugs
Much like navy, a rich red rug makes white tile pop thanks to high color contrast. Red feels vibrant, lively, and fun against white.
Different shades of red make for different moods. While a deep oxblood red feels sophisticated, brighter cherry reds add playfulness.
Red rugs pair beautifully with:
- Black and white color schemes
- Modern spaces
- Rustic farmhouse spaces
Distressed Persian-style rugs or fluffy shags work nicely with red.
4. Yellow Rugs
Sunny yellow makes white flooring glow and feels fresh and cheerful. It’s a lively accent color for white dominant spaces.
Different shades of yellow include:
- Mustard yellow – earthy, rustic feel
- Bright lemon yellow – fresh, Spring-like vibes
- Golden yellow – rich, welcoming ambiance
For a farmhouse look, pair a natural jute or sisal rug in golden yellow hues with white floors.
5. Green Rugs
Alongside blue, green is an extremely versatile accent color that pairs beautifully with white. Both soothing minty greens and vibrant emerald greens complement white tile floors.
Olive greens feel earthy and natural against white. Leafy hunter greens make white tile pop. It’s hard to go wrong with any shade of green.
Green rugs suit spaces like:
- Family rooms
- Dining spaces
- Nature-inspired living rooms
Try an ornate patterned green rug against simple white tile.
6. Orange Rugs
For a bright, cheerful ambiance, orange rugs pair wonderfully with white floors. They make small spaces appear larger too thanks to color reflection.
Both muted clay tones an vibrant tangerine oranges look chic against white.
Orange rugs work nicely in:
- Modern spaces
- Eclectic spaces
- Rooms getting ample natural light
For lots of texture against flat tile, shag orange rugs make a statement.
7. Patterned Rugs
While single neutral colors look fabulous against white floors, so do colorful patterned rugs!
For a globally-inspired vibe, try:
- Turkish rugs
- Moroccan rugs
- Indian rugs
- Persian rugs
The busier and brighter, the better, as the patterns really make white tile pop.
Distressed vintage rugs also add lovely texture and visual interest.
3 Neutral Color Rug Options for White Tile
While rich colors or vibrant patterns look fabulous against white floors, neutrals work nicely too.
They create an overall light and airy ambiance.
Here are some neutral rug color options for white tile floors:
1. Cream Rugs
Cream is a shade lighter than beige and reads like a soft off-white. It blends beautifully with white floors without completely matching. Cream adds light warmth.
Cream rugs suit spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, and offices. The lighter the tile, the better cream pairs.
A fluffy cream shag rug provides comfy contrast from hard floors.
2. Grey Rugs
Light greys offer subtle contrast from white floors while still keeping things neutral. Charcoal greys make white really stand out and feel modern.
Grey feels versatile enough for any room including open concept spaces that flow room to room with continuous flooring.
Natural sisal or jute rugs in grey hues pair nicely here.
3. Black Rugs
A black area rug is incredibly chic against white tile. It keeps things neutral while offering the ultimate color contrast.
Black and white schemes feel crisp, classic, and elegant together.
Black rug options:
- Fuzzy sheepskin rug for bedrooms
- Silky shag rug for living rooms
- Moroccan trellis pattern rugs for eclectic spaces
What Size Rug for White Tile Floors?
Now that you know the perfect rug color options for white tile, what size should you choose?
Here are some popular options:
- For living rooms, an 8’ x 10’ or 9’ x 12’ rug defines the main sitting area. Size it leaving an 18” border around furniture groupings.
- For dining rooms, a rug spanning 4 feet wider and longer than the table on all sides suits. So size up accordingly.
- For bedrooms, an 8’ x 10’ rug with 2 feet of floor showing on either side of the bed frames things nicely.
- For entryways, a 5′ x 7′ or 6′ x 9′ runner draws you into the home.
- For kitchens, a 5′ x 7′ rug tucked under the sink anchors things without overwhelming.
In small spaces like bathrooms or laundry rooms, 3′ x 5′ rugs add a pop of color minus bulk.
Which Rooms Look Best With Rugs Against White Tile?
White tile floors span every room of the home. And colorful rugs complement white tile beautifully in virtually any space.
That said, some spaces that are especially enhanced by adding an area rug include:
Entryways – Welcome guests in with warmth by adding an area rug over cold tile right inside your front door.
Living Rooms – Define sitting areas and add softness underfoot.
Dining Rooms – Rugs make dining more comfortable and inviting.
Bedrooms – Carpet bedsides and walking areas with plush area rugs.
Bathrooms – Small wool or cotton rugs add warmth post-shower.
Kitchens – Protect white grout from spills and cooking mishaps.
Laundry Rooms – Perk up all that white and soften your folding area.
Quick Guide For Pairing Rug Colors With White Tile Floors
- Warm neutrals like cream, beige, tan
- Cool neutrals like grey, black
- Rich navies, reds, greens
- Sunny yellows, happy oranges
- Playful yet elegant pinks
- Global patterned rugs like Persian, Moroccan, Turkish
- Soft pastels for a subtle pop of color
- Bright colors for maximum contrast
Final Thoughts
Hard white tile floors crave the coziness, visual interest, and color that area rugs provide.
Naturally, lighter beiges, creams, and greys beautifully complement white.
But for lots of contrast, any rich, deep color pops gorgeously against a white backdrop. Global patterns also enliven white tile.
Just avoid rugs exactly matching your floor color. Things can start to look washed out without a hint of contrast.
So which color speaks to you? Hopefully these ideas sparked inspiration for the perfect area rug to pair with your gorgeous white tile floors!