Scandinavian Rugs
Scandinavian rugs solve a problem the north invented: how to make a hard floor warm without making a room dark. The answer, worked out over a century of long winters, was flat, light and washable rather than deep, heavy and precious.
Pappelina weaves in Sweden from plastic yarn, which sounds like a compromise until you have put one through a washing machine. Nothing soaks in, so nothing stains. The weave is flat enough that a door clears it and a chair slides over it, and the colours are clean and graphic in a way that reads as Scandinavian from across a room. Brita Sweden works the same material into geometry that sits quietly under furniture.
That combination is why these rugs end up in the rooms where a wool rug would be an expensive mistake: kitchens, hallways, a terrace, a child's bedroom, the narrow strip in front of a sink. They are the rare floor covering you can be careless with, which is the whole Scandinavian argument about design and daily life in one object.
Pictured: Gittan Woven Plastic Rug by Brita
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VERA Charcoal & Vanilla Runner Rug2 reviewsVERA Charcoal & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 250.00
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MAX Black & Vanilla RugMAX Black & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 170.00
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VERA Orange & Vanilla Runner Rug1 reviewVERA Orange & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 250.00
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VERA Warm Grey & Vanilla Runner Rug2 reviewsVERA Warm Grey & Vanilla Runner Rug
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ELLA Warm Grey & Vanilla Runner Rug1 reviewELLA Warm Grey & Vanilla Runner Rug
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VERA Black & Vanilla Runner Rug1 reviewVERA Black & Vanilla Runner Rug
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ELLA Black & Vanilla Runner Rug1 reviewELLA Black & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 250.00
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- $ 250.00
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MAX Mud & Vanilla RugMAX Mud & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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HONEY Denim & Vanilla RugHONEY Denim & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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VERA Small One Rug2 reviewsVERA Small One Rug
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- $ 150.00
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- $ 150.00
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DANA Warm Grey & Charcoal & Vanilla RugDANA Warm Grey & Charcoal & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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MONO Charcoal & Warm Grey RugMONO Charcoal & Warm Grey Rug
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- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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VERA Mud & Vanilla Runner RugVERA Mud & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 250.00
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MARRE Mud & Vanilla with Turquoise Stripe Runner RugMARRE Mud & Vanilla with Turquoise Stripe Runner Rug
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- $ 150.00
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VIGGO One Warm Grey & Vanilla Runner Rug1 reviewVIGGO One Warm Grey & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 80.00
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VIVI Black & Vanilla Runner RugVIVI Black & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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HONEY Black & Vanilla RugHONEY Black & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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DANA Army & Pale Turquoise & Vanilla RugDANA Army & Pale Turquoise & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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ASTA Pale Turquoise Runner RugASTA Pale Turquoise Runner Rug
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- $ 150.00
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- $ 150.00
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HONEY Pale Turquoise & Vanilla RugHONEY Pale Turquoise & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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MONO Storm & Light Grey RugMONO Storm & Light Grey Rug
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- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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HONEY Charcoal & Vanilla RugHONEY Charcoal & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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ASTA Warm Grey Runner RugASTA Warm Grey Runner Rug
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- $ 150.00
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- $ 150.00
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MARRE Black & Vanilla with Coral Red Stripe Runner RugMARRE Black & Vanilla with Coral Red Stripe Runner Rug
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- $ 150.00
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HONEY Warm Grey & Vanilla RugHONEY Warm Grey & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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VIGGO One Mud & Vanilla Runner Rug2 reviewsVIGGO One Mud & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 80.00
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- $ 80.00
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VERA Storm & Vanilla Runner RugVERA Storm & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 250.00
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- $ 250.00
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MONO Beige & Light Nougat RugMONO Beige & Light Nougat Rug
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- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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VIGGO One Dark Blue & Vanilla Runner RugVIGGO One Dark Blue & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 80.00
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- $ 80.00
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VIGGO One Red & Vanilla Runner RugVIGGO One Red & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 80.00
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- $ 80.00
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HONEY Mustard & Vanilla RugHONEY Mustard & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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DANA Ochre & Beige & Vanilla RugDANA Ochre & Beige & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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PEG Dark Blue & Linen Runner RugPEG Dark Blue & Linen Runner Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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VERA Red & Vanilla Runner RugVERA Red & Vanilla Runner Rug
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- $ 250.00
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- $ 250.00
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MONO Jade & Pale Turquoise RugMONO Jade & Pale Turquoise Rug
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- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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PEG Granit Runner RugPEG Granit Runner Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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OTTO Sky & Vanilla RugOTTO Sky & Vanilla Rug
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- $ 230.00
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- $ 230.00
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CARL Black Runner RugCARL Black Runner Rug
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- $ 150.00
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- $ 150.00
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BELLE Warm Grey Rug1 reviewBELLE Warm Grey Rug
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- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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PEG Black & Linen Runner RugPEG Black & Linen Runner Rug
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- $ 90.00
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- $ 90.00
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MONO Dark Blue & Denim Rug1 reviewMONO Dark Blue & Denim Rug
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- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Scandinavian Rug?
A Scandinavian rug is a flatweave built for light, practical northern interiors rather than for display. It is typically woven rather than tufted, low in pile so doors and chairs clear it, and patterned in clean geometry or simple stripes. Swedish makers such as Pappelina and Brita weave in plastic yarn, which gives the look of textile with none of the absorbency, so the rug can live where a wool one could not.
Are Scandinavian Rugs Washable?
The woven plastic ones are, which is most of their appeal. Smaller sizes go in a washing machine at 30 degrees; larger ones can be hosed down outside or scrubbed where they lie. Hang or lay flat to dry and never tumble dry. Wool Scandinavian rugs are a different matter and should be cleaned like any wool rug.
Can They Be Used Outdoors?
Yes. The same qualities that make them washable suit a terrace, a balcony or a boat. They will fade slowly in constant direct sun, as any dyed material does, so bring them in over winter if you want them to hold their colour for years rather than seasons.
What Size Rug Do I Need?
In a living room, aim for a rug large enough to sit under at least the front legs of the sofa and chairs; anything smaller makes the room look smaller. Under a dining table, add 24 inches on every side so chairs stay on the rug when pulled out. In a hallway or kitchen, a runner should stop short of the walls by a few inches at each end.
Do I Need an Underlay?
On a hard floor, yes. Flatweaves are light and will travel on polished wood or tile. A thin anti-slip underlay cut slightly smaller than the rug fixes it and adds a little softness underfoot.