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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BOO Linen & Vanilla RugBOO Linen & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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BOO Dark Olive & Vanilla RugBOO Dark Olive & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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PEG Dark Linen & Vanilla Runner RugPEG Dark Linen & Vanilla Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 90.00
- Sale price
- $ 90.00
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BOO Charcoal & Vanilla RugBOO Charcoal & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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CARL Pale Rose Pearl Pink Runner RugCARL Pale Rose Pearl Pink Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 150.00
- Sale price
- $ 150.00
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MONO Blush & Dark Red RugMONO Blush & Dark Red Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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Paloma Woven Plastic RugPaloma Woven Plastic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 172.00
- Sale price
- $ 172.00
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Flower Soft Plastic RugFlower Soft Plastic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 172.00
- Sale price
- $ 172.00
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Ruth Woven Plastic RugRuth Woven Plastic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 172.00
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- $ 172.00
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Ingrid Woven Plastic RugIngrid Woven Plastic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 172.00
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- $ 172.00
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Gittan Woven Plastic RugGittan Woven Plastic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 172.00
- Sale price
- $ 172.00
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Pemba Woven Plastic RugPemba Woven Plastic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 172.00
- Sale price
- $ 172.00
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Seasons Woven Plastic RugSeasons Woven Plastic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 172.00
- Sale price
- $ 172.00
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BOB Blue Fog Runner RugBOB Blue Fog Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 330.00
- Sale price
- $ 330.00
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TOM Ochre Runner RugTOM Ochre Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 200.00
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- $ 200.00
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TOM Ocean Blue Runner RugTOM Ocean Blue Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 200.00
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- $ 200.00
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LEIF Seagrass Runner RugLEIF Seagrass Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 150.00
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- $ 150.00
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EMM Sage/Linen MetallicEMM Sage/Linen Metallic
- Regular price
- $ 290.00
- Sale price
- $ 290.00
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EMM Fossil Grey/Stone MetallicEMM Fossil Grey/Stone Metallic
- Regular price
- $ 290.00
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- $ 290.00
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OTTO Herb & Vanilla RugOTTO Herb & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 230.00
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- $ 230.00
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POPPY Black & Vanilla RugPOPPY Black & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 310.00
- Sale price
- $ 310.00
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POPPY Potato & Vanilla RugPOPPY Potato & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 310.00
- Sale price
- $ 310.00
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POPPY Oregano & Vanilla RugPOPPY Oregano & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 310.00
- Sale price
- $ 310.00
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EDIT Granit & Grey with Grey Metalic RugEDIT Granit & Grey with Grey Metalic Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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PIX Flamingo & Vanilla with Pale Orange RugPIX Flamingo & Vanilla with Pale Orange Rug
- Regular price
- $ 350.00
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- $ 350.00
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ILDA Warm Grey & Vanilla RugILDA Warm Grey & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 200.00
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- $ 200.00
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FRED Linen & Vanilla Runner Rug1 reviewFRED Linen & Vanilla Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 150.00
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- $ 150.00
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VERA Army & Vanilla Runner Rug1 reviewVERA Army & Vanilla Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 250.00
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- $ 250.00
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MAX Sage & Vanilla RugMAX Sage & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
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- $ 170.00
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KOTTE Sand & Vanilla Runner RugKOTTE Sand & Vanilla Runner Rug
- Regular price
- $ 80.00
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- $ 80.00
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MONO Dark Brown & Dark Linen RugMONO Dark Brown & Dark Linen Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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MONO Sage & Army RugMONO Sage & Army Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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CARL Sage & Seagrass RugCARL Sage & Seagrass Rug
- Regular price
- $ 150.00
- Sale price
- $ 150.00
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MAX Ochre & Vanilla RugMAX Ochre & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 170.00
- Sale price
- $ 170.00
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OTIS Ocean Blue & Vanilla Rug1 reviewOTIS Ocean Blue & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 80.00
- Sale price
- $ 80.00
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OTIS Granit & Fossil Grey RugOTIS Granit & Fossil Grey Rug
- Regular price
- $ 80.00
- Sale price
- $ 80.00
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BOO Haze & Vanilla RugBOO Haze & Vanilla Rug
- Regular price
- $ 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.