Rug Styling Tips From Interior Photo Stylist

As an Interior Stylist, we style rugs alot, right?  Recently, I was asked by rug company, Ruggable to suggest ways to design a space for a man in 6 Designer Tips for Styling a Modern (or Dad) Cave When I find a product I love, I have to share it with you!  Jeneva Bell, the founder, started the company years ago when her dog had an ”accident” on her rug!  Isn’t that how great companies start?  Fixing a problem, finding and offering a solution! :)

Ruggable rugs are made and packaged in Los Angeles, California. The Ruggable Rug is a 2 piece rug system that is stain resistant for easy cleanup and goes right into your washing machine!  Check out the Ruggable Washable Indoor/Outdoor Rug Video. The rug covers are interchangeable so you can easily update your room.  For Interior and Prop Stylists ~ how amazingly easy are these to style with!  No more heavy, cumbersome rugs being carried or sent to shoots and so many colors and a variety of styles to chose from for your clients!  They are SO light in weight! It doesn’t get much easier than this, right?  

Gracee Tolentino from Ruggable asked me to share my thoughts on Building the Perfect Modern Man Cave and along with Jenny from Gather Home and Design,  Ways to Bring California Coastal Chic into any room, even if you don’t have a beach home.  

A rug really is the statement piece of any room you style.  It grounds your entire space and it adds the personality and warmth to the space and the photos you style. The rug is one of the first pieces I pull/select when styling a brand's images for catalogs and magazines.  A lot of the style elements and color palette are pulled from the rugs I select.  It's one of the key pieces to interior shots.  It sets a tone for the entire image.


MY FAVORITE STYLING TOOLS FOR RUGS

Lint Brush Roller

My preference of Lint Brush is the adhesive roll that you can peel off for a fresh layer of roller. If you have seen any of my Photo Styling Kit Classes, you know I love a mini or retractable tool to put in my kit.  It allows you to have more room in your kit.  But it has to be effective!  I have a mini-retractable lint brush as well as this one by Uline.  

** Also, I use Uline for other supplies.  I usually purchase in bulk for my Styling Kit and Uline has good price points.


Hand Held Max Black and Decker Vacuum

Love, Love this Vacuum!  It's small, but mighty! I use this because the camera sees everything and for close up detail shots you want to make sure rug is completely clean.  I know this vacuum is a bit pricey ~ but totally worth it! (It is $149, but you can get Black and Decker vacuums similar at other locations in a range of prices, approximately $70.00 to $125.00.) Your tools (& products you use) are the cornerstone to your styling success. You want your tools be effective and efficient.

Zots 3D Clear Adhesive Dots

Zots are my "all time "go-to" adhesive" to hold down rug corners.  (My preference is the 3D Style Zots because they are thick, clear and are "heavy duty" without being bulky under the rug.) BUT, the beauty of Ruggable, is you don't need them, because of their non slip pad and 2 piece system! (Another great feature!)  You also don't need stain remover, which I would also put in my Kit for styling rugs :)

Zots are really complete must-have for everything I style.  I highly recommend them.  I love the roll (instead of the sheets).  I find that the roll is easier to use as I am on set and the Zot dots come off better.


Bonnie ~

Image Credit ｜ Ruggable

If you need some ideas on what should be in your Styling Kit, we have a Photo Styling Kit Video available in our Business of Styling Shop.  (It includes a 1 hour video and a checklist.) I cover everything from how to arrive to your shoot, what I use to set up, shop with and all the tools and products I use.

Original Post Date:  June 17, 2020

This Post does not contain any affiliate links for either Ruggable Products or the three product and tool recommendations for rug styling. This post is my desire to share my thoughts with you on products that would be great for your interior photo styling assignments.  Post originated by being asked by Ruggable to share my interior design and styling thoughts.