Velmette Plain Hand Tufted Shaggy Rug - Dark Teal

Velmette is a plain shaggy rug in dark teal, a deep blue green with a soft sheen on the long strands. Because there is no pattern to match, it sits easily alongside patterned fabrics or a busy wallpaper, and it works just as well in a calm, pared-back room. The pile is thick, soft and generously deep, and it feels wonderful under bare feet. It is hand tufted in 100% polyester, a fibre the maker chose because it wears well and is comfortable underfoot, and we offer it in 90 by 150cm, 110 by 160cm, 140 by 200cm, 160 by 230cm and 200 by 290cm.

The maker designed this rug for living rooms and bedrooms, and the size you choose decides the job it does. The 90 by 150cm and 110 by 160cm sizes suit the side of a bed, so the first step of the morning lands somewhere warm rather than on cold boards. The 140 by 200cm works in front of a two seater sofa or across the foot of a double bed. In a living room, the 160 by 230cm sits under a coffee table with the front legs of the sofa resting on it, while the 200 by 290cm is large enough to sit beneath a bigger sofa arrangement or a king size bed with room to spare.

The rug is 3cm thick, so check the gap under any door that opens across it before you order, and measure the space first. When it arrives, reverse roll it and leave it flat for 24 hours to settle. For everyday care, the maker advises regular vacuuming with a floor tool attachment or a gentle brush, and asks that the rug is kept dry. On a smooth floor, an underlay helps keep it in place.

Is the dark teal closer to blue or to green?

It sits right between the two, a deep blue green, and the soft sheen on the strands lets both tones come through. As it is one even colour with no pattern, it pairs easily with blues, greens, greys and warm wood floors.

Can this rug go in a bathroom or a kitchen?

We would keep it out of both. The care advice asks for the rug to be kept away from the wet, so it belongs in a dry room such as a living room or a bedroom.

How do I keep the shaggy pile looking full?

Give the rug a good shake from time to time to bring the pile back up and keep it looking its best, then brush it gently or go over it with the floor tool on your vacuum.

How should I clean this rug when vacuuming is not enough?

The maker recommends a dry shampoo when the rug needs freshening, and when it needs more than that, a specialist rug cleaner only. Avoid water, as the rug needs to stay dry.

How do I choose between the 160 by 230cm and 200 by 290cm sizes?

Measure your seating area and mark both sizes out on the floor with masking tape. If only the front legs of the sofa will rest on the rug, the smaller size often fits well; if you want every piece of furniture standing on it, the larger one gives you the room. A band of bare floor around the rug keeps the space looking balanced.