Rugs: Lace Rugs by Hooked Design in Finland

Some rugs quietly do their job: soften a room, hush footsteps, survive snack time. And then there are rugs that
show up like the main character in a Scandinavian noirdramatic, intricate, and somehow still calm about it.
Enter the lace rugs by Finland’s Hooked Design, first spotted by Remodelista as “hand-crocheted rugs inspired by
the windows of Notre Dame in Paris.” They look like oversized doilies that decided they were done protecting
side tables and ready to anchor an entire room.

If your first thought is, “Wait… a crochet rug?”yes. And it’s not the crafty-cute kind you only see in a
cottagecore mood board. These lace carpets are graphic, architectural, and surprisingly versatile. They can read
romantic or modern, soft or bold, depending on color, scale, and how you style them. (Black lace on a pale wood
floor? That’s not a rug; that’s a mic drop.)

What Exactly Are Hooked Design Lace Rugs?

Hooked Design is a Finnish design company created by designer Minna Kokko and entrepreneur Tiina Jaatinen.
Their signature “lace carpet” is a large, round, hand-crocheted rug made in Finland using leftover yarn and
textile-industry materials. In other words: the raw material already had a first life, and then got promoted into
your living room.

The Remodelista snapshot

• Look: Round crochet “lace” pattern with strong negative space and shadow play.
• Inspiration: Notre Dame window geometry (translated into lace-like motifs).
• Origin: Hand-crocheted in Finland.
• Materials: Yarn castoffs / leftover textile-industry materials (often cotton; sometimes blends).
• Colors: Black, gray, red, natural, and white are commonly referenced.
• Sizes: Small accent rounds to large statement pieces; Remodelista highlighted 60 cm, 100 cm, and 200 cm diameters.
• Pricing: Remodelista noted prices starting around €65 for the smallest size, with larger pieces priced higher and custom orders available.

The key detail is the handmade crochet structure. Crochet creates dimensional loops and a flexible
textile body, which is very different from a stiff flatweave or a dense tufted pile. That structure gives lace
rugs a particular magic trick: they can feel both airy and substantial at the same time.

Why Lace Rugs Feel So Modern (Even Though They Look Like Grandma’s Greatest Hits)

Lace is usually associated with delicacycurtains, collars, heirlooms you’re scared to touch. Hooked Design flips
that expectation by scaling lace up into a bold, graphic surface. The pattern becomes architectural: more stained
glass than tea party. On a simple floor, the rug’s negative space acts like a filter, letting the room breathe
instead of covering every inch with fiber.

Design reasons lace rugs work

• Shadow + texture: Openwork crochet creates shifting shadows that change through the day. It’s like having a subtle light installation, but you can vacuum it.
• Soft edges for hard rooms: Round rugs interrupt boxy layoutsespecially in apartments where every piece of furniture is a rectangle with opinions.
• High style, low clutter: Lace patterns provide visual interest without the “busy rug” feeling that can fight with art, shelves, and patterned upholstery.
• Instant focal point: A lace rug is a conversation starter, especially in darker colors. Guests will ask. You will get to say “It’s crocheted.” Enjoy.

Materials, Craft, and the Sustainability Angle (Without the Lecture Voice)

Hooked Design’s lace rugs are often described as being made from leftover materials from the Finnish and European
textile industry. That matters because textiles are a huge waste category. In the U.S., millions of tons of
textile waste end up landfilled in a single year, which is why reuse and recyclingwhen done wellcan have real
impact.

The sustainability appeal here isn’t just “recycled = good.” It’s that the end product still looks intentional,
not like a compromise. Each rug can be slightly unique because leftover material streams varyso instead of
“perfectly identical,” you get “handmade with personality.” Think of it as the design version of adopting a
rescue dog: the charm is part of the deal.

What “leftover materials” can mean in real life

Depending on what’s available, leftover yarn might be mostly cotton, or cotton blended with synthetic fibers.
That blend affects weight, softness, and how the rug behaves when cleaned. It’s one reason it’s smart to treat
each lace rug like an individual: check how it feels, how flexible it is, and whether the color looks stable.

How to Style Hooked Design Lace Rugs Room by Room

Lace rugs are flexible in mood. They can lean romantic, modern, playful, or moody depending on color and context.
Here are practical ways to use them without accidentally making your space look like a Victorian ghost is running
an Airbnb.

Living room: the “anchor without heaviness” move

If your living room has clean-lined furniture (midcentury, Scandinavian, minimalist), a lace rug adds pattern
without introducing a loud color story. Black or gray lace against pale flooring looks crisp and graphic; natural
or white lace feels softer and more coastal.

• Size tip: Avoid “postage stamp rugs.” Aim for a rug that feels properly scaledtypically leaving a consistent border of visible floor around the perimeter.
• Placement tip: In most living rooms, try to get at least the front legs of major seating on the rug so it reads as one zone, not scattered islands.

Bedroom: yes, it can be a bed covering (seriously)

Remodelista highlighted a large black lace carpet (around 200 cm diameter) used as a distinctive bed covering.
It’s an unexpected styling idea that works because lace is flexible and drapes more than a stiff rug. If you want
the look without committing to “rug-on-bed” full-time, you can drape it at the foot of the bed like a throw with
backbone.

Dining area: proceed with realism

Lace rugs under dining tables are a style flex, but be honest about your household. Openwork patterns can catch
crumbs (they will find the holes; crumbs are resourceful). If you love the look, consider:

• Using lace in a dining nook that doesn’t host messy meals every day.
• Layering: put the lace rug on top of a larger, flatter base rug that’s easier to clean.
• Choosing darker colors if you’re spill-prone (no shame; gravity is undefeated).

Entryway or hallway: best as an accent piece

For high-traffic entry zones, a small lace rug can work as a “visual welcome mat” rather than the primary
dirt-catcher. Pair it with a more utilitarian mat near the door, and let the lace rug do the beauty job a few
steps inside.

Layering: how to make lace rugs look intentional

Layering rugs is a designer favorite because it adds depth and makes a room feel collected. Lace rugs are great
as the top layer because they bring pattern and texture without overwhelming. Use a larger neutral base
(like sisal, jute, or a simple flatweave) and center the lace rug where you want attentionunder a coffee table,
beside the bed, or in a reading corner.

Rug Care for Crochet and Cotton: Keep It Pretty Without Panicking

Lace rugs are tough enough for real life, but they reward consistent, gentle maintenance. Think “regular
tidy-up,” not “full spa day every weekend.” Here’s a practical care approach that borrows from mainstream rug
care guidance and adapts it to crochet structure.

1) Daily/weekly maintenance: vacuum like you mean it (but not aggressively)

• Vacuum regularly to prevent grit from grinding into fibers. For cotton rugs, weekly vacuuming is a common baseline.
• Use the right setting: If your vacuum has a strong beater bar, test carefully. Crochet loops can snag with overly aggressive agitation.
• Shake it out: Small sizes can be shaken outdoors to release dust and crumbs before vacuuming.

2) Don’t skip the rug pad

A rug pad helps prevent sliding, protects the floor, and reduces wear. It also makes thin rugs feel better under
foot and can reduce curling at the edges. For lace rugs, a pad adds stability and helps the openwork structure sit
nicely instead of shifting.

• Fit: Trim the pad slightly smaller than the rug so it stays hidden.
• Floor compatibility: Choose pad material that matches your flooring (hardwood vs. tile vs. carpet) to avoid residue or slipping.

3) Spot-cleaning: move fast, blot first

For spills, blot (don’t rub) and work from the outside in. Mild soap and water solutions are often used for
cotton woven/braided rugs, but always test in a less-visible area firstespecially with darker dyes.

• Color test: Dab a hidden spot with a damp white cloth. If dye transfers, keep cleaning as dry as possible.
• Dry methods: For rugs that may not be colorfast, options like baking soda and vacuuming later can refresh odors and lift some grime without soaking.
• Protect the floor: If you clean in place, put a waterproof barrier under the rug so moisture doesn’t damage the flooring.

4) Washing: only if the rug (and your washer) can truly handle it

Some cotton or synthetic rugs can be machine washable, but size and construction matter. If the rug is too large
or heavy when wet, it can strain the washer and distort the rug. If you do wash a washable rug:

• Shake/vacuum first and pretreat stains.
• Use cold water, gentle cycle, mild detergent; skip bleach and fabric softeners.
• Air-dry flat when possible; avoid high heat that can warp fibers or backing.

5) Sunlight and rotation: the low-effort longevity combo

Rotate the rug occasionally so wear and light exposure distribute evenly. If your rug sits in direct sun, note
that prolonged exposure can fade many textiles over timeespecially lighter colors and natural fibers.

How to Choose the Right Lace Rug: A Buyer’s Checklist

Lace rugs are statement pieces, but you still want them to fit your life. Here’s what to think about before you
commit.

Scale and proportion

Decide whether your lace rug is meant to anchor a zone or accent it. A small 60 cm round can
behave like décor (think: beside a chair, under a plant, near the bed). A 100–200 cm round becomes a true room
player, and your furniture choices should respect it.

Color choice (aka: mood control)

• Black: Graphic, modern, high contrast; hides some everyday mess, shows lint (choose your battles).
• Gray: Soft modern; blends well with Scandinavian and industrial palettes.
• Natural: Warm and quiet; great with wood, linen, and earthy neutrals.
• White: Airy and romantic; also brave. If you have kids, pets, or clumsy friends, keep stain remover handy.
• Red: A strong accent; works best when echoed elsewhere (art, pillows, ceramics) so it looks intentional.

Traffic and lifestyle

If your home is a high-traffic, shoes-on, snack-everywhere zone, a lace rug can still workbut pick placement
carefully, use a pad, and build in quick maintenance habits. If your home is more “quiet reading corner” than
“indoor obstacle course,” lace rugs will feel like a natural upgrade.

The Remodelista Angle: “Considered” Doesn’t Mean “Untouchable”

Remodelista’s appeal is that it treats design as daily life: beautiful, yesbut also functional, lived-in, and
worth thinking through. Hooked Design lace rugs fit that philosophy. They’re decorative and practical at once,
artisan-made but not precious in spirit. They invite a little care, but they also invite you to actually use your
space instead of museum-guarding it.

Added Experiences: Living With a Hooked Design–Style Lace Rug

Since I can’t literally move into your house and test-drive your rug (and also because that would be weird),
here’s a grounded, real-world “experience log” based on how lace/crochet rugs behave in actual homeswhat people
tend to notice, love, and learn after the honeymoon phase.

Week 1: The unrolling ceremony

The first surprise is how sculptural the rug looks on the floor. Lace patterns aren’t flat graphics; they’re
texture. In the morning light, the openwork creates faint shadows that make the room feel more layeredeven if
your furniture is minimal. Guests immediately ask what it is. The fun part is watching their brains reboot when
you say, “It’s crocheted.” The second surprise: round rugs instantly change traffic flow. People stop skimming
corners and start drifting toward the center like your coffee table has a magnetic field.

Week 2: The “this rug has opinions” phase

A lace rug teaches you quickly whether your furniture is the right scale. If your sofa and chairs are floating
far away, the rug looks like an island. If the rug is too small, it reads like a decorative coaster for your
entire living room. Once you nudge furniture so at least the front legs are on the rug, the room suddenly looks
finished. The lace pattern also plays surprisingly well with solids: a plain linen sofa and a lace rug feel
intentional, not bland, because the texture does the heavy lifting.

Week 3: Maintenance becomes a habit, not a project

You learn a simple rhythm: quick vacuum, occasional shake-out for smaller sizes, and immediate blotting if
something spills. Crumbs are the main nuisance because, yes, they will find the holes. The solution is not
despairit’s a handheld vacuum attachment and the acceptance that living rooms are sometimes snack rooms. A rug
pad becomes non-negotiable. Without it, the rug can shift slightly, which makes it feel less “designed” and more
“accidentally moved by a dramatic cat.”

Week 4: You start styling around it (in a good way)

A lace rug encourages fewer-but-better accessories. Instead of adding more patterns, you add materials: a matte
ceramic vase, a wood stool, a brushed metal lamp. The rug’s detail already tells a story, so everything else can
calm down. If the rug is black, you may notice lint more than you’d like (black textiles always have that one
personality trait). But black also hides a lot of everyday “life marks,” and it looks especially sharp against
pale floors and light upholstery.

Longer-term: The rug becomes part of your house’s identity

Over time, the lace rug becomes one of those pieces people remember. They might forget your paint color, but
they’ll remember “that incredible crochet rug.” And because the material source can vary, the rug can feel
slightly uniqueless mass-produced, more collected. The best part is that it bridges styles: it can work in a
modern apartment, a cozy cottage, or a clean-lined Scandinavian home, because the pattern reads as both vintage
and architectural. If you ever move it to a new room, it behaves like a design reset button: suddenly the new
space looks intentional, even before you’ve figured out where the art should go.

Conclusion: A Lace Rug Is a Statement You Can Actually Live With

Hooked Design lace rugs, as featured by Remodelista, are a rare mix: craft and architecture, softness and edge,
nostalgia and modern restraint. They’re visually rich without being loud, sustainable in concept without feeling
like a sacrifice, and flexible enough to work as a rug, an accent, or even a dramatic textile layer on a bed.
Choose the right size, give it a rug pad, keep up with light maintenance, and you’ll have a piece that turns
“nice room” into “tell me everything about that rug.”