I avoided rugs for years as a mum of 2 and cat owner – here’s what finally made me give in

Point of view of woman looking down onto feet while standing on rug with abstract pattern in oranges, browns, pinks and blues.

Interior designer Natalie Jahangiry is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on decorating a home to suit a busy family life while sticking to your aesthetic values, too. See the rest of her articles here.

Can I tell you a secret? Until recently, we didn't own any rugs. Coming from a half-Persian household, this is quite a shocking admission as rugs are almost built into the core of our culture. And it's not because I don't love them, I absolutely do, it's more that our girls (6 and 4) are notorious mess pots and our house is very much a lived-in family home.