Living DNA Press Feature in Lianhe Zaobao

Published: 25 January 2026 | Lianhe Zaobao Home Section

At Living DNA, we have always believed that a rug is never just an accessory. This press feature, created in collaboration with Shry Interiors, reflects that belief, where spatial design and bespoke textiles come together to form the foundation of a home. A rug becomes an anchor, a quiet presence, and often the element that brings an entire space into harmony.

In January 2026, we were honoured to be featured in Lianhe Zaobao’s Home section in a special editorial titled “Rugs Are the Soul of the Home” (地毯是家的气质担当). The feature explores how rugs shape mood, warmth and spatial character, offering thoughtful insights into modern living, particularly within compact homes and tropical climates like Singapore.

For readers unfamiliar with Mandarin, this piece offers a deeper understanding of how rugs influence everyday living, both aesthetically and practically.

Rugs as More Than Decoration

The feature opens with a simple yet powerful idea: rugs are not decorative afterthoughts. They play a central role in defining how a home feels and functions. In contemporary interiors, especially apartments with open-plan layouts, rugs act as visual anchors that bring order, warmth and balance into a space.

Beyond colour and texture, rugs help to:

• Define functional zones within open layouts

• Anchor furniture groupings

• Soften acoustics and improve comfort

• Introduce warmth into minimalist or modern interiors

This perspective closely reflects Living DNA’s design philosophy, that a well-chosen rug quietly shapes how a space is experienced, long before it is consciously noticed.

Creating Warmth in a Tropical Climate

A significant focus lies in addressing the challenges of selecting rugs in warm and humid environments. Homeowners often hesitate to introduce textiles for fear of trapping heat or increasing maintenance. With thoughtful material selection and construction, rugs can remain breathable, cooling and comfortable underfoot.

Materials such as wool blends, polypropylene, and flatweaves or low-pile constructions are highlighted for their durability, ease of care and suitability for daily use in tropical conditions. Proper material choice ensures that rugs enhance comfort rather than compromise it.

Living DNA’s featured projects demonstrate how natural textures and carefully selected fibres introduce softness without overwhelming the space, achieving a balance between visual refinement and functional practicality.

Defining Space Through Design

One of the central ideas explored is how rugs help define spatial boundaries in modern homes, particularly in open-concept layouts where living, dining and study areas often merge into one continuous environment.

Rather than relying on walls or partitions, rugs provide subtle zoning by framing seating arrangements, visually separating dining areas, and creating a sense of enclosure within larger rooms.

In the featured living room, designed in collaboration with Shry Interiors, a bespoke rug anchors the sofa and coffee table, grounding the seating area while preserving openness and flow. This approach allows spaces to remain flexible while still feeling organised and intentional.

Material, Texture and Pile Height: The Details That Matter

Beyond visual composition, strong emphasis is placed on technical considerations that are often overlooked.

Pile Height and Comfort
Pile height directly affects walking comfort, furniture stability and maintenance requirements. Low-pile rugs are recommended for dining and high-traffic areas, where chairs move frequently and spills are more likely. Medium to high-pile rugs are better suited to bedrooms and lounging spaces, where softness and warmth take priority.

Texture and Visual Depth
Texture plays a key role in shaping the mood of a room. Subtle variations in weave, sheen and fibre introduce depth and richness, preventing minimalist interiors from feeling flat or sterile. Living DNA’s projects illustrate how layered textures, even within neutral palettes, add character and quiet sophistication.

Rugs in the Bedroom: Comfort and Calm

In the bedroom, rugs take on a more emotional role. Placed beneath or beside the bed, they enhance the morning and evening rituals of daily life by offering softness underfoot, reducing noise and visually framing the sleeping area.

In one featured bedroom, the rug extends beyond the bed to create a generous, calming base layer that unifies the bed, side tables and lighting. The result is a space that feels cohesive, serene and deeply restful.

Practicality Meets Longevity

Long-term durability and maintenance are key considerations, particularly for families and pet owners.

Recommended approaches include choosing stain-resistant fibres for high-use areas, selecting darker or textured patterns where maintenance is a concern, and maintaining regular vacuuming and professional cleaning schedules.

Polypropylene rugs are highlighted for their resilience, making them well suited to active households. At the same time, natural fibres continue to be valued for their tactile quality and visual refinement. This balance between beauty and durability reflects Living DNA’s commitment to creating rugs that remain elegant, functional and relevant over time.

Rugs as Emotional Anchors

Perhaps the most meaningful dimension explored is the emotional role rugs play within the home. Beyond layout and materials, rugs influence how a space feels, whether welcoming, grounded, intimate or expansive.

They often become the centre of daily family life, the foundation for conversation and gathering, and a visual memory embedded within the home.

At Living DNA, we design with this in mind, crafting rugs that quietly hold space for everyday moments, from morning routines to evening conversations.

A Reflection of Living DNA & Shry Interiors’ Design Philosophy

Being featured affirms our shared belief at Living DNA and Shry Interiors that rugs are not decorative afterthoughts, but essential architectural and emotional elements of the home.

Each Living DNA rug is designed to respond to the proportions of the space, complement architecture and furnishings, support daily living through comfort and durability, and express the personality of the homeowner.

This feature reflects our ongoing commitment to bespoke craftsmanship, thoughtful material selection and design that balances beauty with function.

Press Credits & Design Collaboration
Publication: Lianhe Zaobao – Home Section
Date: 25 January 2026
Article Title: 地毯是家的气质担当 (“Rugs Are the Soul of the Home”)
Interior Design: Shry Interiors
Rug Design & Bespoke Carpets: Living DNA
Images: Living DNA