Hug Rug: British made rugs and runners with family heritage

Hug Rug was born out of the desire to create natural and sustainably focused products for interiors. As part of a wider textile family – Phoenox Textiles – that have over 70 years’ experience in the British market, Hug Rug’s mission is to make beautiful products that not only look good but do good.

We’re we chat with Lizzie Mosley, Creative Director at Hug Rug about the family’s heritage, story and sustainability ..

Can you tell us the backstory of Hug Rug? When and why was it started?

We founded Hug Rug 18 years ago, when we decided to make Hug Rug’s parent company Phoenox’s washable rugs and doormats available directly to consumers. A true family business, Phoenox textiles is now run by myself, Adrian and Charles Mosley, the third generation of the family, and we are proud to still be producing our products in Britain from our family-run mill in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, which has been in operation since Phoenox was founded in 1954.

In 1970, we invented the machine washable rug, which has proved to be an enduringly popular choice for flooring thanks to its effortless blend of practicality and style. Hug Rug was then founded with the goal to create rugs for every home, providing functional, sustainable flooring that doesn’t sacrifice on aesthetic appeal and at an affordable price.

What is unique about your brand?

We believe it is our history and heritage that makes Hug Rug special. We are proud to design and manufacture all our rugs in-house at our Yorkshire factory, and will continue to do so. From the close-knit team at the factory – some of whom have been with us for as long as 40 years – to the skills which have been passed down and nourished at our factory from generation to generation, our commitment to local craft really sets us apart. We’re proud to make our products in Yorkshire, which used to be a hub for carpet and textile production, and we’re proud to be one of the few remaining rug and textile makers still producing our products in Yorkshire.

As well as being fully crafted by our brilliant team, Hug Rug mats and eco-washable rugs are also finished with our non-slip, eco rubber backing, that removes the need for a separate anti-slip underlay whilst also helping to extend the lifetime of your Hug Rug.

How important is sustainability to your brand?

Sustainability is at the heart of what we do. From the beginning, we have made sure to work with suppliers who truly understand our vision to create affordable, stylish and sustainable products. We have crafted our rugs from recycled materials since Hug Rug was founded in 2007, as well as natural materials, in order to leave a lighter footprint on the planet. We’re inspired by our factory’s beautiful Yorkshire surroundings, and it inspires us to do better for our planet and for future generations. We are committed to continuous assessment of our processes and products and continue to strive to make product that don’t just look good, but does good.

Tell us more about your latest collection…

Our most recent launch, the Outdoor Collection, is made using new ECONYL® regenerated nylon, which starts as rescued waste, like fishing nets, but creates a tough texture that is great a stopping dirt from entering the home. As sustainability becomes increasingly ingrained into our daily lives, our product teams are constantly researching and developing new products, so we can continue our sustainability journey.

We also launched several exciting new Eco-Washable Rug and Washable Doormat designs for Autumn-Winter 2025, including our new Chorus Bird Charity Doormat, which is the latest design in our range of Charity Mats. Giving back is really important to us as a brand, and we’re proud to support some amazing causes including the RSPB, with 10% of the proceeds supporting these brilliant organisations.

What are some of the plans for near future… 

Having just celebrated 18 years, we’re so excited to see what the next 18 years of Hug Rug bring! We have some exciting collaborations and new launches upcoming for 2026, so keep your eyes peeled for what’s sure to be a very exciting year.

For more information please visit hugrug.co.uk.

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